Author: Joseph Brusgard
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Six state executives retired in states where the filing deadline passed in January
The filing deadline for candidates seeking office in 2026 passed in three states in January: Alabama (Jan. 23), Kentucky (Jan. 9), and West Virginia (Jan. 31). Kentucky and West Virginia do not hold state executive elections in mid-term years. In Alabama, nine state executive offices are up for election. Of those offices, six current officeholders…
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January saw President Donald Trump’s (R) fourth-lowest monthly executive order total thus far in his second term
January saw President Donald Trump’s (R) fourth-lowest monthly executive order total thus far in his second term President Donald Trump (R) issued nine executive orders in January, bringing his total to 234 in his second term. This was the third-lowest monthly total of his second term thus far. Trump issued orders on foreign policy, the…
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Four candidates are running in the Republican primary for Indiana's 4th Congressional District on May 5
Four candidates are running for the Republican nomination for Indiana's 4th Congressional District on May 5, 2026. Two candidates lead in media attention: Incumbent Jim Baird (R) and Craig Haggard (R). Baird, who turns 80 in June, is the 4th-oldest Republican in the U.S. House. The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter's Erin Covey wrote…
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Amy Klobuchar becomes the fourth U.S. Senator from Minnesota to run for governor since 1913
On January 29, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) announced she would run for governor of Minnesota. Her announcement comes weeks after incumbent Tim Walz (D) withdrew his re-election bid, making the seat open for the first time since 2018. Klobuchar’s entry makes her the fifth current or former U.S. senator running for governor of their state…
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Three candidates are running in the Democratic primary for Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District on March 10, 2026
Incumbent Bennie Thompson (D), Evan Turnage (D), and Pertis Williams III (D) are running in the Democratic primary for Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District on March 10, 2026. Thompson and Turnage have led in media attention. The primary is similar to other Democratic primaries this cycle, in which older, long-serving incumbents face challenges from younger candidates…
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Alaska's federal elections are using ranked-choice voting (RCV) for the third consecutive cycle
On January 12, 2026, former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola (D) announced her campaign for U.S. Senate against incumbent Dan Sullivan (R). With Peltola’s entry into the race, we’re taking a look at Alaska’s use of ranked-choice voting (RCV) since its adoption in 2020 and how it's played out in other statewide elections. Peltola was first…
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More former members of Congress have announced candidacies for a non-consecutive term in any cycle since 2016
This year, 19 former House members announced candidacies for a non-consecutive term. Three former Senators have announced campaigns for office, meaning a total of 22 former members of Congress have announced candidacies, the highest number in any cycle going back to 2016. The 19 House members are running in 13 states, though two — Rod…
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Ten candidates are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Illinois on March 17, 2026
Ten candidates are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Illinois on March 17, 2026. Three candidates have led in fundraising, media attention, and polling: Robin Kelly (D), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D), and Juliana Stratton (D). Incumbent Dick Durbin (D), who was first elected in 1996, announced his retirement on April 23, 2025. The…
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An early look at state supreme court retention elections this year
This year, 32 states will hold elections for their state supreme courts. Fourteen of these states will hold retention elections, 12 will hold nonpartisan elections, and six will hold partisan elections. Retention elections are not like traditional elections, as a justice doesn't run against other candidates, but is subject to a yes-or-no vote. The most…
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An early look at the most competitive state legislative chambers in 2026
Eighty-eight state legislative chambers will be up for election this year. Of these chambers, Republicans control 51, Democrats control 34, and three are held under divided government. Nationwide, Republicans hold 56 chambers, Democrats hold 40, and three are held under divided government. Both parties are looking to expand their majorities or gain control of chambers,…