Don Scott Jr. made history by being sworn in as Virginia's first Black speaker of the House of Delegates. Despite a non-traditional path to the chamber, including serving time in federal prison, Scott has risen to the top post after being elected to the legislature in 2019. Now facing the challenge of maneuvering a slim majority in the House amid divided government, Scott plans to target a long list of priorities, including divisive issues like abortion and gun control. His historic swearing-in took place in Richmond, a city with a significant historical context as the former capital of the confederacy.
Democrats have picked up wins in several key races in the 2023 elections. In Mississippi, Republican Tate Reeves has won reelection as governor despite facing scandal over misspent federal funds. Virginia Democrats have swept the legislative elections, retaking full control of the General Assembly and preventing Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin from securing a GOP trifecta. Democrat Daniel McCaffrey has won a seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, giving Democrats a majority. Democrat Schuyler VanValkenburg has unseated an incumbent Republican in the Virginia state Senate. Yusef Salaam, one of the exonerated "Central Park 5," has won a New York City Council seat.
Democrats are projected to win control of the Virginia legislature, dealing a blow to Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie blames the Republicans' "disastrous run" on former President Donald Trump.
Election Day 2023 features major races including the Mississippi governor's race where Democrats hope to win in a traditionally red state, the Kentucky governor's race with incumbent Democrat Andy Beshear facing a Republican challenger, Ohio's vote on an abortion amendment to the state Constitution, the battle for control of the Virginia legislature with a focus on abortion, and an open seat on Pennsylvania's Supreme Court. Other notable races include a proposed amendment to raise the retirement age of state judges in Texas, Ohio's vote on legalizing recreational marijuana, the mayoral race in Uvalde, Texas following a school shooting, school board races in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota, and a special congressional election in Rhode Island.
