Category: State
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Massachusetts representative becomes Taunton’s first female mayor
On January 6, 2020, Shaunna O’Connell (R) resigned from the Third Bristol District seat in the Massachusetts State House after becoming the mayor of Taunton, Massachusetts. O’Connell defeated Taunton City Council member Estele Borges (D) to become Taunton’s mayor on November 5, 2019. Taunton’s incumbent mayor, Thomas Hoye Jr., did not run for re-election. Before…
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Idaho state representative convicted of fraud, removed from office
The Idaho House of Representatives voted 65-0 to remove former Rep. John Green (R) from his District 2B seat on January 16, 2020, following his conviction on federal tax fraud charges the day before. Five members of the chamber were absent. Green’s expulsion is a historic first for the Idaho legislature. The state constitution forbids…
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Jordan and Super advance to special general election for Minnesota House District 60A
On January 21, 2020, Sydney Jordan won the special Democratic-Farmer-Labor primary to serve as the party’s nominee for District 60A in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Jordan won 28.55% of the vote in an 11-candidate primary field, according to the unofficial results. In the Legal Marijuana Now party’s primary, Marty Super ran unopposed for their…
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Georgia House special election scheduled for Tuesday
A special general election is scheduled for January 28 for District 171 of the Georgia House of Representatives. The seat became vacant on November 25, 2019, after Jay Powell (R) passed away. A runoff election, if necessary because no candidate secures a majority of the vote, is scheduled for February 25, 2020. Jewell Howard (D), Tommy…
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Multnomah County commissioners appoint Lawrence-Spence to Oregon House
On January 17, 2020, Akasha Lawrence-Spence (D) was appointed by Multnomah County commissioners to fill the vacant District 36 position in the Oregon House of Representatives. Lawrence-Spence will assume office on the first day of the Oregon General Assembly legislative session on February 3, 2020. Her current term will end on January 10, 2021. Lawrence-Spence’s…
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Harmon elected new Illinois Senate president
The Illinois State Senate elected Sen. Don Harmon (D) to be its president for the upcoming legislative session. Harmon won the post over fellow senator Kimberly Lightford (D). In Illinois, the Illinois Senate president is the highest-ranking legislative officer, serving as the leader of the upper chamber of the Illinois General Assembly. He or she…
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Vacancy committee appoints Hansen to Colorado Senate
On January 17, 2020, Chris Hansen (D) was appointed to fill the vacant District 31 seat in the Colorado Senate. Hansen assumed office on January 21, 2020, and his current term will end in January 2021. Vacancies in either chamber of the Colorado General Assembly are filled by a committee of members of the political party…
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Democratic party selects Feigenholtz to replace Cullerton in Illinois Senate
On January 21, 2020, Sara Feigenholtz (D) was appointed by Democratic Party leaders in Illinois Senate District 6 to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of former Sen. John Cullerton (D). Feigenholtz’s Senate term will end on January 11, 2023. Cullerton resigned on January 20 and served as the president of the Illinois State…
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Colorado State Representative Beckman resigns to join the Trump administration
On January 17, 2020, Colorado State Rep. Susan Beckman (R) announced she was resigning to assume a position within President Trump’s administration. Beckman has not yet announced what position she will assume, nor has President Trump or his administration commented on her resignation. An announcement is expected from the Trump administration next week. Beckman was…
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Tester endorses Cooney in MT governor primary
On Saturday, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) endorsed Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney in the Democratic primary for Governor of Montana. Term-limited Gov. Steve Bullock (D) previously endorsed Cooney in October 2019. Whitney Williams also has noteworthy endorsements in this race, from EMILY’s List, former Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau (D), and Missoula Mayor John…