November 8, 2018 •
Mark Gordon Takes Over in Wyoming
Republican Mark Gordon was elected governor of Wyoming over Democrat Mary Thorne. Also running were Rex Rammell of the Constitution Party and Lawrence Struempf of the Libertarian Party. With 99% of precincts reporting, Gordon won with 67 percent of the […]
Republican Mark Gordon was elected governor of Wyoming over Democrat Mary Thorne.
Also running were Rex Rammell of the Constitution Party and Lawrence Struempf of the Libertarian Party.
With 99% of precincts reporting, Gordon won with 67 percent of the vote to Thorne’s 27 percent, Rammell’s 3 and Struempf’s 1.
Gordon was raised on his family’s ranch in Kaycee and attended college in Vermont.
After working in the energy industry, Gordon was appointed state treasurer in 2012 and elected to a full term in the 2014 primary.
November 7, 2018 •
Tennessee Elects Bill Lee Governor
The people of Tennessee voted to elect Republican Bill Lee as governor, defeating Democrat Karl Dean. 26 Independents also ran for governor, each receiving 0.2 percent or less of the vote. Many of the Independents were part of the Libertarian […]
The people of Tennessee voted to elect Republican Bill Lee as governor, defeating Democrat Karl Dean.
26 Independents also ran for governor, each receiving 0.2 percent or less of the vote.
Many of the Independents were part of the Libertarian Party, which placed 15 candidates on the ballot to protest Tennessee law which has fewer restrictions on Independent candidates being added to the ballot.
Lee has worked for his family’s construction business, the Lee Company, serving as CEO and Chairman prior to his candidacy. He also helps run the family’s Triple L Ranch.
Lee is native to Tennessee, continuing to live in Franklin.
November 7, 2018 •
J.B. Pritzker Defeats Incumbent Bruce Rauner to Take Illinois’ Governor Race
Billionaire Democrat J.B. Pritzker defeated first-term Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, by a margin of 54 percent to 39.3 percent. Less than an hour after polls closed, Rauner conceded his re-election bid, giving Democrats near total control of Illinois’ state government. […]
Billionaire Democrat J.B. Pritzker defeated first-term Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, by a margin of 54 percent to 39.3 percent. Less than an hour after polls closed, Rauner conceded his re-election bid, giving Democrats near total control of Illinois’ state government.
“Voting is an act of optimism that the levers of our Democracy still work,” Pritzker told supporters moments after declaring victory. “You embody that optimism. You light the beacon fire on the hill of history that signals from one generation to another that these are the things that we stand and fight for.”
In addressing the exuberant crowd, he reminded them that the first McDonald’s opened here and the ice cream sundae was born here, as well.
“We taught the nation how to debate, how to shuffle to the Super Bowl and how to eat a pizza,” he said.
According to U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, “Pritzker did something different in this campaign,” Durbin said. “Here was a Chicagoan, clearly a Chicagoan, who wasted no time getting Downstate. I looked around and thought, ‘This is what I’ve been looking for — a governor who starts off by unifying the whole state.’”
In his concession speech, Rauner stated, “This is a time for us to come together. This is a time for us to unite. To Mr. Pritzker, I said, Godspeed. I hope and pray you serve Illinois well.”
November 7, 2018 •
Lt. Governor Brad Little Takes Idaho’s Governor’s Race
Longtime Republican lawmaker and Idaho Lieutenant Governor Brad Little has defeated Democratic challenger Paulette Jordan by a margin of 59.5 percent to 38.4 percent to become Idaho’s next governor. Jordan, a former state lawmaker and member of the Coeur d’Alene […]
Longtime Republican lawmaker and Idaho Lieutenant Governor Brad Little has defeated Democratic challenger Paulette Jordan by a margin of 59.5 percent to 38.4 percent to become Idaho’s next governor.
Jordan, a former state lawmaker and member of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, was the first woman to earn her party’s nomination in Idaho. Even though there was significant national media attention given to Jordan, Little’s win was predictable in this intensely conservative state.
Little has been lieutenant governor since 2009 and ran on a platform to carry on retiring Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter’s policies that lead to the state’s recent growth.
“Twenty-four years ago Phil Batt broke a 24-year cycle of Democrats having control of the governor’s office,” Little said during his victory speech Tuesday night before a packed room of cheering supporters.
“This is the 24th anniversary of that and Idaho is still a very red state. I look forward to working with President Trump as we continue to allow Idahoans to be the masters of their own destiny,” he said.
“Idaho has been fairly successful, but we have more work to do in taking back the authority that the federal government over the years has taken, whether it is in the areas of education, transportation, health care, public lands management and all of the areas of regulation.”
November 7, 2018 •
Noem to Become South Dakota’s Next Governor
South Dakotans elected Republican Kristi Noem as their governor over Democrat Billie Sutton and Libertarian Kurt Evans. With all precincts reporting, Noem won with 51 percent of the vote to Sutton’s 47 percent and Evan’s 1 percent. Kristi Noem has […]
South Dakotans elected Republican Kristi Noem as their governor over Democrat Billie Sutton and Libertarian Kurt Evans.
With all precincts reporting, Noem won with 51 percent of the vote to Sutton’s 47 percent and Evan’s 1 percent.
Kristi Noem has been a member of South Dakota’s House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011, and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 2011.
A native South Dakotan, she has helped run her family’s ranch in Hamlin County.
November 7, 2018 •
Rhode Island Governor Wins Second Term
Incumbent Gov. Gina Raimondo has easily won reelection, despite a crowded field vying for her office. Gov. Raimondo faced Republican Allan Fung, three independents, and one minor candidate who was arrested in October for possession of 48 pounds of marijuana. […]
Incumbent Gov. Gina Raimondo has easily won reelection, despite a crowded field vying for her office.
Gov. Raimondo faced Republican Allan Fung, three independents, and one minor candidate who was arrested in October for possession of 48 pounds of marijuana.
Despite the crowd, Raimondo still garnered almost 53 percent of the vote, with Fung a distant second at 37 percent.
Raimondo made job creation a priority in her first term. Unemployment has dropped from the highest in the nation to being in step with the national average in her first four years.
November 7, 2018 •
Henry McMaster to Remain Governor of South Carolina
Republican Henry McMaster defeated Democrat James Smith to become governor of South Carolina. With 99 percent of precincts reporting, McMaster beat Smith 54 percent to 45 percent. McMaster is the former Attorney General and Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina. He […]
Republican Henry McMaster defeated Democrat James Smith to become governor of South Carolina.
With 99 percent of precincts reporting, McMaster beat Smith 54 percent to 45 percent.
McMaster is the former Attorney General and Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina.
He became governor of South Carolina in 2017 when Nikki Haley was appointed Ambassador to the United Nations.
November 7, 2018 •
Mike Braun Unseats U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly in Indiana
Incumbent Democrat Sen. Joe Donnelly has lost his senate seat after an aggressive election contest brought by Indiana State Rep. Mike Braun. Braun, a Republican state politician and businessman, unseated Donnelly in a state heavily supportive of President Trump. As […]
Incumbent Democrat Sen. Joe Donnelly has lost his senate seat after an aggressive election contest brought by Indiana State Rep. Mike Braun.
Braun, a Republican state politician and businessman, unseated Donnelly in a state heavily supportive of President Trump.
As part of an effort to keep Republican control of the U.S. Senate, the president held four political rallies in Indiana in support of Braun.
Trump appeared in Indiana in May, two days after Braun won the Republican primary, in August, on Friday, November 2, and again on Monday in Fort Wayne, a day before yesterday’s election.
Braun’s election victory yesterday in Indiana helped the Republicans keep control of the U.S. Senate.
November 7, 2018 •
Michelle Lujan Grisham Wins New Mexico Gubernatorial Seat
Democratic Congresswoman and former state health secretary Michelle Lujan Grisham won last night’s New Mexico gubernatorial election with 56.91 percent of the vote. Lujan Grisham became the first Democratic Latina governor, taking over a seat held by Republicans for two […]
Democratic Congresswoman and former state health secretary Michelle Lujan Grisham won last night’s New Mexico gubernatorial election with 56.91 percent of the vote. Lujan Grisham became the first Democratic Latina governor, taking over a seat held by Republicans for two terms.
Lujan Grisham’s win will mark the first time a Democratic candidate has won the gubernatorial seat since 2002, according to Vox.
She focused her platform on an expansion of preschool education, lowering crime rates, economic expansion, and investments in solar and wind energy.
Lujan Grisham has an extensive political tenure—she is a three-term U.S. congresswoman currently serving New Mexico’s first district. Prior to her federal service, she served as cabinet secretary for three different New Mexico governors.
Upon taking office, her current U.S. seat will be filled by Debra Haaland.
November 7, 2018 •
Jared Polis Claims Historic Win over Walker Stapleton in Colorado
Jared Polis blew a victorious horn on November 6, 2018, as he claimed an historic win as Colorado’s governor over his opponent Walker Stapleton. Polis became Colorado’s first Jewish governor and the first openly gay man elected to lead any U.S. […]
Jared Polis blew a victorious horn on November 6, 2018, as he claimed an historic win as Colorado’s governor over his opponent Walker Stapleton.
Polis became Colorado’s first Jewish governor and the first openly gay man elected to lead any U.S. State.
Colorado Governor-elect Polis emerged on stage alongside his running mate Dianne Primavera during a Democratic watch party in downtown Denver.
Polis succeeds the outgoing Democrat John Hickenlooper.
November 7, 2018 •
County Clerk Who Refused to Sign Marriage Licenses for Gay Couples Loses Reelection Bid
In Kentucky, Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis lost her bid for reelection Tuesday. Davis, who became nationally known when she refused to sign marriage licenses for gay couples, lost to her Democratic challenger by roughly 700 votes. Davis was initially […]
In Kentucky, Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis lost her bid for reelection Tuesday. Davis, who became nationally known when she refused to sign marriage licenses for gay couples, lost to her Democratic challenger by roughly 700 votes.
Davis was initially thrust into the spotlight in 2015, when she was ultimately jailed for five days by U.S. District Judge David Bunning for contempt of court for her continued refusal to grant marriage licenses to gay couples.
She was ultimately released when she promised not to interfere with licenses granted by deputy clerks.
Elwood Caudill Jr., her victorious opponent, is currently the chief deputy property valuation administrator for the county.
November 7, 2018 •
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan Wins Second Term
Larry Hogan, a moderate Republican who has emphasized bipartisanship, was re-elected as Maryland’s governor. He is the first Republican to win re-election in Maryland since 1954, although Democrats outnumber Republicans in the state 2-1. Hogan has the same priorities for […]
Larry Hogan, a moderate Republican who has emphasized bipartisanship, was re-elected as Maryland’s governor.
He is the first Republican to win re-election in Maryland since 1954, although Democrats outnumber Republicans in the state 2-1.
Hogan has the same priorities for his second term as his first: making improvements in education, job creation, transportation infrastructure and working for tax relief.
Hogan defeated Ben Jealous, who would have been Maryland’s first black governor and is a former national president of the NAACP.
Jealous had a progressive agenda that included tuition-free college and expanding Medicare to all. He supported funding full-day, universal kindergarten with the tax revenue from his proposal to legalize marijuana for recreational use.
November 7, 2018 •
Republican VA. Rep. Dave Brat Loses Seat to Abigail Spanberger
In an election upset, Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Dave Brat lost his House seat to Abigail Spanberger. Spanberger, who has never held public office, is a former CIA officer and Federal Postal Inspector. A Democrat, Spanberger won the election in […]
In an election upset, Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Dave Brat lost his House seat to Abigail Spanberger.
Spanberger, who has never held public office, is a former CIA officer and Federal Postal Inspector.
A Democrat, Spanberger won the election in a newly court-drawn congressional district now including areas considered stronger for the Democrats, such as Richmond, Virginia.
Brat has held the House seat for two terms, having beaten House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in 2014.
Spanberger’s election victory yesterday in Virginia helped the Democrats gain control of the U.S. House.
November 7, 2018 •
New Hampshire Gubernatorial Race Finishes with Sununu Win
Incumbent Republican Governor Chris Sununu won last night’s election in New Hampshire. New Hampshire is only one of two states where governors are elected to two-year terms. Sununu, son of former governor John H. Sununu, was first elected in 2016. […]
Incumbent Republican Governor Chris Sununu won last night’s election in New Hampshire. New Hampshire is only one of two states where governors are elected to two-year terms.
Sununu, son of former governor John H. Sununu, was first elected in 2016. At 42 years old, he was the youngest governor in the United States when he initially took office.
Sununu’s centrist platform focused on the strong economy, low unemployment rate, success with fighting the state’s opioid crisis, and reforming mental health and child welfare systems, according to US News.
Molly Kelly, a former state senator from Harrisville, was the 2018 democratic challenger. Kelly presented a strong challenge to Sununu, despite early polling indications giving him a double digit projected win.
Despite the strong challenge, this was an uphill battle—state voters very rarely unseat an incumbent governor after their first term, with only two governors in the last 100 years losing after one term.
Despite the governor’s office being a democratic stronghold from 1997 to 2017, New Hampshire has elected 13 Republican governors since World War 2.
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