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Archive of Politics on Wednesday November 04, 2009
GOP wins build momentum for 2010
TODAY’S TAKE: Republicans regained the governorships of New Jersey and Virginia on Election Day (Nov. 3). Tax caps failed in Maine and Washington and Ohio voters approved casino gambling. Stateline.org this morning rounded up these results and more for yesterday’s elections and for a variety of ballot measures decided by voters. Read More
US: A year after dousing, Republicans' hope rekindled
WASHINGTON — The Republican victories in the races for New Jersey and Virginia governors put the party in a stronger position to turn back the political wave President Obama unleashed last year, setting the stage for Republicans to raise money, recruit candidates and ride the excitement of an energized base as the party heads into next year's midterm elections. Read More
AK: Public can join in gas authority meeting
The Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority conducts a public meeting at 1 p.m. today at 411 W. Fourth Ave., first floor. The agenda includes discussion of current and upcoming contracts and projects. Read More
AK: Initiative challenges abortion rights
The Alaska Department of Law has questioned the constitutionality of a ballot initiative that would recognize fetuses as legal persons, but that hasn't precluded Lt. Gov. Craig Campbell from his duty to approve the vetted petition for signature gathering. Read More
AL: State GOP targets Democrats on ethics
The Alabama Republican Party is placing the conviction of those former Democratic offi?cials at the top of its list of why voters should put the GOP in control of the Legislature and in other offices a year from now in the 2010 general election. Read More
AL: Tea Party rally against health care bill scheduled for Wednesday
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Huntsville's Tea Party movement is planning another rally Wednesday to protest proposed government-run health care. Read More
AL: Democrat Elaine Beech wins House District 65 seat
Democrat Elaine Beech won a special election for the House of Representatives today, according to unofficial returns. Read More
AR: Report -- Stimulus funds saved or created 2,633 jobs in state
Federal stimulus funds have saved or created 2,633 jobs in Arkansas, according to a state report released today. Read More
AZ: Former OSPB chief to head up AHCCCS
Gov. Jan Brewer replaced one of the last major agency heads left over from the Napolitano era, naming former OSPB chief Thomas Betlach as director of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. Read More
CA: Legislators call for inquiry into former Brown communications director
Two Republican state lawmakers sent a letter Tuesday calling for an investigation into reports that Attorney General Jerry Brown's top spokesman recorded phone conversations with reporters without their consent. Read More
CA: Water plan has local goodie
A nonprofit tolerance center in midtown Sacramento, championed by state Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, could get a vital economic boost from an unlikely source: a mammoth $10 billion water bond proposal. Read More
CA: Garamendi wins Tauscher's seat in special election
Democrats retained control of a left-leaning Northern California congressional district Tuesday, electing a career politician who said he will side faithfully with the Obama administration on health care, climate legislation and other hot-button policies. Read More
CA: Card clubs and other special interests give to Jerry Brown charities
Gambling halls and arts education may make strange bedfellows. But over the last three years, five Los Angeles-area card clubs have showered more than $100,000 on a Bay Area school for the arts some 400 miles away. Read More
CA: Meg Whitman's campaign spending is causing a stir
The Republican gubernatorial candidate in California has spent $19 million so far, with the election still seven months away. Her pace is called 'unprecedented' by one campaign veteran. Read More
CO: GOP gubernatorial rivals outline what Colorado needs
Republican Scott McInnis won't debate his GOP rivals for fear it will damage party unity, but Tuesday night the former congressman challenged Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter to a series of debates. Read More
CO: State Sen. Schultheis will not seek second term
Colorado Springs Republican Sen. Dave Schultheis has announced he will not seek re-election in 2010. Read More
DE: N.J. race gives Delaware GOP heart
Delaware Republicans are finding hope in the comfortable victory their party won Tuesday in New Jersey gubernatorial race. Read More
FL: Crist faces test from right in bid for Senate
Conservatives, energized by their role in shaping Tuesday's New York congressional election, have set Florida in their sights as the big battleground for 2010. Read More
FL: GOP senator enters Florida governor's race
Casting herself as a ``fresh face'' not connected to what she calls a troubled Republican establishment, state Sen. Paula Dockery of Lakeland jumped into the race for governor Tuesday. Read More
FL: Tomás Regalado elected Miami's new mayor
MIAMI -- Miami voters demanded a breather from eight years of fast-paced development Tuesday, ushering in Tomás Regalado as mayor on a wave of support from residents who said they were tired of uncontrolled growth and unchecked spending. Read More
GA: Georgia clears a path for legal adoption of embryos
A new law in Georgia makes it the first state to clear a legal path for adopting human embryos in much the same way as parents adopt children. Conservatives hope the "Option of Adoption Act" puts momentum behind a multi-state effort aimed at giving embryos the rights of personhood, in hopes of eventually banning abortion. Read More
GA: Memory cards forgotten in 7 Ga. voting machines
Memory cards in seven voting machines were unintentionally left in Atlanta precincts Tuesday night, in a poll worker error that election officials say is not expected to affect the outcome of any race. Read More
GA: Georgia selects new legislators
Georgia voters elected three state lawmakers Tuesday, while other legislative races appeared headed to run-off elections in December. Read More
HI: Lawmakers advocate renegotiating teacher contract to restore cut days
A prominent House Democrat joined a group of minority Republicans calling for all sides to return to the bargaining table to restore public school days being cut because of state worker furloughs. Read More
HI: Groups want special session to cancel Furlough Fridays
With House Democrats set to caucus tomorrow, parent groups are peppering legislators with phone calls pushing for a special session to restore funding for education and stop Furlough Fridays at public schools. Read More
IA: Iowa lobbyist arrested on extortion charges
A registered lobbyist at the Iowa legislature has been arrested, accused of threatening to extort $1 million from the conservative Iowans for Tax Relief, authorities said today. Read More
IA: Culver airs ad touting budget response
Gov. Chet Culver is airing a new television commercial touting his approach to flood recovery and budget problems. Read More
IA: Lottery won't propose video gambling
Iowa Lottery Chief Executive Terry Rich said Tuesday he won't lobby state lawmakers to return video gambling machines to retail outlets, but he'll offer advice if it's requested during the coming legislative session. Read More
IA: Culver switches up staff, names new spokeswoman
A spokesman for Iowa Gov. Chet Culver is heading to a new job at the state's education department and the economic development spokeswoman who had to deal with reporters' questions on the film tax credit scandal will now speak for Culver. Read More
IA: Judge giveth/Culver taketh away, Rants says
A planned shindig Wednesday in Sergeant Bluff where Lt. Gov. Patty Judge will give out $250,000 is "insanity," Rep. Christopher Rants, R-Sioux City said today. Read More
ID: ID pro-pot activist gets $30K from national group
HAILEY, Idaho — A libertarian activist who convinced Hailey voters to pass pro-marijuana initiatives in 2007 and 2008 says he's gotten $30,000 from a national group he'd sued on claims it welched on a promise to fund his efforts. Read More
ID: Idaho lawmakers meet Wednesday on health reform
Congress might not vote on health care legislation until 2010, but that hasn't stopped Idaho lawmakers from debating the issue - and how the state should respond, if something actually is passed. Read More
IL: Quinn skips transit meeting to head to D.C.
Last week, Gov. Pat Quinn said he told Chicago-area public transit officials he'd meet with them this week to discuss their precarious financial situation. Read More
IL: Quinn to tap 4 new board members for Chicago State
Gov. Pat Quinn plans today to name four new board members to Chicago State University, the troubled South Side school at risk of losing its accreditation because of poor recruitment, retention and graduation rates. Read More
IL: Abortion foes upset over delay in parental notice law
Abortion opponents are crying foul over an 11th-hour decision by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to further delay the enforcement of a parental notification law. Read More
IL: Jim Ryan defends his ties to Stuart Levine
Former Republican Attorney General Jim Ryan stepped back onto the political stage for the first time in seven years on Tuesday and quickly found himself on the defensive over his longtime association with a top fundraiser later convicted of corruption. Read More
IN: Schools chief expects vote on reforms by year's end
The state's top schools official said Tuesday he expects to have a final vote by the end of the year on his proposal to reform the way the state trains and licenses teachers. Read More
KS: Statehouse Live -- More school districts consider funding lawsuit
In school board votes earlier this week, the Bonner Springs-Edwardsville, Hays and Newton school districts have said they will join a possible lawsuit against the state to increase funding for schools. Read More
KY: Beshear: 34 new jobs for mine safety, permitting
DEBORD, Ky. — The state will hire 15 mine-safety inspectors and 19 mine permit application reviewers to clear backlogs in those offices, Gov. Steve Beshear announced Tuesday. Read More
KY: GOP picks York to run for House seat
Former Carter County Magistrate Jill York will be the Republican candidate in a Dec. 8 special election to fill a vacant state House seat. Read More
LA: Panel hears 'slush fund' criticisms, defenses
State Treasurer John Kennedy pushed Tuesday to purge legislators' special projects from the state budget. Read More
LA: Former Gov. Dave Treen remembered for honesty, integrity at Mandeville service
NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The state's first GOP congressman and governor since Reconstruction had contemplated becoming a Methodist minister in his youth, so it was only fitting that when former Gov. Dave Treen came home to Mandeville on Tuesday, it was a Methodist minister who laid him to rest. Read More
MA: Mayor Menino clinches historic fifth term
Mayor Thomas M. Menino has again made history, extending his streak as the city's longest serving mayor by winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive term, deflecting scathing campaign trail criticism and decisively rolling over challenger Michael Flaherty. Read More
MA: One vote changes Barnstable charter
BARNSTABLE, Mass. — The makeup of the town's government will change after a ballot question in yesterday's election passed by a single vote. Read More
MD: State hopes to update child support guidelines
BALTIMORE, Md. -- Maryland's child support guidelines are based on economic data from the 1970s -- something the state Department of Human Resources hopes to change next year. Read More
MD: Constellation, EDF moving forward with nuclear sale
Constellation Energy and Electricite de France are moving quickly to close their nuclear power deal under conditions imposed by the state Public Service Commission, including a $100 rebate for Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. ratepayers. Read More
MD: Cohen wins race for Annapolis mayor
Democratic candidate Josh Cohen won the Annapolis mayoral race yesterday, besting his Republican rival, Dave Cordle, by 235 votes out of 8,280 votes cast. Read More
ME: Maine rejects same-sex marriage
Maine voters rejected a law allowing same-sex couples to marry in a closely fought referendum that saw unexpectedly high turnout. Read More
ME: Clerks swamped by turnout
Surprised clerks in Maine's biggest cities and smallest towns reported massive turnout more typical of a presidential election for Tuesday's statewide referendums. Read More
ME: Voters turn down constitution change
BANGOR, Maine — A constitutional amendment that encountered no resistance in the Legislature ran into a wall of no votes Tuesday at the polls, according to unofficial results compiled by the Bangor Daily News. Read More
ME: Repeal of school reform law rejected
Maine voters have rejected a move to repeal the state's school district consolidation law — and they did so in convincing fashion. Read More
ME: Medical marijuana access law OK'd
BANGOR, Maine -- Mainers who use marijuana to relieve the symptoms of certain medical conditions will have easier access to the drug after voters approved Question 5 on Tuesday's statewide referendum ballot. Read More
ME: TABOR, excise tax questions soundly defeated
BANGOR, Maine — Maine voters soundly rejected a pair of tax-related referendums that sought to reduce the excise tax on some vehicles and place limits on state and municipal spending. Read More
ME: HUD -- No federal funds used in Brewer land deal
BREWER, Maine — A U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development review of the financial books at Brewer Housing Authority revealed that only local revenues were used in a recent land purchase between the housing authority and its former board chairman. Read More
ME: Residents favor transportation bond
BANGOR, Maine — Voters in Maine supported a $71 million transportation bond nearly 2-to-1, according to unofficial voting results compiled by the Bangor Daily News. Read More
ME: Gay marriage repealed in Maine
PORTLAND, Maine — Voters on Tuesday repealed the state's same sex marriage law after an emotionally charged campaign that drew large numbers to the polls and focused national attention on Maine. Read More
MI: Republicans win back Senate seat, increase margin
JACKSON, MICH. -- Michigan Republicans cruised to an easy victory Tuesday winning back a state Senate seat that had previously been held by U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer, a Democrat. Read More
MI: Granholm warns of 20% budget cuts
Gov. Jennifer Granholm warned Tuesday of a possible 20% cut in state spending next year, a draconian step after billions in cuts since 2003 already have dented police and fire services, pushed schools toward insolvency and reduced oversight of prison inmates. Read More
MN: Rybak wins a third term, but charter changes rejected
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak coasted to an easy victory Tuesday night to gain a third term in his corner third-floor office at City Hall. Read More
MN: Coleman scores a 2nd term as mayor
St. Paul will get four more years of Chris Coleman. Read More
MO: Voters pick replacements to fill vacancies left by scandal
Voters on Tuesday replaced a pair of state lawmakers who resigned amid scandal. Read More
MO: Newman poised to become freshman class of one in state House
Update: It's official — Newman wins by 61 percent of the vote. Read More
MS: Burnham to return as state superintendent
State Board of Education members said Tuesday they selected Tom Burnham to serve as superintendent of education because he has the experience to do the job. Read More
MS: Miss. arts figures picked for honor
Bluesman David "Honeyboy" Edwards, 94, a Shaw native who took Mississippi's music around the world yet still brings it home, will be recognized for lifetime achievement by the state's highest arts honor in February. Read More
MT: Montana political, ag leaders want lower shipping rates from new BNSF owner Buffett
Some Montana political and agricultural leaders said Tuesday they hope the state's farmers will see lower grain shipping rates as a result of the purchase of Burlington Northern Santa Fe by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Read More
NC: Wright's conviction is upheld
RALEIGH -- The N.C. Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of former state Rep. Thomas E. Wright on three felony counts of obtaining property by false pretenses for taking out a fraudulent bank loan and depositing contributions intended for charity into his personal bank account. Read More
NC: Perdue defends hiring murderer
Gov. Bev Perdue defended her decision as lieutenant governor to hire a convicted murderer to work in her office as part of a work release program. Read More
NE: Committee discusses budget shortfall as special session looms
The Appropriations Committee's two-hour talk, a day before the start of the session, was as much about the long term as the short-term fix. Read More
NE: Nature center hires program coordinator
ALMA, Neb. -- The Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center has hired Dan Glomski as its program coordinator. Glomski, former curator of astronomy at Hastings Museum, has more than 20 years of experience in providing science-based programming. Read More
NE: Commodity board advocates up in arms
Gov. Dave Heineman and the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation are often on the same page in their policy preferences. Read More
NH: Proposed bill would expand death penalty
MONT VERNON, N.H. -- A lawmaker said yesterday he will sponsor legislation to make home invasion killings a capital offense and name the bill after a Mont Vernon woman killed with a machete in her bed during a burglary. Read More
NH: City voters support 'fail safe' tax cap
MANCHESTER, N.H. – Voters in the state's largest city yesterday said yes to a proposed cap on taxes and spending. Read More
NH: Gatsas wins big in mayor's race
MANCHESTER, N.H. -– Alderman and state Sen. Ted Gatsas trounced his opponent in the mayor's race yesterday, ensuring the city's top office will stay in Republican hands for another two years. Read More
NH: Republican squeaks into House
Republican Lynne Ferrari Blankenbeker appears to have narrowly edged out longtime legislator Jim MacKay to win a House seat in the Concord special election. Read More
NJ: New Jersey voters elect Chris Christie 55th governor
Republican Chris Christie, the former corruption-busting U.S. attorney for New Jersey, won the the gubernatorial election Tuesday night over incumbent Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine. (Also see: NJ: Democrats maintain grip on N.J. Assembly and NJ: Budget gap will haunt new leader Read More
NJ: How Christie won
It took six months of campaigning before Chris Christie believed he could actually win the race for governor. Read More
NJ: How Corzine lost
Gov Corzine never quite fit the profile of a white knight — not with the beard and the bald spot and the predilection for sweater vests — but when he rolled into office four years ago, he seemed a better bet than most to tame New Jersey's runaway spending and property taxes. Read More
NJ: Budget gap will haunt new leader
New Jersey's new chief executive, Governor-elect Chris Christie, will once again face record high property taxes — what voters say is the state's most pressing issue — all the while trying to balance a state budget already projected to be $8 billion short. Read More
NJ: Democrats maintain grip on N.J. Assembly
Democrats held on to their comfortable majority in New Jersey's Assembly, presenting a challenge to Christopher J. Christie, the former U.S. attorney who defeated incumbent Democratic Gov. Corzine for the governorship. Read More
NJ: Once again, N.J. backs bond issue to conserve space
New Jersey voters approved a $400 million bond measure yesterday to fund conservation of open spaces. Read More
NJ: Republican Chris Christie ousts Jon Corzine in N.J. governor's race
Republican Chris Christie, a corporate lawyer turned crusading federal prosecutor, was elected New Jersey's 55th governor last night, ousting Jon Corzine, an unpopular but well-funded incumbent, in a race viewed as an early referendum on President Obama. Read More
NM: Gardner endorses Martinez for governor
House Minority Whip Keith Gardner, R-Roswell, put his support behind Susana Martinez's campaign for governor Tuesday afternoon. Read More
NM: State budget crisis -- Capital outlay projects face freeze
Gov. Bill Richardson's administration has canceled grants and agreements between local governments and the state Department of Finance and Administration for capital outlay projects, causing concern among city officials about what will happen to their ongoing projects. Read More
NV: Former Miss Nevada to announce for Assembly
Former Miss Nevada Teresa Benitez-Thompson says she will seek the District 27 Assembly seat in Reno being vacated by veteran Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie. Read More
NY: Democrat Bill Owens wins hard-fought race for 23rd congressional seat
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Democrat Bill Owens declared victory this morning in the special election for the 23rd Congressional District seat where about $4 million was spent on an intense, five-week campaign that turned into a political soap opera that captivated the nation. Read More
NY: Upset win for upstate Democrat
Bill Owens unexpectedly turned back an aggressive challenge by Conservative Party upstart Doug Hoffman to win an upstate congressional seat yesterday, becoming the first Democrat to represent the area in more than 100 years. Read More
NY: Bloomberg sweats out third term
NEW YORK -- The mayoral race turned into an unexpected squeaker last night, with Mayor Bloomberg barely edging past Democratic rival Bill Thompson to win a third term. Read More
NY: Filling ethics law gap
Sen. John Flanagan operates ASJ Consulting, but don't expect the Long Island lawyer to discuss the business. He won't return phone calls inquiring about ethics disclosure requirements. Read More
OH: Statewide measures
A look at how the statewide measures fared in each of Ohio's 88 counties. Read More
OH: Livestock-care board, help for veterans sail through
Ohio voters agreed yesterday to create a state board to protect the state's $93 billion-a-year agribusiness industry and overwhelmingly approved giving $200 million in bonuses to military veterans. Read More
OH: Ohio OKs casinos
Battered by a grim economy, job-hungry Ohioans approved casinos for Columbus and three other cities yesterday. Read More
OH: Polls close in Ohio despite ballot shortage in Summit County
All Ohio polls closed on time at 7:30 p.m. tonight, despite an apparent shortage of ballots in Summit County, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner's office said. Read More
OH: Tavares enters race for Ohio Senate seat
Columbus City Councilwoman Charleta B. Tavares has entered the 15th Senate District race, setting up a likely Democratic primary in the contest to replace Sen. Ray Miller, who is leaving at the end of 2010 because of term limits. Read More
OH: State officials, guards' union at odds over security at Mansfield prison
Corrections officers find crude knives, allege security problems. Read More
OH: Strickland to Senate -- Get moving
The Ohio Senate should stop dawdling and either pass a House-approved bill to balance the state budget by delaying an income-tax cut or propose a viable alternative, Gov. Ted Strickland said today. Read More
OH: Bilingual aide named to state school board
Gov. Ted Strickland filled one of two vacancies on the Ohio Board of Education with a bilingual aide from the Fremont City Schools. Read More
OK: Lawmakers seek funding answers for Oklahoma seniors
On the eve of a state Capitol rally expected to attract more than 100 older Oklahomans, legislators scurried Tuesday to suggest ways to restore cuts to some senior nutrition programs. Read More
OK: Oklahoma senate candidate's sentence for bogus check has ended
Before announcing his candidacy for a state Senate seat that covers part of Oklahoma City, Matt Jackson went to Lawton to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of writing a bogus check 10 years earlier. Read More
PA: Commonwealth Court -- McCullough, Brobson leading the way for two seats
Two Republicans were poised to secure both open seats on the Commonwealth Court. Read More
PA: Superior Court -- Republicans in line for three of four seats
With most of the votes counted in the race for four open seats on the state Superior Court, it appeared that Republicans were aligned to win at least three of those. Read More
PA: Nutter, Rendell blast SEPTA union for surprise strike
As hundreds of thousands of commuters and schoolchildren braced for a second day without public transit, Gov. Rendell and Mayor Nutter chastised union leaders for calling the surprise predawn strike. Read More
PA: Melvin wins Supreme Court race
Joan Orie Melvin, a Republican judge from Western Pennsylvania, prevailed in the Philadelphia suburbs yesterday to claim a decisive win in the hard-fought battle for a vacancy on the state Supreme Court. Read More
PA: Orie Melvin leads Panella for Pennsylvania Supreme Court seat
Pennsylvania voters promoted Joan Orie Melvin to the state Supreme Court on Tuesday, ending a bitter battle for political control of the high court and providing a sounding board on the mood of the electorate as next year's midterm congressional elections approach. Read More
RI: RI Ethics Commission dismisses GOP charge against Attorney General Lynch
The Rhode Island Ethics Commission on Tuesday dismissed a complaint against Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch for accepting a $428 plane ticket from the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA) for a conference in New Orleans last year. Read More
RI: Without notice expungements almost expanded
Amid the chaos of last week's special legislative session, advocates of a bill that would automatically erase a whole new class of criminal records scored a short-lived victory at the State House. Read More
RI: New R.I. law banning indoor prostitution leads some spas to close
Word that Rhode Island's governor signed legislation Tuesday afternoon to outlaw indoor prostitution traveled quickly through the state's community of sex workers, leaving many of the women who work at Asian "spas" on edge and their employers angry and without customers. Read More
SC: Gubernatorial candidates take crowded stage
ORANGEBURG, S.C. -- Ten candidates vying to be governor of South Carolina left little doubt Tuesday of the importance of natural resources and the environment. Read More
SC: Sanford can't appoint interim councilmember in Clemson
CLEMSON, S.C. — Gov. Mark Sanford has no power to appoint an interim member to Clemson City Council, Sanford spokesman Ben Fox told The Greenville News on Tuesday. Read More
SC: Governor's race a wide-open 2-party affair
The race for the state's top job has not been this wide open since 1994. Read More
SD: Statewide medical examiner suggested
A task force recommends replacing county coroners with a statewide medical examiner system but says it would be futile to press for reform until the state's finances improve. Read More
TN: Stimulus hides TN budget woes; departments face up to 9 percent cuts
The stock market is up. The federal government is spending. The economy appears to be growing. But Gov. Phil Bredesen is asking state departments to cut their budgets by as much as 9 percent next year, a move that probably will trigger another round of layoffs and curb some services. Read More
TX: From college cash to beach access, 11 amendments pass
Texas voters took a modest but significant step Tuesday toward lifting more of the state's public universities into the ranks of major national research institutions by approving a constitutional amendment freeing up about $500 million from a dormant higher education account. Read More
TX: Measure to protect Bullis passes
With lackluster voter turnout, Texans approved a constitutional amendment written with Fort Sam Houston's Camp Bullis in mind. Read More
TX: Voters stayed home in droves
Tuesday's mayoral race did not pull voters to the polls, unlike the last two open-seat contests. Read More
TX: Democrat joins gubernatorial race, says he'll spend $10 million in primary
Houston hair care executive Farouk Shami said Tuesday that he's definitely running for governor and that he'll put in $10 million for the Democratic primary alone. Read More
TX: UT poll gives Perry cushion over Hutchison
Despite a storm of controversy surrounding his shake-up of a state forensic panel, Gov. Rick Perry leads U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison among voters who say they plan to vote in the March Republican primary, according to a new poll. Read More
US: Contests serve as warning to Democrats -- It's not 2008 anymore
Off-year elections can be notoriously unreliable as predictors of the future, but as a window on how the political landscape may have changed in the year since President Obama won the White House, Tuesday's Republican victories in Virginia and New Jersey delivered clear warnings for the Democrats. Read More
US: Kaine says Democrats faced uphill battles
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is ascribing Democratic defeats Tuesday in the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial elections to uphill battles against historical trends. Read More
US: G.O.P. wins two key governors' races; Bloomberg prevails in a close contest
Republicans swept contests for governor in New Jersey and Virginia on Tuesday as voters went to the polls filled with economic uncertainty, dealing President Obama a setback and building momentum for a Republican comeback attempt in next year's midterm Congressional elections. Read More
UT: Election 2009: Unofficial Utah general election results
Unofficial 2009 municipal election results Read More
UT: State senator says initiative would force him out
A leading Utah state senator with nearly 30 years in the Legislature says he will be forced out of office if a citizen initiative on legislative ethics passes. Read More
UT: Lawmaker sounds alarm on ethics initiative
A ballot initiative to rein in legislative conduct has grabbed the attention of many across the state -- including the law firm of Utah's longest sitting lawmaker, Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan. Read More
VA: Bob McDonnell elected as Virginia's next governor
Robert F. "Bob" McDonnell steamrolled R. Creigh Deeds in Tuesday's gubernatorial election as part of a dominating night for Republican candidates who prevailed in the other two statewide races and gained seats to increase the party's majority in the House of Delegates. (Also see: VA: Republicans appear to gain 5 seats, reverse trends in outer D.C. suburbs and VA: Analysis -- GOP sweep shows policies, not parties, are paramount in Va. politics Read More
VA: Now, the hard part -- Continuing to straddle the center and the right
With his overwhelming victory, Robert F. McDonnell is being extolled as a new model for Republican success: a traditionally conservative candidate who won a swing state by focusing almost exclusively on jobs, transportation and other kitchen table issues. Read More
VA: Republicans appear to gain 5 seats, reverse trends in outer D.C. suburbs
Virginia Republicans appeared to pick up at least five seats in the House of Delegates in Tuesday's election, reversing Democratic trends in Washington's outer suburbs and marking the first time since 2001 that the party has increased its majority in the General Assembly. Read More
VA: GOP reclaims Virginia
Virginians elected Republican Robert F. McDonnell the commonwealth's 71st governor Tuesday, sweeping the GOP to power and emphatically halting a decade of Democratic advances in the critical swing state. Read More
VA: Analysis -- GOP sweep shows policies, not parties, are paramount in Va. politics
A year after tipping Democratic for president for the first time since 1964, Virginia fell to Republicans in a dramatic statewide sweep that is a historic reminder of its enduring competitiveness -- but may not be a model for a national GOP comeback. Read More
VA: Republican Bill Bolling re-elected Va. lieutenant governor
Republican William T. "Bill" Bolling easily won re-election as lieutenant governor on Tuesday, gathering 57 percent of the vote to Democrat Jody M. Wagner's 43 percent. Read More
VA: Republican Ken Cuccinelli wins Va. attorney general seat
Riding the Republican wave of victories in statewide offices Tuesday, Ken T. Cuccinelli II trounced his Democratic opponent, Stephen C. Shannon, in the race to become Virginia's next attorney general. Read More
VA: Minor issues reported at Suffolk, beach polls
HAMPTON ROADS, Va. -- Tuesday's election was free of long lines and major glitches in most places, but some voters in Suffolk and Virginia Beach encountered problems. Read More
VA: Howell captures seat in easy re-election
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- House Speaker Bill Howell, R--Stafford, defeated Independent Green candidate Craig Ennis for the 28th House of Delegates seat, with 75 percent of the vote. Read More
VA: McDonnell tops state GOP sweep
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- Republican Bob McDonnell's win over Democrat Creigh Deeds yesterday led a GOP sweep of the top three statewide offices in Virginia. Read More
VA: Republicans boost dominance among Va. delegates
HAMPTON ROADS, Va. -- Republicans strengthened their hold on the Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday, defeating at least six Democratic incumbents and setting the stage for the GOP to dominate the governing body well into the next decade. Read More
VA: Governor's agenda flagging, but not ratings
Faced with a record budget shortfall and uncooperative Republican lawmakers, Timothy M. Kaine's legacy as Virginia governor has largely been built on his political gains: helping his party win a pair of U.S. Senate seats, taking control of the state Senate and delivering the Old Dominion for a Democratic presidential candidate for the first time in more than four decades. Read More
VA: Incumbent Oder keeps seat in Virginia's 94th House District
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Incumbent Republican Del. G. Glenn Oder will keep his General Assembly seat, according to The Associated Press. Read More
VA: Lewis retains seat in Virginia's 100th House District
HAMPTON ROADS, Va. -- Del. Lynwood W. Lewis Jr. easily defeated Republican Melody Himel Scalley on Tuesday, facing his first challenger since he was elected to represent the Eastern Shore in the House of Delegates in 2003. Read More
VA: Miller re-elected to the 87th House District
NORFOLK, Va. --Del. Paula J. Miller, D-Norfolk, held on to her 87th House District seat Tuesday in a battle against Republican John N. Amiral. Read More
VA: Chris Stolle elected to Va. House 83rd District
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Republican Chris P. Stolle unseated Democratic Del. Joe F. Bouchard on Tuesday night, avenging his narrow loss to Bouchard in 2007. Read More
VA: Barlow narrowly retains seat in 64th House District
In the far-flung 64th House District, a "nice guy" won. Read More
VA: 21st House District race too close to call
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- The 21st District race was too close to call Tuesday. Read More
VA: Democrat James wins in Virginia's 80th House District
PORTSMOUTH, Va. -- A longtime economic development official and political newcomer will assume the seat long held by former Del. Kenneth Melvin. Read More
VA: Democrat Alexander wins Virginia 89th House District
NORFOLK, Va. -- Democrat Kenneth C. Alexander easily won re-election to the House of Delegates, taking more than 80 percent of the vote in the 89th District. The district includes much of central Norfolk, from downtown to Wards Corner, and from Lamberts Point to Norview. Read More
VA: Del. Tom Gear wins re-election to 91st House District
HAMPTON ROADS, Va. -- Republican Thomas D. "Tom" Gear has won re-election to his seat in the 91st House District, according to the Associated Press. Read More
VA: Del. Bob Purkey retains seat in Virginia's 82nd District
HAMPTON ROADS, Va. -- Voters of the 82nd District are sending Republican incumbent Harry R. "Bob" Purkey back for a 13th term. Read More
VA: Del. Bob Tata returned for another term in 85th District
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Robert "Bob" Tata asked the voters for one last term, and on Tuesday they gave it to him. Read More
VA: Strategy proves critical in quest for suburban votes
Robert F. McDonnell's stunning victory in Northern Virginia proves that Republicans can win in the region by doing exactly what Democrats have done: talking about the issues that matter to suburban voters. Read More
VA: Hamilton loses House seat amid scandal over university job
NEWPORT NEWS, VA. -- A statewide Republican tide was not enough to save embattled Del. Phil Hamilton from defeat Tuesday. Read More
VT: SEA, NEA rip state's use of high-priced consultant
Two of the state's largest unions criticized the Douglas Administration Tuesday for inking a high-dollar contract with a Connecticut consulting firm at a time when fiscal woes have led to the recent layoffs of at least 25 state employees. Read More
VT: Vermont Democrats crowd governor's race
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. -- With one Democrat saying he is 99.9 percent sure he will run for governor and four others already in the race, the behind-the-scenes political jockeying begins. Read More
WA: 'Everything but marriage' backers smelling victory
Supporters of gay rights were buoyed by first-day returns that showed Referendum 71 leading by a narrow margin Tuesday evening. The trends looked positive for the measure, which would expand the state's domestic-partnership law. Read More
WA: Eyman's I-1033 rejected
Voters on Tuesday firmly rejected Tim Eyman's latest effort to control government spending and reduce property taxes. Read More
WA: New gay rights law being approved by voters
Buoyed by big support from King County, voters Tuesday were approving Washington's new "everything but marriage" law that greatly expands the rights of gay couples. Read More
WA: Eyman's latest proposal failing by healthy margin
Tim Eyman's revenue-cap measure, Initiative 1033, was losing by double digits with half of the votes counted statewide Tuesday evening. Read More
WI: Wis. lawmaker sends Duncan letter over concerns
A powerful Democratic Wisconsin state lawmaker sent U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan a letter outlining concerns he has with the Race to the Top education stimulus program. Read More
WI: Obama visits Wis. in midst of education debate
President Barack Obama's visit to Wisconsin on Wednesday comes as state lawmakers are considering a proposal to allow the mayor of Milwaukee to take over control of that city's struggling school district. Read More
WI: Wis. Assembly takes up birth control education
Wisconsin schools that decide to teach sex education would have to instruct students on the use of birth control under a bill given preliminary approval by the state Assembly on Tuesday. Read More
WV: State predicts $100 million budget shortfall
Lagging tax revenues are threatening West Virginia state government with a budget deficit, but Gov. Joe Manchin does not yet plan to lay off public workers, ax programs or raise taxes to keep the books balanced. Read More
WV: W.Va. receives $9.6M to improve energy efficiency
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the state's share of more than $38 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds on Tuesday. Read More
WV: Lawmakers praise changes at DHHR, hope more on way
Several state lawmakers on Tuesday praised West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary Patsy Hardy for making personnel moves at the agency, saying they hope the shuffle signals that more changes are in store. Read More |
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