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State Legislative Tracker: Indiana House majority leader resigns amid scandal

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October 5, 2015

Edited by Jackie Beran

This week’s tracker includes a look at a state representative's leadership challenge against the current House speaker in Alabama and the resignation of the House majority leader in Indiana.

Weekly highlight

Alabama Rep. Phil Williams (R)
Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard (R)

ALABAMA: Following two special sessions to tackle the state's $200 million budget deficit, the speaker of the Alabama House will face a challenge for his position when the state legislature returns early next year. In a letter written last Tuesday, Rep. Phil Williams (R) stated his intent to oppose Mike Hubbard (R) for the top position. This came one day after Birmingham television station WBMA aired interviews with Republican Reps. Jim Carns and Allen Treadaway, both of whom called on Hubbard to resign from the leadership position. Williams wrote, "This decision is not a step I take lightly. There is much our current leadership has accomplished and I am proud of many things we have done during my time in the House. However, it has become abundantly clear that only fresh leadership can restore confidence in the Office of Speaker from both members of the Legislature and the people of Alabama."[1] Williams, who did not refer directly to Hubbard, says that the challenge is not personal.[2] On Wednesday, Hubbard responded that the challenge was "a lingering symptom" of disapproval over how the legislature passed funding in time to avoid a government shutdown, which would have taken effect last Thursday.[1][3] Hubbard was criticized for going back on his original stance against tax hikes, which Gov. Robert Bentley (R) petitioned for. Hubbard is facing 23 charges of public corruption related to his duties as speaker and former state Republican Party chair, a situation that Williams claims did not influence his decision to run for speaker. Williams did, however, say that Hubbard's actions were "too self-serving," citing a bill supported by Hubbard that would have allowed officials to start legal defense funds that could be funded by political action committees (PACs).[4][5][6][3] The legislature will meet for its 2016 regular session in February; Hubbard's trial, which would have started this month, will now begin in March.[6] Williams is the chair of the Technology and Research Committee and vice chair of the Education Policy Committee.

Fmr. Rep. Jud McMillin (R)

INDIANA: On September 29, 2015, the second-highest ranking Republican in the state House, House Majority Leader Jud McMillin, abruptly resigned, citing a need to spend time with his family.[7] In the days leading up to his resignation, McMillin sent a mass text message to his contacts, saying, "My phone was stolen in Canada and out of my control for about 24 hours. I have just been able to reactivate it under my control. Please disregard any messages you received recently. I am truly sorry for anything offensive you may have received."[8] It was then reported that the offensive message sent from McMillin's cellphone was a sexually explicit video. It is unclear who sent the video or how many people it was sent to.[7] House Speaker Brian Bosma (R) made the following statement on McMillin's resignation: "Our caucus is thankful for Representative McMillin’s service to our state, and we fully support his decision to step down in order to focus on his family."[7] The Indiana Republican Party must pick a new state representative for House District 68 within 30 days.[9]

This is not the first time that McMillin has resigned from a public position. In 2005, McMillin resigned his position as a deputy prosecutor in Dayton, Ohio, following allegations that he engaged in an improper sexual relationship with a crime victim and potential witness whose case he was investigating. McMillin claimed his conduct was not improper, as he removed himself from the case before the relationship started. He resigned a week after he stopped working on the case.[10][11] House Republicans are expected to choose a new majority leader on October 6.[12]

Partisan breakdown

As of today, October 5, 2015, the following figures represent the cumulative partisan breakdown of the 50 state senates and 49 state houses. In the 50 states, Republicans currently control 55.6 percent of all seats, while Democrats hold 42.7 percent. All told, Republicans control 68 chambers, while Democrats are the majority in 30 chambers. One chamber is nonpartisan.

Representation in 50 State Legislatures
Party Number of Percentage
Democratic state legislators 3,155 42.7%
Republican state legislators 4,106 55.6%
Independent (and nonpartisan) state legislators 70 0.948%
Third party legislators 7 0.094%
Vacancies 43 0.58%

State Senates

The partisan composition of state senates refers to which political party holds the majority of seats in the state senate. Altogether, in the 50 state senates, there are 1,972 state senators.

The current breakdown of chamber control by party is as follows:

  • Democratic Party 14 chambers
  • Republican Party 35 chambers
  • Grey.png 1 chamber (Nebraska)
See also: Partisan composition of state senates

State Houses

The partisan composition of state houses refers to which party holds the majority of seats in the state house or the lower level of each state legislature. Altogether, in the 49 state houses, there are 5,413 state representatives.

The current breakdown of chamber control by party is as follows:

  • Democratic Party 16 chambers
  • Republican Party 33 chambers
See also: Partisan composition of state houses

Sessions

Current sessions capture for the week of October 5, 2015
See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions
Click here to see a chart of each state's 2015 session information.

Regular sessions

Currently five out of 50 state legislatures are meeting in regular session. Two states are in recess and 43 states have adjourned their 2015 legislative sessions.

The following states are in regular session:[13]

In recess

As of today, October 5, there are two state legislatures currently in recess.[14]


Adjourned

The following states have adjourned their 2015 regular sessions:[15]

Special sessions

As of today, October 5, there are no state legislatures currently in special session.

2015 Legislative Elections

See also: State legislative elections, 2015

In the 50 states, there are 99 state legislative chambers, of which seven chambers will hold state legislative elections in November 2015.[17]

There are seven chambers in four states with elections in 2015:

A total of 131 of the country's 1,972 state senate seats and 407 of the country's 5,411 state house seats will be up for a vote. This accounts for 6.6 percent of the country's state senate seats and 7.5 percent of the country's state house seats. Altogether, 538 (7.3%) of the country's 7,383 state legislative seats are up for election. Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey and Virginia hold elections in odd-numbered years. The New Jersey State Senate is the only chamber in those four states without scheduled elections in 2015.

Primary Information

The state legislative filing deadlines and primary dates are as follows:

Filing Deadlines

Primary Dates

Special Elections

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See also: State legislative special elections, 2015

There is one special election primary scheduled for this week.

Massachusetts State Senate Second Plymouth & Bristol District

See also: Massachusetts state legislative special elections, 2015

A special election for the position of Massachusetts State Senate Second Plymouth & Bristol District was called for November 3. A primary election was held on October 6. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was September 1.[22]

The seat was vacant following Thomas Kennedy's (D) death on June 28, 2015.[23]

Michael Brady defeated Joseph Lynch in the Democratic primary, while Geoff Diehl was unopposed in the Republican primary.[24] Brady defeated Diehl and independent candidate Anna Raduc in the special election.[25][26]

Massachusetts State Senate, Second Plymouth & Bristol District, Special Election, 2015
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngMichael Brady 56.9% 14,397
     Republican Geoff Diehl 40.5% 10,245
     Independent Anna Raduc 2.6% 649
Total Votes 25,291
Massachusetts State Senate, Second Plymouth & Bristol District Democratic Primary, 2015
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngMichael Brady 87.6% 3,259
Joseph Lynch 12.4% 461
Total Votes 3,720
Democratic Party October 6 Democratic primary candidates:
Republican Party October 6 Republican primary candidates:

Recent election results

September 29, 2015

☐ Alabama House of Representatives District 5

See also: Alabama state legislative special elections, 2016

A special election for the position of Alabama House of Representatives District 5 was called for February 16. A primary election took place on September 29, and a primary runoff election took place on December 8. The filing deadline for major party candidates wishing to run in this election was July 27. The filing deadline for third-party candidates was September 29.[27]

The seat was vacant following Dan Williams' (R) death on July 1.[28]

Henry White was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Ronnie Coffman, Danny Crawford, Mike Criscillis, Jerry Hill and Chris Seibert faced off in the Republican primary.[29] Since no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters, Seibert and Crawford, met in a Republican runoff election, which Crawford won.[30] White was defeated by Crawford in the special election.[31][32]

Democratic Party September 29 Democratic primary candidates:
Republican Party September 29 Republican primary candidates:
Republican Party December 8 Republican runoff candidates:
February 16 Special election candidates:
Democratic Party Henry White

☐ Minnesota House of Representatives District 3A

See also: Minnesota state legislative special elections, 2015

A special election for the position of Minnesota House of Representatives District 3A was called for December 8. A primary election was held on September 29. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was August 31.[33]

The seat was vacant following David Dill's (D) death from cancer on August 8.[34]

Rob Ecklund defeated Heidi Omerza, Eric Johnson and Bill Hansen in the Democratic primary. Roger Skraba was unopposed in the Republican primary. Kelsey Johnson ran as an independent candidate.[35] Ecklund defeated Skraba and Johnson (I) in the special general election.[33][36][37]

Minnesota House of Representatives, District 3A, Special Election, 2015
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngRob Ecklund 63.4% 4,591
     Republican Roger Skraba 19.3% 1,399
     Independent Kelsey Johnson 15.8% 1,144
     Other Write-ins 1.5% 109
Total Votes 7,243
Democratic PartySeptember 29 Democratic primary candidates:
Republican PartySeptember 29 Republican primary candidates:
Grey.pngIndependent Party candidates:
December 8 Special election candidates:
Democratic Party Rob Ecklund
Republican Party Roger Skraba
Grey.png Kelsey Johnson

☑ Wisconsin State Assembly District 99

See also: Wisconsin state legislative special elections, 2015

A special election for the position of Wisconsin State Assembly District 99 was called for September 29. A primary election took place on September 1. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was August 4.

The seat was vacant following Chris Kapenga's (R) election to the state Senate.[38]

Cindi Duchow defeated Scott Owens, Dave Westlake and Spencer Zimmerman in the Republican primary.[39] Duchow was unopposed in the special election.[40][41][38]

Wisconsin State Assembly, District 99 Republican Primary, 2015
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngCindi Duchow 40.2% 1,341
Dave Westlake 33% 1,101
Scott Owens 22.1% 737
Spencer Zimmerman 4.4% 146
Scattering 0.3% 11
Total Votes 3,336
Democratic Party September 1 Democratic primary candidates:
  • No candidates filed for election.
Republican Party September 1 Republican primary candidates:
September 29 Special election candidates:
Republican Party Cindi Duchow Green check mark transparent.png

Looking ahead

Upcoming special elections include:

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 WBMA, "Speaker Mike Hubbard challenged for his position by fellow republican," October 1, 2015
  2. ↑ WNHT, "Rep. Phil Williams to challenge Hubbard for Speaker of the House position," October 1, 2015
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 WAFF, "Representative Williams challenges Speaker Hubbard's role," October 1, 2015
  4. ↑ AL.com, "Why Rep. Phil Williams is challenging Speaker Mike Hubbard: 'I think we can do better,'" October 1, 2015
  5. ↑ Associated Press, "Limestone delegation member Phil Williams challenging Hubbard for speakership," October 1, 2015
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 TimesDaily, "Huntsville rep to challenge Speaker Hubbard," October 2, 2015
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 USA Today, "Indiana Rep. Jud McMillin resigns after sex video emerges," accessed October 2, 2015
  8. ↑ Chicago Tribune, "Report: Indiana House majority leader resigns after explicit video sent from phone," accessed October 2, 2015
  9. ↑ eaglecountryonline.com, "Caucus To Replace McMillin Must Be Held Within 30 Days," accessed October 2, 2015
  10. ↑ Dayton Daily News, "No affair during case, says ex-official Former prosecutor says legal ties severed before relationship," November 19, 2005
  11. ↑ Dayton Daily News, "Witness says she had relations with prosecutor Woman claims attorney threatened her with jail time," November 18, 2005
  12. ↑ wthitv.com, "House Republicans stand by choice of majority leader," accessed October 5, 2015
  13. ↑ Stateside Associates, "Session Calendar 2015," accessed October 5, 2015
  14. ↑ StateNet, "Daily Session Summary," accessed October 5, 2015
  15. ↑ StateNet, "Daily Session Summary," accessed October 5, 2015
  16. ↑ Special session abruptly adjourned on August 17 with no agreement in place over redistricting congressional districts. The deadline to create new congressional maps was September 1. The new maps will be drawn by the courts.
  17. ↑ Mississippi, New Jersey and Virginia will hold general elections on November 3, 2015. Louisiana's general elections will be held on November 21.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Mississippi Secretary of State, "2015 Elections," accessed January 2, 2015
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Mississippi Secretary of State, "2015 Election Calendar," accessed January 2, 2015
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 New Jersey Department of Elections, "2015 Primary Election Timeline," accessed February 2, 2015
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Virginia State Board of Elections, "2015 November Election Calendar," accessed January 2, 2015
  22. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Special State Election 2nd Plymouth and Bristol Senatorial District," accessed July 14, 2015
  23. ↑ MassLive, "State Sen. Tom Kennedy dies at 63 after more than 30 years in Legislature," accessed June 30, 2015
  24. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Special State Primary Candidates," accessed September 10, 2015
  25. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "2015 State Senate Special General Election," accessed November 20, 2015
  26. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "2015 State Senate Special Democratic Primary," accessed November 20, 2015
  27. ↑ Office of Alabama Governor, "Governor Bentley Announces Special Election Timeline for House District 5," accessed July 21, 2015
  28. ↑ DecaturDaily.com, "Rep. Dan Williams, an elected official for nearly four decades, dies of leukemia," accessed July 2, 2015
  29. ↑ AL.com, "5 Republicans, 1 Democrat seek vacant Alabama House seat," July 28, 2015
  30. ↑ AL.com, "Familiar foes in GOP runoff for state House seat," accessed September 30, 2015
  31. ↑ whnt.com, "Danny Crawford wins special election to fill vacant Limestone County District 5 seat," accessed February 17, 2016
  32. ↑ AL.com, "Danny Crawford wins House GOP runoff in north Alabama," accessed December 8, 2015
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Minnesota Secretary of State, "State Legislative District 3A Special Election," accessed August 24, 2015
  34. ↑ Lake County News-Chronicle, "State Rep. David Dill remember by local officials," accessed August 17, 2015
  35. ↑ Twincities.com, "Rob Ecklund wins northeast Minnesota special House seat primary," accessed September 30, 2015
  36. ↑ Duluth News Tribune, "Ecklund wins Minnesota House District 3A seat," accessed December 9, 2015
  37. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Official special election results," accessed December 15, 2015
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 channel3000.com, "Governor sets special election to fill open Assembly seat," July 29, 2015
  39. ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability, "Candidates Registered by Office," accessed August 5, 2015
  40. ↑ jsonline.com, "Cindi Duchow wins Waukesha County Republican Assembly primary," accessed September 2, 2015
  41. ↑ jsonline.com, "Duchow defeats write-in candidates for Assembly seat," accessed September 30, 2015
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