Johnny DuPree, former mayor of Hattiesburg, secured a victory in the special election for Mississippi Senate District 45, defeating Republican Anna Rush by a significant margin. DuPree’s platform focused on addressing rising costs, supporting education, and advocating for policies like Medicaid expansion and eliminating the grocery tax. This win, along with another Democratic victory in Senate District 2, has broken the Republican Party’s supermajority in the state Senate. This shift will likely impact legislative processes, as Democrats gain more influence heading into the January session.
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Following court-ordered redistricting aimed at increasing Black voter representation, Democrats in Mississippi made significant gains in special elections on November 4th, breaking the Republican supermajority in the state Senate for the first time in years. The special elections, which encompassed six state Senate districts and one House district, resulted in Democrats securing two additional Senate seats and another in the House, reducing the Republican hold to 34 seats in the 52-member Senate. This shift stemmed from a 2022 lawsuit alleging the state diluted Black voting power, leading to a federal court order to redraw legislative maps and create more majority-minority districts. These election outcomes, which are not final until certified, represent a turning point in Mississippi politics and could influence future legislative and congressional district lines, and could change the balance of political power in the state.
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Mississippi Democrats successfully broke the Republican Party’s supermajority in the Mississippi Senate by winning two seats previously held by Republicans, reducing the number of Republican senators below the threshold needed for a supermajority. The victories came in special legislative elections, with Democrats flipping Senate District 45 and Senate District 2. These wins are significant as they restore checks and balances in state government and give Democrats a stronger voice.
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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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During his veto period, Governor Beshear vetoed 29 bills, most of which were overridden by the Republican supermajority in the Kentucky General Assembly. Key overridden bills include those mandating Medicaid work requirements, banning gender-affirming care for Medicaid recipients, weakening worker safety regulations, and limiting state water pollution oversight. Further, a near-total abortion ban was clarified, and legislation against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives in higher education was enacted. Despite some partial vetoes surviving, the legislature’s actions largely reflect the Republican agenda.
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John Q. Hosedrinker