State Legislative Tracker: Legislators facing discrimination allegations
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February 2, 2015
Edited by Joel Williams
This week’s tracker includes a partisan count update and a look at two legislators in the headlines for alleged discrimination in Oklahoma and Texas.
Weekly highlight
- Oklahoma: The Oklahoma State Legislature did not begin its new session until today but Rep. Sally Kern (R-84) has already drawn the country's attention with her three bills described by Oklahomans for Equality as an "all-out assault on the LGBT citizens of Oklahoma."[1] Kern originally submitted three bills for consideration, but later withdrew House Bill 1597. House Bill 1597 would have allowed business to refuse service to the LGBT community.[2] Kern said she withdrew the bill because she felt that "[t]he bill as introduced did not accomplish my desired purpose."[3] The two other bills that will be under consideration in the Oklahoma House of Representatives are House Bill 1599 and House Bill 1598. House Bill 1599 would ban tax-payer money from being used for licensing or support of same-sex marriage, and House Bill 1598 would allow parents to seek conversion therapy for a gay child without interference from the state.[1] This is not the first time that Kern has drawn criticism for her views on homosexuality. In 2008, controversy surrounded a comment Kern made comparing homosexuality and terrorism.[4] Some legal experts believe that Kern's legislation has a chance to pass because of the conservative political climate in Oklahoma, but believe that the legislation would not hold up in federal court if challenged.[2]
- Texas: Just weeks after being sworn-in to the Texas House of Representatives, State Rep. Molly White has caused a national stir with her controversial comments about Muslims and the Islamic faith. Approximately 300 Muslims gathered in Austin, Texas for Muslim Capitol Day on Thursday, January 29, 2015. The yearly event is an opportunity to for followers of the Islamic faith to meet with lawmakers and is organized by the Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. White was out of town for the event, but left an Israeli flag behind in the reception-area of her office and informed her staff to insist Muslim visitors pledge allegiance to the United States and condemn terrorism, or be asked to leave.[5] White posted early on Facebook the same day confirming the act.[6] In response, Robert McCaw, CAIR's government affairs manager, wrote a letter to Texas House of Representatives Speaker Joe Straus inquiring whether White's requirement of her staff was violating House ethics rules by "creating such an internal office policy that is selectively being enforced to discriminate against certain religious minorities.”[7] White affirmed her position again in the mid-morning, but by 3pm had issued another statement to say all constituents were welcome at her office.[6] This wasn't the first time White has made anti-Muslim comments on her Facebook: in June of 2014, White wrote on Facebook that one of her top priorities as a legislator would be purging Texas of all Jihadists.[6]
Partisan breakdown
As of today, February 2, 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 55.3% of all seats while Democrats hold 43.0%. 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 | 3,173 | 43.0% |
Republican state legislators | 4,081 | 55.3% |
Independent (and nonpartisan) state legislators | 70 | 0.95% |
Third party legislators | 7 | 0.09% |
Vacancies | 49 | 0.66% |
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.
As of February 2, 2015, the breakdown of chamber control by party is as follows:
14 chambers
35 chambers
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 5,411 state representatives.
As of February 2, 2015, the breakdown of chamber control by party is as follows:
- See also: Partisan composition of state houses
Sessions
Regular sessions
- See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions
- Click here to see a chart of each state's 2015 session information.
Currently 46 out of 50 state legislatures are meeting in regular session.
The following states have convened their 2015 regular session:[8]
- December 1, 2014: California
- December 3, 2014: Maine
- January 5, 2015: Montana
- January 5, 2015: Ohio
- January 5, 2015: Wisconsin
- January 6, 2015: Indiana
- January 6, 2015: Kentucky
- January 6, 2015: Minnesota
- January 6, 2015: Mississippi
- January 6, 2015: North Dakota
- January 6, 2015: Pennsylvania
- January 6, 2015: Rhode Island
- January 7, 2015: Colorado
- January 7, 2015: Connecticut
- January 7, 2015: Massachusetts
- January 7, 2015: Missouri
- January 7, 2015: Nebraska
- January 7, 2015: New Hampshire
- January 7, 2015: New York
- January 7, 2015: Vermont
- January 12, 2015: Arizona
- January 12, 2015: Arkansas
- January 12, 2015: Georgia
- January 12, 2015: Idaho
- January 12, 2015: Iowa
- January 12, 2015: Kansas
- January 12, 2015: Washington
- January 13, 2015: Delaware
- January 13, 2015: New Jersey
- January 13, 2015: South Carolina
- January 13, 2015: South Dakota
- January 13, 2015: Tennessee
- January 13, 2015: Texas
- January 13, 2015: Wyoming
- January 14, 2015: Illinois
- January 14, 2015: Maryland
- January 14, 2015: Michigan
- January 14, 2015: North Carolina
- January 14, 2015: Virginia
- January 14, 2015: West Virginia
- January 20, 2015: Alaska
- January 20, 2015: New Mexico
- January 21, 2015: Hawaii
- January 26, 2015: Utah
In recess
As of today, January 26, there is one state legislature currently in recess.[9]
- Kentucky: Returns February 3.
2015 Legislative Elections
- See also: State legislative elections, 2015
A total of seven of the 99 chambers will hold state legislative elections on November 3, 2015.
There seven chambers in four states with elections in 2015. They are:
- Louisiana (Senate and House)
- Mississippi (Senate and House)
- New Jersey (Assembly)
- Virginia (Senate and House)
The New Jersey senate also typically holds elections in odd years, but all members were elected to four-year terms in 2013 and are not up for election again until 2017.
Of 1,972 state senate seats in the country, 131 are up for re-election in November 2015, and 407 of the country's 5,411 state house seats are up for re-election. Altogether, 538 of the country's 7,383 state legislative seats are up for re-election on November 3, 2015.
Primary Information
The state legislative filing deadlines and primary dates are as follows:
Filing Deadlines
- Louisiana: September 10[10]
- Mississippi: February 27[11]
- New Jersey: TBD
- Virginia: March 9[12]
Primary Dates
- Louisiana: October 24[10]
- Mississippi: August 4[11]
- New Jersey: TBD
- Virginia: June 9[12]
Special Elections
There are two special election runoffs scheduled this week in Georgia.
Georgia House of Representatives District 50
Kelly Leigh Stewart (R), Royce M. Reinecke (R), Bradford Jay Raffensperger (R), Christine A. Austin (L) and Paul Troop (I) faced off in the special election on January 6, 2015.[13] Since no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters, Stewart and Raffensperger, met in a runoff election on February 3, which Raffensperger won.[14][15]
The seat was vacant following Lynne Riley's (R) resignation to become Commissioner of the Department of Revenue.[16]
A special election for the position of Georgia House of Representatives District 50 was called for January 6, with a runoff on February 3. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was November 21, 2014.[17]
- February 3 Runoff election candidates:
Kelly Leigh Stewart
Bradford Jay Raffensperger
Georgia House of Representatives District 120
Republicans Debbie Bartlett, Jesse Copelan, Gary Gerrard, Jesse Johnson and Trey Rhodes faced off in the special election on January 6, 2015.[18] Since no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters, Rhodes and Copelan, met in a runoff election on February 3, which Rhodes won.[19][15]
The seat was vacant following Mickey Channell's (R) scheduled retirement on January 15, 2015.[20]
A special election for the position of Georgia House of Representatives District 120 was called for January 6, with a runoff on February 3. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was December 10, 2014.[21]
Georgia House of Representatives, District 120, Special Election, 2015 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Republican | ![]() |
53.4% | 2,713 | |
Republican | Jesse Copelan | 46.6% | 2,366 | |
Total Votes | 5,079 |
- February 3 Runoff election candidates:
Jesse Copelan
Trey Rhodes
Recent election results
January 27, 2015
☐ Florida State Senate District 6
David Cox was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Travis Hutson defeated Dennis McDonald, Ronald Renuart and Beth Sweeny in the Republican primary. Hutson defeated Cox in the special election.[22][23][24]
The seat was vacant following John Thrasher's (R) resignation to become President of Florida State University.[25]
A special election for the position of Florida State Senate District 6 was called for April 7, with a primary on January 27, 2015. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was December 2, 2014.[26]
Florida State Senate, District 6, Special Election, 2015 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Republican | ![]() |
69.7% | 28,939 | |
Democratic | David Cox | 30.3% | 12,595 | |
Total Votes | 41,534 |
Florida State Senate, District 6 Republican Primary, 2015 | ||
---|---|---|
Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
![]() |
52.2% | 13,419 |
Ronald Renuart | 35.1% | 9,024 |
Dennis McDonald | 12.7% | 3,254 |
Total Votes | 25,697 |
☐ Florida House of Representatives District 17
Cyndi Stevenson defeated John R. Capra and Michael Alan Davis in the Republican primary and defeated Mary Anne Boczek (I) and Judy Stevens (I-Write in) in the special election.[22][27][28]
The seat was vacant following Ronald Renuart's (R) resignation to run for Florida State Senate District 6.[29][30]
A special election for the position of Florida House of Representatives District 17 was called for April 7, with a primary on January 27, 2015. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was December 2, 2014.[31]
Florida House of Representatives, District 17 Republican Primary, 2015 | ||
---|---|---|
Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
![]() |
41.6% | 5,175 |
Michael Alan Davis | 39.2% | 4,874 |
John R. Capra | 19.1% | 2,379 |
Total Votes | 12,428 |
☐ Florida House of Representatives District 24
Adam Morley was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Paul M. Renner defeated Danielle A. Anderson and Ron Sanchez in the Republican primary. Sheamus John McNeeley withdrew before the Republican primary.[32] Renner defeated Morley in the special election.[22][33][34]
The seat was vacant following Travis Hutson's (R) resignation to run for Florida State Senate District 6.[35]
A special election for the position of Florida House of Representatives District 24 was called for April 7, with a primary on January 27, 2015. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was December 2, 2014.[36]
Florida House of Representatives, District 24, Special Election, 2015 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Republican | ![]() |
67% | 10,423 | |
Democratic | Adam Morley | 33% | 5,133 | |
Total Votes | 15,556 |
Florida House of Representatives, District 24 Republican Primary, 2015 | ||
---|---|---|
Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
![]() |
70.2% | 5,970 |
Ron Sanchez | 18.3% | 1,561 |
Danielle A. Anderson | 11.5% | 978 |
Total Votes | 8,509 |
Looking ahead
Upcoming special elections include:
- February 10: Iowa House of Representatives District 23
- February 10: Florida House of Representatives District 64 (Primary)
- February 10: Arkansas State Senate District 16 (Primary Runoff)
- February 17: Florida House of Representatives District 13
- February 17: Texas State Senate District 26 (Runoff)
- February 17: Texas House of Representatives District 13 (Runoff)
- February 17: Texas House of Representatives District 17 (Runoff)
- February 17: Texas House of Representatives District 123 (Runoff)
- February 21: Louisiana House of Representatives District 8
- February 21: Louisiana House of Representatives District 26
- February 21: Louisiana House of Representatives District 49
- February 21: Louisiana House of Representatives District 66
- February 24: Connecticut State Senate District 23
- February 24: Connecticut House of Representatives District 107
- February 24: Connecticut House of Representatives District 129
- February 24: South Carolina House of Representatives District 63 (Primary)
See also
- State legislative elections, 2015
- 2015 state legislative calendar
- Signature requirements and deadlines for 2015 state government elections
- State legislative special elections, 2015
- State legislative recalls
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tulsa World, "State Rep. Sally Kern files three bills targeting gays," accessed January 29, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 kfor.com, "Update: Rep. Sally Kern withdraws one bill aimed at gay community," accessed January 29, 2015
- ↑ Koco.com, "Sally Kern withdraws controversial bill," accessed January 29, 2015
- ↑ News 9, "Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern's Views on Homosexuality Ignite Controversy Again," June 26, 2009
- ↑ Meg Wagner, Daily News, "Texas rep greets Muslim visitors with Israeli flag, demands they condemn terrorism: ‘We will see how long they stay in my office’," January 30, 2015
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Reeve Hamilton and Alexa Ura, The Texas Tribune, "Rep to Staff: Ask Muslim Visitors to Pledge Allegiance," January 29, 2015
- ↑ Erin Dooley, ABC News, "Texas Legislator Instructs Staff: Ask Muslims to Pledge Allegiance to America," January 29, 2015
- ↑ Stateside Associates, " Session Calendar 2014," accessed February 2, 2015
- ↑ StateNet, " Daily Session Summary," accessed February 2, 2015
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Mississippi Secretary of State, "2015 Elections," accessed January 2, 2015
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Mississippi Secretary of State, "2015 Election Calendar," accessed January 2, 2015
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Virginia State Board of Elections, "2015 November Election Calendar," accessed January 2, 2015
- ↑ patch.com, "Five Candidates Qualify for State House District 50 Special Election," November 21, 2014
- ↑ patch.com, "House District 50 Race Heads To Runoff," January 6, 2015
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Georgia Secretary of State, "Official election results," accessed February 25, 2015
- ↑ Patch.com, "Lynne Riley Resigns From Georgia House, Will Serve As State Revenue Commissioner," November 7, 2014
- ↑ Peach Pundit, "Special Election Set for House District 50 (Lynn Riley’s Seat)," November 12, 2014
- ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed December 31, 2014
- ↑ Athens Banner-Herald, "Election for District 120 set for Feb. 3 runoff," January 7, 2015
- ↑ Peach Pundit, "Representative Mickey Channell Retiring From Legislature," November 28, 2014
- ↑ timesunion.com, "Special election scheduled for Georgia House District 120," December 1, 2014
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Florida Department of State, "January 27, 2015, Primary Election Results," accessed April 23, 2015
- ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "Official candidate list," accessed December 17, 2014
- ↑ Florida Department of State, "April 7, 2015, Special Election results," accessed April 23, 2015
- ↑ News4Jax, "Governor sets 3 NE Florida special elections," October 10, 2014
- ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "Notice of Special Election," accessed December 17, 2014
- ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "Official candidate list," accessed December 17, 2014
- ↑ Florida Department of State, "April 7, 2015, Special Election results," accessed April 23, 2015
- ↑ News4Jax, "Governor sets 3 NE Florida special elections," October 10, 2014
- ↑ news4jax.com, "GOP wins trio of special elections," accessed April 8, 2015
- ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "Notice of Special Election," accessed December 17, 2014
- ↑ staugustine.com, "McNeeley withdraws from Jan. 27 primary," January 9, 2015
- ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "Official candidate list," accessed December 17, 2014
- ↑ Florida Department of State, "April 7, 2015, Special Election results," accessed April 23, 2015
- ↑ News4Jax, "Governor sets 3 NE Florida special elections," October 10, 2014
- ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "Notice of Special Election," accessed December 17, 2014