Israel's municipal elections saw incumbent mayors winning big in cities like Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Eilat, and Ashdod, while Haifa heads to a runoff race and Beersheba's mayor ran unopposed. Shocking defeats included the ousting of Holon's long-serving mayor, while haredi sector victories saw Shas taking over Elad and a new mayor in Bnei Brak. Overall, the results were seen as favorable for the right-wing and national camp, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Michigan Democrats, who had full control of state government, have lost their slim majority in the House of Representatives due to two Democratic legislators winning mayoral races in Detroit suburbs. When the legislators vacate their seats, the House will be evenly divided, leading to a partisan stalemate. Governor Gretchen Whitmer is expected to call special elections to fill the vacant seats, but the outcome remains uncertain. Republicans hope to win back the House in the 2024 election cycle.
The Michigan State House will no longer have a majority for either party after two Democratic representatives won local mayoral elections, resulting in a 54-54 tie. Until special elections are held to fill the vacant seats, compromise will be crucial for lawmaking. The loss of a majority may only be temporary for the Democrats, as both districts typically support the party. The current House Speaker will remain in position, and House Republicans are calling for bipartisan cooperation to move forward with legislation.
Multiple mayoral seats and city council seats are up for reelection in the Upstate region of South Carolina. Incumbent Mayor Knox White won reelection in Greenville, while Simpsonville Mayor Paul Shewmaker is expected to serve another term. Several city council seats are also open, potentially leading to a significant shift in city leadership. Additionally, referendums for a sales tax extension in Spartanburg County and bond referendums for school projects in Anderson School District 4 and Cherokee School District 1 are being monitored.
The 2023 elections in New York will feature key races to watch, including county executive contests in Erie, Onondaga, and Monroe counties, as well as the race to succeed the outgoing Suffolk County Executive. Additionally, there are several open mayoral contests in Utica, Troy, Oswego, Poughkeepsie, Geneva, and Rome. Statewide constitutional amendments regarding small city school districts' debt and the authority to remove debt limits for sewage facilities are also on the ballot. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday.
Municipal elections were held in Texas on Saturday, with mayoral races in some of the state's largest cities and several progressive-backed ballot propositions. The propositions in San Antonio, Austin, and El Paso focused on progressive priorities such as decriminalizing abortion and low-level marijuana offenses, setting aggressive renewable energy goals, and increasing oversight of the police department. The ballot propositions drew fierce opposition from public safety and business groups. The races are nonpartisan, but each mayor has partisan history.
Ethnic Serbs boycotted local elections in four municipalities in northern Kosovo with ethnic Serb majorities, resulting in low turnout and victories for Kosovo's ruling party in two mayoral races. The dominant ethnic Serb party, Serbian List, which enjoys the support of neighboring Serbia's government, announced the boycott. The result could further step up tensions between ethnic Serbs who are mostly loyal to neighboring Serbia and Kosovo's central government that represents the country's overwhelmingly ethnic Albanian majority.
