Author: Joseph Brusgard
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State executives are retiring in two out of three states where the filing deadline has passed
The filing deadline for candidates seeking office in 2026 has passed in three states: Arkansas (Nov. 11), Illinois (Nov. 3), and Texas (Dec. 8). In Illinois and Texas, at least one state executive official is not seeking re-election, while in Arkansas, every incumbent state executive official is running for another term. In Illinois, six state…
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Democrats gained two state financial offices as a result of the 2025 elections
In the 2025 elections, there were zero directly elected state financial officers up for election. However, as a result of the gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia, Democrats are likely to gain two offices, both in Virginia, as Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger (D) will appoint replacements for Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s (R) appointees. State financial officers…
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Alabama’s 2026 governor race could be the first time in U.S. history that directly elected Democratic and Republican senators run in a general election for governor
Former U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D) announced on November 24 that he would run for governor of Alabama. Jones faces three other Democrats for the nomination. On the Republican side, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who defeated Jones in 2020, faces one other Republican for the nomination. Jones’ entry makes him the fourth senator running for…
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Emilio Gonzalez and Eileen Higgins are candidates in the runoff election for mayor of Miami, Florida, on Dec. 9, 2025
Emilio Gonzalez and Eileen Higgins are candidates in the runoff election for mayor of Miami, Florida, on Dec. 9, 2025. This is the first runoff election for mayor since 2001. The two advanced from a 13-candidate field in the nonpartisan election on Nov. 4, 2025. In the November 4 election, Higgins received 36% of the…
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Only nine state supreme court justices have lost retention elections since 1990
In 38 states, a state supreme court justice has to run for re-election to their seat. Of those states, 20 use retention elections, where voters vote for or against a specific justice, as opposed to voting for multiple candidates. Ballotpedia has analyzed the results of retention elections going back to 1990. Historically, justices have won…
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John E. Sununu is the third former Senator running in 2026
On October 22, 2025, former U.S. Senator John E. Sununu (R) announced his campaign for U.S. Senate in New Hampshire in 2026. Incumbent Jeanne Shaheen (D), who defeated Sununu in 2008, is retiring from public office. In the Republican primary, Sununu will face two other candidates, former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown and Tejasinha Sivalingam. On…
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In 215 races, both candidates share the same last name
In 215 contests across 15 states, 438 candidates running for office this year share the same last name. Every single one of these contests is for a local election. Of these contests, all but one are nonpartisan elections. One contest, District 20 of the New York City Council, was a partisan contest where Allen Wang…
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A look at elections for downballot state offices in 2025
In the 2025 elections, while much attention is focused on the top statewide offices, such as governor or attorney general, these are not the only statewide offices up for election in 2025. Other states will be holding elections for various statewide offices, including those for state supreme court and public service commission. Here is a…
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Four seats on the Albuquerque Public Schools board are up for election
Four seats on the Albuquerque Public Schools school board in New Mexico are up for election on November 4, 2025. Albuquerque Journal’s Noah Alcala Bach wrote, "The balance of power between the two primary factions that make up the Albuquerque Public Schools board is on the ballot this November." Eight candidates are running in the…
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Janet Mills becomes the 12th Maine governor to run for Senate since 1914
Maine Gov. Janet Mills has announced her candidacy for U.S. Senate against incumbent Susan Collins (R) in 2026. In her launch video, Mills said, “I won’t sit idly by while Maine people suffer and politicians like Susan Collins bend the knee as if this were normal.” Mills is finishing her second term as governor. She…