Election News

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Tuesday that she will not seek reelection in 2024. The decision was widely anticipated, so much so that two U.S. House Democrats have been in the race to succeed her for several weeks, with a third member expected to announce later this month.  

Each of us was sent here to solve problems. That’s what I’ve done for the last 30 years, and that’s what I plan to do for the next two years. My thanks to the people of California for allowing me to serve them.https://t.co/J1DTR8kNP2

— Senator Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) February 14, 2023

Feinstein, 89, has served in the Senate for over 30 years, winning a special election in 1992 over Republican John Seymour. Seymour had been appointed by Gov. Pete Wilson, who had resigned from the Senate after he defeated - wait for it - Dianne Feinstein in the 1990 gubernatorial election. 

Seymour was the last California Republican to serve in the U.S. Senate, and that likely won't change with Feinstein's departure. 

Democratic Reps. Katie Porter (CA-47) and Adam Schiff (CA-30) have already declared. Their colleague, Barbara Lee (CA-12) is expected to launch her bid later this month. Schiff has the backing of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is entering the 2024 presidential race, becoming the first prominent Republican challenger to former President Donald Trump.

Her campaign released a launch video:

This Tuesday, we're tracking three special elections in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Polls close at 8:00 PM Eastern Time.

Democrats appeared to gain control by gaining ten seats in the 2022 elections, giving the party a narrow 102-101 partisan edge. However, all three Pittsburgh-area seats were previously held by Democrats, so the vacancies gave the GOP a temporary 101-99 margin. This complicated organizational efforts when the new House was seated last month.

While it seems somewhat unlikely given the partisan lean of these districts, Republicans can gain control by winning one of these three special elections. 

Cook Political Report is out with its initial look at the 2024 elections for the House of Representatives. Subscribers can read the full analysis by David Wasserman.

Republicans start with a narrow 222-213 margin, setting the stage for another competitive battle for control. The initial ratings show 203 safe or likely Republican seats vs. 190 for Democrats. That leaves 42 highly competitive districts, including 20 pure toss-ups.

Wasserman notes that Republicans "have history on their side: despite the House flipping partisan control five times since 1994, it hasn't flipped in a presidential cycle since 1952." An additional benefit to the party may come if another redistricting takes place in North Carolina and Ohio, "where temporary maps were used for the 2022 cycle by court order. In both states, Republicans captured state supreme court majorities in November, potentially allowing GOP-led legislatures to pass fresh gerrymanders for 2024." 

This Tuesday, we're tracking six legislative special elections, including two runoffs. Four of these are in Georgia, with one each in Mississippi and Pennsylvania.

Georgia

Polls close at 7:00 PM Eastern Time. 

State Senate District 11

Republicans hold a 32-23 majority over Democrats in the Georgia State Senate. Members serve two-year terms, with the next regular elections in 2024.

Republicans dominate the Tennessee State House, holding 75 of 99 seats. There are 23 Democrats along with one vacancy. Members serve two-year terms, with the next regular elections in November, 2024.

District 86 is in the far western part of the state, including portions of Memphis. Democrat Barbara Cooper died at 93 in October, 2022. She was posthumously reelected in November by a 73% to 27% margin over an independent challenger. Cooper had served in the House since 1996.

Ten candidates are on the Democratic primary ballot to succeed Cooper. This includes Cooper's daughter, Tanya.

The 2024 Senate Interactive Map is now live. There are 34 seats up in 2024 - including a special election in Nebraska - of which 23 are held by Democrats or independents currently associated with the party.

Democrats hold the majority, controlling 51 of 100 seats as the 118th Congress gets underway. For Republicans to retake control in 2025, they will need a net gain of two seats or one seat along with a victory in the 2024 presidential election.

Independents: The Senate's three independents are up for election in 2024. Along with the usual major party options, the 2024 map allows you to choose an independent in Arizona, Maine, and Vermont. A set of purple gradients is used. Separately, you can elect how to count each independent for purposes of determining the party in control.

Four legislative special elections - three in Virginia, and one in Mississippi - are being contested Tuesday, January 10.

Polls close at 7:00 PM in Virginia and 8:00 PM in Mississippi (all times Eastern).

Virginia State Senate District 7

Michigan Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow will not seek a fifth term in 2024, she announced Thursday. 

Inspired by a new generation of leaders, I have decided to pass the torch in the U.S. Senate. I am announcing today that I will not seek re-election and will leave the U.S. Senate at the end of my term on January 3, 2025.

Read my full statement:https://t.co/qYJE6lyRJ3 pic.twitter.com/Fq659Aevs0

— Sen. Debbie Stabenow (@SenStabenow) January 5, 2023

Stabenow is the second Senator to retire this cycle, joining Republican Mike Braun, who is running for Indiana governor.

Inside Election's Erin Covey has this overview of who might try to succeed Stabenow. Covey notes that "it’s likely to be one of the top races in the country for the entire cycle, with the presidential race at the top of the ballot having an impact on the Senate winner."

The 2024 Senate Map

Georgia kicks off the 2023 special election calendar Tuesday. Republican David Ralston, the powerful long-time House Speaker, died in November, shortly after announcing he would be stepping down from that role due to health issues. 

House District 7 is in a very conservative part of North Georgia. That is reflected on the special election ballot, where five Republicans are looking to succeed Ralston. The candidates include his widow, Sheree. If no candidate gets a majority of the vote, the top two finishers will meet in a January 31 runoff.

Polls close at 7:00 PM Eastern Time.