The special Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 24 was on March 7, 2023. A Democratic primary was not held. Ryan Chamberlin advanced to the general election and defeated Justin Albright, Jose Juarez, Stephen Pyles, and Charlie Stone.
The special general election is scheduled for May 16, 2023. The filing deadline passed on Jan. 10, 2023.
The special election was called after Rep. Joe Harding (R) resigned on Dec. 8, 2022, after a federal grand jury indicted him on fraud charges. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and said, “I believe in Floridians and want what is best for them, and I believe their leaders need not be encumbered by distractions that are mine alone.” Harding served from 2020 to 2022.
As of March 2023, 25 state legislative special elections have been scheduled for 2023 in 11 states. Between 2011 and 2021, an average of 74 special elections took place each year. Florida held 28 special elections from 2010 to 2022.
Jodi Habush Sinykin (D) and Daniel Knodl (R) are running in the special general election for Wisconsin State Senate District 8 on April 4, 2023.
Republicans have held the seat since 1993, following Alberta Darling’s (R) election to the state Senate in 1992. Darling retired on Dec. 1, 2022. Her retirement reduced Senate Republicans’ 22-member supermajority to a 21-member majority. The results of the special election will determine whether Republicans regain a supermajority. A Republican supermajority would mean two-thirds of Wisconsin senators are Republican and would have the votes necessary to speed up the legislative process by suspending Senate rules, as well as hold impeachment trials of state officials such as the governor.
Wisconsin has a divided government, meaning Republicans control the legislature, while Tony Evers, a Democrat, holds the governorship. In Wisconsin, a two-thirds majority in each chamber is required to override a gubernatorial veto. The state House is split 64 Republicans to 35 Democrats, while the state Senate is split 21 Republicans to 11 Democrats, with one vacancy.
Habush Sinykin is an environmental lawyer and small business owner. Her campaign website said, “Jodi is running on the issues that actually matter to the people of the 8th Senate District: keeping good paying jobs here in Wisconsin, ensuring public safety, and protecting a woman’s right to [choose].”
Knodl is a small business owner and has served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly since 2009. He represents District 24. Knodl’s campaign website said, “My priority is to help keep our communities safe and thriving and make sure state government is working efficiently for the people. Thanks to commonsense budgeting and cutting government waste over the years, we’ve been able to reduce the tax burden on families and small businesses, invest in education and roads, reduce healthcare premiums, and much more.”
During the redistricting process following the 2020 census, Wisconsin State Senate District 8 was drawn to include portions of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties. Milwaukee County voted for Barack Obama (D), Hillary Clinton (D), and Joe Biden (D) in presidential elections from 2012 to 2020, making it a Solid Democratic county. Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties voted for Mitt Romney (R) and Donald Trump (R) twice during the same period, making them Solid Republican counties. Milwaukee County makes up 15.94% of the state’s population, while Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties make up 1.55%, 2.32%, and 6.91%, respectively.
A special general election took place for Kentucky State Senate District 19 on Feb. 21, 2023. Cassie Chambers Armstrong (D) won the special election with 77% of the vote to Misty Glin’s (R) 22.9%.
The special election was called after Senate Minority Leader Morgan McGarvey (D) left office to represent Kentucky’s 3rd Congressional District on Jan. 3, 2023. McGarvey served in the state Senate from 2012 to 2023.
As of February 2023, 25 state legislative special elections have been scheduled for 2023 in 11 states. Between 2011 and 2021, an average of 74 special elections took place each year. Kentucky has held 27 state legislative special elections from 2010 to 2022.
A special primary election was held for Wisconsin State Senate District 8 on Feb. 21, 2023.
Representative Jodi Habush Sinykin ran uncontested in the Democratic primary, while Rep. Janel Brandtjen, Rep. Daniel Knodl, and Van Mobley competed in the Republican primary. Knodl advanced to the general election after receiving 57.4% of the vote to Brandtjen’s 31.8% and Mobley’s 10.8%.
The special general election is scheduled for April 4, 2023. The filing deadline passed on Jan. 3, 2023.
The special election was called after Sen. Alberta Darling (R) retired on Dec. 1, 2022. Darling served from 1993 to 2022. Darling’s retirement reduced Senate Republicans’ 22-member supermajority to a 21-member majority. The results of the special election will determine whether Republicans regain a supermajority.
As of February 2023, 25 state legislative special elections have been scheduled for 2023 in 11 states. Between 2011 and 2021, an average of 74 special elections took place each year. Wisconsin has held 22 state legislative special elections from 2010 to 2022.
The special primary election for Florida House of Representatives District 24 is on March 7, 2023. Justin Albright, Ryan Chamberlin, Jose Juarez, Stephen Pyles, and Charlie Stone are competing to advance to the general election scheduled for May 16. The filing deadline to run passed on Jan. 10.
The special election was called after Rep. Joe Harding (R) resigned on Dec. 8, 2022, after a federal grand jury indicted him on fraud charges. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and said, “I believe in Floridians and want what is best for them, and I believe their leaders need not be encumbered by distractions that are mine alone.” Harding served from 2020 to 2022.
As of February 2023, 24 state legislative special elections have been scheduled for 2023 in 11 states. Between 2011 and 2021, an average of 74 special elections took place each year. Florida held 28 special elections from 2010 to 2022.
On Feb. 7, 2023, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives held elections to fill vacancies in Districts 32, 34, and 35.
The districts opened up following the Nov. 8, 2022, elections when one incumbent died and the other two were elected to different offices.
In District 32, Joe McAndrew (D) defeated Clay Walker (R). McAndrew is a former director of the Allegheny Democratic Committee. Walker is an Army veteran and, at the time of the election, a pastor. Incumbent Anthony DeLuca (D) died on Oct. 9, 2022. His name remained on the ballot, and he was re-elected, creating a vacancy on Jan. 3, 2023, when members were sworn in.
In District 34, Abigail Salisbury (D) defeated Robert Pagane (R). Salisbury ran her own practice and was previously a law professor. Pagane is a former law enforcement officer. Incumbent Summer Lee (D) won re-election but also won election to represent Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District. Lee resigned on Dec. 7, 2022, in preparation for the office change.
In District 35, Matthew Gergely (D) defeated Don Nevills (R). At the time of the election, Gergely served as the McKeesport chief finance officer. Before that, Gergely served as a McKeesport school board member. At the time of the election, Nevills owned and operated a tattoo parlor and candy shop. Incumbent Austin Davis (D) won re-election but also won election as Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania. Davis resigned on Dec. 7, 2022, in preparation for the office change.
Democrats won a 102 to 101 majority in the chamber on Nov. 8, 2022, giving them majority control for the first time since 2010. However, Republicans gained a functional 101-99 majority when the legislative session began in early January because of the vacancies in Districts 32, 34, and 35.
When McAndrew, Salisbury, and Gergely are sworn in, House Democrats will have a 102-100 majority (with one vacancy).
The timing of the elections was the subject of a legal dispute. Under Pennsylvania law, the majority leader schedules state legislative special elections. In December 2022, Democrat Joanna McClinton scheduled the three special elections for February 7. McClinton said she was sworn in as majority leader on Dec. 7 on the grounds that Democrats won more districts on Election Day. Republican Bryan Cutler said McClinton’s swearing-in was not legitimate because Democrats did not have a majority and said he was sworn in as majority leader on Dec. 12. House Republicans filed a lawsuit Dec. 9 challenging the timing of the Districts 34 and 35 elections and alleging McClinton did not have the power to schedule the elections.
Both Republicans and Democrats agreed to hold the District 32 election on Feb. 7.
On Jan. 13, 2023, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled that all three elections should happen on Feb. 7.
Three out of 15 seats on the Milwaukee Common Council are up for special primary election. The nonpartisan primaries for Districts 1, 5, and 9 are on Feb. 21, 2023. The general election for all three races is scheduled for April 4. The filing deadline to run passed on Jan. 3.
Candidates for District 1 are:
Zandra Bailey,
David Bowen,
Marshall Martin,
Andrea Pratt, and
Vincent G. Toney.
The special election was called after Ashanti Hamilton left office to become the director of Milwaukee’s Office of Violence Prevention on Aug. 30, 2022. Hamilton served from 2004 to 2022.
Candidates for District 5 are:
Ray Banks,
Joe Fisch,
Annette Jackson,
Jeff Spence,
P. Thomas Thadison III,
Lamont Westmoreland, and
Bruce Winter.
The special election was called after Nikiya Harris Dodd left office due to family and medical issues on Nov. 25, 2022. Dodd served from 2019 to 2022.
Candidates for District 9 are:
Odell Ball,
Amber Danyus,
Russell Goodwin,
Walt Love,
Cherie Ray,
Donna Ross,
Larresa Taylor, and
Jasmine Tyler.
The special election was called after Chantia Lewis was removed from office on July 18, 2022. Lewis served from 2016 to 2022.
Milwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin and the 30th-largest city in the U.S. by population.
The special general election for Kentucky State Senate District 19 is on Feb. 21, 2023. Cassie Chambers Armstrong (D) and Misty Glin (R) are competing in the special election. The filing deadline to run passed on Jan. 3.
The special election was called after Senate Minority Leader Morgan McGarvey (D) left office to represent Kentucky’s 3rd Congressional District on Jan. 3, 2023. McGarvey served in the state Senate from 2012 to 2023.
As of February 2023, 23 state legislative special elections have been scheduled for 2023 in 11 states. Between 2011 and 2021, an average of 74 special elections took place each year. Kentucky has held 27 state legislative special elections from 2010 to 2022.
Special elections to fill vacancies in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Districts 32, 34, and 35 are scheduled for February 7, 2023. The Allegheny County Democratic Party voted to nominate the District 32 candidate on December 11 and the District 34 and 35 candidates on December 17. The Republican Committee of Allegheny County nominated the Republican candidates on December 17.
In District 32, Joe McAndrew (D) and Clay Walker (R) are running. McAndrew is a former director of the Allegheny Democratic Committee. Walker is a pastor and Army veteran. Incumbent Anthony DeLuca (D) died on October 9, 2022. His name remained on the ballot, and he was re-elected, creating a vacancy on January 3, 2023, when members were sworn in.
In District 34, Abigail Salisbury (D) and Robert Pagane (R) are running. Salisbury is a former law professor who started her own practice. Pagane is a former law enforcement officer. Incumbent Summer Lee (D) won re-election but also won election to represent Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District. Lee resigned on December 7, 2022, in preparation for the office change.
In District 35, Matthew Gergely (D) and Don Nevills (R) are running. Gergely serves as the McKeesport chief finance officer, and formerly served as a McKeesport school board member. Nevills owned and operated a tattoo parlor and candy shop. Incumbent Austin Davis (D) won re-election but also won election as lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania. Davis resigned on December 7, 2022, in preparation for the office change.
According to CNAlysis, all three vacant districts voted for President Joe Biden (D) by margins of more than 15 percentage points in 2020.
On November 8, 2022, Democrats won 102 seats to Republicans’ 101. But because three seats that Democrats won became vacant, Republicans had a functional 101-99 seat majority going into the start of the legislative session. Under Pennsylvania law, the majority leader schedules state legislative special elections. In December 2022, Democrat Joanna McClinton scheduled the three special elections for February 7. McClinton said she was sworn in as majority leader on December 7 because Democrats won more districts on Election Day. Republican Bryan Cutler said McClinton’s swearing-in was not legitimate because Democrats did not have a majority and said he was sworn in as majority leader on December 12. House Republicans filed a lawsuit December 9 challenging the timing of the Districts 34 and 35 elections and alleging McClinton did not have the power to schedule the elections.
Both Republicans and Democrats agreed to hold the District 32 election on February 7.
On January 3, 2023, members of the chamber elected Rep. Mark Rozzi (D) as Speaker of the House with a 115-85 vote. On January 5, Rozzi issued orders affirming February 7 as the date for the Districts 34 and 35 elections. The case was pending before the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court at the time Rozzi issued his orders.
Aaron Rouse (D) defeated Kevin Adams (R) in the January 10, 2023, special general election for Virginia State Senate District 7. Rouse’s victory gave Democrats a 22-18 majority in the state Senate. The special election was called after the previous incumbent, Sen. Jennifer Kiggans (R), resigned on November 15, 2022, after being elected to represent Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District.
Going into the election, Democrats had a 21-18 majority in the state Senate (with the District 7 vacancy). According to Daily Kos’ David Nir, District 7 “has been very swingy: In 2019, Kiggans won it by less than one point, while Joe Biden carried it by 10 points the following year, only to see Youngkin prevail by 4 points in 2021.”
Rouse, a former NFL player, has been an at-large member of the Virginia Beach City Council since 2018. Rouse said “So much is at stake in this upcoming election, from a woman’s fundamental right to choose, which I will fiercely defend, to the efforts that will set us back on voting rights, to addressing climate change, protecting the Chesapeake Bay and waterways, to criminal justice reform.” Rouse listed education as his top priority, including raising teacher salaries and expanding access to preschool. Rouse also listed the economy, healthcare, and public safety as priorities.
Adams is a retired U.S. Navy lieutenant commander who founded and operated a handyman business. Adams said he will “continue working to pass Governor Glenn Youngkin’s pro-veteran agenda, cut taxes, ease regulations, keep our communities safe, and make it easier for small business owners like me to get started and stay in business.” Adams’ platform included working to improve education and workforce training, supporting veterans, lowering gas, grocery, and sales taxes, and growing “school funding while shrinking the power of left-wing idealogues.”
New state legislative maps took effect on January 11, 2023, at the start of the 2023 legislative. However, this special election took place under previous district lines. Click here to compare Virginia State Senate Districts before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.
Abortion was an issue in the race. Rouse said, “Right now, that’s what we need in Richmond. Extreme Republicans are trying to take away the right to choose in Virginia, rolling back women’s freedom to make their own personal medical decisions.” On his campaign website, Adams said, “We need to pass laws that respect the rights of the mom and baby, limit late-term abortion by passing Glenn Youngkin’s 15-week legislation, while providing reasonable exceptions to protect the life of the mother or in the instance of rape or incest.”
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia endorsed Rouse, and its associated PAC said it would spend around $100,000 on the race. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America said it would spend $30,000 in support of Adams.
