Author: Joseph Brusgard

  • John E. Sununu is the third former Senator running in 2026

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    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…

  • In 215 races, both candidates share the same last name

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    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…

  • A look at elections for downballot state offices in 2025

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    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…

  • Four seats on the Albuquerque Public Schools board are up for election

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    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…

  • Janet Mills becomes the 12th Maine governor to run for Senate since 1914

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    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…

  • Keith Barnett and Matthew De La Montanya are running in the nonpartisan special election for District 5 of the Plumas Unified School District, California on November 4, 2025

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    Keith Barnett and Matthew De La Montanya are running in the nonpartisan special election for District 5 of the Plumas Unified School District, California, on November 4, 2025. Incumbent Leslie Edlund resigned from the board on April 2. As a result, the board decided to pick a successor to serve the remainder of Edlund’s term,…

  • New York City Mayor Eric Adams ends independent re-election bid

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    On Sept. 28, 2025, New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) ended his independent re-election bid. In a video posted on X, Adams said, “Despite all we’ve achieved, I cannot continue my re-election campaign. The constant media speculation about my future and the campaign finance board’s decision to withhold millions of dollars have undermined my…

  • Two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission are up for the first time since 2022

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    Image of the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Georgia.

    Georgia is holding a special election for two of five seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission on November 4, 2025. The primary was held on June 17, 2025, and a primary runoff was held on July 15, 2025. A general runoff (if necessary) will be held on December 2, 2025. The Georgia Public Service…

  • Twenty-eight races in 2025 are rematches of a previous contest

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    In 2025, looking at the elections held so far and those that have yet to happen, 28 races are rematches of contests that previously happened in 2023, 2021, and 2019. Fifteen of the 28 rematches are state legislative elections, and 13 are local elections.  Of the 15 state legislative races, 14 are rematches for a…

  • 2026 could see the most Senators run again after leaving office since 2012 and 2014

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    Former U.S. Senator John E. Sununu (R-N.H.) says he is considering running for Senate in New Hampshire in 2026, held by the retiring Jeanne Shaheen (D), who defeated him in 2008. If he were to run, he would have to face another former U.S. Senator, Scott Brown (R-Mass.), who was defeated by Elizabeth Warren (D)…