2015 Elections

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From Common Cause:

Yesterday’s election resulted in major, game-changing victories for our democracy.

Over 55% of voters in Maine passed the first statewide law since Citizens United that stops the unlimited secret money in their elections allowed by that misguided Supreme Court decision.

71% of Ohio voters banned partisan gerrymandering, stopping politicians from drawing maps that favor them or their party, a major step towards ending the ideological polarization that creates gridlock and dysfunction.

And Seattle’s Honest Elections public financing package -- pushed by activists looking to remove big money barriers to elected office -- has 60% support with 44% of precincts reporting! ...

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From the Human Rights Campaign:

Victory in Charlotte!

It was an incredible night in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Charlotte remains one of the largest cities in the country without a law that explicitly protects the LGBT community from discrimination, and this year’s election presented a critical opportunity to elect a pro-equality majority to the city council. Earlier this year, HRC partnered with Equality North Carolina and MeckPAC to launch TurnOUT! Charlotte, an unprecedented effort to engage supporters of equality in the Charlotte city council elections. The election results are in and HRC’s winning endorsed candidates have locked down a pro-equality majority on the Council!​

For months, HRC staff have been on the ground in Charlotte engaging our members and other supporters of equality in the upcoming election. We sent thousands of pieces of mail, made over 10,000 phone calls and launched tens of thousands of emails to make sure that Charlotte’s pro-equality community understood how high the stakes were and how important it was to show up and vote.

Congratulations to the following HRC-endorsed candidates who have earned a seat on the Charlotte City Council:

At-Large: Julie Eiselt
At-Large: Vi Lyles
At-Large: James “Smuggie” Mitchell

Council District 1: Patsy Kinsey
Council District 2: Al Austin
Council District 3: LaWana Mayfield
Council District 5: John Autry

HRC PAC extends special congratulations to Jennifer Roberts who won a hotly contested race for Mayor of Charlotte by 52% to 48%. Mayor-Elect Roberts has been an outspoken proponent of adopting an ordinance to protect Charlotte residents and visitors from anti-LGBT discrimination and has promised to make it a top priority.

Last night's victories in Charlotte send a clear signal that the public supports elected officials in North Carolina who stand up for equality for all families. Thank you again to our partners at Equality North Carolina and MeckPAC for their leadership and the incredible partnership that made so many of last night's victories possible.

With pride and respect,
Marty Rouse
National Field Director

Too bad about Houston.

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Otoh, Salt Lake City probably just elected an openly gay, female mayor over a 2 term incumbent.

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Louisiana picks Democrat as next governor, rejecting Vitter

... After his loss, Vitter immediately announced that he wouldn't seek re-election to the U.S. Senate next year, creating a new competition for what had been a safe GOP seat....

The U.S. senator also was hampered by high disapproval ratings for his (outgoing and failed POTUS candidate) fellow Republican, Jindal, who is blamed for the state's financial problems....

Nice, but it's still Louisiana:

... Edwards focused on his West Point degree and military resume ...

With his anti-abortion and pro-gun stances and tenure as an Army Ranger, Edwards downplayed his Democratic roots ...

And, it's the new norm in America:

... At least $30 million was spent in the race, from candidates and outside groups who have played a larger role in this year's competition than in prior state elections. When the final campaign finance reports are filed, the contest is expected to be the most expensive governor's race in Louisiana history.

[O Really]

Louisiana is its own world politically, but I think it's a good lesson in discovering that there are some levels of slime, sleaziness, and craziness that even red-state Republicans won't vote for. Bodes well for the rest of the country, if we don't run out of time before it gets done.