Daily Brew: October 2, 2018

October 2, 2018

A, Minnesota state spotlight, a New Jersey state spotlight and Got milk? How the cost of a gallon of milk in your state compares to the rest of the country   Welcome to the Tuesday, October 2 Brew. Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Minnesota state spotlight New Jersey state spotlight Got milk? How the cost of a gallon of milk in your state compares to the rest of the country Minnesota: Land of 10,000 Lakes Minnesota is holding elections for two U.S. Senate seats (one is up for special election to complete Al Franken’s term), eight U.S. House seats, governor and four other state executive seats, one state Senate seat requiring a special election, all 134 state House seats, four state Supreme Court seats, and six appellate court seats. Ballotpedia will also cover local elections in Hennepin and Ramsey counties, Minneapolis Public Schools, and a special general election for one St. Paul City Council seat. What is the partisan balance in the state? The Democratic Party in Minnesota is called the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) Congress: Democrats (DFL) hold both U.S. Senate seats and have a 5-3 U.S. House majority. Governor: Democrat (DFL). Lt. Governor: Republican. Attorney General: Democrat (DFL). State Senate: 33-33 split between Democrats (DLFers) and Republicans with one vacancy. State House: 77-56 Republican majority with one vacancy. Races to watch Minnesota's 1st Congressional District: After backing Barack Obama (D) in the 2012 presidential election by 2 percentage points, this district swung red in 2016, giving Donald Trump (R) a 15-point margin of victory. Former Obama administration official Dan Feehan (D) faces 2016 Republican nominee Jim Hagedorn (R) for this open seat. Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District: It’s a rematch for freshman U.S. Rep. Jason Lewis (R), who defeated businesswoman Angie Craig (D) in the 2016 election by two percentage points and faces her again in November. Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District: This district is one of 25 Republican-held districts that supported Hillary Clinton (D) in the 2016 presidential election. Clinton won by a margin of 10 points, while incumbent Rep. Erik Paulsen (R) was re-elected by 14 points. Paulsen faces businessman Dean Phillips. Minnesota's 8th Congressional District: This district is one of 13 Democratic-held U.S. House districts that Donald Trump (R) won in the 2016 presidential election. Former state Rep. Joe Radinovich (D) faces St. Louis County Commissioner Pete Stauber (R) for this open seat. National Republicans rate this race as their number one prospect for a pick-up in 2018. Minnesota Governor: U.S. Rep. Tim Walz (D) and Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson (R) are running for governor of Minnesota. Democrats currently hold the office, which has not been occupied by two consecutive governors of one party since 1946. Josh Welter (L) and Chris Wright (Grassroots) are also running. Minnesota Attorney General: U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (D) faces litigation attorney Doug Wardlow (R) in the race for attorney general of Minnesota. Incumbent Lori Swanson (D) did not run for re-election. Republicans have not elected a state attorney general since 1970. This race is drawing national attention.   What you need to know if you’re a Minnesota voter Early voting dates: September 21 to November 5. Polls open/close: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voter ID: Not required. Learn more         New Jersey: Liberty & Prosperity New Jersey is holding regular elections for one U.S. Senate seat and 12 U.S. House seats in addition to special elections for seven state House seats. One statewide ballot measure is also on the ballot. Note that New Jersey does not hold its regular state-level elections in even-numbered years. Ballotpedia will also cover the local elections in Essex County and Jersey City Public Schools. What is the partisan balance in the state? Congress:  Democrats hold both U.S. Senate seats and have a 7-5 U.S. House majority. Governor: Democrat. Lt. Governor: Democrat. Attorney General: Democrat. State Senate: 25-15 Democratic majority. State House: 54-26 Democratic majority. Races to watch United States Senate election in New Jersey: Incumbent Sen. Bob Menendez (D) faces biopharmaceutical executive Bob Hugin (R). New Jersey last elected a Republican senator in 1972. Hugin is trailing Menendez by between 2 and 6 points in recent polling.   New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District: This southern New Jersey seat is open for the first time since Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R) was elected in 1994. State Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D), attorney Seth Grossman (R), and four third-party and independent candidates are running for the seat. Three race raters call it likely Democratic. New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District: Incumbent Rep. Tom MacArthur (R) won his 2016 re-election bid by 20 points. Recent polls have Democratic challenger Andrew Kim narrowly leading MacArthur. Kim also has more cash on hand with $1.7 million to MacArthur’s $1 million. MacArthur spent $5 million of his own money in his 2014 campaign and could self-fund again in this toss-up race. New Jersey's 7th Congressional District: This district simultaneously backed Hillary Clinton (D) by one point in the 2016 presidential election and re-elected incumbent Rep. Leonard Lance by 11 points. Lance faces Tom Malinowski (D) in the toss-up race. New Jersey's 11th Congressional District: Former federal prosecutor Mikie Sherrill (D) and Assemblyman Jay Webber (R) are running for this open seat that backed Trump in 2016 by one point. Incumbent Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R), who served for more than two decades, is retiring. What you need to know if you’re a New Jersey voter Early voting dates: September 22 to November 5. Polls open/close: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voter ID: If a New Jersey voter did not provide valid identification at the time of registration, he or she must show identification at the polling place. Identification includes any valid photo ID or bank statement, car registration, government check, or certain other kinds of documents. Learn more→ Got milk? How the cost of a gallon of milk in your state compares to the rest of the country The price of one gallon of milk varies from state to state, among localities within states, and among sellers. We found that the price of one gallon of Great Value 2% Reduced Fat Milk, sold at a Walmart in each state's capital, ranged from $0.93 in Illinois to $4.69 in Hawaii. The price of one gallon of milk was less than $2.00 in 14 states. The price was between $2.00 and $2.99 in 24 states and Washington, D.C. In 12 states, the price equaled or exceeded $3.00. How does your state compare? Check out our article to find out. *This article is part of a new Ballotpedia project detailing the costs of various government services and consumer products in the 50 states.* Learn more→