Each week, we bring you a collection of the most viewed stories from The Daily Brew, condensed. Here are the top stories from the week of November 6- November 10.
Thank you to all who responded to our previous reader survey. This week, please take a few moments to tell us about your priorities and how you spend your time. Answer our short survey here.
Top-line numbers from Tuesday’s elections
Voters approved more than 80% of the statewide measures on the ballot. Voters in five states decided on 28 statewide ballot measures on Nov. 7. Voters approved 23 (82%) and rejected five (18%). The average vote was 63% ‘Yes’ to 37% ‘No’.
At least ten state legislative incumbents lost on Tuesday. Seven Republicans, one Democrat, and two independents—were defeated in yesterday’s elections. That’s 2.40% of the 425 incumbents who ran in the general election. One legislative race featuring an incumbent—Virginia House District 82—remains uncalled.
Nationally, Republicans will be the majority in 56 chambers, down from 57 before the election. Democrats will be the majority in 41, up from 40. (The Alaska House and Senate are organized under multipartisan, power-sharing coalitions.)
Statewide elections results
Kentucky gubernatorial election
Incumbent Andy Beshear (D) defeated state Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R) in the general election for Kentucky governor. Beshear’s win means the state will remain under divided government until at least 2024, when the next state legislative elections will be held.
Mississippi gubernatorial election
Incumbent Tate Reeves (R) defeated Brandon Presley (D) in the general election for Mississippi governor. Reeves’ win means Mississippi will remain a Republican trifecta, a status it has had since 2012.
Daniel McCaffery (D) defeated Carolyn Carluccio (R) in the partisan election for a seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Once McCaffery is sworn in, Democrats will have a 5-2 majority on the court.
Virginia General Assembly
Democrats gained control of the Virginia House of Delegates and maintained control of the Virginia State Senate. Virginia’s trifecta status will remain divided, as the governorship was not up for election this year. The current governor is Republican Glenn Youngkin (R).
More notable election results
U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D) and Democratic state Sen. John Whitmire (D) advanced from a field of 18 candidates and will face each other in a Dec. 9 runoff.
Voters approved Issue 1, providing a state constitutional right to “make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions, including but not limited to” decisions about abortion, contraception, fertility treatment, miscarriage care, and continuing pregnancy.
Lily Wu defeated incumbent Brandon Whipple. Both advanced from a field of nine candidates in the city’s top two nonpartisan primary on Aug. 1.
Wichita Public Schools, Kansas
Six candidates ran for three seats on the seven-member board. Candidates identified as Democrats won all three districts up for election.
Loudoun County Public Schools, Virginia
Eighteen candidates ran for all nine seats on the board. Only two incumbents—in Ashburn and Leesburg—ran for re-election. Five Democratic-backed candidates were elected, as were two Republicans. The two incumbents, backed by the Loudoun County Democratic Party, lost their races. The race for Little River district remained uncalled as of 12pm ET on Friday.
Welcome to the 2024 election cycle
The 2023 election cycle isn’t over yet (Louisiana’s runoff elections are Nov. 18), but the next cycle has already begun—the first 2024 filing deadline for state and congressional primary candidates is today, in Alabama.
Next week, we’ll bring you a full update on 2024 dates and deadlines, including presidential primaries.