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State Politics

All articles tagged with #state politics

politics24 days ago

Democrat flips Texas state Senate seat in Fort Worth district, surprising GOP

Democrat Taylor Rehmet won a Texas state Senate special election in a Fort Worth–area district, flipping a seat that Trump carried by 17 points in 2024. Backed by national groups including the DNC and VoteVets, the victory signals Democratic strength in certain GOP-leaning districts during special elections, though Rehmet will serve only until January and must win the November general election to secure a full four-year term as Republicans retain a comfortable Senate majority.

state-politics27 days ago

Donalds Holds Front-Runner Status as Florida GOP Governor’s Race Sees Scramble for No. 2

Rep. Byron Donalds, backed by President Trump, leads Florida’s GOP gubernatorial primary with seven months to go, turning the contest into a race for second as DeSantis’ endorsement remains uncertain. High-profile rivals like Jay Collins and Paul Renner have entered the field but polls still show them in single digits, while hypothetical matchups with Florida’s first lady suggest Donalds would win decisively. Donalds’ fundraising (~$45 million), name ID, and a strong campaign team bolster his front-runner position, though opponents argue the race could tighten and scrutinize Donalds’ finances, his wife’s charter-school business, and past associations. DeSantis allies are divided on endorsements, with some suggesting Renner as a credible alternative; the dynamic remains fluid as campaigns eye late developments and potential new entrants into the race.

state-politics29 days ago

Virginia court derails Democrats' midterm redistricting push

A Virginia circuit court blocked Democrats’ plan to redraw the state’s congressional map this year, ruling they bypassed proper procedures to approve a constitutional amendment and failed to meet notice and voting requirements in a special-session move; the ruling, if upheld on appeal, could prevent the mid-decade redistricting and potentially cost Democrats up to four seats in the 2026 midterms; Republicans hailed it as upholding the rule of law, while Democrats pledged to appeal and press ahead with map changes.

state-politics1 month ago

Sherrill takes New Jersey helm, pledges affordability and a stand against Trump

Mikie Sherrill was sworn in as New Jersey’s 57th governor and immediately issued executive orders to curb rising utility costs and expand energy supplies, framing her term as a push for affordability and a bulwark against Trump-era policies. The former congresswoman also faces a looming budget deficit of more than $1 billion as she charts a course with running mate Dale Caldwell, who was sworn in as secretary of state, with the inauguration held in Newark to emphasize outreach to diverse communities.

state-politics1 month ago

Californian wealth tax roils the Democratic coalition

A proposed one-time wealth tax on California billionaires is squeezing the state’s Democratic coalition, straining unions and top donors while pitting Gov. Gavin Newsom against the measure. Some prominent Democrats and labor leaders back the idea as a tool to curb inequality, while others fear economic disruption and political backlash that could affect national and 2028 races. The proposal faces signature collection for the November ballot amid warnings of capital flight and revenue shortfalls, underscoring a high-stakes fight over how far the party should go to tax the ultra-wealthy.

state-politics1 month ago

DeSantis’ Florida finale teeters on a turbulent legislative sprint

With Gov. Ron DeSantis’ eight-year tenure ending, Florida’s closing legislative session looks likely to be messy as House–Senate clashes complicate an ambitious agenda: pushing a multibillion-dollar property-tax overhaul onto the November ballot, pursuing mid-decade redistricting in a special session, and advancing AI guardrails along with vaccine-mandate rollbacks—all of which could shape his legacy and his near-certain 2024 presidential bid amid a shifting GOP power dynamic.

Pennsylvania Approves $50.1 Billion Budget and Exits RGGI
state-politics3 months ago

Pennsylvania Approves $50.1 Billion Budget and Exits RGGI

Pennsylvania's lawmakers and Gov. Josh Shapiro have approved a $50.1 billion state budget, ending a four-month impasse. The budget, the largest in state history, includes increased funding for public schools, investments in education, and the end of efforts to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, with bipartisan support. However, it does not fund mass transit, and the delay has impacted counties, schools, and nonprofits.