All articles tagged with #state politics
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced that a referendum on transgender athletes participating in sports has been removed from the 2026 ballot, shelving the measure for now and leaving no immediate voter decision on the issue.
Colorado Democrats censured Gov. Jared Polis for granting clemency to Tina Peters, the former Mesa County clerk convicted of enabling unauthorized access to voting equipment; Polis shortened her nine-year sentence to 4.5 years (not a pardon), sparking criticism that the move undermines trust in elections. Peters’ case has become a rallying point for election-denial voices, while Polis’ allies argue the decision was based on the facts of the case and the process, with critics including Sen. Michael Bennet suggesting it could threaten Polis’ political prospects.
Democratic New York lawmakers are weighing several state constitutional amendments to overhaul the redistricting process, aiming to keep options open as the session ends June 4 and the June 23 primary approaches. They may pass multiple versions for a second passage next year, with any change requiring voter referendum. Proposals range from minor tweaks to potentially scrapping the map-drawing commission entirely, while Republicans push for independent redistricting in line with broader national debates after a Virginia court ruling.
New York Democrats are moving forward with a 2028 redistricting plan but are unlikely to mimic the aggressive gerrymandering seen in GOP-led states, kept in check by Voting Rights Act protections and political pressure to preserve minority districts. A constitutional amendment may guide the process, and while Democrats could expand their margin from 19-7 toward roughly 22-4 or 23-3, leaders say they will not roll back minority protections, a stance likely to face civil rights scrutiny and public pushback even as the Democratic edge grows.
Bruce Blakeman trails Gov. Kathy Hochul by double digits as fundraising gaps, a late campaign start, and ties to Trump complicate the NY GOP’s bid to replicate Zeldin’s near-win; Democrats have launched a seven-figure ad campaign and seek to deny public matching funds, while Hochul builds a robust campaign infrastructure in a deeply blue state.
Democrat-led Washington state Senate approved a 9.9% income tax on residents earning over $1 million to fund education, prisons, universal school lunches and other programs, with Gov. Ferguson expected to sign. Supporters cite budget pressures and public sentiment, while critics warn about potential business impact and legal challenges, including a ballot repeal effort and constitutional questions around how income is treated.
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson says he will sign the latest version of the proposed millionaire income tax, which would levy 9.9% on earnings over $1 million and redirect revenue to benefits like a expanded Working Families Tax Credit, free school meals for all students, OTC medicine sales-tax exemption, and childcare accounts, aiming to bolster families and small businesses; Democrats praise the changes while Republicans push back, and the bill still must pass both the House and Senate before signature.
With seven days left in Florida's 60-day 2026 session, a budget stalemate between the House and Senate and simmering tensions with Gov. Ron DeSantis threaten to derail top priorities (including AI regulation) as lawmakers prepare for redistricting and a looming property-tax special session; even as some bills pass, the session is expected to end without major agreements, highlighting ongoing divisions and affordability concerns for residents.
Democrat Taylor Rehmet won a Texas state Senate special election in a Fort Worth–area district, flipping a seat that Trump carried by 17 points in 2024. Backed by national groups including the DNC and VoteVets, the victory signals Democratic strength in certain GOP-leaning districts during special elections, though Rehmet will serve only until January and must win the November general election to secure a full four-year term as Republicans retain a comfortable Senate majority.
Rep. Byron Donalds, backed by President Trump, leads Florida’s GOP gubernatorial primary with seven months to go, turning the contest into a race for second as DeSantis’ endorsement remains uncertain. High-profile rivals like Jay Collins and Paul Renner have entered the field but polls still show them in single digits, while hypothetical matchups with Florida’s first lady suggest Donalds would win decisively. Donalds’ fundraising (~$45 million), name ID, and a strong campaign team bolster his front-runner position, though opponents argue the race could tighten and scrutinize Donalds’ finances, his wife’s charter-school business, and past associations. DeSantis allies are divided on endorsements, with some suggesting Renner as a credible alternative; the dynamic remains fluid as campaigns eye late developments and potential new entrants into the race.
Two special elections in Minnesota gave Democrats two seats and left the House evenly split at 67-67; the state faces intensified immigration enforcement tensions, including fatalities and lawsuits, while Democrats control the Senate and governorship but must seek Republican support to advance their agenda.
A Virginia judge ruled that a Democrats’ redistricting resolution is illegal, adding another hurdle to the state’s efforts to redraw legislative maps amid ongoing political battles and election dynamics.
A Virginia circuit court blocked Democrats’ plan to redraw the state’s congressional map this year, ruling they bypassed proper procedures to approve a constitutional amendment and failed to meet notice and voting requirements in a special-session move; the ruling, if upheld on appeal, could prevent the mid-decade redistricting and potentially cost Democrats up to four seats in the 2026 midterms; Republicans hailed it as upholding the rule of law, while Democrats pledged to appeal and press ahead with map changes.
Mikie Sherrill was sworn in as New Jersey’s 57th governor and immediately issued executive orders to curb rising utility costs and expand energy supplies, framing her term as a push for affordability and a bulwark against Trump-era policies. The former congresswoman also faces a looming budget deficit of more than $1 billion as she charts a course with running mate Dale Caldwell, who was sworn in as secretary of state, with the inauguration held in Newark to emphasize outreach to diverse communities.
Democrat Abigail Spanberger was sworn in as Virginia's first female governor, signaling a new Democratic era in the commonwealth as Hashmi and Jay Jones were sworn in as lieutenant governor and attorney general, while Democrats gained seats in the House of Delegates and pledged to redraw the state's congressional map ahead of midterms.