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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:

  • 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 5,411 state representatives.

As of February 2, 2015, the 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

Regular sessions

Current sessions capture for the week of February 2, 2015
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]

In recess

As of today, January 26, there is one state legislature currently in recess.[9]

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:

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

Primary Dates

Special Elections

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See also: State legislative special elections, 2015

There are two special election runoffs scheduled this week in Georgia.

Georgia House of Representatives District 50

See also: Georgia state legislative special elections, 2015

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]

Georgia House of Representatives, District 50, Special Election, 2015
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngBradford Jay Raffensperger 52.8% 1,510
     Republican Kelly Leigh Stewart 47.2% 1,351
Total Votes 2,861


February 3 Runoff election candidates:
Republican Party Kelly Leigh Stewart
Republican Party Bradford Jay Raffensperger

Georgia House of Representatives District 120

See also: Georgia state legislative special elections, 2015

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 Green check mark transparent.pngTrey Rhodes 53.4% 2,713
     Republican Jesse Copelan 46.6% 2,366
Total Votes 5,079
February 3 Runoff election candidates:
Republican Party Jesse Copelan
Republican Party Trey Rhodes

Recent election results

January 27, 2015

☐ Florida State Senate District 6

See also: Florida state legislative special elections, 2015

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 Green check mark transparent.pngTravis Hutson 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
Green check mark transparent.pngTravis Hutson 52.2% 13,419
Ronald Renuart 35.1% 9,024
Dennis McDonald 12.7% 3,254
Total Votes 25,697
Democratic PartyJanuary 27 Democratic primary candidates:
Republican PartyJanuary 27 Republican primary candidates:

☐ Florida House of Representatives District 17

See also: Florida state legislative special elections, 2015

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, Special Election, 2015
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngCyndi Stevenson 77.7% 11,189
     Write-In Judy Stevens 22.2% 3,198
     Independent Mary Anne Boczek 0.1% 12
Total Votes 14,399
Florida House of Representatives, District 17 Republican Primary, 2015
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngCyndi Stevenson 41.6% 5,175
Michael Alan Davis 39.2% 4,874
John R. Capra 19.1% 2,379
Total Votes 12,428
Republican PartyJanuary 27 Republican primary candidates:

☐ Florida House of Representatives District 24

See also: Florida state legislative special elections, 2015

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 Green check mark transparent.pngPaul M. Renner 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
Green check mark transparent.pngPaul M. Renner 70.2% 5,970
Ron Sanchez 18.3% 1,561
Danielle A. Anderson 11.5% 978
Total Votes 8,509
Democratic PartyJanuary 27 Democratic primary candidates:
Republican PartyJanuary 27 Republican primary candidates:

Looking ahead

Upcoming special elections include:

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tulsa World, "State Rep. Sally Kern files three bills targeting gays," accessed January 29, 2015
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 kfor.com, "Update: Rep. Sally Kern withdraws one bill aimed at gay community," accessed January 29, 2015
  3. ↑ Koco.com, "Sally Kern withdraws controversial bill," accessed January 29, 2015
  4. ↑ News 9, "Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern's Views on Homosexuality Ignite Controversy Again," June 26, 2009
  5. ↑ 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. ↑ 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
  7. ↑ Erin Dooley, ABC News, "Texas Legislator Instructs Staff: Ask Muslims to Pledge Allegiance to America," January 29, 2015
  8. ↑ Stateside Associates, " Session Calendar 2014," accessed February 2, 2015
  9. ↑ StateNet, " Daily Session Summary," accessed February 2, 2015
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Mississippi Secretary of State, "2015 Elections," accessed January 2, 2015
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Mississippi Secretary of State, "2015 Election Calendar," accessed January 2, 2015
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Virginia State Board of Elections, "2015 November Election Calendar," accessed January 2, 2015
  13. ↑ patch.com, "Five Candidates Qualify for State House District 50 Special Election," November 21, 2014
  14. ↑ patch.com, "House District 50 Race Heads To Runoff," January 6, 2015
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Georgia Secretary of State, "Official election results," accessed February 25, 2015
  16. ↑ Patch.com, "Lynne Riley Resigns From Georgia House, Will Serve As State Revenue Commissioner," November 7, 2014
  17. ↑ Peach Pundit, "Special Election Set for House District 50 (Lynn Riley’s Seat)," November 12, 2014
  18. ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed December 31, 2014
  19. ↑ Athens Banner-Herald, "Election for District 120 set for Feb. 3 runoff," January 7, 2015
  20. ↑ Peach Pundit, "Representative Mickey Channell Retiring From Legislature," November 28, 2014
  21. ↑ timesunion.com, "Special election scheduled for Georgia House District 120," December 1, 2014
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Florida Department of State, "January 27, 2015, Primary Election Results," accessed April 23, 2015
  23. ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "Official candidate list," accessed December 17, 2014
  24. ↑ Florida Department of State, "April 7, 2015, Special Election results," accessed April 23, 2015
  25. ↑ News4Jax, "Governor sets 3 NE Florida special elections," October 10, 2014
  26. ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "Notice of Special Election," accessed December 17, 2014
  27. ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "Official candidate list," accessed December 17, 2014
  28. ↑ Florida Department of State, "April 7, 2015, Special Election results," accessed April 23, 2015
  29. ↑ News4Jax, "Governor sets 3 NE Florida special elections," October 10, 2014
  30. ↑ news4jax.com, "GOP wins trio of special elections," accessed April 8, 2015
  31. ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "Notice of Special Election," accessed December 17, 2014
  32. ↑ staugustine.com, "McNeeley withdraws from Jan. 27 primary," January 9, 2015
  33. ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "Official candidate list," accessed December 17, 2014
  34. ↑ Florida Department of State, "April 7, 2015, Special Election results," accessed April 23, 2015
  35. ↑ News4Jax, "Governor sets 3 NE Florida special elections," October 10, 2014
  36. ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "Notice of Special Election," accessed December 17, 2014
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