Author: James McAllister
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California will hold two primaries for the same congressional seat on March 3
Two top-two primaries will take place on Mar. 3, 2020, in elections to represent California’s 25th Congressional District. The seat is currently vacant following the resignation of Katie Hill (D) on Nov. 1, 2019. The top two finishers in the primary for the regularly scheduled House election will advance to the Nov. 3, 2020, general…
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What are the responsibilities of state attorneys general?
The office of attorney general exists in all 50 states. The attorney general is directly elected in 43 states, appointed by the governor in five states, appointed by the legislature in Maine, and by the state supreme court in Tennessee. Forty-five state constitutions explicitly establish the office of attorney general, while Connecticut, Indiana, Oregon, Vermont,…
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What are the responsibilities of secretaries of state?
Secretary of state is an elected statewide executive office in 35 states, a governor-appointed position in nine states, and a legislature-appointed position in three states. Alaska, Hawaii, and Utah do not have secretaries of state. In 38 states, secretaries derive their power from original articles in their states’ constitutions. In 19 they derive their authority…
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Incumbent Sylvester Turner defeats Tony Buzbee in Houston mayoral election
Incumbent Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner won re-election Saturday. He received 56% of the vote to former Texas A&M Board of Regents member Tony Buzbee’s 44% with 100% of precincts reporting. Turner was first elected in 2015. In 2019, he campaigned on what he said were the accomplishments of his first term, including balancing the city’s…
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Tony Buzbee has cash lead over Sylvester Turner heading into the Houston mayoral runoff election
Houston mayoral candidate Tony Buzbee contributed an additional $2.3 million to his campaign, while incumbent Mayor Sylvester Turner raised $1.74 million, according to final fundraising reports before Saturday’s runoff election. At the end of the reporting period from Oct. 27 to Dec. 6, Buzbee had $597,624 cash on hand to Turner’s $524,420 on hand. Buzbee…
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What are the responsibilities of state lieutenant governors?
The office of lieutenant governor is an elected statewide executive office in 43 states. In two other states, Tennessee and West Virginia, the President of the State Senate serves as lieutenant governor. Maine, Arizona, Wyoming, New Hampshire, and Oregon do not have lieutenant governors. Lieutenant governors derive their responsibilities from several sources, including gubernatorial…
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Rep. Duncan Hunter pleads guilty to using campaign funds for personal expenses
On Tuesday, Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) pleaded guilty to using campaign funds for personal expenses, ending a three-year investigation into the congressman’s misuse of over $200,000. Hunter’s wife pleaded guilty in June to knowingly and willingly using campaign funds with her husband for their family’s benefit, agreeing to testify against him. Weeks later, federal…
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What are state legislators paid in your state?
State legislators in California earn the highest base salary among legislators in all 50 states, making $110,459 per year. State legislators in New Mexico do not earn a base salary. As of March 2019, the states with the highest legislative base salaries were: California: $110,459 New York: $110,000 Pennsylvania: $87,180 Michigan: $71,685 Illinois: $67,836…
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Twelve candidates face off in Houston mayoral race
Incumbent Sylvester Turner and 11 challengers will compete in the November 5, 2019, general election for mayor of Houston, Texas. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two finishers will participate in a runoff election on December 14, 2019. Of the 11 candidates running against Turner, local media outlets…
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Cameron, Stumbo face off in Kentucky attorney general race
Kentucky voters will choose a new attorney general Nov. 5, with Daniel Cameron (R) and Gregory Stumbo (D) vying for the office. Democrats have controlled the AG office in Kentucky since 1952. The state’s election history suggests this year’s contest will be competitive. The AG position is open, as incumbent Andy Beshear is the Democratic…