Author: Madison Adkins
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Julie Vargas sworn in to New Mexico Supreme Court
On January 25, Julie Vargas was sworn in as a justice on the New Mexico Supreme Court. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) appointed Vargas on December 19, 2020, to succeed Justice Judith Nakamura (R), who retired on December 1. Prior to her appointment, Vargas was a judge on the New Mexico Court of Appeals. She…
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Judith French appointed Ohio Director of Insurance
Director of Insurance Judith French (R) was appointed by Gov. Mike DeWine (R) on Jan. 19, to succeed interim director Tynesia Dorsey. The director is a cabinet-level executive position in the Ohio state government and the chief officer of the Department of Insurance. The director is responsible for ensuring the laws and regulations related to…
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Pennsylvania state Senator David Arnold (R) dies
On Jan. 17, Pennsylvania state Senator David Arnold (R) died from brain cancer. Arnold won election to the 48th District seat in a special election on Jan. 14, 2020. The seat became vacant after Mike Folmer (R) resigned on Sep. 18, 2019, after being charged with possession of child pornography. Prior to serving in the…
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Three state legislators switch parties in December
Ballotpedia has identified three state legislators who switched their party affiliation in December. One switched from Democrat to independent, one from Republican to Libertarian, and one from Democrat to Republican. • On Dec. 7, Georgia Rep. Valencia Stovall announced that she was leaving the Democratic Party to join the Independent party. In a Facebook post,…
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Kansas governor announces appointment of new lieutenant governor after current LG becomes treasurer
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) announced on Dec. 14 that she would appoint David Toland to the position of lieutenant governor to fill the vacancy created by her appointment of Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers (D) as state treasurer. Toland will take office after Rogers is sworn in as treasurer on Jan. 2, 2021. Toland is…
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Kansas governor appoints Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers to become state treasurer
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) announced Dec. 10 that she will appoint Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers (D) to the position of state treasurer to fill the vacancy created by Jacob LaTurner’s (R) election to the U.S. House. Rogers will be sworn in on Jan. 2, 2021, and will serve until the position is up for…
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Georgia Supreme Court Justice Keith Blackwell retires
On Nov. 18, Georgia Supreme Court Justice Keith Blackwell retired, citing family obligations and a desire to return to private practice. Gov. Nathan Deal (R) appointed Blackwell to the court in June 2012 to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of George H. Carley. Before serving on the supreme court, Blackwell served on the…
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President Trump names Christopher C. Miller acting secretary of defense
President Donald Trump (R) announced that Christopher C. Miller would be acting U.S. Secretary of Defense on Monday, following the termination of Mark Esper. Christopher C. Miller had been serving as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center since Aug. 10, 2020. Miller previously served as the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director…
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Andy King expelled from New York City Council
The New York City Council voted 48-2 on October 5 to expel Councilman Andy King (D) for harassment and discrimination, conflicts of interest, disorderly conduct, and other violations. King represented the 12th district and was first elected in 2012. A two-thirds vote is required to expel a city council member. The city council press office confirmed…