Category: State
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Filing period for congressional candidates ends in Delaware
On July 14, the major-party congressional filing deadline passed to run for elected office in Delaware. Candidates filed for the state’s Class II U.S. Senate seat and at-large U.S. House seat. The Class II Senate seat is currently held by Chris Coons (D), who filed to run for re-election. The state’s at-large seat in the…
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Wisconsin Supreme Court largely upholds constitutionality of extraordinary session legislation, strikes down provisions related to guidance documents
The Wisconsin Supreme Court on July 9 upheld the constitutionality of the majority of the legislation passed by state lawmakers during the 2018 extraordinary legislative session, with the exception of certain provisions concerning guidance documents. The legislation brought major changes to administrative processes, including eliminating judicial deference to state agencies, abolishing sue-and-settle practices, and setting…
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Longest-serving member of Alabama House of Representatives dies
Ronald Johnson (R), who had represented District 33 in the Alabama House since 1978, died of liver cancer on July 14. His tenure in the chamber made him the longest-serving legislator in the state House at the time of his death. Johnson’s death creates the second vacancy in the chamber this year. The first occurred…
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Lucas resigns from New Hampshire House of Representatives, creating 10th vacancy in chamber
The current vacancy count in the New Hampshire House of Representatives this week reached a total of 10 seats. Rep. Gates Lucas (R) resigned from the chamber on July 14, citing a move outside his district as the reason. Lucas announced his resignation on Twitter and said, “Today I resigned from the @NHHouseofReps given I…
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Filing deadline to pass for Louisiana congressional candidates
The major-party filing deadline to run for elected office in Louisiana is on July 24, 2020. In Louisiana, prospective candidates may file for the following congressional offices: • U.S. Senate: Sen. Bill Cassidy (R) has announced that he is running for re-election. Cassidy was first elected in 2014. • U.S. House of Representatives: All six…
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Voters decide Louisiana special elections on July 11
Ballotpedia covered three special elections on July 11 in Louisiana. Offices on the ballot included a state House seat located in the Jefferson and Lafourche parishes and two judicial positions in Baton Rouge. In state House District 54, six candidates ran to replace Reggie Bagala (R). James Cantrelle (R), Dave Carskadon (R), Kevin Duet (R),…
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State supreme court justices in retention elections have a 98% win rate since 2008
In retention elections, voters are asked whether an incumbent should remain in office for another term. The incumbent does not face an opponent and is removed from the position if a majority vote against retention. State supreme court justices facing retention elections experienced better chances of being re-elected than their incumbent counterparts in other kinds…
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Virginia Supreme Court rules that Walmart must purchase electricity from Virginia Electric & Power Co.
On July 9, 2020, the Virginia State Supreme Court issued a ruling that affirmed the State Corporation Commission’s denial of Walmart’s petition to seek an alternative energy supplier to the state utility. Justice Arthur Kelsey penned the unanimous opinion of the court. In December 2017 Walmart sought permission to buy its electricity from a non-state…
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Trujillo resigns from New Mexico legislature, cites need to focus on full-time work
Linda Trujillo (D) resigned from the New Mexico House of Representatives, a little more than one month after winning the Democratic primary for the seat. Trujillo is an attorney by trade and said she needed to work full-time due to economic concerns resulting from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. She announced her resignation from office effective…
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Hodges resigns from Arkansas House to take new job with community college
Grant Hodges (R) resigned from the Arkansas House of Representatives on July 10. Hodges’ resignation came just before he started a new job as the executive director of community and government relations at Northwest Arkansas Community College on July 13. Hodges’ resignation was expected after he announced his acceptance of the new role in late…