Author: Elisabeth Moore
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Nationwide partisan breakdown of state legislators shows 52.2% Republicans and 46.9% Democrats
According to Ballotpedia’s nationwide analysis, the partisan affiliation of state legislators at the end of April is 52.2% Republican and 46.9% Democrat. There are 7,383 state legislative offices—1,972 state senate seats and 5,411 state representative seats. Republicans hold 3,857 state legislative seats—1,083 senate seats and 2,774 house seats. Democrats hold 3,460 state legislative seats—872 senate…
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March 2020 breakdown of state legislative party membership: 52.3% Republicans, 46.9% Democrats
March’s partisan count of the 7,383 state legislators across the United States shows 52.3% are Republicans and 46.9% are Democrats. There are 7,383 state legislative offices—1,972 state senate seats and 5,411 state representative seats. Republicans hold 3,864 state legislative seats—1,085 senate seats and 2,779 house seats. Democrats hold 3,457 state legislative seats—874 senate seats and…
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Trump signs third coronavirus relief package
President Donald Trump signed the coronavirus aid relief and economic security act — or CARES Act — March 27, following the U.S. House approving the legislation earlier that day by a voice vote. The U.S. Senate voted 96-0 to pass the package March 25. The $2 trillion package is the third bill signed in response…
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Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.) announces resignation
Wisconsin Rep. Sean Duffy (R) announced his resignation from the U.S. House August 26, effective at the end of September. In a post to his Facebook page, Duffy cited the need to spend more time with his family as he and his wife expected the birth of their ninth child. “With much prayer, I…
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Wisconsin Supreme Court rules legislature’s lame-duck session was constitutional
In a 4-3 decision, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Friday that the state legislature’s December 2018 lame duck session was not unconstitutional. The League of Women Voters, plaintiffs in the case, had argued that the state’s constitution did not allow lawmakers to call an extraordinary session, making the December session and all actions resulting from…
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Trump picks Melania’s spokeswoman for new press secretary
Donald Trump chose Melania Trump spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham to serve as his White House press secretary Tuesday. Grisham will replace Sarah Huckabee Sanders, whose last day will be Friday. The First Lady said in a tweet: “I am pleased to announce @StephGrisham45 will be the next @PressSec & Comms Director! She has been with…
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Acting Texas Secretary of State David Whitley (R) resigns
Acting Texas Secretary of State David Whitley (R) resigned May 27 just before the end of the Texas legislative session. Whitley was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on December 17, 2018, but needed to receive confirmation from two-thirds of the state Senate—21 out of 31 senators—to continue serving in a permanent capacity through 2021.…
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Iowa state representative changes party affiliation to Democratic, cites Trump and Republican Party direction
Iowa State Representative Andy McKean changed his party affiliation from Republican to Democratic on Tuesday. McKean said President Trump and changes in the party as a whole prompted this change. “I feel, as a Republican, that I need to be able to support the standard bearer of our party…Unfortunately, that’s something I’m unable to…
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Ohio governor signs bill prohibiting abortion after fetal heartbeat is detected
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed a bill into law on April 11 which bans abortions after a doctor is able to detect a fetal heartbeat-usually at about six weeks into a pregnancy. The law includes exceptions if the life of the woman is at risk, but not in cases of incest or rape. It…
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Former Arizona Sen. Steve Pierce chosen to fill Arizona House vacancy
The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors chose former Arizona Sen. Steve Pierce (R) on April 3 to replace Rep. David Stringer (R) in the Arizona House of Representatives. Stringer resigned on March 27 amid an ethics investigation. Prior to being chosen for Stringer’s seat, Pierce served in the Arizona State Senate from 2009 to…