Election Day in America: Kentucky, Mississippi, Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio to Vote, Setting Stage for 2024

[Geee]

Breitbart

Voters in several states on Tuesday will head to the polls for the last major regularly scheduled general election before the presidency is on the ballot a year from now, and analysts and insiders are looking for clues about what may lie ahead from the results in many key races.

The banner race on Tuesday is probably Kentucky’s governor election, where incumbent Democrat Gov. Andy Beshear faces GOP challenger Attorney General Daniel Cameron. Cameron, who is backed strongly by former President Donald Trump, trailed Beshear significantly all year. Even as recently as earlier in October, he was down well into double digits, but polling released late last week suggests the race tightened considerably in the past few weeks. An Emerson College survey released in early October showed Beshear leading Cameron by 16 percent, but another survey from the same pollster conducted at the end of October and released on Friday last week showed Cameron holding a slight edge over Beshear when leaners are included and the two of them tied in the straight-up ballot test — a swing of 16 or 17 percent Cameron’s way in just a few weeks.

[Geee]

Republicans aim for trifecta of victories in crucial governor races ahead of 2024 elections

Voters in Kentucky, Mississippi and Virginia are heading to the polls Tuesday as Republicans look to complete a trifecta of victories in crucial governor races, as well as grow their majorities in the Virginia state legislature in hopes of building momentum for the party ahead of the 2024 elections where control of the White House and both chambers of Congress will be up for grabs.

Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron is vying to unseat incumbent Democrat Gov. Andy Beshear in Kentucky while Democrat Brandon Presley, the second cousin to famed rock-n-roll legend Elvis Presley, is hoping to do the same to incumbent Republican Gov. Tate Reeves in Mississippi.

Virginia Republicans are aiming to build on the slim majority they hold in the House of Delegates (51-46) and win control of the state Senate where Democrats hold the upper hand (22-17) to show the party remains competitive in the battleground state that has increasingly leaned left in recent presidential elections and other statewide offices.

[Geee]

Ohio voters to decide abortion rights, recreational marijuana Tuesday

As of Saturday night, more than 800,000 early votes were cast.

[Valin]

2 hours ago, Geee said:

Ohio voters to decide abortion rights, recreational marijuana Tuesday

As of Saturday night, more than 800,000 early votes were cast.

Remember when we had Election DAY? Not Election Week/Month.

[Valin]

November to Remember: Six things to watch on Election Day
Jack Birle, Breaking News Reporter
November 07, 2023

The 2023 elections may not have the fireworks of 2024, but there is still plenty up for grabs. In this "off-year," most of which takes place on Nov. 7, Virginia will be keenly watched. Meanwhile, the governor's mansion is up for grabs in Kentucky and Mississippi. New Jersey's Republicans believe they have a real shot at turning the state red in legislative elections, while there are also fierce mayoral and district attorney battles throughout the United States. Voters will also decide several fascinating referendums, particularly in Ohio, Maine, and Texas. This Washington Examiner series, November to Remember, will dive into all of these and more over the following two weeks. Part 17 will deal with the six things to watch on election day.

Voters across the country are heading to the polls to decide control of two state legislatures, two governorships, and various other races in a pivotal off-year election for several states, even as most of the country prepares for a bruising election in 12 months.

While 2023 may not have the high-profile federal races seen in presidential years and midterm elections, there are several important decisions being made by voters on Tuesday. Here is a look at six key races and topics to watch on Election Day 2023.

(Snip)

Mayoral races

Among the contests in this year's election are a couple of interesting mayoral races in Utah and Texas.

The Salt Lake City mayoral race between Democratic incumbent Erin Mendenhall, former Mayor Ross Anderson, and community activist Michael Valentine will not be held until later this month, but it is poised to be dominated by its election method: rank choice voting.

The Houston mayoral race looks to be a Democratic heavyweight battle between Democratic state Sen. John Whitmire and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX). The election is likely to go to a runoff, with 16 candidates on the ballot, but Whitmire and Jackson Lee appear most likely to advance for a one-on-one fight.

Importance of off-year elections

While the elections in 2023 are important for the states electing leaders and dictating control of their legislatures, the off-year elections can also serve as an early indication for the 2024 elections.

In 2024, control of the Senate, House of Representatives, and presidency will be up for grabs, with several races in 2023 likely serving as blueprints for what to do and what not to do for each party. Abortion policy was a big winner for Democrats in the 2022 election, but 2023 will serve as an indicator of whether it has staying power beyond the initial aftermath of the Dobbs decision, and Democrats will be better able to understand how Biden's unpopularity either does or does not play a role in down-ballot races.

Regarding bellwethers to look at for this year's election, the party that won the Kentucky gubernatorial race the past five elections has gone on to win the presidency 12 months later.

[Geee]

Election Day 2023: Early voting push could give GOP edge in Virginia race focused on abortion, Biden

Higher early voting among Republicans compared to 2022 may give them an edge in a Virginia election focused on abortion that will likely be viewed by many as a referendum on President Joe Biden's policies.

Close Mississippi and Kentucky governor races are also taking place on Tuesday.

According to the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) "the share of early in-person votes cast by likely Republicans has increased by more than two percentage points compared to last year based on data available six days before the election" and the Republicans' "share of mail votes has increased by nearly four points."

Overall, Democrats are voting early at higher numbers either in-person or by mail in this election cycle compared to Republicans.

[Valin]

Nov 7, 2023

Megyn Kelly is joined by Chris Stirewalt of The Dispatch to talk about the key states to watch tonight on Election Day, including Virginia and with Gov. Glenn Youngkin's potential rise to power, the governor's races in Mississippi and Kentucky, and more.

[Valin]

2023 election updates LIVE: Voters head to polls across US for pivotal statewide contests
By  Washington Examiner Staff

Voters in several states have headed to the polls to cast their votes in "off-year" 2023 elections that could shake up the political landscape of the United States ahead of 2024 fireworks.

Key races in Virginia will decide control of the state's General Assembly, where Republicans hold a narrow majority in the state House and Democrats control the state Senate. If both chambers fall under Republican control, Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) could move forward with plans to implement a 15-week abortion ban in the state.

There are also key votes in the New Jersey legislature, Kentucky and Mississippi voters will make their pick for governor, and in Ohio, voters will decide on a constitutional amendment on abortion.

Check back here for live updates.

Ohio voters approve abortion rights amendment to state constitution

Gabrielle M. Etzel

Ohioans voted on Tuesday to adopt abortion and reproductive health rights into their state constitution, with a majority voting yes on Issue 1.

The amendment takes effect immediately to enshrine the right to "make and carry out one's own reproductive decisions," which includes fertility treatments, miscarriage care, contraception, and abortions, into the state constitution.

Click here to read more.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear survives challenge from Republican Daniel Cameron

Haisten Willis

Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY) has won reelection in the Kentucky governor's race, scoring a huge win for his party and likely launching himself into the national spotlight as a rising Democratic star.

The contest between Beshear and 37-year-old Republican challenger Daniel Cameron was thought to be close in the final days, with Cameron making up lost ground in the polls. In the end, it was Beshear who emerged victorious, validating surveys that showed him holding a consistent lead.

Click here to read more.

(Snip)

8:26 PM Nov 7, 2023

More Virginia races called as votes roll in

Rachel Schilke

More Virginia races have been called in the General Assembly 2023 election as of 8:20 p.m.

House

3rd District — Democratic state Rep. Alfonso Lopez defeated independent Mike Webb, 88% to 12%, with 22% of votes called.

13th District — Democratic state Rep. Marcus Simon defeated libertarian David Crance, 81% to 19%, with 12% of votes called.

33rd District — Republican state Rep. Todd Gilbert defeated Democrat Robert Smith, 82% to 18%, with 11% of votes called.

34th District — Republican state Rep. Tony Witt defeated Democrat Esther Nizer, 76% to 24%, with 17% of votes called.

36th District — Republican state Rep. Ellen Campbell defeated Democrat Randall Wolf, 61% to 39%, with 55% of votes called.

43rd District — Republican state Rep. Will Morefield defeated independent Dave Ratliff, 86% to 14%, with 15% of votes called.

47th District — Republican state Sen. Wren Williams defeated Democrat Patricia Queensberry, 80% to 17% with 47% of votes called. Independent Jacob Frogel was also in the race.

50th District — Republican state Rep. Tommy Wright defeated Democrat Josh Blakely, 69% to 31%, with 39% of votes called.

88th District — Democratic state Rep. Don Scott defeated Republican Jim Wright, 70% to 30%, with 39% of votes called.

90th District — Republican state Rep. Jay Leftwich defeated Democrat Jeremy Rodden, 71% to 29%, with 31% of votes called.

91st District — Democratic state Rep. Cliff Hayes defeated Republican Elijah Colon, 69% to 31%, with 14% of votes called.

94th District — Democrat Phil Hernandez defeated Republican Andrew Pittman, 56% to 44%, with nearly 95% of votes called.

Senate

5th District — Republican state Sen. Travis Hackworth defeated Democrat Robert Beckman, 73% to 27%, with 31% of votes called.

7th District — Republican state Sen. Bill Stanley defeated Democrat Deborah Gates, 77% to 23%, with 39% of votes called.

29th District — Democratic state Sen. Jeremy McPike defeated Republican Nikki Baldwin, 69% to 31%, with 11% of votes called.

39th District — Democratic state Sen. Adam Ebbin defeated Republican Sophia Moshasha, 79% to 21%, with 28% of votes called.

40th District — Democratic state Sen. Barbara Favola defeated Republican David Henshaw, 83% to 17%, with 52% of votes called.

[Valin]

9:31 PM Nov 7, 2023

Ohio becomes 24th state to legalize marijuana

Gabrielle M. Etzel

Ohioans voted on Tuesday to make their state the 24th to legalize recreational marijuana by voting yes on Issue 2.

The law will take effect as of Dec. 7 to allow Ohioans over 21 to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and up to 15 grams of marijuana concentrates. The ballot-initiated statute also allows adults to grow up to six personal marijuana plants, with a 12-plant limit per household with multiple adults.

Click here to read more

[Geee]

GOP underperforms again as Democrats use abortion, turnout to win marquee 2023 elections

Saddled with a historically unpopular president and American anger over crime and inflation, Democrats still managed somehow to win the marquee races of the 2023 election season on the strength of abortion messaging, early turnout and ad spending blitzes.

The Republicans’ latest disappointing election performance –- from Glenn Youngkin’s failed bid to capture control of the Virginia legislature to Daniel Cameron’s loss of the gubernatorial mansion in deep-red Kentucky -- left many on social media Tuesday night calling for GOP Party Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel to be ousted for a losing streak that stretches back to 2018 and has exposed the Republican National Committee’s weaknesses on messaging and get-out-the-vote operations.

“What, exactly, does Ronna McDaniel do, besides lose?” longtime conservative TV host, columnist and former Trump administration official Monica Crowley asked on X, the social platform previously known as Twitter. “The only thing she SHOULD do is RESIGN. Effective immediately.”

Lawyer Rogan O’Handley, one of the more influential young conservatives on social media who uses the handle “DC Draino,” offered a similar sentiment. “Tonight is yet another reason Ronna Romney McDaniel should resign in disgrace She does nothing except help the GOP lose,” he wrote on his social media.

[Geee]

Five takeaways from a winning election night for Democrats

Democrats saw a successful Election Night on Tuesday, scoring wins in a number of competitive contests. 

[Geee]

The new GOP coalition has a donor dilemma and a turnout crisis

After promising in 2016 that "for every blue-collar Democrat we lose in western Pennsylvania, we will pick up two moderate Republicans in the suburbs in Philadelphia," Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has had the last laugh repeatedly, and Election Night 2023 is no exception. Although the ink is still drying on the exit polls and outstanding ballots are still being counted, there is no way of getting around it: Republicans once again widely underperformed, and they did so in the races that faced the most national scrutiny. Above all, the string of disappointments suffered since 2018 makes clear that the GOP has traded a once-winning coalition for a losing one.

The figures we can already be fairly sure of are campaign expenditures, and the numbers are abominable for Republicans.

[Geee]

[Valin]

2 hours ago, Geee said:

The new GOP coalition has a donor dilemma and a turnout crisis

After promising in 2016 that "for every blue-collar Democrat we lose in western Pennsylvania, we will pick up two moderate Republicans in the suburbs in Philadelphia," Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has had the last laugh repeatedly, and Election Night 2023 is no exception. Although the ink is still drying on the exit polls and outstanding ballots are still being counted, there is no way of getting around it: Republicans once again widely underperformed, and they did so in the races that faced the most national scrutiny. Above all, the string of disappointments suffered since 2018 makes clear that the GOP has traded a once-winning coalition for a losing one.

The figures we can already be fairly sure of are campaign expenditures, and the numbers are abominable for Republicans.

Quote

The Republican National Committee under Ronna McDaniel's leadership continues to disgrace the movement

She Really Does Have To Go!

[SDwaters]

Just now, Valin said:

She Really Does Have To Go!

The phone rings with a call from the RNC at least once every day, any time between 0700 and 2200.   Won't even consider picking it up as long as she's there.

One the lighter side, the answering machine announces that the call is from "rink".😉 

[Valin]

After last night

Scott Johnson

Nov. 8 2023

The good news for Republicans is that Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves won reelection — by five points, against a cousin of Elvis Presley. That might have been the only good news of the night for Republicans. As far as I can tell they lost everything else.

(Snip)

I could continue with disappointing results, as in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court election, but this is probably more than enough for now. Surely we can look forward to a revival of Republican fortunes when President Trump heads the Republican ticket in the 2024 election. Right? Either that or I may have to revisit my opposition to recreational marijuana use.

[Valin]

Just now, SDwaters said:

The phone rings with a call from the RNC at least once every day, any time between 0700 and 2200.   Won't even consider picking it up as long as she's there.

One the lighter side, the answering machine announces that the call is from "rink".😉 

"rink"?

[SDwaters]

Could be rrrnk. 🤔

[Valin]

1 minute ago, SDwaters said:

The phone rings with a call from the RNC at least once every day, any time between 0700 and 2200.   Won't even consider picking it up as long as she's there.

Don't even Start on EMails!  10-15 every day.

[Geee]

26 minutes ago, Valin said:

"rink"?

RNC

[Geee]

27 minutes ago, SDwaters said:

The phone rings with a call from the RNC at least once every day, any time between 0700 and 2200.   Won't even consider picking it up as long as she's there.

One the lighter side, the answering machine announces that the call is from "rink".😉 

Have not donated to the RNC in years. I would rather donate to individual candidates. As an aside - you have an answering machine?????

[SDwaters]

9 minutes ago, Geee said:

As an aside - you have an answering machine?????

Yes . . . but had to retire my rotary phone. 😪 

[Geee]

4 minutes ago, SDwaters said:

Yes . . . but had to retire my rotary phone. 😪 

When you think back to the number of things that have become 'old technology' in the last 25-30 years, it is mind blowing. Music, communication, news, entertainment, medicine - I know I won't be around for the next 25-30, but if we don't blow ourselves back to the stone age it should be interesting.

[Geee]

After dismal election night, Republican candidates hammer Trump

MIAMI, Fla. – A dismal night for Republicans on Election Day 2023 is giving some of former President Donald Trump's rivals fresh ammunition to target the commanding front-runner for the 2024 GOP nomination.

 

The disappointing results — which included Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear winning re-election in red-state Kentucky, Democrats winning total control of the state legislature in Virginia and expanding their legislative majorities in New Jersey, winning a state Supreme Court seat in battleground Pennsylvania, and the convincing victory in Ohio of a referendum that enshrined abortion rights in the state's constitution — follow similar results in the 2022 midterm elections, when an expected red wave never materialized.

"Last night was a sweeping loss for republicans. It was eerily similar to last November, when the anticipated ‘red wave’ never came," James Uthmeier, who manages Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign, said in a social media post.

[Valin]

2 hours ago, Geee said:

After dismal election night, Republican candidates hammer Trump

MIAMI, Fla. – A dismal night for Republicans on Election Day 2023 is giving some of former President Donald Trump's rivals fresh ammunition to target the commanding front-runner for the 2024 GOP nomination.

 

The disappointing results — which included Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear winning re-election in red-state Kentucky, Democrats winning total control of the state legislature in Virginia and expanding their legislative majorities in New Jersey, winning a state Supreme Court seat in battleground Pennsylvania, and the convincing victory in Ohio of a referendum that enshrined abortion rights in the state's constitution — follow similar results in the 2022 midterm elections, when an expected red wave never materialized.

"Last night was a sweeping loss for republicans. It was eerily similar to last November, when the anticipated ‘red wave’ never came," James Uthmeier, who manages Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign, said in a social media post.

 

The Finger  pointing  Starts. I'd put the blame on the GOP State committees.