Daily Brew: September 4, 2018

September 4, 2018

Plus, a webinar on the investigation and impeachment of supreme court justices in West Virginia   Welcome to the Tuesday, September 4 Brew. Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Nearly one-third of state legislative seats lack major party competition Ballotpedia is hosting a webinar on the investigation and impeachment of supreme court justices in West Virginia Join Ballotpedia tonight for the results of the Massachusetts primaries  Nearly one-third of state legislative seats lack major party competition This year, elections will be held for 6,073 state legislative seats in 46 states. Two thousand and seventeen of those seats (33.2 percent) lack major party competition, meaning that no candidates from one of the major parties filed for those seats, guaranteeing them to the other party.  This year, Democrats are contesting 87.7 percent of all state legislative seats—the most contested by either party since 2010. Republicans are contesting 79.1 percent of all seats—the fewest contested by either party since 2010. The reduction in the number of guaranteed Republican seats relative to 2016 is the largest cycle-over-cycle change in guaranteed seats for either party since 2010. Relative to the previous midterm election in 2014, Democrats are guaranteed more seats in 23 states, the same number of seats in four states, and fewer seats in the remaining 18 states. Republicans are guaranteed more seats in six states, the same number of seats in three, and fewer in 36. The only state holding legislative elections this year without any uncontested seats is Michigan, while the state with the most uncontested seats is Massachusetts, where only 28 percent of general election contests feature a Democrat and a Republican. The Michigan State Senate and House, alongside the North Carolina State Senate, are the only three chambers fully contested by both parties. There are three chambers which are fully contested by Republicans but not Democrats and 14 which are fully contested by Democrats but not Republicans. Learn more         Webinar: Investigation and impeachment of West Virginia's supreme court justices In mid-August, members of the West Virginia House of Delegates approved articles of impeachment against the four sitting justices of the state's highest court. The investigation and impeachment proceedings stemmed from the justices' alleged misuse of over $1 million in state funds. Since then, one justice has resigned. In the next few weeks, the State Senate is expected to reconvene to consider removing the remaining justices from their positions. Get the full story in our free webinar on Friday!   Check back tonight for coverage of the Massachusetts primaries Forty-four state primaries down, five to go (Louisiana uses a unique system) in September. The state that was home to America’s first lighthouse and first chocolate factory will be front-and center-tonight as it holds primaries tonight. Keep an eye on the following contests: Ten candidates are competing in the Democratic primary for the state’s third congressional district. Rep. Niki Tsongas (D) is retiring, and this is the first time since 1994 the district has held a competitive primary. Three candidates have raised more than a million dollars in a contest to see who might next represent a seat rated as Safely Democratic.   In another “first since 1994,” the Democratic primary for secretary of state pits incumbent William Galvin against Boston City Councillor Josh Zakim. The race is notable because it’s the first time since his election in 1994 that Galvin has not received the endorsement of the state Democratic Party, which opted to endorse Zakim instead.   In the Democratic primary for the state’s seventh congressional district, Rep. Michael Capuano faces his first contested primary since his election in 1998. He faces Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley, who is backed by Justice Democrats and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey. Learn more→