Year: 2026
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Over the past two weeks, one new ballot measure in Maryland, one removed in Arizona
As of August 4, 149 statewide measures have been certified for the ballot in 39 states, 14 more measures than the average number certified at this point in other even-numbered years over the past decade (2014 to 2024). Over the past two weeks: The most recent signature deadline for ballot initiatives was August 3, 2026,…
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Below average number of open state legislative seats in Hawaii in 2026
Four seats are open in Hawaii’s state legislative elections this year, meaning no incumbents filed. That is the second-fewest since 2010, above only 2016 which had three. Newcomers are guaranteed 5% of the legislature next year. Twenty-three incumbents face primary contests in Hawaii’s state legislative elections this year, matching the average since 2010 and up…
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Incumbent Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D) and John Braun (R) advanced from the top-two primary in Washington's 3rd Congressional District on August 4, 2026
Incumbent Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D) and John Braun (R) advanced from the top-two primary in Washington's 3rd Congressional District on August 4, 2026. Perez and Braun defeated seven other candidates. As of July 2026, Perez, Braun, and Brent Hennrich (D) led in fundraising and local media attention. The Oregonian's Betsy Hammond said Perez "is one…
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Shannon Taylor (D) defeated Salaam Bhatti (D), Jason Knapp (D), and four other candidates in the Democratic primary for Virginia's 1st Congressional District on August 4, 2026
Shannon Taylor (D) defeated Salaam Bhatti (D), Jason Knapp (D), and four other candidates in the Democratic primary for Virginia's 1st Congressional District on August 4, 2026. Taylor, Bhatti, and Knapp led in endorsements and fundraising. Taylor will face incumbent Rob Wittman (R) in the general election. The Virginia Mercury's Shannon Heckt said, "Voters in…
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Donavan McKinney (D) defeated incumbent Shri Thanedar (D) in the Democratic primary for Michigan's 13th Congressional District on August 4, 2026
Donavan McKinney (D) defeated incumbent Shri Thanedar (D) in the Democratic primary for Michigan's 13th Congressional District on August 4, 2026. Local radio station WDET's Russ McNamara said Thanedar was "facing a difficult primary opponent, State Representative Donavan McKinney. The progressive Democrat has already been endorsed by Black leaders in Detroit and other [progressives] like…
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William Lawrence (D) defeated Bridget Brink (D) and Matt Maasdam (D) in the Democratic primary for Michigan's 7th Congressional District on August 4, 2026
William Lawrence (D) defeated Bridget Brink (D) and Matt Maasdam (D) in the Democratic primary for Michigan's 7th Congressional District on August 4, 2026. Lawrence will face incumbent Tom Barrett (R), first elected in 2024, in the general election. As of May 2026, major forecasting organizations rated the general election a toss-up. The Detroit Free…
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Abdul El-Sayed (D) defeated Haley Stevens (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Michigan on August 4, 2026
Abdul El-Sayed (D) defeated Haley Stevens (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Michigan on August 4, 2026. Two-term incumbent Gary Peters (D) did not run for re-election. Peters endorsed Stevens on July 13, 2026. Crain's Detroit Business' David Eggert said the primary was "Michigan’s first truly competitive Democratic Senate primary in 32…
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Don Beyer defeats four challengers in Democratic primary for Virginia's 8th Congressional District
Incumbent Don Beyer defeated Lorena Bruner, Michael Duffin, Adam Dunigan, and Mo Seifeldein in the Democratic primary for Virginia's 8th Congressional District on Aug. 4. The primary reflected a broader division within the Democratic Party, with challengers framing incumbents as establishment politicians doing too little to counter President Donald Trump (R) and the Republican Party.…
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Incumbent Rep. Wesley Bell defeated four other candidates in the Democratic primary for Missouri's 1st Congressional District on Aug. 4, 2026
Incumbent Rep. Wesley Bell (D) defeated four other candidates in the Democratic primary for Missouri's 1st Congressional District on Aug. 4, 2026. Bell and Cori Bush (D) led in noteworthy endorsements and fundraising. At the time of the election, this primary was one of five in the 2026 election cycle in which a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives ran against an incumbent member. Bush represented…
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Rep. Cleo Fields becomes the 59th U.S. representative to announce he won’t seek re-election in 2026
Rep. Cleo Fields (D-La.) announced on July 21, 2026, that he will run in the special election for District 14 in the Louisiana Senate rather than for another term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Fields previously represented the district from 1988 to 1993, from 1997 to 2008, and from 2020 to 2025. According to…