Author: Joseph Brusgard
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Mississippi — one of nine states with supreme court districts — could redraw the districts in the next year
While congressional and state legislative districts are supposed to be redrawn every 10 years, this is not always the case with state supreme court districts. In fact, Mississippi was set to redraw its districts for the first time since 1987, but the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais led to the cancellation of…
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The number of incumbents in South Carolina's state legislature being challenged is tied with 2018 for the highest number in a midterm
Thirty-six South Carolina state legislative incumbents face primary contests in 2026, a 29% decrease from the number that faced challengers in 2024. Twelve of the contested incumbents are Democrats, and 24 are Republicans. All of them are state representatives, as no state senators were up for election. South Carolina has 59 contested state legislative primaries…
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No Democratic incumbents, two Republican incumbents are being challenged in primaries for state legislature in Maine
Two Maine state legislative incumbents face primary contests in 2026, the fewest at any point since 2018. This is a 67% decrease in the number of incumbents facing challengers compared to 2024. Both of the contested incumbents are Republican state representatives. Maine has 28 contested state legislative primaries in 2026, up 56% from 2024. Of…
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The highest number of Oklahoma state legislative incumbents being challenged this year is more than at any point since 2010
Forty-one Oklahoma state legislative incumbents face primary contests in 2026, the most at any point since 2010. This is a 41% increase in the number of incumbents facing challengers compared to 2024. Four of the contested incumbents are Democrats, and 37 are Republicans. Thirty are state representatives, and 11 are state senators. Oklahoma has 63…
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Oklahoma to have first open Republican gubernatorial primary since 2018
Nine candidates are running for the Republican nomination for governor of Oklahoma on June 16, 2026. Four have led in media attention: Gentner Drummond (R), Chip Keating (R), Mike Mazzei (R), and Charles McCall (R). Incumbent Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) is term-limited and retiring from public office. The Oklahoman's Alex Gladden wrote, "In Oklahoma, a…
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Washington, D.C., is holding its first mayoral election using ranked-choice voting
Seven candidates are running in the Democratic primary for mayor of Washington, D.C. on June 16, 2026. Two candidates led in media attention: Janeese Lewis George (D) and Kenyan McDuffie (D). Incumbent Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) is not running for re-election and is retiring from public office. The 51st's Martin Austermuhle wrote, "This year’s mayoral…
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The Utah Supreme Court undergoes another change in structure with the resignation of Justice Diana Hagen
On May 8, Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen resigned, marking another structural change within the Court. Hagan’s resignation comes after Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed a bill on Jan. 31 to increase the number of justices on the Court from five to seven — making Utah the first state since 2016 to expand its…
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West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals justices defeated for the first time since 2016
Two incumbent West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals justices were defeated in nonpartisan elections on May 12, 2026. Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) appointed justices Tom Ewing and Gerald M. Titus III in 2025 to complete the terms of justices Beth Walker and Tim Armstead, respectively. Both incumbents ran unsuccessfully to complete those terms. The last…
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Redrawn district, narrow convention margin set up competitive House Republican primary in Utah
Incumbent Celeste Maloy (R) and Phil Lyman (R) are running in the Republican primary for Utah's 3rd Congressional District on June 23, 2026. This election is taking place under new district boundaries after a district court judge ruled that the state's congressional map, drawn in 2021, was a partisan gerrymander and ordered the state to…
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Nine states are holding public utility commission elections this year
Republicans have majorities on all nine of the public utility commissions directly on the ballot this year. These states are Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. The other state in which public utility commissioners are directly on the ballot is Mississippi, which also has a Republican majority. However, Mississippi…