Election News

Democratic Rep. Jennifer Wexton of Virginia said Monday that she won't seek a fourth term in 2024. She had been diagnosed with Parkinson's earlier this year, and is now facing a more severe version of the disease.

An update on my health and my plans for serving #VA10 in Congress. pic.twitter.com/815hxhtRBv

— Rep. Jennifer Wexton (@RepWexton) September 18, 2023

Wexton represents Virginia's 10th congressional district, located in the northern part of the state. It includes parts of suburban Washington D.C., and extends into some less-populated areas.

She was first elected in 2018, ousting incumbent Republican Barbara Comstock. Her winning margin in 2018 and 2020 was in the low teens. In 2022, she won her third term by about 6.5% over Republican Hung Cao. The district had been made slightly more competitive in redistricting following the 2020 Census.

On Thursday we're following two elections in Tennessee. Voters in Nashville will elect their next mayor in a runoff, while a special election is held in a State House district that includes parts of that city.

Polls close at 8:00 PM Eastern Time.

State Legislative Special Election

Tennessee State House District 51

Republicans hold a dominant 75-24 margin over Democrats in the Tennessee House of Representatives. There are no vacancies, as open seats are generally filled on an interim basis until a special election can be held. 

That is the case with the Nashville-area District 51. Democrat Anthony Davis was appointed by the Metro Council after the death of Bill Beck (D).

On Tuesday, we're following a special election in the New York State Assembly. There is also a Democratic mayoral primary in Charlotte.

State Legislative Special Election

New York State Assembly District 27

Democrats hold a 101-48 supermajority in the New York State Assembly. Members serve two-year terms; the next regular elections are in 2024.

Tuesday's special election will fill the only current vacancy.

This Tuesday, there are special primaries for two U.S. House seats, one vacant and one soon to be. There are also two state legislative special primaries.

U.S. House Special Primaries

Both of these seats are safe for the incumbent party, so all the interest in these races is around the relevant primaries.

Rhode Island Congressional District 1

Rep. David Cicilline resigned in May to head up a nonprofit foundation. In 2022, Cicilline was elected to a 7th term by a 64% to 36% margin.  The state's two districts are divided east-west. District 1 includes the eastern part, and is the more safely Democratic of the two.

This Tuesday brings an Uncontested special election in the Virginia House of Delegates. There are also some primary runoffs in the Mississippi State House.

Virginia House of Delegates District 6

Republicans hold a 49-46 edge in the Virginia House of Delegates. There are five vacancies. Members serve two-year terms; the next regular elections are this November.

We're watching one legislative special election this week.

New Hampshire State House District Grafton 16

With 400 members at full strength, the New Hampshire House of Representatives is the largest legislative body in the United States. The narrowly-divided chamber currently has 199 Republicans, 196 Democrats.

The first Republican debate of the 2024 presidential election cycle will take place this Wednesday, August 23, at 9:00 PM Eastern Time, in Milwaukee. It will be televised on Fox News, and moderated by anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum. 

Not coincidentally, given the battleground nature of the state, Milwaukee is also the site of the party's 2024 convention, scheduled for July 15 through 18.

Note: The information below was updated on August 20, after Asa Hutchinson said he had qualified. The polling averages were also updated to include a CBS/YouGov poll released that morning.

Tuesday is also the Mississippi Primary. Live Results >> 

Ohio Constitutional Amendment

Ohio voters will be deciding Issue 1 on Tuesday. It is an amendment to the State Constitution.

If 'Yes' wins, the amendment is passed. If 'No' wins, the Constitution is unchanged.

Polls close at 7:30 PM Eastern Time.

Tuesday is primary day in Mississippi.  The GOP primary for Lieutenant Governor looks like the most interesting race we're following. Overview and results below.

Ohio Issue 1:  Separately, voters in Ohio will vote on an amendment to the State Constitution. It is drawing a lot of attention. See our separate article for more information and live results. 

Mississippi Primary

Polls close at 8:00 PM Eastern Time. In primaries where no candidate gets a majority, the top two finishers will have a runoff on August 29.

Winners will advance to the November 7 general election.

Governor

This past Thursday, Republican Rep. Dan Bishop (NC-08) announced he was running for North Carolina Attorney General in 2024. He becomes a credible candidate for a position held by Democrats for all but a few months of the past 120 years.^{1 1}Republican James Carson, Jr. was appointed by fellow GOP Gov. James Holhouser, Jr. after Democrat Robert Morgan resigned in August, 1974. He lost a special election later that year to Democrat Rufus Edmisten.

That brings to 13 the number of current members not seeking reelection to the House next year. All but two are seeking another office, with ten running for U.S. Senate. Bishop is the only announced departure seeking a different office. Not included in the 13 is Utah District 2 Rep. Chris Stewart (R), who is resigning effective September 15.

Six Democratic and four Republican-held seats are considered 'safe' for the incumbent party in 2024. The other three seats, held by Democrats, have varying levels of competitiveness.