Year: 2026

  • Houston Gaines (R) defeated Jeff Baker (R) and Ryan Millsap (R) in the Republican primary for Georgia's 10th Congressional District on May 19, 2026

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    Houston Gaines (R) defeated Jeff Baker (R) and Ryan Millsap (R) in the Republican primary for Georgia's 10th Congressional District on May 19, 2026. Gaines and Millsap led the candidate field in local media attention. Incumbent Mike Collins (R) ran for U.S. Senate rather than seeking re-election. As of the primary, major election forecasters rated…

  • Record high number of contested incumbents in South Dakota's state legislative elections this year

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    In 2026, 70.5% of the state legislative incumbents running for election in South Dakota will face primary contests, a record high since 2010.  In total, 55 incumbents face contested primaries across the South Dakota House and Senate. The average number of incumbents contested each election cycle since 2010 was 24. All 55 of the contested…

  • Democratic socialist Chris Rabb won the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District on May 19

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    Christopher Rabb defeated Sharif Street, Ala Stanford, and Shaun Griffith in the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District on May 19, 2026. Incumbent Dwight Evans did not run for re-election. Rabb, Stanford, and Street led in media attention, campaign fundraising, and endorsements. No Republicans ran in the district. Local media outlets framed the race…

  • Utah state legislative primaries show downward trend in incumbent contests

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    In 2026, 10.4% of the state legislative incumbents running for election in Utah will face primary contests, the smallest share in the most recent four cycles and below the average of 12.1% each cycle between 2010 and 2024. In total, eight incumbents face contested primaries across the Utah House and Senate. The average number of…

  • Hall Pass: Your Ticket to Understanding School Board Politics, Edition #206

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    Welcome to Hall Pass, a newsletter written to keep you plugged into the conversations driving  school board governance, the politics surrounding it, and education policy.  In today’s edition, you’ll find: Reply to this email to share reactions or story ideas! On the issues: The debate over technology in the classroom In this section, we curate…

  • New York replaces 2030 emissions goal with 2040 target

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    In this week’s edition of Economy and Society: In the states New York replaces 2030 emissions goal with 2040 target What’s the story? New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) announced a proposed $268 billion budget on May 7, 2026, that would change emissions reduction targets and regulatory deadlines under the state's 2019 Climate Leadership and…

  • Maryland lawmakers enact state-level voting rights act, 21 other election bills in 2026

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    The Maryland General Assembly adjourned its 2026 legislative session on April 13 after sending 22 election-related bills to Gov. Wes Moore (D). Moore signed each of the bills between April 14 and May 12. Among those bills was SB 255, which established the Maryland Voting Rights Act. The bill prohibits counties or municipalities from using…

  • Richmond, Calif., City Council candidates talk public safety in Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey

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    Both candidates running in the June 2 primary for Richmond City Council District 4—Soheila Bana and Jamin Pursell—completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office. All survey respondents are asked to tell voters about their three key campaign messages. In…

  • A closer look at state-level voting rights acts

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    Welcome to the Wednesday, May 20, 2026, Brew.  By: Lara Bonatesta Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: A closer look at state-level voting rights acts  Since Congress passed the 1965 Voting Rights Act (VRA), prohibiting racial discrimination in voting nationwide, 10 states have passed state-level voting rights acts. The provisions…

  • Missouri voters to decide amendment to establish Show-Me Prosperity Investment Fund to reduce and eliminate state taxes

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    Missouri voters will decide on a constitutional amendment to create the Show-Me Prosperity Investment Fund, which would grow through state investments until its earnings could replace tax revenue, with the goal of reducing and eventually eliminating state taxes. The amendment, Senate Joint Resolution 95, passed the state Legislature. The Senate approved it 22-7 on March…