Election News

This Tuesday, vacancies will be filled in the Iowa State House and Minnesota State Senate.

Polls in both contests close at 9:00 PM Eastern.

Minnesota State Senate District 6

Rep. Andy Barr (KY-06) announced Tuesday that he is running to succeed long-time Sen. Mitch McConnell, who is retiring at the end of this term.

The winner of next year's GOP primary will be a heavy favorite in November. Barr's entry to the race pits him against former Attorney General Daniel Cameron. Others may enter the still developing campaign.

This Tuesday, we're following three State House special elections. In Mississippi, two vacancies will be filled via runoff, while an open seat is filled in Connecticut.

Polls in all three contests close at 8:00 PM Eastern Time.

Connecticut State House District 113

Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11) announced she is running for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat in 2026. She looks to succeed fellow Democrat Gary Peters, who is retiring.

Stevens is completing her 4th term in the U.S. House. Michigan's 11th district, covering some of Detroit's more affluent northern suburbs, has trended increasingly Democratic in recent cycles. Stevens was reelected by a 19% margin in 2024.

We're following four special elections Tuesday. Voters in Oakland will elect a new mayor after the prior one was recalled. There are also legislative special contests in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Mississippi.

Oakland, California Mayor

Oakland is the 45th largest in the United States, with a population of about 436,000. That is for the city itself, not the metropolitan area.

Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Friday that she would not seek a third full term in 2026. 

Voters in St. Louis will elect a mayor on Tuesday. Polls close at 8:00 PM Eastern Time.

The city is the 76th largest in the United States, with a population of about 280,000. That is for the city itself, not the metropolitan area.

Democrat Tishaura Jones is seeking a second term in office. To achieve that, she'll need to win a rematch with alderwoman Cara Spencer, who is also a Democrat. In 2021, Jones prevailed by 52% to 48% over Spencer.

A couple U.S. House updates.

Michigan

GOP Rep. John James (MI-10) announced Monday that he will run for governor in 2026. He joins a high-profile, competitive race to succeed the state's Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

After winning their respective special elections on Tuesday, Republican Reps. Jimmy Patronis (FL-01) and Randy Fine (FL-06) were sworn in on Wednesday.

The two newest members of the GOP caucus give Speaker Mike Johnson a little more breathing room, expanding the party's partisan advantage to 220-213. 

Several high profile races highlight a busy Tuesday on the election calendar. The most important of these - with results in this article - will determine the ideological lean of the Wisconsin Supreme Court for at least the next year. Two U.S. House vacancies in Florida will also be filled. One of these has become unexpectedly competitive.

Florida Congressional Special Elections >

There is also a primary for Omaha mayor and several legislative special elections.