Category: 2025 elections
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Democrat Catelin Drey defeats Republican Christopher Prosch in Iowa state Senate special election, breaking Republican supermajority
Catelin Drey (D) defeated Christopher Prosch (R) in the special general election for Iowa state Senate District 1 on August 26, 2025. The previous incumbent, Rocky De Witt (R), died on June 25, 2025. Leading up to the election, Republicans had a 33-16 majority in the Iowa Senate with one vacancy. Drey’s win meant that…
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Above average share of state legislative incumbents saw primary contests this year
Thirty-eight state legislative incumbents faced contested primaries in 2025, representing 22% of all incumbents who filed for re-election. While that was two fewer than the 40 contested incumbents in 2021, it was larger by percentage than each of the three previous odd-year cycles following presidential elections. Twelve percent were contested in 2013, 16% in 2017,…
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Fewest open state legislative seats since 2011
There are eight open seats in this year’s state legislative elections, four percent of all 180 seats up for election. That is the lowest by percentage of any odd-year cycle since 2011. An open seat is where no incumbent filed to run, meaning it is guaranteed to be won by a newcomer. Ballotpedia uses the…
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Catelin Drey and Christopher Prosch running in the special general election for Iowa state Senate District 1 on Aug. 26
Catelin Drey (D) and Christopher Prosch (R) are running in the special general election for Iowa state Senate District 1 on Aug. 26. The previous incumbent Rocky De Witt (R) died on June 25. Republicans have a 33-16 majority in the Iowa Senate with one vacancy. Republicans also have a majority in the Iowa General…
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Seven candidates are running in the general election for governor of New Jersey on Nov. 4, 2025
Mikie Sherrill (D) and Jack Ciattarelli (R) are running in the general election for governor of New Jersey on Nov. 4, 2025. Incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy (D) is term-limited. On an episode of On the Ballot, NJ.com’s Brent Johnson said that affordability will be a key issue in the election: “Affordability is always gonna be…
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Ghazala Hashmi (D) and John Reid (R) are running in the general election for lieutenant governor of Virginia on Nov. 4, 2025
Ghazala Hashmi (D) and John Reid (R) are running in the general election for lieutenant governor of Virginia on Nov. 4, 2025. Incumbent Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (R) is running for governor of Virginia instead of re-election. WAMU’s Margaret Barthel wrote, “Virginia’s lieutenant governor has few official powers. The role presides over the state senate…
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Sixteen percent of possible state legislative primaries were contested in 2025
There were 46 contested state legislative primaries in 2025. That was 16% of the 280 possible primaries between the New Jersey General Assembly and the Virginia House of Delegates, the only two state legislative chambers with elections this year. The total number of contested primaries in 2025—46—was two more and a 5% increase from 2021.…
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Both candidates for Los Banos, Calif. city council complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey
Both candidates running in the special election for Los Banos, Calif., City Council District 1—Mitzy Perez and Kalid Sanchez—completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office. All survey respondents are asked to tell voters about their views on financial and…
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Ballotpedia identified 23 Virginia House races as battlegrounds
Ballotpedia identified 23 Virginia House of Delegates districts as general election battlegrounds. Democrats are favored to win seven battleground districts that Republicans represent heading into the election. Republicans are not favored to win any Democratic battleground districts. The Virginia House is one of two state legislative chambers with elections in 2025. Off-year elections in Virginia…
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An early look at the general election for Mayor of New York City on November 4, 2025
Eleven candidates are running for mayor of New York City on November 4, 2025. Five have led in media attention: incumbent Eric Adams (I), Zohran Mamdani (D), Curtis Sliwa (R), Andrew Cuomo (Fight and Deliver), and James Walden (I). City & State NY‘s Sahalie Donaldson, Annie McDonough, and Holly Pretsky wrote, “New York City is…