Welcome to the Tuesday, July 15, Brew.
By: Briana Ryan
Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:
- States passed 27 bills on environmental, social, and governance investing this year
- Nine candidates are running in the nonpartisan primary for mayor of Detroit on Aug. 5
- A look at the battleground elections happening today
States passed 27 bills on environmental, social, and governance investing this year
So far this year, 13 states have passed 27 bills supporting or opposing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing. States passed 34 such laws in 2024, 43 in 2023, 17 in 2022, 11 in 2021, and three in 2020.
Before we dig deeper into the figures behind the 27 bills, here’s some quick background on ESG investing. ESG investing is an asset management approach that considers environmental, social issues, and corporate governance practices. It’s a type of stakeholder investing that says shareholder returns should not be the only goal. Stakeholder investing contrasts with traditional approaches that exclusively consider financial factors like balance sheets, income statements, and valuations to maximize risk-adjusted returns (also known as shareholder investing).
Between 2020 and 2025, 35 states passed 135 bills opposing or supporting ESG investing. During that time, states with Republican trifectas and divided governments have tended to pass legislation opposing ESG. Meanwhile, states with Democratic trifectas have tended to pass legislation supporting ESG investing.
This year, states with Republican trifectas passed legislation opposing ESG investing, while states with Democratic trifectas passed legislation supporting it. Of the 27 bills passed in 2025, 21 opposed ESG in Republican trifectas, and three supported ESG in Democratic trifectas. Divided governments passed the remaining three bills.
Let’s look at states’ ESG approaches by their trifecta status and examine which states have been the most and least active on ESG this year.
States with Republican trifectas opposing ESG
Ten of the 23 states with Republican trifectas passed legislation opposing ESG:
- Seven passed anti-discrimination laws prohibiting banks and government agencies from using ESG scores (also known as social credit scores) to determine individual or business eligibility for financial services.
- Four passed sole fiduciary laws prohibiting or discouraging officials or advisers managing funds on behalf of a state from considering ESG factors in public investments (like pension funds).
- Three passed anti-boycott laws prohibiting the state from contracting with or investing in companies that intentionally boycott certain companies or industries without a business purpose.
- Three passed public disclosure requirement laws requiring additional transparency on the ESG policies, investments, and considerations of state investment boards and other government agencies.
- One passed a consumer and investor protection law giving individuals the ability to sue for ESG discrimination under its consumer protection laws.
States with Democratic trifectas supporting ESG
Three of the 17 states with Democratic trifectas passed laws supporting ESG:
- Two states passed legislation requiring ESG criteria in state contracts.
- One state passed non-financial criteria consideration legislation requiring public investment fiduciaries to consider ESG factors in their investment strategies.
Click here for more information about ESG legislation.
Nine candidates are running in the nonpartisan primary for mayor of Detroit on Aug. 5
As part of our ongoing coverage of local elections across the United States, we’re spotlighting the nonpartisan primary election for mayor of Detroit, Michigan.
Nine candidates are running in the Aug. 5 election, including the following noteworthy candidates: James Craig, Fred Durhal III, Saunteel Jenkins, Solomon Kinloch, and Mary Sheffield. Incumbent Mike Duggan, who voters first elected in 2013, is not running for re-election to run for governor of Michigan. Though the position is nonpartisan, Duggan is an independent, formerly affiliated with the Democratic Party. The last Republican mayor left office in 1962.
BridgeDetroit’s Malachi Barrett wrote that whichever candidate voters ultimately elect “will inherit a generally more prosperous city but also face challenges to maintain fiscal stability, expand growth into the neighborhoods and address long-running issues related to safety, education, housing and more.”
Craig served as the chief of police in Detroit from 2013 to 2021. He also ran for the Republican gubernatorial nomination for Michigan in 2022 and U.S. Senate in 2024. Craig’s priorities include:
- Expanding community policing efforts
- Investing in infrastructure improvements
- Implementing anti-corruption measures
Durhal has represented District 7 on the Detroit City Council since 2021. He previously represented District 5 as a Democrat in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019. Durhal’s priorities include:
- Promoting investments in small businesses
- Instituting a Blight Accountability Tax
- Increasing police presence in the city
Jenkins, who is affiliated with the Democratic Party, served as an at-large member on the Detroit City Council from 2010 to 2014. She also served as the Council’s president from 2013 to 2014. Jenkins’ priorities include:
- Supporting small businesses
- Lowering property taxes and improving housing affordability
- Investing in community policing and violence intervention programs
Kinloch, who is affiliated with the Democratic Party, has served as the pastor of the Triumph Church since 1998. Kinloch’s priorities include:
- Creating more affordable housing units
- Expanding job training programs
- Building new grocery stores
Sheffield, who is affiliated with the Democratic Party, has represented District 5 on the Detroit City Council since 2014 and has served as its president since 2022. Sheffield’s priorities include:
- Providing workforce development for residents
- Investing in neighborhood infrastructure
- Establishing a commission on education
Jonathan Barlow, Joel Haashiim, Todd Perkins, and Danetta Simpson are also running.
The top two finishers in the primary will advance to the Nov. 5 general election. Detroit is one of 28 of the 100 largest U.S. cities that will hold mayoral elections in 2025. So far, general elections have happened in seven cities with two—Omaha, Nebraska, and Garland, Texas—resulting in a partisan change.
As of July 2025, the partisan breakdown of the mayors of the 100 largest U.S. cities is 66 Democrats, 23 Republicans, one Libertarian, two independents, and five nonpartisans. Three mayors’ partisan affiliations are unknown.
To read more about the nonpartisan primary for mayor of Detroit, click here. Also, if you’re a Detroit resident, check out our Sample Ballot Lookup here to prepare for Election Day.
A look at the battleground elections happening today
Today, elections will take place in areas across the country. Here is a brief breakdown of notable races on the ballot.
Washington D.C.
Seven candidates are running in a special election to represent Ward 8 on the Washington D.C. Council, including the following noteworthy candidates: Salim Adofo (D), Mike Austin (D), Sheila Bunn (D), and Trayon White (D).
On Aug. 19, 2024, federal agents arrested White, a councilmember at the time, after he allegedly accepted bribes to influence government contracts. On Feb. 4, the Council voted unanimously to expel White. White has pleaded not guilty, and his trial begins in January 2026.
Check out our July 1 Daily Brew for more on this election.
Arizona
Five candidates are running in the Democratic primary for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District. The primary is the first step towards the Sept. 23 special election to fill the vacancy created when the previous incumbent, Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), died on March 13. Arizona’s 7th Congressional District is one of five districts where a special election has been called to fill vacancies in the 119th Congress.
Deja Foxx (D), Adelita Grijalva (D), and Daniel Hernandez Jr. (D) lead in fundraising, endorsements, and media attention. According to Axios Phoenix’s Jeremy Duda, “The race initially appeared like a two-way contest between Grijalva and Hernandez, but Foxx has gained traction.” Duda wrote that Grijalva “touts herself as a progressive” and Hernandez has “a reputation as a moderate.” Duda also wrote that Foxx “describes herself as the race’s change candidate.”
Check out our July 9 Daily Brew for more on this election.
Georgia
Georgia is holding a Democratic primary runoff for District 3 on the Georgia Public Service Commission, which regulates the state’s utility services. While the position is elected statewide, candidates must live in the district they are running in.
Peter Hubbard (D), Robert Jones (D), and Keisha Sean Waites (D) ran in the June 17 Democratic primary. In the primary, Waites received 47% of the vote, Hubbard received 32%, and Jones received 21%. Since no candidate received 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters—Hubbard and Waites—will compete in the runoff.
Check out our June 12 Daily Brew for more on the election for this seat.