Daily Brew: September 24, 2018

September 24, 2018

Today's Brew brings you our latest list of races to watch + a new poll on Massachusetts Question 1   Welcome to the Monday, September 24 Brew. Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Ballotpedia releases list of top 50 state legislative primaries in 2018 New poll out for Massachusetts Question 1 First debate in Cruz vs O’Rourke U.S. Senate race Ballotpedia releases list of top 50 state legislative primaries in 2018 We covered 3,177 contested state legislative primaries this season. With the 2018 primary season over, we have identified the 50 most memorable state legislative primaries from throughout the year. Looking at factors such as competitiveness, ideological conflict between party factions, and notable incumbent losses, we compiled a list of the 25 memorable Democratic and Republican primaries and listed them in chronological order. Three summary points about the report: The states with the most primaries on each party’s list are Texas for Republican primaries and New York for Democratic primaries. The March 6 Texas primaries were the first of the year and featured conflict between a Republican faction supportive of House Speaker Joe Straus and a faction opposed to Straus, which included the Texas Freedom Caucus. Five Texas primaries made the Republican list. The Sept. 13 New York primaries were the last of the year and featured several matchups between former members of the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) and progressive challengers who opposed the IDC for aligning with Republicans after the 2012, 2014, and 2016 elections. Four New York primaries with IDC members made the Democratic list as did another primary where a member of the Democratic Socialists of America defeated a longtime incumbent in Brooklyn. Other states with multiple primaries on the list include California, Kansas, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Rhode Island. Check out our list to learn more about these primaries and others. Learn more New poll out for Massachusetts Question 1 Twenty-four hours later, Massachusetts Question 1 is still topping our new Trending Pages feature on the front page. So my ears perked up when I saw a new poll out from The Suffolk University Political Research Center and The Boston Globe. As a reminder, Question 1 would set limits on the number of patients a nurse can be assigned.  52% support 33% oppose 15% unsure The Suffolk University Political Research Center/Boston Globe poll was conducted September 13-17, 2018, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percent.  Here are the basics of that measure: A yes vote is a vote in favor of establishing patient assignment limits for registered nurses working in hospitals.   A no vote is a vote against establishing patient assignment limits for registered nurses working in hospitals.  Largest support committee: Committee to Ensure Safe Patient Care Total raised: $5,829,198.59 Largest donor: Massachusetts Nurses Association ($5,767,478.25) Largest opposition committee: Coalition to Protect Patient Safety Total raised: $11,316,259.79 Largest donor: Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association ($10,814,784.00) *Note: Campaign finance information covers through September 15. The deadline for the next scheduled reports is October 5, 2018. Question 1 is one of three measures on the Massachusetts ballot on November 6. Learn more→ U.S. Senate race in Texas: Cruz and O’Rourke faced off in first debate Incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz (R) and U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D) debated domestic policy at Southern Methodist University in the first of three scheduled Texas Senate debates. They discussed gun legislation, immigration, the Trump administration, and police-related shootings, among other issues. Cruz and O’Rourke fought over the terms of the debates, including the number, location, and language. Cruz wanted five Friday evening debates over three months, while O’Rourke requested one debate be held in El Paso and two be conducted in Spanish. The final two debates will be held in Houston on September 30 and San Antonio on October 16. Three public opinion polls released this month show Cruz leading O’Rourke by 3 to 9 points. A Reuters/Ipsos/UVA Center for Politics released Wednesday showed O’Rourke leading for the first time in a major poll, by a margin of 2 points. For an overview and video of the debate, click here→