TagDaily Brew

Welcome to the Thursday, May 5, Brew. 

By: David Luchs

Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:

1. Reviewing the results of Tuesday’s battleground primaries
2. Candidate Connection update—survey responses from state legislative candidates in Pennsylvania and Georgia
3. President Joe Biden’s approval at 41%, congressional approval at 27%

Reviewing the results of Tuesday’s battleground primaries

Voters in seven states hit the polls on Tuesday for elections within Ballotpedia’s coverage scope. We followed nine battleground primaries in three states; here’s an update on how all nine turned out:

1. J.D. Vance wins Ohio Senate nomination: J.D. Vance defeated six other candidates to win the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat in Ohio currently held by Rob Portman (R).  Vance had 31% of the vote to Josh Mandel’s 24%, Matt Dolan’s 22%, and Mike Gibbons’ 12%.  No other candidate had more than 10% of the vote.
2. Tim Ryan wins Ohio Senate nomination: Tim Ryan defeated Morgan Harper and Traci Johnson to win the Democratic nomination for Ohio’s open U.S. Senate seat. Ryan had 73% of the vote to Harper’s 16% and Johnson’s 11%. Ryan will face J.D. Vance in the general election.
3. Decade-high number of incumbent defeats in Indiana state legislative primaries: Six members of Indiana’s state legislature—one senator and five representatives—lost re-election to primary challengers Tuesday. This was the largest number of state legislators defeated in an Indiana primary since 2012. All six defeated incumbents were Republicans.
4. Gov. Mike DeWine wins primary: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) defeated three challengers in the Republican primary for governor. DeWine had 48% of the vote to Jim Renacci’s 28% and Joe Blystone’s 22%. DeWine will face former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley (D) in the general election, which forecasters rate Likely Republican.
5. Ohio Secretary of State wins primary: Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) defeated challenger John Adams (R) 66% to 34%. LaRose will face Chelsea Clark (D) in the general election.
6. Shontel Brown defeats primary challenger: U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown (D) defeated primary challenger Nina Turner (D). Brown had 63% of the vote to Turner’s 37%. The two were backed by different members of the national party, with Joe Biden (D) and Nancy Pelosi (D) backing Brown and Bernie Sanders (I) backing Turner. Brown and Turner both ran in a 2021 special election in the district. That year, Brown won with 50% of the vote to Turner’s 45%.
7. Madison Gesiotto Gilbert wins U.S. House nomination: Madison Gesiotto Gilbert defeated six other candidates to win the Republican nomination for U.S. House in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District. Gilbert had 28% of the vote to Gregory Wheeler’s 24%, Janet Folger Porter’s 17%, and Shay Hawkins’ 11%. No other candidate had more than 10% of the vote. Gilbert will face Emilia Sykes (D) in the general election, which forecasters rate a toss-up.
8. Erin Houchin wins U.S. House nomination: Erin Houchin defeated eight other candidates to win the Republican nomination for U.S. House in Indiana’s 9th Congressional District. Houchin had 37% of the vote to Mike Sodrel’s 26% and Stu Barnes-Israel’s 21%. Election forecasters rate the general election Solid Republican, meaning Houchin is likely to win.
9. J.R. Majewski wins U.S. House nomination: J.R. Majewski defeated three other candidates to win the Republican nomination in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District. Majewski had 36% of the vote to Craig Riedel’s 31% and Theresa Gavarone’s 29%. Majewski will face incumbent Marcy Kaptur (D), first elected in 1982, in the general election, which forecasters rate a toss-up.
10. Nashville District Attorney wins primary: Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk (D) defeated two challengers to win re-nomination in the Democratic primary. Funk had 43% of the vote to Sara Beth Myers’ 40% and P. Danielle Nellis’ 17%. No Republican filed for the office, meaning Funk is likely to win re-election.

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Candidate Connection update—survey responses from state legislative candidates in Pennsylvania and Georgia

Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey asks candidates for federal, state, and local office to share what motivates them on a personal and political level.

As of May 4, 2022, we’re covering 50 races with final candidate lists in which all candidates have completed the survey. Six of those races reached that milestone in the past week.

What’s new this week

This week, we’re featuring two state legislative primaries—a Republican primary in Pennsylvania and a Democratic primary in Georgia.

Eric Clancy and Thomas Kutz are the two candidates on the Republican primary ballot in Pennsylvania’s 87th state House District. Located to the west of Harrisburg, the 87th district shifted south and west following the 2020 round of redistricting. Incumbent Greg Rothman (R) is running for state senate, leaving the House seat open. In 2020, Rothman defeated Nicole Miller (D) 56% to 44% under the old district lines.

Here’s how Clancy and Kutz answered the question, “What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?”

Eric Clancy:

“Perhaps not the first historic event but I remember sitting in a junior high homeroom class. The teacher received the NY Times every day, he let me read it because I folded it properly when I returned it to him. I remember looking at the daily reports around the US withdrawal from Vietnam and casualty numbers. The turmoil on the front page, of domestic trouble around the US, and the ever shrinking circle of secure space in Saigon on the third page graphic was really very sad. The homeroom teacher was a veteran, a neighbor of a friend lost her son there, and my father had classmates from West Point that had been there. There was not shortage of insight and opinion but it just seemed wrong that our blood and treasure was being spent with, at that point, a feeble plan.

I grew up with complete respect for our country and this didn’t seem right, or consistent with the respect our Country was due. It was a time of real reflection. This was brought on by men, perhaps failed men, with a political focus not the spirited Country that I respected.”

Thomas Kutz:

“As a young school student, I vividly remember the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. These attacks shook America to its very core and threatened the foundation of freedom. The terrorist attacks had a profound effect on me, and it instilled in me a passion to serve my community and to ensure that the American ideal would live on despite the attacks it faces. I’m grateful for every first responder who ran towards the danger that day, and I’m grateful for every soldier who answered the call to serve in order to protect our freedoms and our way of life.”

Solomon Adesanya and Benjamin Stahl are the two candidates running in the Democratic primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 43. The district, located in between Marietta and Sandy Springs to the north of Atlanta, shifted slightly north and west following the 2020 round of redistricting.  Incumbent Sharon Cooper (R) is running for re-election in a different district, leaving this seat open. In 2020, Cooper defeated Luisa Wakeman (D) 51% to 49% under the old district lines.

Here’s how Adesanya and Stahl answered the question, “What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?”

Solomon Adesanya:

“We’ve had the same funding formula for our public schools in Georgia for over 30 years. Georgia is one of only eight states in the U.S. that does not provide additional funding specifically to educate students living in poverty. In other states, funding reforms of the last 30 years have increased opportunities for lower-income schools and improved student achievement. My passion for quality public education is a driving force. I will fight every day to ensure all kids have a space to blossom.”

Benjamin Stahl:

“THE PROBLEMS WE FACE MAY SEEM SMALL TO OTHERS, BUT ARE CRUCIAL TO ENSURING PERSONAL SUCCESS AND GROWTH. THE CONSTITUENTS OF HD43 BELIEVE THAT LEADERSHIP ROOTED IN PRINCIPLES AND VALUES IS PARAMOUNT TO EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT.”

About Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey

Some other details about the 50 races where all candidates have completed the survey:

• They are located in 21 states.
• Fourteen of the 50 races are taking place in Texas.
• Four of the 50 races are general elections.
• Of the 46 primaries and runoffs, 27 are for the Democratic nomination and 19 are for the Republican nomination.
• Twenty-one of the 50 are races for U.S. House.

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President Joe Biden’s approval at 41%, congressional approval at 27%

Recent approval polling averages show President Joe Biden (D) steady at 41% and congressional approval up at 27%. 

Ballotpedia’s polling index showed Biden at 41% approval and 52% disapproval as of April 30. At this time last month, his approval rating was also at 41%. The highest approval rating Biden has received is 55%, last seen on May 26, 2021, and the lowest approval rating he has received is 40%, last seen on April 18, 2022. At this point in 2018, Donald Trump’s (R) approval rating was 42%.

Congress was at 27% approval and 59% disapproval. At this time last month, its approval rating was 23%. The highest approval rating Congress has received during the Biden Administration is 36%, last seen on July 16, 2021, and the lowest approval rating it has received is 14%, last seen on Jan. 26, 2022. At this point in 2018, the congressional approval rating was 16%.

Ballotpedia’s polling index takes the average of polls conducted over the last thirty days to calculate presidential and congressional approval ratings. We average the results and show all polling results side-by-side because we believe that paints a clearer picture of public opinion than any individual poll can provide. The data is updated daily as new polling results are published.

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Welcome to the Wednesday, May 4, Brew. 

By: Samuel Wonacott

Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:

1. We’ve got Indiana, Ohio election results
2. Thirty-eight announced upcoming Article III vacancies  
3. The Heart of the Primaries is your one-stop shop for primary election news

We’ve got Indiana, Ohio election results

On Tuesday, voters in Indiana and Ohio went to the polls and kicked off the May/June primary bonanza (60% of this year’s statewide primaries occur in May and June!), and our team stayed up late into the night collecting results and monitoring the most significant developments. In tomorrow’s edition of this newsletter, we’ll take a closer look at the biggest storylines to emerge from Tuesday’s elections and help you make sense of what the results mean for midterm races in November. 

In the meanwhile, check out our May 3 election hub to see all the latest results from Indiana, Ohio, and other states that held elections. You can also subscribe to The Heart of the Primaries, our weekly dive into key congressional, legislative, and executive races. The next edition comes out Thursday. You can read more about The Heart of the Primaries below. 

If you’re interested in seeing updated results from our key battleground races, click on the links below:

Indiana

• Indiana’s 9th Congressional District election, 2022 (May 3 Republican primary)

Ohio

• United States Senate election in Ohio, 2022 (May 3 Republican primary)
• United States Senate election in Ohio, 2022 (May 3 Democratic primary)
• Ohio’s 9th Congressional District election, 2022 (May 3 Republican primary)
• Ohio’s 11th Congressional District election, 2022 (May 3 Democratic primary)
• Ohio’s 13th Congressional District election, 2022 (May 3 Republican primary)
• Ohio gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022 (May 3 Republican primary)
• Ohio Secretary of State election, 2022 (May 3 Republican primary)

Tennessee

• District Attorney election in Nashville, Tennessee (May 3, 2022, Democratic primary)

On May 10, Nebraska and West Virginia are holding statewide primaries, followed by Idaho, Kentucky, North Carolina, Oregon, and Pennsylvania on May 17. You can see a full list of upcoming primary dates here.  

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Thirty-eight upcoming federal court vacancies  

According to the latest vacancy data from the U.S. Courts, there were 38 total announced upcoming vacancies for Article III judgeships. These positions are not yet vacant but will be at some point. The vacancies will result from judges choosing to retire or assume senior status. In the meantime, these judges continue to serve in their current positions.

Article III judgeships refer to federal judges who serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of International Trade, the 13 U.S. courts of appeal, or the 94 U.S. district courts. The president makes these lifetime appointments, all of which are subject to Senate approval.

The president and Senate do not need to wait for a position to become vacant before they can start the confirmation process for a successor. For example, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson has already been confirmed to the Supreme Court seat that will become vacant when Justice Stephen Breyer retires this summer. There are seven nominees pending for upcoming vacancies.

Twenty-five judges have not announced when they will leave the bench. The next scheduled vacancy occurs on May 17, when U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California Judge Edward Chen assumes senior status.

In addition to these 38 upcoming vacancies, there are 75 current Article III vacancies in the federal judiciary out of the 870 total Article III judgeships. 

President Biden has nominated 93 individuals to federal judgeships on Article III courts, and 60 have been confirmed. Of the 33 nominees going through the confirmation process, 15 are awaiting a vote in the U.S. Senate, five are awaiting a committee vote, and 13 are awaiting a committee hearing.

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The Heart of the Primaries is your one-stop shop for primary election news

Did we mention it’s primary season? Thirty states are holding Republican and Democratic primaries for hundreds of offices at all levels of government in May and June. We know it’s a lot to keep up with, which is why we’ve devoted an entire weekly newsletter to covering the most interesting and significant primary stories. 

First launched in January 2018, The Heart of the Primaries takes you to the front lines of key congressional, legislative, and state executive primary battles. We send two versions each week—one for Democratic primaries and one for Republican primaries. In each issue, we shed light on candidate policy differences, keep tabs on where PACs and other donor groups are putting their money (and why!), and bring you the latest polling numbers, election results, and endorsements. 

Our next edition goes out May 5. Here are some of the stories we’re working on:

• Indiana and Ohio: Summaries and media analysis of the biggest storylines coming out of the May 3 Republican and Democratic primaries. 
• West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District Republican primary: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) endorses Rep. David McKinley over Trump-backed Rep. Alexander Mooney in a race between two incumbent Republican congressmen. 
• Texas’ 28th Congressional District Democratic primary runoff: Jessica Cisneros runs a new ad highlighting Rep. Henry Cuellar’s stance on abortion, while Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) prepares for an upcoming rally with Cuellar. 

Click below to subscribe to one or both editions!

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By: Samuel Wonacott

We accidentally sent Friday’s version of The Brew to you this morning. We apologize about that! Today’s edition of The Brew is below.

Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:

1. April showers bring May primaries
2. Election preview—six Republicans running in primary for Alabama’s open U.S. Senate seat 
3. Number of contested legislative primaries in Nevada most since 2014

April showers bring May primaries

Ohio is holding statewide primaries for congressional and state legislative offices on May 3. Here’s what’s on the ballot and a look at how primaries work in Ohio.

At the federal level, Ohio is holding major party primaries for U.S. Senate and all 15 of the state’s U.S. House districts. The Ohio Senate Republican primary is one of the most watched races this election cycle. Incumbent Rob Portman (R) is not seeking re-election, leaving the seat open. Seven candidates are running in the primary to replace Portman, including Matt Dolan, Mike Gibbons, Josh Mandel, Jane Timken, and J.D. Vance. Three candidates are running in the Democratic primary. 

In U.S. House primaries, 67 Republican and Democratic candidates—including eight incumbents—filed to run across the 15 districts up for election. There are eight contested Democratic primaries and 10 contested Republican primaries. Going into the primary election, Republicans represent 12 of the state’s U.S. House districts, while Democrats represent four of them. Following the 2020 census, Ohio was apportioned 15 representatives in the U.S. House, one less than it received after the 2010 census. The Ohio Redistricting Commission approved a redrawn congressional map on March 2. 

Speaking of redistricting, state legislative elections are not on the May 3 ballot following the Ohio Supreme Court’s April 14 decision to reject the Ohio Redistricting Commission’s state legislative maps. A new date for state legislative primaries has not yet been set. Voters in Ohio will have two distinct state primary dates in 2022. In 2018, New York had separate dates for state and congressional primaries. In 2016, North Carolina had separate dates for presidential/state and congressional primaries. 

The Ohio Supreme Court ordered the commission to redraw the maps by May 6. Read more about redistricting in Ohio here. 

Ohio is also holding May 3 primary elections for governor and lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, and other state executive offices. Additionally, three seats on the Ohio Supreme Court are up for election. This is the first time that state supreme court elections are fully partisan. 

In Ohio, the primary candidate with the most votes wins—even if that candidate receives less than 50% of the total votes. Ohio is one of 40 states that does not hold primary election runoffs. Ohio does not cancel uncontested primaries, but primaries with no candidates are canceled so long as a write-in candidate has not filed to enter the race. The state uses an open primary system, meaning that a voter does not have to register with a political party beforehand in order to vote in that party’s primary. 

If you’re an Ohio voter, use Ballotpedia’s Sample Ballot Lookup to see what’s on your ballot and bring your choices to the polls with our My Vote app!

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Election preview—six Republicans running in primary for Alabama’s open U.S. Senate seat 

Twelve states are holding statewide primaries in May. Having looked at Ohio’s May 3 primaries above, let’s skip ahead a few weeks on the calendar—and south a few states on the map—to Alabama, which is holding statewide primaries on May 24.   

Six candidates are running in the Republican Senate primary. Senator Richard Shelby (R), first elected in 1986, is not running for re-election. The candidates who’ve led in recent polling and have the most noteworthy endorsements are Katie Britt, Mo Brooks, and Michael Durant.

Brooks was elected to represent Alabama’s 5th Congressional District since 2010. Brooks’ campaign ads have highlighted the speech he gave at Trump’s rally on Jan. 6, 2021, which preceded the U.S. Capitol breach. Brooks’ endorsements include Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.). Although former President Donald Trump (R) endorsed Brooks in 2021, he withdrew the endorsement in March 2022 after Brooks said the 2020 election results were final. 

Britt was chief of staff to Sen. Shelby was president and CEO of the Alabama Business Council. Britt’s campaign website described her as an “advocate for smaller government, modern job growth, constitutional liberties and greater opportunity.” Sen. Shelby, Maggie’s List, the Value In Electing Women PAC, and Winning for Women, Inc. PAC endorsed Britt.

Durant served in the U.S. Army for 22 years before founding an engineering firm. Durant was the pilot of a helicopter shot down in Somalia in 1993, depicted in the book and movie Black Hawk Down. Durant’s website says he “is 100% Pro-Trump. He voted for President Trump twice, and he supports the America First agenda.” Former candidate Jessica Taylor, who dropped out of the primary in January 2022, and Gen. Michael Flynn endorsed Durant.

Also running in the primary are Lillie Boddie, Karla DuPriest, and Jake Schafer.

Three independent race forecasters view the general election as either Sold or Safe Republican. Before Doug Jones’ (D) tenure from 2018-2021, the last Democrat to represent the state in the U.S. Senate was Howell T. Heflin, who left office in 1997. Trump won the state with 62% of the vote in the 2020 presidential election.

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Number of contested legislative primaries in Nevada most since 2014

There will be more contested state legislative primaries in Nevada this year than at any point since at least 2014. Of the 106 possible primaries, 48 (45%) will be contested by more than one candidate.

Contested Republican primaries, in particular, more than doubled this year compared to 2020 from 15 to 31. Contested Democratic primaries also increased from 14 to 17. These numbers represent the most contested primaries for each party since at least 2014.

Thirteen incumbents face contested primaries, representing 38% of those incumbents seeking re-election, the most since 2016, when 41% of incumbents faced contested primaries.

The filing deadline for candidates running for state or federal office in Nevada this year was March 18. Candidates filed to run for all of the state’s 42 state Assembly districts and 11 of the 21 Senate districts.

Nineteen of those districts were left open, meaning no incumbents filed to run, the most since at least 2014. That represents more than one-third (36%) of the districts holding elections this year, all of which are guaranteed to be won by newcomers.

Overall, 180 major party candidates filed to run this year: 66 Democrats and 114 Republicans. That’s 3.4 candidates per district, an increase from the 2.5 candidates per district in 2020 and 2.7 in 2018.

Nevada has been a Democratic trifecta since 2018 when Steve Sisolak (D) won the governorship. Democrats currently hold an 11-9 majority in the Senate and a 26-16 majority in the Assembly.

Between 1992 and 2020, majority control of the state Assembly changed four times. Democrats have controlled the chamber since 2016.

Between 1992 and 2020, majority control of the state Senate changed three times. As with the Assembly, Democrats have controlled the Senate since 2016.

Nevada’s state legislative primaries are scheduled for June 14, making them the 21st in the nation.

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By: Douglas Kronaizl

Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:

1. The in’s and out’s of Indiana’s May 3 primary elections
2. Previewing the Brown-Turner rematch in Ohio’s 11th Congressional District Democratic primary
3. #FridayTrivia: How many state legislative primaries will Arkansas have this year?

The in’s and out’s of Indiana’s May 3 primary elections

Indiana has statewide primaries for federal and state legislative offices coming up on May 3. Here’s what’s on the ballot and a look at how primaries and candidate nominations work in Indiana.

At the federal level, Indiana is holding major party primaries for U.S. Senate and all nine of the state’s congressional districts. U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R) and eight of the nine House incumbents—two Democrats and six Republicans—are seeking re-election. Of those incumbents, three House members—André Carson (D), Frank Mrvan (D), and Greg Pence (R)—are facing primary challengers.

In the state legislature, all 100 House districts are up for election, as are 25 of the state’s 50 Senate districts. Voters across the state will see more decisions on their ballots at this level of government than at any point since 2014. 

There will be 49 contested state legislative primaries, 20% of the possible 250. This increase was driven by the 40 Republican contests, a 67% increase from 2020. Nine Democratic primaries are also scheduled, a 55% decrease from the previous cycle.

In Indiana, candidates can win a primary with a plurality, rather than a majority, of the vote. The state does not hold runoff elections. This means the candidate with the most votes—even if less than 50% of the total votes cast—wins. In races with more than two candidates—like the Republican primaries in the 9th Congressional District and 54th Senate District with nine and eight candidates, respectively—this distinction can be more noticeable.

Additionally, the only candidates running in these primaries are candidates who filed to run. Indiana does not allow write-in candidates to participate in primaries, but they can run in the general election if they gather enough signatures and file a declaration of intent.

Regarding the timeline, the primary is taking place on May 3, and results will be certified, or finalized, by May 16. In Indiana, each circuit court clerk is responsible for preparing certified statements. There is one circuit court for each of the state’s 92 counties, with the exception of Dearborn and Ohio Counties, which share a circuit court.

These primaries are not the final step in completing the state’s general election ballot. Independent candidates have until July 15 to file. Plus, both major parties also hold nominating conventions. These conventions are different from primaries in that only voting delegates participate rather than a public vote. 

In Indiana, major parties will use conventions to decide their candidates for all three of the state executive offices up for election this year: secretary of state, treasurer, and auditor. Both Democrats and Republicans are holding their nominating conventions on June 18.

Parties can also appoint replacement candidates to the general election ballot. This might happen if a candidate who wins the primary later decides to withdraw. Also, in Indiana, if no candidates from a party run in the primary, the party has until July 3 to opt to appoint a candidate to run in the general election.

If you’re an Indiana voter, use Ballotpedia’s Sample Ballot Lookup to see what’s on your ballot and bring your choices to the polls with our My Vote app!

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Previewing the Brown-Turner rematch in Ohio’s 11th Congressional District Democratic primary

Voters in Ohio’s 11th Congressional District will see two familiar names on their May 3 Democratic primary ballots. U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown and Nina Turner are running in that primary, nine months after the two competed in a special primary election for the district. 

Brown defeated Turner 50% to 45% in that special election. According to FiveThirtyEight‘s analysis, the district is 54 percentage points more Democratic-leaning than the nation as a whole, down from 57 percentage points more Democratic-leaning before redistricting.  

Brown assumed office in November 2021, succeeding Rep. Marcia Fudge (D), who resigned that year to become U.S. secretary of housing and urban development. Brown says she kept her promise to voters by supporting the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, which she said would “repair the bridge on Martin Luther King, replace every lead pipe, create thousands of jobs, and finally, every home in Cleveland will have access to high-speed internet.”

Turner says Brown is not doing enough to change the material conditions for poor and low-income residents. When announcing her candidacy, Turner said, “Voting the right way is one thing, but using the full force and weight of the office to fight for things is another.” Turner said she would support Medicare for All, a living wage, and union jobs.

Before running for office, Turner was a member of the Cuyahoga County Council and chairwoman of the county’s Democratic Party. Turner worked on U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) presidential election campaigns and served in the Ohio State Senate from 2008 to 2015.

The Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC endorsed Brown, a change from the 2021 special election when it endorsed Turner. Brown joined the caucus upon assuming office. Brown’s other endorses include House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D), Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb (D), and the Democratic Majority for Israel PAC. Turner’s endorses include Sanders, former Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson (D), and the Cleveland.com editorial board.

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#FridayTrivia: How many contested state legislative primaries will Arkansas have this year?

Earlier this week, we told you about an uptick in contested state legislative primaries we have been seeing this year as filing deadlines come and go. In particular, Arkansas is set to hold its most contested primaries since 2014: the number of contested Republican primaries more than tripled compared to 2020, and the number of Democratic primaries doubled.

How many contested state legislative primaries will Arkansas have this year?

1. 36
2. 62
3. 89
4. 44

By: David Luchs

Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:

1. 84 measures certified for statewide ballots, 11 fewer than even-year average
2. Candidate Connection update: More from U.S. House candidates in Mississippi and North Carolina
3. Nevada’s U.S. House races to have the fewest candidates per seat this year since at least 2018

84 measures certified for statewide ballots, 11 fewer than even-year average

Eighty-four statewide ballot measures have been certified for the ballot in 32 states so far this year, 11 less than the average number certified at this point in other even-numbered years from 2010 to 2020. 

Here’s an update on the latest ballot measure activity:

One initiative was removed from the ballot following a court ruling:

1. Arizona Reduce Number of Income Tax Brackets to Flat Rate of 2.50% Referendum (2022)

Signatures have been submitted and are pending verification for two initiatives in California and North Dakota:

1. California Art and Music K-12 Education Funding Initiative (2022)
2. North Dakota Single-Subject and 60% Supermajority Approval Requirements for Constitutional Amendments Initiative (2022)

Enough signatures were verified for five initiatives in Alaska, Massachusetts, and Ohio to certify them to the legislature: 

1. Alaska State Recognition of American Indian Tribes Initiative (2022)
2. Massachusetts App-Based Drivers as Contractors and Labor Policies Initiative (2022)
3. Massachusetts Changes to Alcohol Retail Licensing Initiative (2022)
4. Massachusetts Medical Loss Ratios for Dental Insurance Plans Initiative (2022)
5. Ohio Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2022)

From 2010 to 2020, the average number of statewide ballot measures certified in an even-numbered year was 164. By this time during even-numbered years from 2010 through 2020, an average of 94 statewide measures had been certified for the ballot. 

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Candidate Connection update: More from U.S. House candidates in Mississippi and North Carolina

Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey asks candidates for federal, state, and local office to share what motivates them on a personal and political level. 

As of April 26, 2022, we’re covering 44 races with final candidate lists in which all candidates have completed our survey. Twelve of those races reached that milestone in the past week.

What’s new this week

This week, we’re featuring two primaries for U.S. House—a Democratic primary in Mississippi and a Republican primary in North Carolina. 

Hunter Avery and Dianne Black are the two candidates on the Democratic primary ballot in Mississippi’s 1st Congressional District. Located in the state’s northeast corner, the 1st District leans towards Republicans, with three racetracking outlets rating the general election as Solid Republican. In 2020, incumbent Trent Kelly (R) defeated Antonia Eliason (D) 69% to 31%.

Here’s how both candidates answered the question, “Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?”

Hunter Avery:

“Everyone should be treated fairly and equally.

I proudly support everyone defending our nation and believe that even a single homeless veteran is too many.

If I am elected, I will fight against corruption no matter what side of the aisle it is coming from.”

Dianne Black:

“The American people deserve to have their tax dollars spent on stimulating our economy.

Mississippians need to be paid a living wage and have access to affordable Healthcare.

I support extending the 2021 Child Tax Credit.”

Pat Harrigan and Jonathan Simpson are the two candidates on the ballot in the Republican primary in North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District. Encompassing the southern portion of Charlotte and areas to the west, this is a new congressional district created after North Carolina gained a seat in the 2020 round of apportionment. Two Democrats and two Republicans are running.

Here’s how both candidates answered the question, “What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?”

Pat Harrigan:

“I’m passionate about ending inflation and getting our economy back on track. That includes an aggressive approach to an all-of-the-above energy strategy that makes America energy independent.

My background as a combat veteran Green Beret gives me a unique perspective on the importance of national security, especially as it relates to the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, the weakness on display in the face of Russian aggression, and other conflicts across the world. When America fails to lead, the world burns.

I’m also passionate about securing the border, dealing with our illegal immigration problem, protecting the 2nd Amendment, and election integrity.”

Jonathan Simpson:

“I am particularly passionate about education reform. I believe every parent should have the right to choose where to send their child to school and that the government education monopoly should be busted up. Education should be publicly funded, but privately operated, giving parents more choice, students better learning outcomes, teachers better pay and working environments, and the taxpayer a better return on investment. I am also passionate about the modernization of our tax scheme, compassionate immigration reform, and market-based health care reform. I am a big believer in American ingenuity, and I care deeply about investing in science, be it research for the sake of our environment, like nuclear power, or research for the sake of mankind’s common progress, like space exploration. There are no challenges that Americans cannot overcome, only opportunities that poor leadership might cause us to miss.”

About Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey

Some other details about the 44 races where all candidates have completed the survey:

• They are located in 17 states.
• Fourteen of the 44 races are taking place in Texas.
• Four of the 44 races are general elections.
• Of the 40 primaries and runoffs, 25 are for the Democratic nomination and 15 are for the Republican nomination.
• Twenty of the 44 are races for U.S. House.

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Nevada’s U.S. House races to have the fewest candidates per seat this year since at least 2018

The filing deadline for candidates running for state or federal office in Nevada was March 18, 2022. Thirty-eight candidates are running in Nevada’s four U.S. House districts, including 21 Republicans, 12 Democrats, and five independent or third party candidates. That’s 9.5 candidates per district, less than the 10.0 candidates per district in 2020 and 10.5 candidates per district in 2018.

Here are some other highlights from this year’s filings:

• This is the first election to take place under new district lines following the 2020 census. Nevada was apportioned four congressional seats, the same number of seats it had after the 2010 census.
• All four incumbent representatives are running for re-election in the district they currently represent.
• Incumbent Rep. Steven Horsford (D) in Nevada’s 4th is the only incumbent not facing a primary challenger. Uncontested primaries in Nevada are canceled, so Horsford automatically advanced to the general election.
• The last open seat elections in Nevada took place in 2018 in Nevada’s 3rd and 4th districts. 
• In 2012, the last election year after redistricting, there were two open seat elections.
• No districts are guaranteed to either party. Both Democratic and Republican candidates have filed to run in all four districts.
• Fourteen candidates are running in the 2nd district, more than any other district. Five Republicans, including incumbent Rep. Mark Amodei, seven Democrats, and two third party candidates have filed to run.

Nevada’s U.S. House primaries are scheduled for June 14, 2022. Candidates who receive the most votes in the primary will advance to the general election.

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By: Samuel Wonacott

Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:

1. Redistricting news from Florida and Kansas
2. Arizona Supreme Court rules against veto referendum challenging state income law
3. No Democrats file for South Dakota’s U.S. House seat for second election cycle 

Redistricting news from Florida and Kansas

We’re back with another rundown of the latest redistricting news, this time with updates from Florida and Kansas. First, a reminder of where redistricting stands in the final week of April.

Congressional redistricting has been completed for 89.4% of U.S. House districts. State legislative redistricting has been completed for 94.6% of Senate seats and 96.3% of House seats.

Florida 

On April 22, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed Florida’s new congressional map into law. The Florida Senate passed the map in a 24-15 vote on April 20. The House approved the map 68-34 on April 21. 

This was the second congressional map the state legislature approved. DeSantis vetoed the first version on March 29. Republican leaders said on April 11 they would wait to receive a map from DeSantis, which he proposed April 13.

Florida Politics’s Jacob Ogles wrote, “The most controversial change DeSantis made in his map, this new CD 4 really stands in as the replacement to the Lawson seat. […] The Black population in Jacksonville gets cleaved in half by the St. Johns River after DeSantis vetoed a map drawn by the Florida House that created a Duval-only Black seat.” When DeSantis vetoed the initial map bill, he wrote, “Congressional District 5 [Lawson’s district] in both the primary and secondary maps enacted by the Legislature violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution because it assigns voters primarily on the basis of race but is not narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling state interest.”

Florida was apportioned 28 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2020 census, one more than it received after the 2010 census. This map will take effect for Florida’s 2022 congressional elections.

Kansas

On April 25, Wyandotte County District Court Judge Bill Klapper overturned Kansas’ enacted congressional map. Klapper ruled the map was racially and politically gerrymandered, violating the state constitution. 

Klapper’s said, “The Court has no difficulty finding, as a factual matter, that Ad Astra 2 is an intentional, effective pro-Republican gerrymander that systemically dilutes the votes of Democratic Kansans.” Klapper also said the state’s new district boundaries “intentionally and effectively dilutes minority votes in violation of the Kansas Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection.”

Gov. Laura Kelly (D) vetoed the legislature’s original congressional map on Feb. 3, only for the House and Senate to vote to override her veto. The House overrode Kelly’s veto 85-37. Eighty-five Republicans voted to override the veto. Thirty-six Democrats and one Republican voted to sustain the veto. The Senate voted along party lines, overriding the veto 27-11.. In addition to Kansas, state legislatures have also overridden gubernatorial vetoes of redistricting maps in Kentucky and Maryland. There are 24 state legislatures where one party has a veto-proof majority in both chambers. 

On April 26, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt (R) said he would appeal Klapper’s ruling to the Kansas Supreme Court. Schmidt said, “Today’s Wyandotte County District Court decision may be the first redistricting case ever to make use of folk-song lyrics, the Buddha, and personal memories from the judge’s childhood. The state is promptly appealing.” The Kansas City Star’s Jonathan Shorman and Katie Bernard wrote, “The Supreme Court’s review is likely to occur on a highly accelerated timeline. While lawsuits can often last years, Kansas faces multiple looming election-related deadlines, including the June 1 candidate filing cutoff and the Aug. 2 primary election.”

Kansas was apportioned four seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2020 census, the same number it received after the 2010 census.

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Arizona Supreme Court rules against veto referendum challenging state income law 

Eighty-four statewide ballot measures have been certified for the ballot in 32 states for elections in 2022. Today, let’s look at one measure that, as of last week, won’t appear on the ballot in Arizona.

On April 21, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled against a veto referendum to repeal two sections of a June 2021 omnibus appropriations bill that Gov. Doug Ducey (R) signed into law. Sections 13 and 15 of Senate Bill 1828 would reduce the number of income tax brackets from four (ranging from 2.59% to 4.50%) to two (2.55% and 2.98%), and would create a single 2.50% rate if state revenue exceeds a certain amount. 

The group Invest In Arizona filed the veto referendum in July  2021, shortly after SB1828 was signed into law. The Arizona Education Association and Stand for Children both backed the campaign. In July, the Arizona Free Enterprise Club challenged the veto referendum as unconstitutional in the Maricopa County Superior Court.

The Arizona Free Enterprise Club argued the Arizona Constitution prohibited veto referendums against bills that provide for support and maintenance of state government and that tax bills fall under this umbrella. Lawyers for the initiative campaign argued that tax decreases do not provide for support and maintenance of state government and so can’t be referred to voters through the veto referendum process.

On Dec. 22, 2021, Maricopa Superior Court Judge Katherine Cooper ruled the veto referendum was constitutional. Cooper said that because the veto referendum would leave the state with additional funds, rather than less, it would not hinder the support and maintenance of state government.

On April 21, 2022, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled voters cannot determine the flat tax proposal through the ballot, reversing Cooper’s ruling. The court found that sections 13 and 15 of SB1828 do fall in the support and maintenance exception of the Arizona Constitution. As a result, the referendum has been taken off the ballot, and SB1828 will go into effect in January 2025.

Scot Mussi, the president of Arizona Free Enterprise Club, said the ruling was a “big win for taxpayers in our state”. David Lujan, executive director and CEO of the Arizona Children’s Action Alliance, argued that the flat tax would devastate Arizona’s future, and that it takes away the voice of voters. 

There are currently four measures certified for the Arizona ballot.

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No Democrats file for South Dakota’s U.S. House seat for second election cycle

Two candidates filed to run for South Dakota’s one U.S. House seat in 2022. The filing deadline was March 29. This is the fewest number of candidates to file for the seat since 2016, when there were also two candidates. Three candidates ran for the seat in 2020, and six candidates ran in 2018.

Here are some other highlights from this year’s filings:

• This is the second election cycle in a row with no Democratic House candidate on the ballot.
• Because it has only one U.S. House seat, South Dakota did not need to redistrict after the 2020 census.
• Rep. Dusty Johnson (R) is running for re-election. He was elected in 2018 when Kristi Noem (R) retired to run for governor.

The primary election will take place on June 7, making South Dakota the 20th state to hold a primary election in 2022. The winner of the Republican primary will face no Democratic Party opposition in the general election, so the seat will not change party hands.

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By: Douglas Kronaizl

Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:

1. One week until these elections
2. Arkansas has its most contested state legislative primaries since at least 2014
3. North Dakota group submits signatures for initiative to require a 60% vote requirement and single-subject rule for constitutional amendments

One week until these elections

The 2022 election cycle is rolling along with Indiana and Ohio set to hold their statewide primaries on May 3. They will join Texas, which had its primaries on March 3, as the first three states to hold primaries in 2022. Here’s a look at the races those voters will weigh in on:

In Indiana, voters will decide primaries for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and 125 of the state’s 150 legislative districts. This year, Indiana is also holding elections for secretary of state, treasurer, and auditor, but all three offices decide their nominees through conventions rather than partisan primaries.

At the federal level, U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R) is seeking election to a second term. Neither Young nor his Democratic challenger, Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott, Jr., have primary challengers. In the U.S. House, eight of the state’s nine representatives—two Democrats and six Republicans—are seeking re-election. Rep. Trey Hollingsworth (R) is retiring, leaving the 9th District open, with three Democrats and nine Republicans running in those primaries.

In Ohio, voters will decide primaries for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and state executive offices, including the governorship. U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R) is not seeking re-election, with three Democrats and seven Republicans running in primaries to replace him. All 15 U.S. House districts are also holding elections, a decrease from the 16 districts Ohio had before losing a district during the 2020 reapportionment cycle.

Ohio’s state legislative primaries were initially scheduled for May 3 but are being rescheduled due to ongoing legal challenges regarding the proposed redistricting maps. No primary date has yet been set.

On April 14, the Ohio Supreme Court struck down the third set of maps approved by the seven-member Ohio Redistricting Commission and ordered the commission to submit new maps by May 6. On April 20, a federal judicial panel ruled that if the supreme court does not approve maps by May 28, the federal court would order an August 2 primary date using the third set of maps.

Ballotpedia is also covering several municipal primaries as well as special state legislative elections and recalls across four other states.

• In Georgia, voters in state House District 45 will fill the vacancy left by former Rep. Matt Dollar (R) in a special runoff election. Dollar was first elected to the district, located north of Atlanta, in 2002 and resigned last February.

• Boston voters will also fill a vacancy in City Council District 1, which Lydia Edwards (D) represented from 2018 until she assumed office in the Massachusetts State Senate last January.

• Multiple elections will be held in Michigan. Ballotpedia will be covering four special elections to the state House and four township recall elections.

• Municipalities in Tennessee, including Nashville and Shelby County, will hold primary elections. School boards will also be holding their first partisan primaries after Gov. Bill Lee (R) signed a law last year, allowing counties to switch the offices from nonpartisan to partisan positions.

You can stay informed on Election Day by using Ballotpedia’s Sample Ballot Lookup and bringing your choices to the polls with our My Vote app! Use the link below to view these May 3 contests and other races we are covering this year.

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Arkansas has its most contested state legislative primaries since at least 2014

We are keeping you informed about competitive primary landscapes nationwide at the federal and state levels throughout this election cycle. Today, we are looking at Arkansas, which will have its most contested state legislative primaries since at least 2014.

From 2014 to 2020, the number of state legislative primaries in Arkansas with more than one candidate ranged from 21 to 27. This year, contested primaries rose to 62, representing 28% of all possible state legislative primaries.

The number of contested Republican primaries more than tripled from 2020, increasing from 16 to 52. The number of contested Democratic primaries doubled compared to the last cycle, from five to 10. These numbers represent the most contested primaries for each party since at least 2014.

Ballotpedia has gathered post-filing deadline information in 10 states holding partisan primaries this year that held elections in 2020. Of those 10, seven are Republican trifectas, two are Democratic trifectas, and one has a divided government. So far, the number of Democratic primaries in these states is down 11%, and the number of Republican primaries is up 75%.

Of those candidates involved in contested primaries, 29 are incumbents. That represents 28% of incumbents seeking re-election, the largest percentage since at least 2014. As a result of redistricting, two incumbents—Reps. Mark McElroy (R) and David Tollett (R)—were drawn into the same district, setting up the legislature’s only incumbent versus incumbent primary this year.

The filing deadline for candidates running for state or federal office in Arkansas was March 1. Candidates filed to run for all of the state’s 100 House and 35 Senate districts.

Thirty-two of those districts are open, meaning no incumbents filed to run, the most since at least 2014. Newcomers are guaranteed to win in these 32 districts—24% of the state’s legislature.

Overall, 263 major party candidates filed to run this year: 74 Democrats and 189 Republicans. That’s 1.9 candidates per district, an increase from the 1.6 candidates per district in 2020 and 1.7 in 2018.

Arkansas has been a Republican trifecta since 2014, when Asa Hutchinson (R) won the governorship. Republicans currently hold a 78-22 majority in the House and a 27-7-1 majority in the Senate.

Arkansas’ state legislative primaries are scheduled for May 24, making them the 11th in the nation.

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North Dakota group submits signatures for initiative to require a 60% vote requirement and single-subject rule for constitutional amendments

On April 22, the campaign Protect North Dakota’s Constitution reported it had submitted 33,624 signatures for a ballot initiative that would require a three-fifths (60%) supermajority vote to adopt a constitutional amendment. Under the initiative, amendments would be limited to a single subject. These provisions would apply to both amendments placed on the ballot through citizen initiative petitions and those referred to the ballot by the state legislature.

At least 31,164 signatures must be deemed valid for the initiative to appear on the ballot. The secretary of state has 30 days to determine whether submitters met that threshold.

Every state except for Delaware requires voter approval in a statewide election to make amendments to the state constitution. As of 2021, 38 states require a simple majority vote (50%+1) for an amendment’s adoption. In 11 states, voters must approve a proposed constitutional amendment by more than a simple majority or some rule that combines different criteria.

A single-subject rule is a state law that requires ballot initiatives to address a single subject, topic, or issue. Twenty-six states provide for at least one type of statewide citizen-initiated measure. Of those 26 states, 16 have single-subject rules.

From 2000 to 2020, 35 constitutional amendments, both legislatively referred and citizen-initiated, were on the statewide ballot in North Dakota. Of those 35 amendments, voters approved 25 (71%), 19 of which passed with more than 60% of the vote.

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By: Samuel Wonacott

Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:

1. Millions raised to support ranked-choice voting initiatives in Missouri, Nevada
2. Two incumbents among candidates in Republican primary for West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District 
3. Across 11 states, the top PACs collectively raised $197 million

Millions raised to support ranked-choice voting initiatives in Missouri, Nevada

Last week, we looked at the 84 statewide measures that’ve been certified for the ballot. That number isn’t final, though. Across the country, groups are working to get measures certified for the November ballot. Let’s take a look at two of those campaigns in Missouri and Nevada dealing with ranked-choice voting (RCV).

The Missouri and Nevada ballot initiatives would use open primaries in which the top candidates, regardless of partisan affiliations, advance to the general election. In Missouri, the top four vote recipients would advance to the general election. In Nevada, the top five vote recipients would advance. In Missouri and Nevada, voters would then use ranked-choice voting to determine who among the four or five candidates wins the election.

Campaigns that support the initiatives in Missouri and Nevada have received millions in contributions in the weeks ahead of their signature deadlines. Let’s take a look at the numbers.  

Nevada

The Nevada Voters First PAC is leading the campaign and signature drive for the Nevada Top-Five Ranked Choice Voting Initiative. Through March 31, the PAC received $2.26 million. Katherine Gehl, founder of the Institute for Political Innovation and former CEO of Gehl Foods, Inc., contributed $1 million. The Final Five Fund, Inc., which the Institute for Political Innovation lists as a 501(c)(4) counterpart, contributed $488,000. The Nevada Association of Realtors and Strategic Horizons, a committee associated with the Clark County Education Association, each donated $250,000. Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, contributed $100,000, as did the organization Unite America. 

June 21 is the deadline to file signatures. At least 135,561 valid signatures are required for the initiative to make the ballot. In Nevada, initiated constitutional amendments need to be approved at two successive general elections.

Missouri 

In Missouri, the Better Elections PAC is leading the campaign behind the top-four RCV ballot initiative. Better Elections received $4.3 million through March 31. More than 98% of the PAC’s funding came from the organization Article IV, a nonprofit organization based in Virginia. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Article IV is associated with John and Laura Arnold, whose organization Action Now Initiative contributed to RCV-related ballot initiatives in previous years.

The signature deadline is May 8. The number of signatures required is equal to 8% of the votes cast for governor in the previous gubernatorial election in six of the state’s eight congressional districts. The smallest number of valid signatures required is 160,199. The actual number required depends on the districts from which the signatures were gathered.

Two states—Alaska and Maine—have implemented ranked-choice voting for congressional and/or state-level elections. As of January, localities in eight other states have adopted RCV. In five additional states, local jurisdictions have adopted, but not implemented, RCV.

Three states have voted on RCV ballot measures. Should the ballot initiatives in Missouri and Nevada make the ballot, the two would be the fourth and fifth states to vote on RCV measures.

In 2016, Maine became the first state to adopt RCV for some statewide elections when voters approved Question 5. PACs raised $2.94 million to support Question 5. Action Now Initiative contributed  $470,000, the largest contribution.

In Nov. 2020, Alaska and Massachusetts voted on RCV ballot initiatives. Massachusetts Question 2 was defeated, with 54.78% of voters rejecting the proposal. The campaign behind Question 2 raised $10.18 million, including contributions from Action Now Initiative, Unite America, and Katherine Gehl. Voters in Alaska approved Ballot Measure 2, which received 50.55% of the vote. Ballot Measure 2 replaced partisan primaries with open top-four primaries and established ranked-choice voting for general elections. The campaign raised $6.84 million, with Unite America and Action Now Initiative as top donors.

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Two incumbents among candidates in Republican primary for West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District 

Twelve states are holding primaries in May. Today, we’re taking another look at one of those battleground primaries, this time in West Virginia on May 10.

Five candidates are running in the Republican primary election for West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District. As a result of redistricting, U.S. Reps. David McKinley (District 1) and Alexander Mooney (District 2) are running for re-election in the same district. These two candidates have received the most media attention and noteworthy endorsements.

McKinley was elected to represent District 1 in 2010. Gov. Jim Justice (R) and 2020 presidential candidate Andrew Yang (D) endorsed McKinley. McKinley told MetroNews in an October 2021 interview that his campaign was focused on proving to voters in the new district that he can deliver tangible results. According to his campaign website, McKinley’s key issues are the U.S.-Mexico border, economic revitalization including investing in coal and natural gas, and U.S. relations with China.

Mooney was elected to represent District 2 in 2014. Former President Donald Trump (R), the Club for Growth, FreedomWorks, and the House Freedom Fund endorsed Mooney. In an October 2021 interview with MetroNews, Mooney highlighted what he called his conservative record and said that’s what should appeal to voters in the district. According to his campaign website, Mooney’s key issues are the 2nd Amendment, the state’s opioid epidemic, and reducing regulation of the state’s energy industry.

McKinley has criticized Mooney for previously holding office in Maryland and running unsuccessful campaigns in both Maryland and New Hampshire. Mooney said he became a West Virginian by choice and that his eight years in the U.S. House representing the state should matter more than his past campaigns.

Mooney calls McKinley a Republican in name only, citing McKinley’s votes in favor of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 and the creation of a January 6 commission. McKinley said his infrastructure vote reflected what was best for his constituents and that he only supported the initial creation of a bicameral January 6 commission and not the final House-only committee.

Also running in the primary are Susan Buchser-Lochocki, Rhonda Hercules, and Mike Seckman.

Five U.S. House races have two incumbents running for the same congressional district in the 2022 elections. After the 2010 census, there were 13 districts where multiple incumbents ran against each other in the 2012 primary or general elections.

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Across 11 states, the top PACs collectively raised $197 million

In 2021, the state-level PAC to raise the most money in each of 11 states collectively raised more than $197 million. Florida Voters in Charge, which backed an unsuccessful signature drive for a Casino Gaming Expansion Initiative, raised the most of those 11 with $75.56 million. They were followed by ActBlue Virginia ($38.86 million), ActBlue Texas ($25.63 million), and Pennsylvania’s DNC Services Corporation ($24.99 million).

A PAC, which corporations, labor unions, membership organizations, or trade associations may establish, is broadly defined as a group that spends money on elections. 

Click on the links below to take a deeper dive into these fundraising numbers:

• Arizona
• Florida
• Indiana
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• Texas
• Virginia
• Wisconsin

This year, we plan to publish several hundred articles breaking down campaign finance numbers in the 11 states covered by Transparency USA: Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. To learn more about our partnership with Transparency USA, click the link below.

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By: Douglas Kronaizl

Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:

1. Mail-in voter registration deadlines coming up in 21 states
2. Election spotlight—Texas Attorney General Republican primary runoff
3. #FridayTrivia: What percentage of Americans live in a Solid Democratic or Republican county?

Mail-in voter registration deadlines coming up in 21 states

Voters in 21 states and the District of Columbia have mail-in voter registration deadlines coming up to participate in their primary or primary runoff elections. In three states—Idaho, Nebraska, and North Carolina—those registration deadlines are today, April 22.

These are mail-in registration deadlines, meaning the last day a voter can submit a registration form by mail in time to participate in the primary. Some states require election officials to receive the form by the deadline. In other states, the form can be placed in the mail by the deadline and received later.

In addition to mail-in registration deadlines, states might allow voters to register online or in person with a different deadline. Seven of the states with upcoming mail-in registration deadlines—California, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Nevada, and New Mexico—also allow voters to register in person on Election Days coming up over the next month.

Mail-in voter registration deadlines have already passed in four states: Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia. Texas’ primary elections took place on March 3, but voters can still register to participate in the upcoming primary runoffs regardless of whether they voted in the primary.

Ballotpedia tracks and compiles voting and voter registration information for all 50 states. Click here and use the drop-down menu on the right side to find yours!

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Election spotlight—Texas Attorney General Republican primary runoff

Twelve states are holding primaries in May. One state—Texas—already held its primaries last March but has a series of runoff elections scheduled for next month. In certain states, like Texas, if no candidate wins a majority vote in the primary, the top two vote-getters advance to a later runoff. Let’s take a closer look at one of those battleground runoffs we are tracking this year.

Incumbent Ken Paxton (R) and Land Commissioner George P. Bush (R) are running in the Republican primary runoff for Texas Attorney General on May 24. The two advanced to the runoff after placing first and second, respectively, in a four-way primary on March 1. Paxton received 43% of the vote, followed by Bush with 22%.

Bush has focused on border security, support for law enforcement, and criminal misconduct allegations against Paxton, saying, “Texans deserve a top advocate that’s above reproach, not under indictment, focused on the job, going to defend our state against federal overreach.”

In 2015, Paxton was indicted on three counts of securities fraud violations in a case that remains open with no trial scheduled. In 2020, the FBI opened an investigation into claims that Paxton used the Office of Attorney General to benefit a political donor.

Paxton has denied wrongdoing in both cases and has focused his campaign on his record as attorney general. Former President Donald Trump (R) endorsed Paxton in June 2021. Paxton said, “I stand by my record and values, and ask each voter to join President Trump in standing with me for a safer and stronger Texas.” 

A former state Senator, Paxton was first elected attorney general in 2014 and re-elected in 2018. Bush, a nephew and grandson of former Presidents George W. Bush (R) and George H.W. Bush (R), was first elected to statewide office as Texas Land Commissioner in 2014 and re-elected in 2018.

Texas has had a Republican attorney general since the election of John Cornyn in 1998. At four percentage points, Paxton’s re-election in 2018 was the narrowest margin of victory for the office since that time.

The runoff winner will face either Rochelle Garza (D) or Joe Jaworski (D) in the general election, both of whom are running in a Democratic primary runoff on the same day.

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#FridayTrivia: What percentage of Americans live in a Solid Democratic or Republican county?

Earlier this week, we shared our research of county-level presidential election voting patterns from 2012 to 2020. As part of that research, we developed several categories to describe these counties. Solid Democratic and Republican counties, for example, are those that have voted for the same party in the past three presidential elections.

What percentage of Americans live in a Solid Democratic or Republican county?

1. 36%
2. 52%
3. 68%
4. 87%