All articles tagged with #lieutenant governor
State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, the Democrat running for lieutenant governor, filed a police report alleging Dan Patrick violated Texas’ 2019 deepfake law after his campaign posted two AI-generated videos of her that depicted her but were not actually her; Patrick’s team called the clips parodies and removed them following the complaint as early voting nears.
Sabina Matos secured the Rhode Island Democratic lieutenant governor primary with about 37.4% of the vote as NBC projected 96.7% of ballots counted; John Loughlin II won the Republican primary uncontested. Other Democratic contenders trailed, and preliminary municipal results show Matos leading in several towns.
Mikie Sherrill declined to confirm or deny an ongoing misconduct probe involving Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell during her first public appearance since the news broke, offering general assurances that complaints are taken seriously while avoiding specifics; Caldwell’s role as secretary of state and acting governor, plus a separate voter-registration error investigation, have attracted Republican calls for resignation and ongoing scrutiny with Democrats largely silent.
NJ Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill is navigating a secretive internal probe into Lt. Gov.-elect Dale Caldwell over alleged misconduct and ethics concerns, publicly addressing the matter only in broad terms and offering no details to lawmakers or the public; party leaders report little information, Republicans seize on the silence to criticize governance, Caldwell's duties could be reassigned but have not been stripped, and transparency remains a key political test as the investigation continues.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser announced Jefferson County Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper as his running mate for the 2026 governor’s race; if elected, Dahlkemper would serve as lieutenant governor. A Democrat with a background in public service and journalism, Dahlkemper was an early supporter and would join a ticket facing Republican Victor Marx. Weiser praised her leadership, and the story notes scrutiny around how the lieutenant governor role would be compensated, similar to the current arrangement with Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera.
State Rep. Vikki Goodwin won the Democratic runoff to become the party's lieutenant governor nominee and will face Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in November; Goodwin pitched herself as a public schools advocate focusing on affordability, healthcare access and water infrastructure, while Patrick—an ally of Trump with a large fundraising lead—presides over a GOP-led Texas Senate, setting up a high-stakes general election in Austin.
Justin Fairfax, elected Virginia lieutenant governor in 2017 as a historic rising star, saw his political trajectory derailed by sexual assault allegations; the piece also notes reports that he and his wife were later found dead in an apparent murder-suicide.
Brooklyn's largest county Democratic committee rescinded its endorsement of Gov. Kathy Hochul after she selected Adrienne Adams as her running mate, with Brooklyn leader Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn criticizing the move as a lack of consultation. The surprise pick could complicate Hochul’s reelection bid amid a primary challenge from Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, and some Brooklyn leaders expressed opposition to Adams while others defended the all-women ticket.
Governor Tim Walz is expected to choose a new lieutenant governor for his upcoming re-election campaign, as Peggy Flanagan runs for U.S. Senate. Several potential candidates are being discussed, including Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston, Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt, and others, with considerations around gender and race to create a balanced ticket. Walz has not yet made a decision, and discussions about his choice are ongoing.
Former Republican Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, Geoff Duncan, has announced his candidacy for governor as a Democrat, marking a significant political shift amid Georgia's evolving status as a swing state. Duncan, known for opposing Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, has aligned more closely with Democrats in recent years and aims to leverage his statewide experience to succeed in a competitive race against other Democratic and Republican contenders.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to appoint State Senator Jay Collins as the new lieutenant governor, a move that could position Collins as a potential challenger in the 2026 gubernatorial race and possibly oppose Trump-endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds.
Virginia's primary election saw Democrats choose their nominee for lieutenant governor from a crowded field, with Ghazala Hashmi and Levar Stoney leading, while Jay Jones narrowly won the Democratic attorney general race. Republicans faced uncontested races for lieutenant governor and reelection. Low voter turnout was reported across counties, with key races setting the stage for the November elections.
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has announced that he will not seek a third term, leaving the field open for potential candidates, including his lieutenant governor Tammy Miller, who is considering a run. Attorney General Drew Wrigley has declined to run for governor, while former state Sen. Tom Campbell has announced his intention to enter the race. Rep. Kelly Armstrong and other potential candidates are also being considered. Burgum cited family as a reason for not seeking reelection and expressed interest in future opportunities in the private sector.
Mississippi voters will elect leaders for all eight statewide offices in the general election on November 7. The candidates for governor include incumbent Republican Tate Reeves, who implemented COVID-19 restrictions but later reversed them, signed a bill giving teachers a pay raise, and opposes Medicaid expansion and abortion rights. Democratic candidate Brandon Presley supports Medicaid expansion, raising the minimum wage, and increasing education funding. In the lieutenant governor race, incumbent Republican Delbert Hosemann supports infrastructure funding, expanding Medicaid, and increasing teacher pay, while Democratic candidate Ryan Grover wants to make voting easier, expand Medicaid, and integrate technology into state government. The candidates for attorney general are incumbent Republican Lynn Fitch, who opposes abortion rights and transgender rights, and Democratic candidate Greta Kemp Martin, who wants to investigate wrongful convictions and establish a fair labor division. The candidates for secretary of state are incumbent Republican Michael Watson, who supports voter ID laws and online voter registration, and Democratic candidate Ty Pinkins, who wants to restore voting rights and expand voting options. Incumbent Republican David McRae is running for re-election as state treasurer, focusing on fiscal responsibility and unclaimed property, while Democratic candidate Addie Lee Green supports Medicaid expansion and raising the minimum wage. Incumbent Republican Shad White, the state auditor, pledges to recover misspent taxpayer dollars and increase government efficiency, while Democratic candidate Larry Bradford wants to increase transparency and help small towns. Incumbent Republican Andy Gipson is running for re-election as commissioner of agriculture and commerce.
Mississippi's general election is taking place on Tuesday, with Republican Governor Tate Reeves seeking a second term against Democrat Brandon Presley. While Reeves won in 2019 with a narrow margin, Presley has remained competitive in terms of campaign cash. The race for lieutenant governor is also on the ballot, with Republican incumbent Delbert Hosemann facing Democrat D. Ryan Grover. If no candidate receives a majority in the gubernatorial race, a runoff will be held on November 28. Mississippi does not allow Election Day registration, and turnout in the 2019 general election was 43%.