This Tuesday, there are special primaries in two State House districts in Alabama. Republicans dominate that chamber, holding 75 seats, to just 27 for Democrats. There are three vacancies. Members serve four-year terms; the next regular elections are in 2026.
In these primaries, if no candidate gets a majority of the vote, the top two finishers will meet in an October 24 runoff. The special general elections are scheduled for January 9, 2024.
Polls close at 8:00 PM Eastern Time.
Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-03) said Saturday that he is running for the New Jersey U.S. Senate seat currently held by fellow Democrat, Sen. Bob Menendez. He becomes the first notable challenger to the long-time Senator, who was indicted Friday for conspiracy to commit bribery and two other related charges.
Menendez has served in the Senate since early 2006, appointed to the role by the prior officeholder, Jon Corzine (D). Corzine had resigned after being elected governor in November, 2005. Menendez was elected to his first full term in November of that year. He has since been reelected twice more.
In addition to multiple terms in the Senate, Menendez now has the distinction of being indicted more than once. That prior indictment, in 2015, ended in a mistrial in 2017.
There are four state legislative districts with special elections or primaries Tuesday. The most high-profile race is in Pennsylvania, where the State House is evenly split. A Republican win is unlikely, but should it come to pass the party will take control of the chamber.
New Hampshire State House (2 elections)
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. Members serve two year terms; the next regular elections are in 2024.
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.
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.
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.
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.
