Election 2023 Roundup

The last off-year election before a presidential campaign can often be perceived as a sleepy affair. But the has been writing about these races for months, and their major impacts on health care, energy, reproductive rights, and numerous other aspects of public policy, right up to democracy itself. Throughout the night and into tomorrow, our staff will keep you informed on the key races, the winners and losers, and why it matters to you.

Check back for updates. Andy Beshear was declared the winner in his gubernatorial re-election in Kentucky very early over sitting attorney general and Mitch McConnell protégé Daniel Cameron. Only have reported yet.

There was an outlier poll calling this race a tie last week, but clearly Beshear won a resounding victory. Morning Consult asking about approval of the nation’s governor’s back in July, and every single governor in America had at least a plurality of positive approval, with only three (including Mississippi’s Tate Reeves, who is up for re-election tonight) under 50 percent. Beshear was among the highest in that poll, with a 64 percent approval rating.

With national politics so toxified and hopeless, state politics looks good by comparison, no matter where you live. There are levels of positivity, and Beshear is clearly at the high end. His strategy of calling out Cameron for his lack of support for exceptions to an abortion ban in cases of rape or incest was smart, and he likely benefited from job creation being seen as more of a local than national issue.

(Inflation’s on the feds; the ribbon-cutting in Louisville, that’s my gov. ) Add all that up, and it’s a good night for Beshear, and another data point defying the old wisdom that Democrats don’t turn out in off-year elections. With more highly-educated voters switching to the Democratic Party, they almost have a built-in advantage in elections at unusual times.

— Andy Beshear (inc-D) vs. Daniel Cameron (R) Tate Reeves (inc-R) vs. Brandon Presley (D) Both chambers are up for grabs, as Gov.

Glenn Youngkin (R) seeks a governing majority. Former Biden administration official Gabe Amo (D) is expected to prevail here, replacing anti-monopoly progressive David Cicilline. This will decide whether the Buckeye State will maintain protections for a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion.

Democracy is on the line as Republicans seek to get closer to flipping the partisan balance on the state supreme court. Voters will determine whether to create the Pine Tree Power Company, a public utility. Longtime congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D) is seeking to make a runoff, after a scandal about her treatment of staffers.

It’s expected to remain in Democratic hands, but there’s an outside shot Republicans could gain advantage. This would legalize recreational marijuana. The victorious party will essentially run election administration next year in the most important swing county in an important swing state.

Progressives are trying to power Sara Innamorato to victory here. .