Democrat Xp Lee secured victory in a special election to fill the seat of the late Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, defeating Republican Ruth Bittner. The election, held in a Democratic district, restored a legislative tie in the state house, following the assassination of Hortman and her husband in June. Lee, a former city council member and Hortman mentee, vowed to carry forward Hortman’s legacy amid national concern over political violence, which spurred the election. The accused perpetrator, Vance Boelter, is facing charges for the murders of Hortman and her husband, as well as attempted murder of other Democratic lawmakers.
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Democrat wins Minnesota special election to replace slain lawmaker.
The headlines we’re seeing these days are a bit jarring, to say the least. It feels like we’re living in a movie sometimes. A Democrat has won a special election in Minnesota, filling the seat of a lawmaker who was tragically murdered. It’s a victory, no doubt, but it comes with a heavy heart, a reminder of the senseless act that necessitated this election in the first place. It’s important to remember that the term “slain” is a euphemism; the lawmaker was murdered. And, as someone mentioned, it would have been a bitter twist of fate if the opposing party had managed to steal this seat.… Continue reading
In a recent special primary election for a state senate seat in a Republican-leaning Atlanta suburb, Democrat Debra Shigley garnered nearly 40% of the vote, sparking optimism within her party. However, experts caution against interpreting this as a sign of a larger Democratic trend, citing low turnout in special elections as a factor. While Democrats have seen gains in similar races, like flipping state senate seats in Pennsylvania and Iowa, the upcoming runoff in September favors Republican Jason Dickerson. Ultimately, the long-term impact of this and other special elections will depend on voter sentiment regarding the current administration and its policies heading into the 2026 elections.
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In a special primary election in a deeply Republican Atlanta suburb, a lone Democrat garnered nearly 40% of votes, sparking Democratic hopes for future wins, however, it is uncertain if this foreshadows a broader trend. While Democrats have performed well in special elections since Trump took office, a Republican strategist notes that special elections often have low turnout and parties fare better locally when not in control of the executive branch. The race saw Debra Shigley competing against six Republican candidates; she has advanced to a runoff against Republican Jason Dickerson. Even if Shigley loses, Democrats hope grassroots organizers will multiply statewide for races in 2026.
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Democrat James Walkinshaw has won the special election to represent Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, previously held by the late Gerry Connolly. Walkinshaw’s victory reduces the Republican majority in the House and adds to the GOP’s current spending concerns. Walkinshaw, a former chief of staff for Connolly and current Fairfax County Board of Supervisors member, defeated Republican Stewart Whitson. The election saw Democrats outspending Republicans significantly, and Walkinshaw campaigned on defending federal workers and fighting against policies he saw as harmful to the community.
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In a recent special election for a Georgia state Senate seat, Democrat Debra Shigley exceeded expectations, though Republicans maintain an advantage heading into the September runoff. While Shigley secured approximately 39.5% of the vote, the combined Republican candidates garnered 60.5%, necessitating a runoff. This race is taking place in a district that previously favored Donald Trump by a significant margin, yet Democratic performance in special elections this year has demonstrated growing momentum. With the runoff set for September 23, the results will be watched closely as Georgia is expected to be a critical state in the upcoming midterms.
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In a significant upset, Democratic candidate Catelin Drey won the special election for Iowa’s 1st Senate District, defeating Republican Christopher Prosch. This victory breaks the Republican supermajority in the Iowa Senate and marks the first time a Democrat has held the seat since 2013, with Drey securing 55% of the vote in a district President Trump previously won by a significant margin. The win, which occurred after the death of former Senator Rocky De Witt, is seen by Democrats as a sign of growing vulnerability for Republicans as the midterm elections approach. Drey will serve the remainder of De Witt’s term until January 2027, with the seat up for election again in November 2026.
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Democrat Catelin Drey secured a victory in the special election for Iowa Senate District 1, flipping the seat and breaking the Republican’s supermajority in the chamber. Drey defeated Republican Christopher Prosch with 55% of the vote, representing a significant shift in the district. This win is part of a larger trend of positive special election outcomes for Iowa Democrats, providing them with momentum heading into the 2026 midterms. Drey’s priorities in office include addressing affordability concerns and properly funding public education.
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In a surprising move, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a special election for November 4th, proposing a mid-decade redistricting plan. This announcement comes amidst ongoing redistricting efforts in several states, potentially favoring Republicans, and follows Newsom’s criticism of Republican redistricting strategies in Texas. Newsom’s plan, if approved by voters, would allow for redrawing congressional maps for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections before returning the process to the state’s independent redistricting commission. The governor framed this as a way to combat partisan gerrymandering and called for a national redistricting commission, a move that was immediately criticized by Republicans.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood