Author: Briana Ryan

  • Democrats gain a seat in the Iowa Senate

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    On Jan. 28, Mike Zimmer (D) defeated Katie Whittington (R) in the special election for Iowa Senate District 35, 51.7% to 48.1%. The seat became vacant in November 2024 after Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) appointed Sen. Chris Cournoyer (R) to serve as lieutenant governor. The last time that the seat was up for election in…

  • A crash course on the budget reconciliation process

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    Welcome to the Thursday, Jan. 30, Brew.  By: Briana Ryan Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: A crash course on the budget reconciliation process You may have heard a lot in the news lately about how Congress is expected to seek to pass key elements of President Donald Trump’s (R)…

  • The latest on two special elections for the Minnesota Legislature

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    Welcome to the Friday, Jan. 24, Brew.  By: Briana Ryan Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: The latest on two special elections for the Minnesota Legislature Two special elections are coming up to determine control of both chambers of the Minnesota Legislature. Both were scheduled for Jan. 28.  However, as…

  • No members of Congress have announced 2026 retirement plans since Dec. 19

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    Since our last update on Dec. 19, no members of the U.S. Congress have announced plans to not seek re-election in 2026. That means the total number of congressional retirements for 2026 remains at one. The last incumbent to announce their retirement was Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), who said he would not seek re-election to…

  • President Donald Trump (R) signs 26 executive orders on his first day in office

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    Welcome to the Wednesday, Jan. 21, Brew.  By: Briana Ryan Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: President Donald Trump (R) signs 26 executive orders on his first day in office Hours after his inauguration on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump (R) signed 26 executive orders. Today, we’ll dig into what…

  • Donald Trump (R) to be sworn in as the 47th president

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    Welcome to the Monday, Jan. 20, Brew.  By: Briana Ryan Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Donald Trump (R) to be sworn-in as the 47th president It’s Inauguration Day—President-elect Donald Trump (R) will take the oath of office as the 47th president. Today is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day.…

  • The Minnesota House of Representatives might convene on Jan. 14

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    A dispute between Democrats and Republicans over control of the Minnesota House of Representatives may delay the start of the 2025 session, which was scheduled to start on Jan. 14. Ahead of the Nov. 5 general elections, Democrats had a 68-64 majority in the chamber with two vacancies. After the Nov. 5 general elections, the…

  • Following the 2024 elections, more Americans now live in a state with a Republican trifecta

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    Welcome to the Friday, Jan. 10, Brew.  By: Briana Ryan Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Following the 2024 elections, more Americans now live in a state with a Republican trifecta As a result of the 2024 elections, 41.5% of Americans live in a state with a Republican trifecta, and…

  • No members of Congress have announced 2026 retirement plans since Nov. 27

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    No members of the U.S. Congress have announced plans to not seek re-election in 2026 since Nov. 27. That means the total number of congressional retirements for 2026 remains at one. The last incumbent to announce their retirement was Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), who said he would not seek re-election to the U.S. House of…

  • An early preview of the Virginia gubernatorial election

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    Welcome to the Friday, December 13, Brew.  By: Briana Ryan Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Virginia gubernatorial primaries have seen little opposition in past contests In 2025, voters in two states—New Jersey and Virginia—will elect new governors since the incumbent governors cannot run for re-election due to term limits.…