November 7, 2018 •
Wolf easily wins re-election in Pennsylvania
Governor Tom Wolf was re-elected in Pennsylvania with a resounding 57.6 percent of the vote. Republican challenger Scott Wagner did not pose a challenge, winning only 40.8 percent of the vote. The win does not come as a surprise, as […]
Governor Tom Wolf was re-elected in Pennsylvania with a resounding 57.6 percent of the vote. Republican challenger Scott Wagner did not pose a challenge, winning only 40.8 percent of the vote.
The win does not come as a surprise, as Governor Wolf led by double digits in every independent poll preceding the election.
Governor Wolf indicated he would continue working on his first-term priorities, including school funding.
He has advocated for many liberal causes, including ending the death penalty and expanding Medicaid.
November 7, 2018 •
Ted Cruz Fends Off Beto O’Rourke and Keeps Senate Seat
Incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has kept his senate seat after a fierce election contest brought by U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke. O’Rourke, a three-term Democratic Congressman from El Paso, Texas, garnered national attention for creating a competitive race against […]
Incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has kept his senate seat after a fierce election contest brought by U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke.
O’Rourke, a three-term Democratic Congressman from El Paso, Texas, garnered national attention for creating a competitive race against Cruz, who had been assumed to have a seat safe from any real election challenge.
The challenge by O’Rourke motivated president Trump, a sometimes-critic of Cruz, to hold a political rally for the Republican senate candidate in October in Houston.
Cruz’s election victory yesterday in Texas helped the Republicans keep control of the U.S. Senate.
November 7, 2018 •
No Winner Declared in Georgia’s Gubernatorial Race
The battle to be Georgia’s next governor continues as Democrat Stacey Abrams refuses to concede to Republican Brian Kemp. Kemp holds a small margin of less than 70,000 votes with 99 percent of precincts reporting. Democrats believe there are enough […]
The battle to be Georgia’s next governor continues as Democrat Stacey Abrams refuses to concede to Republican Brian Kemp. Kemp holds a small margin of less than 70,000 votes with 99 percent of precincts reporting. Democrats believe there are enough votes submitted by mail still left uncounted to close the gap.
Abrams, a former state legislator, is the first female African-American to be a major party’s nominee for governor. Brian Kemp, Georgia’s Secretary of State, is attempting to break a 20-year slump for Republicans running for governor.
The race took an ugly turn this past weekend as Kemp’s office opened an investigation into the state’s Democratic Party for an alleged attempt to hack the state’s voter registration system. No evidence was cited and the Democrats denied the allegations.
November 7, 2018 •
Walker falls in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, Democrat Tony Evers upset incumbent Republican Scott Walker in the governor’s race. Evers denied Walker a third term with 49.6% of the vote to Walker’s 48.4%. Walker lost two key groups he carried in 2014, independents and college […]
In Wisconsin, Democrat Tony Evers upset incumbent Republican Scott Walker in the governor’s race.
Evers denied Walker a third term with 49.6% of the vote to Walker’s 48.4%.
Walker lost two key groups he carried in 2014, independents and college graduates.
Evers won in a landslide in urban Dane County and Milwaukee County, winning by more than 150,000 votes and 140,000 votes, respectively.
November 7, 2018 •
San Diego Passes Restrictions on City Officials
City of San Diego voters approved Measure L to limit lobbying and campaign activities of elected city officers. The measure increases the restriction on lobbying by former city officials from one to two years. The measure also eliminates the city […]
City of San Diego voters approved Measure L to limit lobbying and campaign activities of elected city officers.
The measure increases the restriction on lobbying by former city officials from one to two years.
The measure also eliminates the city elective officer exception to receiving honoraria prohibited by state law.
November 7, 2018 •
Utah Voters Approve Amendment C
Utah voters passed Amendment C allowing the Legislature to call itself into a special session. This came after Gov. Gary Herbert refused to call lawmakers to set a special election to fill the vacancy created by the departure of U.S. […]
Utah voters passed Amendment C allowing the Legislature to call itself into a special session.
This came after Gov. Gary Herbert refused to call lawmakers to set a special election to fill the vacancy created by the departure of U.S. Representative Jason Chaffetz.
Amendment C will allow legislators to convene if two-thirds of the House and Senate agree it is necessary because of a fiscal crisis, war, natural disaster or emergency.
The amendment also allows the Legislature to hold a special session outside the Capitol if the building isn’t available.
Voters appear headed to approve Amendment C as unofficial vote totals show it winning 63.2 percent to 36.8 percent.
November 7, 2018 •
New York City Voters Pass Campaign Finance Ballot Measure
New York City voters approved a ballot measure related to campaign finance on Tuesday. Proposal 1 amends the City Charter by reducing contribution limits for all candidates and amending public matching funds for candidates participating in the public financing program. […]
New York City voters approved a ballot measure related to campaign finance on Tuesday.
Proposal 1 amends the City Charter by reducing contribution limits for all candidates and amending public matching funds for candidates participating in the public financing program.
Contributions for non-participating candidates will be reduced as follows:
- Citywide offices, from $5,100 to $3,500
- Borough President, from $3,950 to $2,500
- City Council, from $2,850 to $1,500
The amendments will apply to participating candidates who choose to have the amendments apply to their campaigns beginning with the 2021 primary election and would then apply to all candidates beginning in 2022.
November 7, 2018 •
Long Beach California Votes to Create an Ethics Commission
The City of Long Beach, California voted to establish a city ethics commission. Measure CCC creates an independent ethics commission charged with administering and implementing rules concerning campaign financing, lobbying, conflicts of interest and governmental ethics. The commission will also […]
The City of Long Beach, California voted to establish a city ethics commission.
Measure CCC creates an independent ethics commission charged with administering and implementing rules concerning campaign financing, lobbying, conflicts of interest and governmental ethics.
The commission will also develop an educational program for candidates and lobbyists with the city.
The city’s agreement with the Fair Political Practices Commission to assist in the enforcement of local ethics laws remains in place.
November 7, 2018 •
Denver Voters Approve Campaign Finance Measure 2E
A majority of city voters endorsed Measure 2E, banning corporations and labor organizations from donating directly to political campaigns for city offices and lowering the cap on donations for mayor, City Council, and other government posts. Beginning January 1, 2020, […]
A majority of city voters endorsed Measure 2E, banning corporations and labor organizations from donating directly to political campaigns for city offices and lowering the cap on donations for mayor, City Council, and other government posts.
Beginning January 1, 2020, mayoral candidates will be prohibited from accepting more than $1,000 per donor, as opposed to $3,000.
Individual donations for at-large council members will drop from $2,000 to $700, and donations to district candidates will be capped at $400 instead of $1,000.
November 7, 2018 •
Phoenix Passes Amendment Requiring Dark Money Disclosure
Voters in Phoenix overwhelmingly passed Proposition 419, an amendment to the Charter of the City of Phoenix requiring any person, association of persons or entity making expenditures to influence the result of a city election to disclose and identify expenditures […]
Voters in Phoenix overwhelmingly passed Proposition 419, an amendment to the Charter of the City of Phoenix requiring any person, association of persons or entity making expenditures to influence the result of a city election to disclose and identify expenditures and contributions including original and intermediary sources of major contributions.
This is the latest in a nationwide trend to limit the influence of so-called dark money.
Proponents for the proposition argued Proposition 419 was a critical step to restoring the public’s trust in our elections.
The proposition passed 86.1 percent to 13.89 percent.
November 7, 2018 •
Republicans Retain Control Over Iowa but Dems Take Two US House Seats
Republicans retained control of the Iowa House, Senate, and governor’s office in Tuesday’s election. However, Iowans flipped two U.S. House seats from Republican to Democrat. Democrats Abby Finkenauer defeated incumbent Rod Blum for the District 1 seat and Cindy Axne […]
Republicans retained control of the Iowa House, Senate, and governor’s office in Tuesday’s election.
However, Iowans flipped two U.S. House seats from Republican to Democrat.
Democrats Abby Finkenauer defeated incumbent Rod Blum for the District 1 seat and Cindy Axne narrowly defeated incumbent David Young for the District 3 seat.
November 7, 2018 •
Florida Passes Amendment to Move Legislative Session to January
Voters passed Amendment 10 proposing four changes to state and local government structure and operation. The first proposal changes the regular sessions for the Legislature from March to January on even-numbered years. The measure also created the Office of Domestic […]
Voters passed Amendment 10 proposing four changes to state and local government structure and operation.
The first proposal changes the regular sessions for the Legislature from March to January on even-numbered years.
The measure also created the Office of Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism within the Department of Law Enforcement and requires the Legislature to provide for a Department of Veterans Affairs within the executive branch.
The last proposal passed by the measure ensures elections for the county offices of sheriff, tax collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elections, and clerk of the circuit court.
The changes relating to the election of county officers will take effect January 5, 2021, except for Miami-Dade and Broward Counties which will take in January 7, 2025.
November 7, 2018 •
Florida Passes Revolving Door Ban
Voters approved Amendment 12, titled Lobbying and Abuse of Office by Public Officers. The amendment expands restrictions on lobbying for compensation by former public officers, former justices, and judges. Effective December 31, 2022 the measure bans state and local officials […]
Voters approved Amendment 12, titled Lobbying and Abuse of Office by Public Officers.
The amendment expands restrictions on lobbying for compensation by former public officers, former justices, and judges.
Effective December 31, 2022 the measure bans state and local officials from lobbying for a period of six years after leaving public office.
The prohibition includes individuals serving as a statewide elected officer, member of the Legislature, a county commissioner, school superintendent or board member, elected municipal officer, and the agency head of an executive branch department of the state government.
The measure also prohibits abuse of a public position to obtain a personal benefit.
The Legislature will establish penalties for violations of the prohibition against abuse of a public position to take effect December 31, 2020.
November 7, 2018 •
Alaska Voters Send a Republican to the Governor’s Mansion
State Republicans are celebrating a victory today following a successful gubernatorial election. Mike Dunleavy, a former state senator from Wasilla, was elected governor, defeating Democratic candidate Mark Begich and current governor Bill Walker, whose name remained on the ballot despite […]
State Republicans are celebrating a victory today following a successful gubernatorial election.
Mike Dunleavy, a former state senator from Wasilla, was elected governor, defeating Democratic candidate Mark Begich and current governor Bill Walker, whose name remained on the ballot despite a late withdrawal from the race.
With 98 percent of the precincts reporting, Dunleavy triumphed over opponent Begich with about 52 percent of the vote.
After four years of having an Independent in office, this is a win for the Alaska Republican Party. The last Republican governor of Alaska was Sean Parnell, who was elected in 2010.
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