Category: State
-
Vermont state representative resigns
On February 14, 2020, Vermont State Representative Matt Trieber (D) resigned from the state House after representing the Windham-3 District for nine years. Trieber stepped down to focus on his job as a youth student counselor. In Vermont, state employees elected to serve in the legislature must take an unpaid leave of absence from their…
-
Utah initiative signature deadline passed on February 18
The deadline for submitting signatures for a direct initiative to qualify for the 2020 ballot in Utah passed on February 18, 2020. The deadline for indirect initiatives was November 15, 2019. Proponents of a carbon tax measure and a term limits measure had been circulating petitions. Neither group reached the signature requirement to qualify for…
-
North Carolina Representative Johnson dies
North Carolina Rep. Linda Johnson (R) died on February 18, 2020, according to a statement released by North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore (R). Johnson, who served as Chairwoman of the Senior House Appropriations Committee, represented District 82. Johnson was most recently re-elected to the House in 2018. She previously represented District 83, which became…
-
Cisneros and Cuellar receive endorsements in TX-28 primary
Over the past week, both candidates in the Democratic primary for Texas’ 28th U.S. House district received new endorsements. Jessica Cisneros announced support from former presidential candidate Julián Castro, the AFSCME, SEIU Texas, and the Texas AFT. Rep. Henry Cuellar was endorsed by LIBRE Initiative Action and the Texas Municipal Police Association. Both have also…
-
Illinois Supreme Court justice Robert Thomas to retire
On February 10, 2020, Chief Justice Robert Thomas (R) announced that he will retire from the Illinois Supreme Court on February 29. In the event of a midterm vacancy, the Illinois Supreme Court appoints an interim judge. The interim judge serves until the next general election occurring at least 60 days after his appointment. The…
-
Karofsky and Kelly advance in Wisconsin Supreme Court primary; Fallone eliminated
Incumbent Daniel Kelly and Jill Karofsky were the top-two finishers in Tuesday’s nonpartisan Wisconsin Supreme Court primary and will advance to the April 7 general election. As of 9:10 p.m. CT, Kelly had received 48.8% of the vote to Karofsky’s 38.0% and Fallone’s 13.3% with 57.3% of precincts reporting. Although the race is officially nonpartisan,…
-
Florida Supreme Court has one seat up for retention and two vacant
Two of the seven seats on the Florida Supreme Court are currently vacant. The seats were held by Robert Luck and Barbara Lagoa and will be filled by the current governor, Ron DeSantis (R), through assisted gubernatorial appointment. Under the assisted gubernatorial appointment method, the Governor of Florida chooses from a list of three to…
-
Nine candidates to face off in California’s 50th District primary
Nine candidates are running in the primary election for California’s 50th Congressional District in the U.S. House on March 3, 2020. Duncan Hunter, who had represented the district since 2013, resigned Jan. 13, 2020, after pleading guilty to misusing campaign funds. Media coverage and endorsements have focused on three Republicans and one Democrat: Ammar Campa-Najjar…
-
Two Kentucky House seats on the ballot in February 25 special election
A special general election is scheduled for February 25, 2020, for Districts 67 and 99 of the Kentucky House of Representatives. Rachel Roberts (D) and Mary Jo Wedding (R) are competing for the District 67 seat. The seat was formerly occupied by Dennis Keene (D), who resigned on December 16, 2019, to become the commissioner…
-
Illinois Supreme Court Justice to retire on Leap Day
Illinois Supreme Court Associate Justice Robert Thomas is retiring on February 29, 2020. Thomas announced plans to join law firm Powers Rogers following his retirement. Justice Thomas joined the Second District of the Illinois Supreme Court after winning election in November 2000. Thomas served as the Chief Justice of the court from 2005 to 2008.…