THE DANGER
As many of you know, I have been beating the drum about State Legislative races. Winning seats in these races is of critical importance not only to our party, but potentially to our Democratic-Republic.
It bears repeating. Republicans are only 24 state legislative seats away from controlling all state legislative bodies in 38 states. Once they hit the threshold they will have the power to change the constitution as they see fit, with nothing Democrats can do to stop them.
- reproductive rights — abolished
- marriage equality — ended
- voting rights — restricted
Those 3 things are just the best case scenario changes if we cede this kind of power to the Republican Party.
OUR WEAK POINTS
The 24 seats that the Republicans need to flip are found in 6 states, detailed below:
LEGISLATIVE BODIES BETWEEN REPUBLICANS & CONTROL OF 38 STATE LEGISLATURES
States
|
Total Seats
|
Needed for Majority
|
Democrats
|
Republicans
|
Seats Needed to Flip
|
Alaska House of Representatives*
|
40
|
21
|
17
|
21
|
1
|
Colorado House of Representatives
|
65
|
33
|
37
|
28
|
5
|
Connecticut House of Representatives
|
151
|
76
|
78
|
72
|
4
|
Connecticut State Senate
|
36
|
19
|
17
|
17
|
2
|
Deleware House of Representatives
|
41
|
21
|
25
|
16
|
5
|
Deleware State Senate**
|
21
|
11
|
10
|
10
|
1
|
Maine House of Representations
|
151
|
76
|
77
|
72
|
4
|
Washington House of Representatives
|
98
|
50
|
50
|
48
|
2
|
Totals
|
603
|
307
|
311
|
284
|
24
|
If Republicans succeed in flipping these chambers, they will amend our Constitution. We can not allow that to happen. 4 of these seats are up for special election THIS MONTH. We must support these races now. Here are the races, 3 of them determine which party controls that legislative body.
CONNECTICUT BALANCE OF POWER
|
TOTAL SEATS
|
NEEDED FOR MAJORITY
|
UNCONTESTED
|
CONTESTED LOSSES TO LOSE MAJORITY
|
DEMOCRATS
|
REPUBLICANS
|
OTHER
|
HOUSE
|
151
|
76
|
26
|
50
|
78
|
72
|
1
|
SENATE
|
36
|
19
|
1
|
18
|
17
|
17
|
2
|
|
NEXT ELECTION
|
# DEMOCRATS RAN LAST CYCLE
|
SEATS UP NEXT CYCLE
|
NEEDED TO FLIP
|
DEMOCRATS UP
|
REPUBLICANS UP
|
OTHER UP
|
HOUSE
|
2018
|
125
|
151
|
-3
|
78
|
72
|
1
|
SENATE
|
2018
|
35
|
36
|
2
|
17
|
17
|
2
|
All of the seats in the other column are empty seats to be filled by special election on February 28, 2017. All 3 of those seats are critical to turning back Republicans efforts to control 38 states in order to amend our Constitution.
The situation in Connecticut makes it crystal clear the Democratic Party DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THE DANGER WE FACE HERE. CONTACT YOUR ELECTED DEMS AND LET THEM KNOW WE MUST TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY.
One Senate seat and the open House seat are both the result of Democrats pursuing appointments made by Democratic Governor Dan Malloy. This is madness, putting 2 of 24 seats needed for Republicans to amend the Constitution in electoral danger in a super low turnout environment is just madness and a clear, very clear indication that the Democratic party does not see the threat we face. If they see the threat, they are engaged in political malpractice.
CONNECTICUT STATE SENATE SPECIAL ELECTION FEBRUARY 28
Prior to the November 2016 election Democrats enjoyed a 21-15 majority in the State Senate. Republicans gained 3 seats to tie the chamber at 18-18. Two vacancies arose since the election, one Democrat, and one Republican seat. Whoever wins these races could determine which party controls the chamber.
Special elections are notorious for their remarkably low turnout and low turnout elections al tend to favor the Republican on the ballot. We must engage in these races to drive turnout as much as possible. And there is little time. Here are the Democratic candidates that need your support. If you are in the New England states these races I am certain could use your help.
I believe there is public financing for these state races in Connecticut. If someone can confirm that please. If that is the case you can help by volunteering to help with GOTV.
CONNECTICUT STATE SENATE DISTRICT 2 — DOUGLAS MCCRORY
In another sign that Democrats are not taking this threat seriously, I can find no active campaign website and not even a campaign facebook page. I presume he is actively trying to win this seat, but I am not sure anyone can engage in this race. He also is a sitting member of the Connecticut House, which means, if he wins, Connecticut Democrats are putting another seat we need to defend the Constitution in electoral danger in a low turnout Special Election.
Here are the only contact methods I have found for him if you do want to reach out:
I wish I had a link to donate, or some contact info for his campaign, but I was unable to find any of that information.
CONNECTICUT STATE SENATE DISTRICT 32 — GREGORY CAVA
Here are various ways you can reach out to the Gregory Cava campaign:
CONNECTICUT HOUSE DISTRICT 115 — DORINDA BORER
Here are various ways you can reach out to the Dorinda Borer campaign:
OK, that is all I can find for her. Liking her page and posts from that page does boost the page's profile so it will be more visible for potential voters anyway. I guess this is how the campaign would like to be contacted too.
THE DELAWARE BALANCE OF POWER
|
TOTAL SEATS
|
NEEDED FOR MAJORITY
|
UNCONTESTED
|
CONTESTED LOSSES TO LOSE MAJORITY
|
DEMOCRATS
|
REPUBLICANS
|
OTHER
|
HOUSE
|
41
|
21
|
8
|
13
|
25
|
16
|
0
|
SENATE
|
21
|
11
|
2
|
9
|
10
|
10
|
1
|
|
NEXT ELECTION
|
# DEMOCRATS RAN LAST CYCLE
|
SEATS UP NEXT CYCLE
|
NEEDED TO FLIP
|
DEMOCRATS UP
|
REPUBLICANS UP
|
OTHER UP
|
HOUSE
|
2018
|
33
|
41
|
-5
|
25
|
16
|
0
|
SENATE
|
2018
|
8
|
10
|
1
|
4
|
5
|
1
|
In this case, this seat and the entire Senate chamber is up for election due to an appointment by a Democrtic governor. Why are Democrats willing to risk our Constitution ike this? Low turnout elections, which special elections are are prime avenues for Republicans to win seats they otherwise could not. Given the stakes why take this risk?
DELAWARE STATE SENATE DISTRICT 10 — STEPHANIE HANSEN
This seat is up for special election on February 25. This is a critical race in the battle to stop Republicans from gaining the 24 seats they need to amend the Constitution. If we lose this race, Republicans control another legislative body and are one seat closer to the danger of a Constitution amended by Republicans.
- Learn about the candidate Stephanie Hansen here.
- Like her facebook page and posts, leave positive comments on her posts. I know it seems hokey, but like activity, comments and so on raises her profile in her constituents feeds. So read, click on links like and comment things on her page FOUND HERE.
-
- Just found out she has a Facebook badge too.
WE NEED TO WIN THESE SEATS — HELP IF YOU CAN
Friday, Feb 10, 2017 · 6:02:59 PM +00:00 · pdxbuckeye
Information provided by www.dailykos.com/...
CT Senate 2 is a strong Democratic district. It includes several Hartford neighborhoods: Asylum Hill; West End; Upper Albany where the votes will come from.
CT House 115 is the risk. I recommend people call the CT Democratic Party directly for any/all of the races to see what they can do:
- CT Senate 2:
- Bloomfield: Hon. David Baram — (860) 243-3041
- Hartford: Mark DiBella — (860) 982-1086
- Windsor: Darleen Klase — (860) 977-7884
- State Central Committee
- Nathan Karnes (860) 219-9953
- Harriette Howard harriettehoward -at- Comcast -dot- net
- CT Senate 32
- Watertown: J. Paul Vance — (203) 510-3175
- Woodbury: Lesa Peters — (203) 232-8231
- Southbury: Denise Forgione — (203) 910-9569
- Seymour: Philip Wilhelmy — (203) 888-4383
- Bridgewater: Alan Brown — (203) 354-3586
- Roxbury: Tina Brockett — (860) 354-9157
- Washington: Kerry O’Toole — (860) 868-1618
- Bethlehem: Anne Marie Mastroianni — (203) 266-7115
- State Central Committee
- Ed Edelson ededelson -at- charter -dot- net
- Sharon Botelle-Sherman (203) 266-9051
- CT HOUSE 115
- West Haven — Jim Morrissey (203) 937-0586