The following stories are examples of this week's Election Roundup of 93 down ticket stories covering Sunday 10/30 through Saturday 11/5
(WI-Sen) Breaking WI SEN: How Loans to Self Allowed U.S. Senator Ron Johnson to Avoid Millions in Taxes By Jud Lounsbury
Wisconsin has been abuzz the last few days with news that its Republican U.S. Senator, Ron Johnson, avoided paying taxes by basing a company that he partly owns in Ireland. It turns out this isn't RoJo's first rodeo. In 2004, Johnson was the sole owner of Pacur LLC. As such, he decided to write a check to himself between $1 million and $5 million—we only know the range because of the loose format of the Senate Financial Disclosure Form. In 2007, Johnson got out the checkbook again and wrote another seven-figure check to himself in the $1 million to $5 million range.
(ND-At Large) Not only do I want to vote for Chase Iron Eyes for Congress, I now want to move to North Dakota. By Zen Trainer
ND-AT Large — Chase Iron Eyes — it’s hard for me to put into words why it’s so important for him to be a member of my Fantasy Congress. He has what I call, a gentleness, about him. Cara Currie Hall, describes him as “a young old man”. I want him in the Native American faction and environment faction of my dream Congress. His solid foundation of Sioux principles gives him a deep love of the land from a global perspective.
I traveled to North Carolina to help monitor votes, but ended up canvassing. Here is my expperience By Gideon
I am an attorney in NYC and my wife (also an attorney) and I just returned from a trip to North Carolina. We went to Wilmington, intending to monitor the vote there (a role I did years ago on election day in Pennsylvania). But by the time we arrived, another attorney reported that he had been to various locations and things were so quiet and uneventful that he decided he could be more useful canvassing, especially in certain other areas. So that is what we all did.
Sunday 10/30 through Saturday 11/5
Stories: (93)
Senate: (16) posts, (11) states
House: (37) posts, (17) states, (20) districts
State, Local and More: (20)
Tools and Voting (17)
General (3)
Total Rescues since 2006 (12,978)
Welcome to Election Roundup, formerly known as “Election Diary Rescue.” Look for this down ticket collection every Monday through the election. The Roundup team has compiled, described and linked down ticket diaries since 2006. Archives
Election Roundup shines a light on candidates and issues that might otherwise be missed. It gives quick access to races and hopefully encourages people to write about contests that interest them, knowing their stories will get additional exposure on the Front Page.
Format and Tags
Writers can help the ER team by identifying the race in the title like this:
(NY-Sen) (FL-14) (GA-Gov). Using the "Elections" tag is also helpful and keep in mind that your first sentence or two is what we like to use in the description of your story when we can. This service is strictly for down ticket stories.
This edition of Election Roundup was made possible by the following: Carolina On My Mind, eeff, Jax Dem, Joieau, pittgreg, pucklady, randallt and ZenTrainer. Special thanks to Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse for publicity.
*NOTE: Please look for our final edition this Friday,11/11, covering Sunday through Wednesday of election week.
Thank you for reading and writing!
Senate
(FL-Sen) Why I am not voting for Marco Rubio. By PSadlon
We elected him for one job and he has not been there for a majority of it and as far as can tell he has not called in sick for most of the votes he has missed. Most of us would have gotten fired for that and not had the benefit of a guaranteed pension, no matter how large or small it would be. That he cannot be there for the job we elected him to do is the top reason I will not vote for him again. He forfeited his job by just not doing it.
(FL-Sen) Miami Paper: Marco Rubio Lived in Cocaine Stash House in 1985 By Sem Dem
Now comes a new revelation that the Miami New Times discovered reviewing previously unreported testimony in a mountain of court papers. Univision learned about Rubio’s family ties to the drug trade back in 2011; however, Rubio has consistently denied he knew anything about it.
Illinois Republican Sen. Mark’s Kirk’s recent racist slur against Democratic challenger Tammy Duckworth’s ancestry has cost him the endorsements of the Human Rights Campaign, a leading gay rights organization, and the Americans for Responsible Solutions, the anti-gun violence political action committee founded by former congresswoman Gabby Giffords.
On behalf of the newsletter Howey Politics and local TV station WTHR, Republican pollster Public Opinion Strategies once again takes a look at Indiana’s two major statewide contests, and they give Team Red their best numbers ever in the state’s Senate race. Republican Todd Young posts a 46-41 lead over Democrat Evan Bayh, a big change from the 42-41 Bayh edge POS found one month ago in the last Howey/WTHR poll.
In what appears to be a first for us, a campaign TV spot is citing us as a source. We recently took issue with a commercial run by attorney Caroline Fayard against Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, a fellow Democrat, in the Louisiana Senate race.
(MO-Sen) Senator Roy Blunt's cozy relationship with the for-profit colleges accused of ripping off students By Jen Hayden
GOP incumbent Roy Blunt takes a lot of cash from shady educational organizations, including ITT Tech. Enough is enough. It’s time to help Sen. Blunt transition to his job on K Street. Click below to learn how to help elect veteran Jason Kander to represent Missouri in the United States Senate
(NC-Sen) Obama rakes Richard Burr & Donald Trump over the coals during his UNC speech By Lefty Coaster
After Richard Burr’s reprehensible comment at a campaign event suggesting a bullseye should be on Hillary’s image, and Burr dis-inviting a Raleigh newspaper from covering his events, President Obama slammed Burr and Trump during a campaign rally today at UNC.
(NC-Sen) Another GOP Senator Vows To Neuter Supreme Court As GOP Continues To Subvert Our Democracy By m2c4
Most of the press has leapt on Richard Burr's comments about seeing a gun magazine with Hillary Clinton's image on the cover and being surprised there was no target on it.
(NH-Sen) Kelly Ayotte and the Super PAC Shell Game By TiffanyMuller
A pro-Kelly Ayotte Super PAC called “Granite State Solutions” is in the midst of a whopping $25 million ad campaign full of misleading attacks on Maggie Hassan. But the group that’s really behind the bulk of the ads isn’t from the Granite State, and neither are its donors. In fact, Granite State Solutions has received slightly more than $2 million from individuals – and not a single dime from New Hampshire residents.
(NJ-Sen) More groups get involved in the Wisconsin Senate race, but no one's spending like it's tight yet By Jeff Singer
On Friday, Senate Majority PAC raised eyebrows when they announced that they would spend $2 million to help Democrat Russ Feingold in the Wisconsin Senate race. With polls consistently showing Republican incumbent Ron Johnson down, both parties have largely stayed out of this race.
(NV-Sen) CNN Poll in NV Trump +6 Heck +3...Ralston says no By biglog
As a matter of fact he says the poll is bizzaro…let’s start with Heck. CNN has him winning Clark County by +1, according to Ralston if that was the case Heck would actually be up by 6-7%.
(PA-Sen) PA Poll: Hillary up 4, McGinty up 3 in just released Monmouth Poll By mconvente
Clinton 48 (-2) - Trump 44 (+4), McGinty 47 - Toomey 44. Poll taken Oct 29-Nov 1, so roughly at Peak Comey. I don’t think Toomey has hit 50% in ~2 months, if even any times. He’s always been stuck in the 40s, sometimes high, more times mid and low.
(WI-Sen) Breaking WI SEN: How Loans to Self Allowed U.S. Senator Ron Johnson to Avoid Millions in Taxes By Jud Lounsbury
Wisconsin has been abuzz the last few days with news that its Republican U.S. Senator, Ron Johnson, avoided paying taxes by basing a company that he partly owns in Ireland. It turns out this isn't RoJo's first rodeo. In 2004, Johnson was the sole owner of Pacur LLC. As such, he decided to write a check to himself between $1 million and $5 million—we only know the range because of the loose format of the Senate Financial Disclosure Form. In 2007, Johnson got out the checkbook again and wrote another seven-figure check to himself in the $1 million to $5 million range.
(WI-Sen) WI Senate Race Tightens with Flood of Last Minute Ads against Russ Feingold By EXPOSEDbyCMD
Wednesday's Marquette Law School Poll says the race between U.S. Senator Ron Johnson and challenger Russ Feingold has tightened. That poll, which gives Hillary Clinton a comfortable lead, 46 to 40, over Donald Trump has Feingold at 45 percent to 44 percent for Johnson.
(WI-Sen) Two polls give Russ Feingold small leads as Democrats spend another $1.5 million to help him By Jeff Singer
One week after the Democratic group Senate Majority PAC announced that they would spend $2 million in the Wisconsin Senate race, Politico reports that they’ve added another $1.5 million for the final days.
(Var-Sen) Hassan, Cortez Masto, Kander, Ross, Bayh, McGinty: Put Your Money In These Races. By RobRoy2
Dr. Wang has spoken. Heed him: “Remember I said that a Clinton Meta-Margin of +3% is the breakeven point for a Democratic Senate? That’s just about where the race is. Either party could easily end up in control – things are on a knife edge.”
House
(AZ-01) Phone Banking in Arizona CD 01 By ramara
Those of you who phone bank know that most calls get answering machines or people who don’t want to talk to you. These days I get some people saying “We’re not Democrats” or “We already voted.” Yesterday I spoke to a 21-year-old who isn’t interested in voting at all. (I went all grandmotherly on him, but don’t think he changed his mind.) But yesterday I had one of those calls that stands out.
(CA-17) Rep Mike Honda sues challenger in Federal Court, local media misrepresents #CA17 By remembrance
A MoveOn petition calling on the San Jose Mercury News to withdraw their endorsement of Ro Khanna was started on September 25th by my husband and me. The Mercury News has consistently disparaged Congressman Mike Honda’s reputation in favor of a candidate whose momentum in this race is built on the 'alleged' stolen data and donor lists belonging to Mike Honda for Congress, and the local media’s consistent barrage to dismantle the Congressman’s reputation.
(CA-17) Breaking in #CA17: Email Reveals Possible $50 Million Attempted Bribery by Khanna Campaign By Glen The Plumber
In what can only be described as attempted bribery, it appears Ro Khanna’s Campaign Chair, Steve Spinner sought to elicit a Hillary Clinton endorsement with an offer of over $50 million in possible donations to national races. In the 5/14/15 email to Hillary Clinton Campaign Chair, John Podesta, Spinner implied if Khanna could get Hillary’s endorsement it could “convince [Rep. Mike] Honda to retire & pass the baton to Ro.” According to Spinner, Khanna’s “tech and South Asian donors” would be “inspired to give big once Ro wins” pledging they “can be a source of at least $50 million for the Democratic Party in national races.”
(CA-17) Iranian-American Community Leaders Come Out Strong for Rep. Mike Honda #CA17 By Glen The Plumber
Bay Area Iranian-Americans and Asian Americans gathered Tuesday night to show their support for Democratic Congressman Mike Honda. While some were upset by the questionable circumstances that led to the recent endorsement of Honda’s opponent Ro Khanna by the Bay Area Iranian-American Democratic Club (BAIAD,) most wanted to celebrate someone they considered a friend to their communities.
(CA-23) CSGOPOTD: Kevin McCarthy- 2016 Update By republicinsanity
It was one year ago that “Crazy/Stupid Republican of the Day posted its first profile of Kevin McCarthy, the current U.S. House Representative from California’s 23rd District, who has served for it since 2007, and the man who was supposed to be the heir-apparent to become Speaker of the House after the resignation of John Boehner, until he botched his debut taking the spotlight by boasting about how he had done a great job as one of the Republicans who started the Benghazi hearings which had successfully driven down Hillary Clinton’s poll numbers… which gave away the game the GOP were playing for three years with the topic.
(CA-44) 149,623 to 474 By RLMiller
Money from small-dollar donors, from October 1 to October 19, 2016: Nanette Barragán-$149,623 – Isadore Hall $474. Unfortunately, Isadore Hall is still outspending Nanette Barragán, relying on campaign cash from big polluters to fund deceptive ads. When the oil companies saw that their favorite California state legislator Isadore Hall might not have a chance to jump up to Congress, they funded an outside PAC, the ironically named “California Progress Coalition.” And the PAC is pouring money into deceptive mailers — $30,610 last week, then another $27,411 on Sunday.
(CA-49) Doug Applegate is a retired Marine colonel -- who supports single-payer and might finish off Issa By Cocob
After a late September poll showed Applegate leading Issa 46-42, the race was highlighted nationally when President Obama called Issa “Trump before Trump,” holding him up as a prime example of how dysfunctional and dishonest the House GOP has become. This after Issa produced an especially mendacious campaign mailer portraying himself as Obama’s bipartisan partner.
(CA-49) Darrell Issa is in so much trouble he's claiming he'd advise Hillary Clinton if she asked By Laura Clawson
Darrell Issa is desperate, and a desperate Darrell shows just how hilariously dishonest he’s willing to be.
(CO-06) GOP Incumbent in CO-06, Who Tries to Run and Hide From Trump, Supports Deportation Force Policies By Xavier Becerra
Whoever says that voters aren't energized isn't going into the battlegrounds like CO-06. From everything I can tell, a big reason why turnout seems to be so high is promising Latino turnout levels, especially in the 6th district where Morgan Carroll is on the cusp of defeating the Republican incumbent. In the Denver suburbs like Aurora, I saw volunteers on phones and door canvassing -- a good sign with six days to go. People evidently remember Morgan's courageous days in the Colorado Statehouse, where she fought for lower college tuition, veterans' benefits and campaign finance reform.
(FL-03) Ken McGurn … I know what he can do and has done! He touches and saves lives! By Vetwife
I know what Ken McGurn is about. I knew him 25 years ago. I knew one of his best friends and associates very well. His buddy’s name is William Munselle and Bill was one of my best bosses ever. Ken McGurn and my former Boss were both president of the Gainesville Apartment Association. Both have been politically active together. I would dare say that I am politically active this very day because of what I have learned from this man, directly and through my boss. I have spoken to Ken and his campaign since he threw his hat in the ring challenging do nothing Yoho for the 3rd district congressional seat.
(NC-09) Cano runs against Trump pal in NC9th. By ZenTrainer
This is the guy we need. Christian and his family live in South Charlotte. Christian has family who have called North Carolina home since 1862. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Christian attended Texas Christian University and has traveled America over the past 20 years as a hotel manager and hospitality consultant, specializing in re-branding and opening hotels. Christian’s clients have included many of America’s major private and public hotel management companies. Christian has been credited for developing the WoW-Zone training program in the late 90s.
(ND-At Large) Not only do I want to vote for Chase Iron Eyes for Congress, I now want to move to North Dakota. By Zen Trainer
ND-AT Large — Chase Iron Eyes — it’s hard for me to put into words why it’s so important for him to be a member of my Fantasy Congress. He has what I call, a gentleness, about him. Cara Currie Hall, describes him as “a young old man”. I want him in the Native American faction and environment faction of my dream Congress. His solid foundation of Sioux principles gives him a deep love of the land from a global perspective.
(NV-04) With friends like Paul Ryan, who needs enemas? By Murfster35
Crescent Hardy is in deep trouble. He’s locked in a tight race for his seat in Nevada against Democrat Ruben Kihuen, a State Senator looking for a promotion. Hardy’s seat has long been flagged as “vulnerable” by the DNC, and as a result both the DCCC And the Super PAC’s have been all in with advertising dollars, and they have done a wonderful job of tying Trump around Hardy’s neck like an anchor. If you’re Cresent Hardy, it’s time for the cavalry.
(NY-19) "Why dKos hasn’t endorse Teachout I simply can’t understand." By Idontknowwhy
Was the question raised in response to a recent diary endorsing a truly “more and better” democrat running for congress in NY-19. It’s a tossup district in which Obama, Warren, Sanders and NY senator Schumer among many others have endorsed Zepher Teachout for congress…dKos has come out in support of many “good and better” Democrats. The question remains, why hasn’t dKos come out in support of Teachout in a tossup seat when it has been obvious that she needs and deserves our support.
(NY-19) NY Times Endorses Zephyr Teachout! By xaxnar
The New York Times has a list of endorsements in New York and New Jersey races, and one of their picks is Fordham Law Professor Zephyr Teachout. Her Republican opponent is a long-time figure in New York politics: John Faso.
NY-19 is one of those swing districts that Democrats must win to have any chance of recapturing the House majority.
NY-19 is a Hudson Valley/Catskills district that includes all of Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster counties, and part of Broome, Dutchess, Montgomery and Rensselaer counties. In the only presidential election since this district was redrawn, Obama won it by 6.2 percent.
(OH-01) A Down Ballot swim in a warm swirling caldron of GOP Hate Mailers By Spoonamore
I am running down ballot for Ohio State House. District 1. Wayne County Ohio. My district is Midway between Columbus and Cleveland. I am not a Democrat. I am an Independent. My politics sit somewhere between Bernie, Mike Bloomberg and Dwight Eisenhower.
(PA-08, PA-16, +) Everything Depends on the Suburbs—Watch These Counties By ncec1948
Suburban districts have always been regarded as the battlegrounds in American politics. As demographic trends have created more diverse suburban areas lying just outside the densely populated urban corridors, exurban areas have become more competitive. In many cases, exurbs are the new suburbs of the 21st century. As the election nears, exurban and suburban counties will have an even larger impact on the scale of the potential Democratic victory.
(TN-06) Why it's important to defeat Diane Black By Nova Land
Diane Black was elected to congress in 2010 and has been one of its worst Tea Party members in the years since. I am writing this diary to ask Kossacks, please, help get word out about David Kent, her Democratic opponent in Tennessee's 6th district.
Voters are turning out in record numbers in Texas. This is the Democrat's best opportunity in decades to unseat obnoxious Tea Party Incumbents. Shirley McKellar needs help paying for TV Ads to draw folks to the polls to vote for her and for Hillary!
Ya know, one thing you can say for Republicans these days, they’re rewriting the dictionary definition of bone stupid. In a party being run into the ground by a Presidential candidate who has pioneered the concept of a Twitter account as a method of self destruction, you’d think they’d be careful about what they put out on social media. But apparently at least some of them didn’t get the memo on that one. One of them is Jason Chaffetz of Utah. The Democratic Coalition Against Trump has filed a complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics requesting an investigation. Why?
VA-07 Brat Leads the Trump/Freedom Caucus to Oust Ryan as Speaker By VAyellowdog
Brat has again proved his allegiance to Donald Trump and the Freedom Caucus at the expense of his VA-7 district and the American people.
VA-07 Dave Brat: Extreme on Guns By JamesRiverMaven
Too late for this legislative session but in time to try to satisfy his base, Dave Brat has published an article in the Conservative Review sounding the false alarm—they’re coming for your guns.
Brat has again proved his allegiance to Donald Trump and the Freedom Caucus at the expense of his VA-7 district and the American people. Here we go again tying up Congress and working to shut down the government when the Continuing Budget Resolution expires on December 7, but in addition this time giving Trump his revenge for Ryan’s “disloyalty”.
The Diarist has some endorsements for Eileen Bedell. SEN. MARK WARNER, SENIOR SENATOR FROM VIRGINIA: “A Central Virginian for nearly 20 years, Eileen Bedell knows Virginians want someone to represent them in Congress who has the proven ability to bring people together to fix the critical challenges facing our country. Eileen will work to end the gridlock in Congress and make government more efficient, so I am pleased to endorse Eileen Bedell for Congress.”
By JamesRiverMaven
As reported by Aleurophile (Please go to the original article for comments, etc. and thank you!): Great news out of Virginia: the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and the Democratic Party of Virginia (DPVA) have teamed up to help finance Eileen Bedell’s campaign to oust David Brat from his 7th District seat in Congress.
(VA-07) The choice: Eileen Bendell or Donald Brat & Dave Trump …er, Dave Brump/Donald Trat? Hmph. VA-7 By JamesWNewton
That Dave Brat is a bum of a congressman is pretty clear. The articles on DK and throughout the web are too numerous to pick out one or two here — but there’s a list below if you’re interested, and trust me, it’s worth grabbing some popcorn and taking them in.
(VA-07) Fantastic News!! Eileen Bedell Poised to Turn VA-7 Blue By Aleurophile
Great news out of Virginia: the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and the Democratic Party of Virginia (DPVA) have teamed up to help finance Eileen Bedell’s campaign to oust David Brat from his 7th District seat in Congress.
(VA-07) Brat’s Hidden Anti-Immigrant Agenda Includes Legal Immigrants By Ockams Razur
In preparation for this election cycle Tea Party favorite Dave Brat teed up a series of anti-immigrant bills. These bills purported to be penalizing undocumented aliens. But immigrants, legal and undocumented, have been his target since he first arrived in Congress.
(VA-07) BREAKING NEWS: VA-7 competitive! By Aleurophile
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and the Democratic Party of Virginia (DPVA) have teamed up to help finance Eileen Bedell’s campaign to oust David Brat from his 7th District seat in Congress.
(VA-10) @BarbaraComstock (R-#VA10): Following Letter, Violating Spirit, of the Law? By A Siegel
In the waning days of the increasingly tight campaign in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, far-right-wing Republican Representative Barbara Comstock‘s office sent out unsolicited mail. Comstock’s mass mailing appeared to violate House Franking Rules and appeared to be potentially violation of the US Code. In short, to avoid use of taxpayer resources in political campaigning, the rules prohibit unsolicited (mass) mailings within 90 days of an election from a Congressional Office.
(VA-10) LuAnn Bennett: Showing Us Some Moves In Virginia's 10th District By CrimsonQuillfeather
Virginia’s Tenth Congressional District is having a rip roaring race. It’s been so good that Larry Sabato raised LuAnn Bennett’s chances. What does LuAnn Bennett want to do for the 10th? In this lovely interview in The Loudon Times, Bennett shows that she has real policies she wants to put in place, real ideas she’s working with. Also, she hits it totally right, in saying that the pay gap is a family issue, not a partisan one.
(WI-01) WI 1st Congressional District: Ryan Stolen vs. Paul Ryan By Bluegirl2
Living in Wisconsin, we have a very important race that is not being talked about or taken very seriously. It’s between Speaker Paul Ryan and Ryan Solen (D) 1st Congressional District. Ryan Solen is running without a SuperPac, uses his own money, he’s not rich, and his donations come from his supporters and the Democratic Party of WI. He also hasn’t gotten proper recognition. There are several articles in local newspapers that could be found online for your reading pleasure.
(WA-05) McMorris Trump Rodgers"Didn't Respond or Attend" a Very very Long List of Candidate Forums in WA-05 By peagreen
The diarist quotes from Pakootas for Congress website the post regarding the very long list of forums that McMorris Rodgers avoided was too busy for. So so very busy hosting a meeting with Trump or having another meeting with Trump or or raising loads of money for the RNC because of Trump or meeting with Ivanka Trump, McMorris Rodgers has no time to meet with people who maybe, might, could, possibly consider voting for Joe Pakootas instead of her.
McMorris Rodgers’ tweet when the news broke about the outrageous Comey letter.
A very recent letter for the ages to a constituent of McMorris Rodgers’: Thank you for contacting my congressional office. It is an honor to represent the people of Eastern Washington and I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts with me. I appreciate your willingness to participate in the political process. However House ethic rules prohibit me from utilizing congressional resources to comment on your specific concerns. I want you to know that although I have publicly said I support Donald Trump’s candidacy, I unequivocally condemned his statements about making unwanted advances toward women. It is never appropriate to make or condone unwanted sexual advances or commit violence against women.
(WA-05) Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world… By peagreen
I know people want to know how the campaign is doing, what’s the polling say- I don’t know the answers other than to say I see an angry , desperate, misrepresenting, unresponsive congressperson who avoids constituents, and supports Donald Trump as a woman, a mother of a Down Syndrome child and wife of a veteran. I keep writing because I know how bad McMorris Rodgers is for our district and the country. I have written a lot about Joe Pakootas and his team so I want to share this message I received today from Joe-“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead. This quote is keeping us going today, only 6 days to go!
State, Local and More
(AZ-MaricopaSheriff, LA-Sen) Want to hit Arpaio, Trump and David Duke with a sandal? Thanks to Bazta Arpaio, now you can By TealBomb
Bop the Bigot, is a new online game where users are invited to bop Donald Trump, Sheriff Arpaio, and David Duke, the former Ku Klux Klan leader running for U.S. Senate in Louisiana, with a chancla (sandal).
(CA-Berkeley Mayor) Berkeley voters: Bernie Endorses Jesse Arreguín for Mayor - a true, tested progressive By pixxer
Berkeley has the opportunity to return to progressive leadership this year, with the election of Jesse Arreguín for mayor. It is gratifying to see that Bernie Sanders is paying attention and has chosen the Berkeley mayoral race as one of the 100 nationwide local races in which he has made an endorsement.
(CA-State & LA County Ballot Issue) Your progressive guide to the Los Angeles & California ballot - November 2016 By LAForward
Looking for a reliable, well-researched, and comprehensive guide to the 25+ props on the Los Angeles and California ballot? You’re in luck. A group of us young progressive leaders in Los Angeles came together and created a guide that reflects our shared progressive values.
(CA-Richmond Measure L) Richmond California progressives have high hopes for Rent Stabilization proposition November 8th By gbambo
The proposition promises much needed economic stimulus. Measure L would enable thousands of families to start saving again, help send kids to college, and increase spending at local businesses,, broadening the middle class.
(FL-Amendment 1) Floridians want more solar in the Sunshine State- Vote NO on Amendment 1 By Mary Anne Hitt
In this tense election season, some of the important ballot measures happening in states and cities nationwide might not have made it onto your radar, but there are some important ones to watch. One of the biggest fights is taking place in Florida, where anti-solar utilities have proposed a very tricky and confusing measure called Amendment 1, which appears to be pro-solar but would actually make solar power more expensive and harder for the average person to install on their home or business.
(FL-Amendment 1) Amendment 1 Florida is Deceptive! Don't Fall For It! By Ismay
Here’s a cool chart showing who is funding the “solar amendment”. They aren’t doing it because they want solar power.
(FL-StH21) Wheeler for Florida State House, District 21. By ZenTrainer
In her own words in three videos.
(IA-St. Senate) Koch Cash Working to Flip the Senate in Iowa By EXPOSEDbyCMD
The billionaire Koch brothers are seeking to make Iowa the next Republican state government trifecta with a late influx of cash into races. While the national press has focused on the fact that the Kochs are not playing in the presidential, too little attention has been paid to their ramped up activities in the states. The GOP holds the governorship and both state houses of 23 states. Since Republican Governor Terry Brandstad will not face election for another two years, the Iowa GOP’s goal is to hold the House and flip the Senate by gaining three seats. Federal Elections Committee (FEC) filings from Koch Industries, Inc. Political Action Committee (KochPAC) detail how the Kochs are aiding them in their quest.
(KY-St. House) Kentucky House Preview: A Swan Song for the Democratic Party? By GradyDem
In a few weeks, voters will go to the polls to determine which party will control the Kentucky House of Representatives. The Democrats have controlled the chamber since 1921, and are clinging to a 53-47 majority over the Republicans. The stakes for this election could not be higher. If Republicans gain the chamber, experts predict that they will pass a number of anti-abortion bills, repeal the prevailing wage, implement right to work and implement Matt Bevin’s conservative budget reforms (including cuts to education and changes to the state pension system).
(MI-Detroit Ballot Issue) Detroit: Yes on A, No on B: Gloria Rivera (English and Spanish) and Bill Hickey before City Council By 2thanks
Competing proposals in Detroit could establish community benefit agreements: Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) provide a tool to help ensure that public investments have a true community benefit, rather than only benefiting powerful and private development interests. CBAs engage residents in the decision-making process, and includes a legally binding contract that holds the developer accountable to the agreement. CBAs are win-win solution for both the developers and the community. (About the Community Benefits Ordinance — Rise Together Detroit)
(MI-Detroit Prop A) Detroit needs Proposal A because trickle down does not work by Alonso del Arte
When a developer gets major taxpayer dollars for a big construction project, the community gets major benefits out of it, right? It should be commonsense. That’s not always the case in Detroit.
(NC-HD-02) CSGOPTD: Michael Speciale- 2016 Update By republicinsanity
It was one year ago that “Crazy/Stupid Republican of the Day posted its first profile of Michael Speciale, a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives who has not just supported some of the most extreme legislation the North Carolina GOP has sent to the desk of Gov. Pat McCrory, but as a freshman lawmaker back in 2013, sent out an e-mail accusing William Barber, the head of the North Carolina NAACP of being “racist” and a “race opportunist” because Barber had pointed out how Voter ID legislation in North Carolina was being used to suppress the vote of minorities (and some Republicans have even been callous enough to admit this.)
(NY-StSen) NYS Senate Races to Watch: Eight Days to Go. by Disastermarch17
The diarist does a district-by-district rundown of the candidates for competitive races in New York State Senate. “Here’s an update to my previous post. This post will focus on the tossup races. For those looking for the Senate maps, they can be found here. More information on the demographics of the districts can be found here”.
(SD-StHouse) Paula Hawks gets a late media boost in South Dakota. By Murfster35
...while people tune out the t.v., they still read newspapers. And Paula Hawks, running for the House in South Dakota just got a nice late boost. An ARTICLE on KDLT.com chronicles her early life and the things that shaped her to get into politics from being a high school teacher. The article does a wonderful job of personalizing her;
(SD-Measure 22) Kochs Battle Dark Money Disclosure in South Dakota by EXPOSEDbyCMD
The Koch network has mobilized in South Dakota to defeat the “South Dakota Accountability and Anti-Corruption Act,” a state-wide initiative on the ballot November 8. The anti-corruption measure, Initiated Measure 22 or IM-22, was launched by a bipartisan group called the South Dakotans for Integrity and put on the ballot with signatures from over 20,000 state residents.
(VA-Mayor) Richmond Mayoral Candidate Joe Morrissey may be the most awful candidate in America By Jeff Singer
Ex-state Del. Joe Morrissey, an independent who has led in the few polls we’ve seen for mayor of Richmond, Virginia, was already one of the most despicable candidates anywhere in America.
(VT-Gov) - [VT-GOV] Meet Bill Lee, the anti-Curt Schilling By Randolph06
So a former Red Sox All-Star pitcher has activated from the fringes in 2016. But instead of bilking the tax payer's of Rhode Island, the guy I’m talking about settled in Vermont to farm. Bill Lee pitched for the Red Sox and Montreal Expos in the 70s and 80s, and decided to land, as he has put it, halfway between his two favorite bars. Aside from baseball and farming, Lee is also an author and subject of both documentary and dramatic films.
(WI-StAss.75) Comic Relief: WI GOP Rep Plays Himself By lufthase
It started when Democratic challenger Joe Huftel put out a video listing out the absurd number of far-flung wealthy, big-business, right-wing special interests propping up incumbent Romaine Quinn of Chetek.
(WV-Gov) The West Virginia governor's race remains nasty, but Republican Bill Cole has little money left by Jeff Singer
While Democrat Jim Justice is the wealthiest man in West Virginia, GOP gubernatorial rival Bill Cole actually held much more money in his campaign war chest at the end of September. However, it seems that Cole is running on fumes heading into the final week.
My 2016 Ballot Measures Preview By JGibson
With the election coming up in a few days, here is my previews on the ballot measures and referendums that Americans will be voting on Tuesday (or earlier if you already have done so).
Tools and Voting
(NC-Poll Watchers) Poll Watchers Needed in LEE County, North Carolina ASAP By dlm76
Can the folks in this largely Hispanic & African-American area request assistance from the feds? This should not be happening in the United States!
I traveled to North Carolina to help monitor votes, but ended up canvassing. Here is my expperience By Gideon
I am an attorney in NYC and my wife (also an attorney) and I just returned from a trip to North Carolina. We went to Wilmington, intending to monitor the vote there (a role I did years ago on election day in Pennsylvania). But by the time we arrived, another attorney reported that he had been to various locations and things were so quiet and uneventful that he decided he could be more useful canvassing, especially in certain other areas. So that is what we all did.
(FL-Voting) Not So Good News - Florida Early Voting by County (as of Nov 01) - Dems Drop A Little Further Behind By Northern Pol
This will hopefully be a daily post until Election Day, including daily data from the previous day. I am trying to put some perspective to the early voting results in Florida, based on data provided to the public. All numbers come from the Florida government web site, captured this morning and updated there as of end-of-day yesterday. I am aware that this ‘hard data’ does not say what will happen going forward, and I trust that others who give reasons for expecting numbers in Florida to improve know what they are talking about.
(FL-Voting) Florida Turnout (So Far) By Region - vs. 2012 By Northern Pol
I’ve heard some differing ideas on voter turnout this year, and decided to look at Florida on a regional basis using this source as a basis for assigning counties to regions. I know it’s not any kind of official grouping, but at least someone put some thought into it. As I was preparing this, something besides pure turnout showed up, which I’ll get to shortly. Also, all data here is based on state-published registration reports produced about a month prior to the 2012 and 2016 elections, state-published election results from 2012 and state-published 2016 EV and VBM data as of end-of-day yesterday.
(FL-Voting) Good News - Florida Early Voting by County (as of Oct 30) - Dems Close Gap But Still Trail by Northern Pol
The diarist attempts to put some perspective to the early voting results in Florida, based on data provided to the public. All numbers come from the Florida government web site, captured this afternoon (after they resolved problems with data from Orange County) and updated there as of end-of-day yesterday.
(FL-Voting) Florida Early Voting Numbers for Today by Explorer8939
Those of you praying for some new Trump scandal rather than focusing on voter turnout (in the Real World) may be shocked that Trump supporters keeping on turning out - despite the Scandal Du Jour and without an actual GOTV effort from Trump.
(MD-Voting) EARLY VOTING: MD (One day left) By Suggestion For A New National Anthem
Early voted today, I normally do, it was pretty busy but there wasn’t a line. Outside I actually met Judge Truffer outside the polling place. It was all in all a pretty quick experience, waited in line maybe less than 5 minutes before going to the table to fill in the ballot.
(NC-Voting) Watching North Carolina's Voter Suppression Efforts Succeed Have Me Seeing Red By weatherdude
Though we’re surrounded by stories of the Republican Party’s systemic voter suppression efforts, most of us are (to some degree) removed from the physical effects of those laws. This year more than ever I’ve recognized my extreme privilege of being able to walk into my early polling place and walk out the door having cast my ballot with no issues. I live in the Great State of North Carolina, a true microcosm of this country and a state where the Republican Party has gone to extreme lengths to suppress the vote in an attempt to swing elections in their favor. I’ve seen first-hand the wild success of one of their efforts to commit voter suppression and it’s got me seething with anger.
(ND-Voting) North Dakota has NO voter registration!?!?! by ZenTrainer
With the whole nation, and even many parts of the world, watching with growing interest what is happening at Standing Rock, this is the perfect time for us to reach out and help North Dakota.
(ND-Voting) Rock the Indigenous Vote. Today in North Dakota. By Zen Trainer
So, lets go, let’s not miss this. Send this to your friends, and have them send it to their friends. and have their friends friend’s send it about. We can reach North Dakota and help rock the vote!
(NV-Voting) 11 AM update: Ralston on Nevada by wtpvideo
The next in the series of reports from Jon Ralston on the early voting rush in Nevada. Dems are up 15 points in Clark (it was 16 in 2012), which is a point above registration, and that firewall is going to get to 60,000-plus, unless something strange happens. I repeat: Trump appears to have no path here, but the Senate race is not quite over yet.
(NV-Voting) Early voting is looking good in southern Nevada. by Murfster35
At the Galleria mall in Henderson it was incredibly well set up, there was a roped off area with about 50 voting machines, and in front and along one side were the check in and registration desks. The line started at the check in tables, and wound along the rope line to the back and halfway around there.
(OH-Voting) Columbus OH black, Latino and Muslim vote -- what's in a name? By joeknapp
OK, this approach is a little different but I think has some validity. Surveys show that 90%+ of people with the surname Washington are black. So let’s look at the early voting rates so far for Washingtons registered in Franklin County (Columbus) Ohio & compare to the case in 2012
(TX-Voting) Texas Votes Day 9: Dia de Muertos to the Polls! By NoBlinkers
ALL the local Democratic organizations — there are too many to count, or include all of them here. We also have some amazing Kossacks involved: LibbyShaw, txjackalope (who gave me the original idea and push for this series — it wouldn’t be here without you!), txdoubledd (you have added fantastic links), MargaretPOA, ChrisLove and the Houston Kossacks who kept me going, Ken in TX and his fantastic work out in Travis County, tiredntexas for her hard work in Harris County, oldhippiedude, oceanview for the constant (needed) reminders to make the donation and volunteer links more visible (I hope I got it right) and everyone else out there who’s helped me build these diaries, links and worked to make this happen.
(TX-Voting) Texas votes BIG: counties break past 2012 totals! Texas Blue, here we come By NoBlinkers
How big have the turnouts been in TX? Well, TEXAS big. This is a case where some things ARE bigger down here...though it’s getting bigger than our britches. We’ve got 4 (!) counties out of the top 15 that have already passed their 2012 TOTAL early votes.
(TX Voting) Texas Votes Day 7: Weekend Wrapup By NoBlinkers
If you’re a TX voter, VOTE! Here is a FAQ list for you...early voting ENDS on Friday, 4 Nov. Vote early!
(TX-Voting) Texas Votes Day 8: Almost There... by NoBlinkers
If you’re a TX voter, VOTE! Here is a FAQ list for you...early voting ENDS on Friday, 4 Nov. Vote early! Even voting early, some counties are seeing lines up to an hour or two, depending on when you go. Then, if you have time take others to the polls. Voting and enthusiasm are contagious.
General
Election Day Weather Looking Great For Turnout By dge
Great news on the weather front. Looks like nice weather just about everywhere that counts next Tuesday, especially battleground states without much early voting.
Hillary News & Views 10.31: Vision, Downballot, No distractions, Get Loud By swiffy
The campaign made an appeal to voters to support national and local Democratic candidates at all levels of government.
The California ballot: Zack's Picks 2016 By Zack from the SFV
Greetings from the glamourous(?) San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, CA where the big election is fast approaching. We have a full ballot with elections for everything from POTUS and U.S. Senator to local offices and of course, the propositions. In California it is always about the propositions!
Thanks for visiting Election Roundup 2016. If you know of a story we missed, please let us know in comments or by kos mail and we’ll add it to the collection. Subject lists are edited for coverage.