Author: Douglas Kronaizl
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Missouri state legislative incumbents lost in primaries at an increased rate
Seven state legislative incumbents—four Democrats and three Republicans—lost to primary challengers on August 2. This represents 5.3% of incumbents who filed for re-election, the largest number and highest rate of incumbent primary defeats in the state in five election cycles. A list of incumbents defeated, all of whom were first elected to office within the…
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Number of contested state legislative primaries in Alaska drops as state introduces top-four primary system
There is one contested state legislative primary in Alaska this year, fewer than in previous election cycles. This decrease comes after the state began using a new top-four primary system, which voters approved in 2020. Under the new top-four primary system, every candidate appears on the same ballot and the top-four finishers advance to the general…
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4.6% of state legislative incumbents who filed for re-election have lost in primaries
So far this year, 182 state legislative incumbents—48 Democrats and 134 Republicans—have lost to primary challengers. Across the 38 states that have held primaries, 4.6% of incumbents running for re-election have lost, an elevated level of incumbent losses compared to previous cycles. These totals include data from Tennessee, which held primaries on Aug. 4, as…
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Contested state legislative primaries increase in Hawaii this year
There are 51 contested state legislative primaries in Hawaii this year, representing 34% of the total number of possible primaries. This is a 65% increase from 2020. A primary is contested when more candidates files to run than there are nominations available, meaning at least one candidate must lose. Of the 51 contested primaries, 36…
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Primary watch: number of contested state legislative primaries is up 23% compared to 2020
There are 23% more contested state legislative primaries this year than in 2020, including 53% more Republican primaries and 8% more top-two/four primaries. Democratic primaries are down 10%. These figures include elections in 39 states that account for 5,011 of 6,166 state legislative seats up for election this year (81%). A primary is contested when…
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Newcomers will represent at least 32% of Vermont’s state legislative seats next year
Fifty-seven state legislative seats up for election in Vermont this year are open, meaning no incumbents filed to run. This represents 32% of the state’s legislature, a marked increase compared to recent election cycles. Since no incumbents are present, newcomers are guaranteed to win all open seats. Vermont restructured its House and Senate during the…
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Gibbs defeats incumbent Meijer in Michigan’s 11th Congressional District Republican primary
John Gibbs defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer in the Republican primary for Michigan’s 3rd Congressional District on August 2, 2022. Meijer, first elected in 2020, was one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump (R) following the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Trump endorsed Gibbs in…
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Dixon wins Michigan’s Republican gubernatorial primary
Tudor Dixon defeated seven other candidates—four on the ballot and three write-ins—in Michigan’s Republican gubernatorial primary on Aug. 2, 2022. Dixon is a former anchor for America’s Voice News. During the primary, Dixon called herself “the visionary and clear policy leader in the Republican field,” saying she would “rebuild and grow the economy, stop the…