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State Legislative Tracker: Louisiana state Sen. Brown charged with domestic battery

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November 30, 2015

Edited by Jackie Beran

This week’s tracker includes a look at the arrest of a state senator in Louisiana for domestic battery and at a bill in Massachusetts that could raise the minimum age for tobacco sales to 21 years.

Weekly highlight

Sen. Troy Brown (D)

LOUISIANA: On November 29, 2015, state Sen. Troy Brown (D-2) was arrested and charged with domestic abuse battery.[1] Brown was arrested for an incident that occurred on November 28 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans.[1] He was let out of jail on a $3,000 bond.[2] According to police, the incident began with an argument between Brown and the alleged victim in his hotel room.[3] According to police, the female victim had been romantically involved with the married senator for the past 10 years.[4] Due to the argument, the alleged victim left the hotel room with her female friend and headed for the elevator.[3] While waiting for the elevator, the two women were confronted by Brown, and he began an argument with the woman's friend. The first woman intervened in the argument, at which time Brown allegedly punched her in the right eye.[1] Brown said in an emailed statement that he did not remember everything that happened. According to Brown, a serious car accident in 1991 left him with brain damage, and since then, he has suffered from periodic bouts of short-term memory loss.[3] Brown went on to say, "I apologize to my family and my constituents, and I commit to getting the help I need to resolve the medical issues which I believe contributed to this incident. From the first moment authorities were called I have cooperated fully with them and will continue to do so."[5] Brown was re-elected to the chamber in October, with 72 percent of the vote.

Massachusetts General Court

MASSACHUSETTS: A bill calling for a statewide increase of the minimum age for tobacco sales to 21 years may see movement following the announcement of a similar municipal plan in Boston. If the bill were to pass, retailers found in violation would be fined at least $100, with second-time offenders being fined at least $200 and third-time offenders being fined at least $300. Almost 60 members of the state legislature have signed on to the bill.[6][7] Sen. Jason Lewis (D) argues that such a move will cut down on teenage nicotine addiction because retailers themselves are mostly law-abiding. Lewis said, "If you increase the age to 21, that means the 15- and 16-year-olds aren't getting tobacco products from the 18- and 19-year-olds. That's why that strategy is quite effective."[8] Retailers including convenience stores and gas stations have voiced opposition to the plan due to an anticipated drop in business. The state itself stands to take a hit from decreased revenues from the state cigarette tax, which was raised from $1 per pack to $3.51 two years ago.[6]

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh (D), a former state legislator, has already proposed that his city adopt a minimum age of 21 for the sale of tobacco products, something 78 municipalities in the state have already put in place. Jon Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, responded by arguing that an age limit should be a state matter and that municipalities imposing their own rules confuses the public. Ten years ago, Needham, Massachusetts, became the first town in the country to raise its minimum age to 21. In June, Hawaii became the first state to do so; the law takes effect on New Year's Day.[9][10][6]

The joint Public Health Committee could act on the bill, which last saw a hearing in July, sometime during the 2016 session.[6] On November 20, the committee's co-chairs, Lewis and Rep. Kate Hogan (D), played host to anti-smoking advocates as part of the American Cancer Society's 40th annual Great American Smokeout. Lewis said the committee is also exploring regulations such as the prohibition of e-cigarette sales to those under 21 and a statewide ban on tobacco sales by pharmacies.[8]

Sessions

Current sessions capture for the week of November 30, 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 three out of 50 state legislatures are meeting in regular session. Three states are in recess, 43 states have adjourned their 2015 legislative sessions, and one state is in special session.

The following states are in regular session:[11]

In recess

As of today, November 30, there are three state legislatures currently in recess.[12]

Adjourned

The following states have adjourned their 2015 regular sessions:[13]

  • February 27, 2015: Virginia; one-day special session ended on 8/17[14][15]
  • March 6, 2015: Wyoming
  • March 12, 2015: Utah; one-day special session ended on 8/19
  • March 14, 2015: West Virginia
  • March 21, 2015: New Mexico; one-day special session ended on 6/8
  • March 23, 2015: Kentucky
  • March 30, 2015: South Dakota
  • April 2, 2015: Arkansas; three-day special session ended on 5/28
  • April 2, 2015: Arizona; three-day special session ended on 10/30
  • April 2, 2015: Georgia
  • April 2, 2015: Mississippi
  • April 11, 2015: Idaho; one-day special session ended on 5/18
  • April 13, 2015: Maryland
  • April 22, 2015: Tennessee
  • April 24, 2015: Washington; special sessions were from 4/29 to 5/28, 5/29 to 6/27 and 6/28 to 7/10
  • April 27 , 2015: Alaska; 1st special session was from 4/28 to 5/21; 2nd special session was from 5/21 to 6/11; 3rd special session was from 10/24 to 11/5
  • April 28, 2015: Montana
  • April 29, 2015: Indiana
  • April 29, 2015: North Dakota; one-day special session ended on 6/16
  • May 1, 2015: Florida; 1st special session was from 6/1 to 6/19; 2nd special session was from 8/10 to 8/21; 3rd special session was from 10/19 to 11/5
  • May 6, 2015: Colorado
  • May 7, 2015: Hawaii
  • May 15, 2015: Missouri
  • May 16, 2015: Vermont
  • May 18, 2015: Minnesota; one-day special session ended on 6/13
  • May 22, 2015: Oklahoma
  • May 29, 2015: Nebraska
  • June 1, 2015: Texas
  • June 1, 2015: Nevada
  • June 3, 2015: Connecticut; special session was from 6/29 to 6/30
  • June 4, 2015: South Carolina; special veto session was from 6/16 to 7/9
  • June 4, 2015: Alabama; 1st special session was from 7/13 to 8/11; 2nd special session was from 9/8 to 9/16
  • June 5, 2015: Iowa
  • June 11, 2015: Louisiana
  • June 12, 2015: Kansas
  • June 25, 2015: Rhode Island
  • June 25, 2015: New York
  • June 30, 2015: Delaware; special session was from 6/30 to 7/1
  • July 1, 2015: New Hampshire
  • July 6, 2015: Oregon
  • July 16, 2015: Maine
  • September 12, 2015: California
  • September 30, 2015: North Carolina

Special sessions

As of today, November 30, there is one state legislature currently in special session.

  • November 6, 2015: Wisconsin; convened extraordinary session

2015 Legislative Elections

See also: State legislative elections, 2015

In the 50 states, there are 99 state legislative chambers, of which seven chambers held state legislative elections in November 2015.[16]

There were 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 were 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 were up for election. Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey and Virginia hold elections in odd-numbered years. The New Jersey State Senate was the only chamber in those four states without scheduled elections in 2015.

Primary information

The state legislative filing deadlines and primary dates in 2015 were as follows:

Filing deadlines

Primary dates

Special Elections

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See also: State legislative special elections, 2015

There are three special elections and one special election primary scheduled for this week.

Georgia State Senate District 20

See also: Georgia state legislative special elections, 2015

A special election for the position of Georgia State Senate District 20 was called for December 1. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was November 4.[21]

The seat was vacant following Ross Tolleson's (R) resignation on November 1, 2015.[22]

Larry Walker (R) defeated Vivian Childs (R), Brooks Keisler (R), Jon Martin (R), James Pettis (R) and Mike Reece (R) in the special election.[23][24]

Georgia State Senate, District 20, Special Election, 2015
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngLarry Walker 52.2% 4,111
     Republican Jon Martin 18.6% 1,462
     Republican James Pettis 13.1% 1,029
     Republican Mike Reece 5.9% 461
     Republican Brooks Keisler 5.3% 420
     Republican Vivian Childs 4.9% 388
Total Votes 7,871
December 1 Special election candidates:
Republican Party Vivian Childs
Republican Party Brooks Keisler
Republican Party Jon Martin
Republican Party James Pettis
Republican Party Mike Reece
Republican Party Larry Walker

Georgia State Senate District 43

See also: Georgia state legislative special elections, 2015

A special election for the position of Georgia State Senate District 43 was called for November 3.[25] A runoff election took place on December 1.[26] The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was September 16.[25]

The seat was vacant following Ronald Ramsey's (D) resignation in July 2015 to become a judge on the DeKalb County traffic court.[27]

Tonya Anderson (D), Stan Williams (D), Sharon Griffin Sawyer (D), Rodney Upton (D), Marcus Jordan (D), Janice Frey Van Ness (R), Diane Adoma (R) and William "Bill" Kennedy (R) faced off in the special election. Angela Moore (I) was disqualified from the race, but remained on the ballot.[28][29] Since no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters, Anderson and Frey Van Ness, met in a runoff election, which Frey Van Ness won.[30][31]

Georgia State Senate, District 43, Special Election Runoff, 2015
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngJanice Frey Van Ness 50.5% 3,865
     Democratic Tonya Anderson 49.5% 3,781
Total Votes 7,646
Georgia State Senate, District 43, Special Election, 2015
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngJanice Frey Van Ness (advanced to runoff) 37.1% 2,995
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngTonya Anderson (advanced to runoff) 26.1% 2,110
     Democratic Stan Williams 14.5% 1,170
     Democratic Sharon Griffin Sawyer 9.4% 763
     Democratic Marcus Jordan 5.5% 446
     Republican Diane D. Adoma 3.4% 278
     Republican William "Bill" Kennedy 3.1% 254
     Democratic Rodney Upton 0.7% 59
Total Votes 8,075
November 3 Special election candidates:
Note: Angela Moore (I) was disqualified from the race, but her name remained on the ballot because there was not enough time to reprint ballots.[32]
Democratic Party Tonya Anderson Approveda
Democratic Party Stan Williams
Democratic Party Sharon Griffin Sawyer
Democratic Party Rodney Upton
Democratic Party Marcus Jordan
Republican Party Janice Frey Van Ness Approveda
Republican Party Diane Adoma
Republican Party William "Bill" Kennedy
December 1 Special election runoff candidates:
Democratic Party Tonya Anderson
Republican Party Janice Frey Van Ness

Georgia House of Representatives District 122

See also: Georgia state legislative special elections, 2015

A special election for the position of Georgia House of Representatives District 122 was called for November 3.[33] A runoff election took place on December 1.[34] The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was September 16.[35]

The seat was vacant following Ben Harbin's (R) resignation on July 7, 2015, to become a lobbyist for Southern Strategy Group.[36]

Republicans Jodi Lott, Joe Mullins, Mack Taylor and Pat Goodwin faced off in the special election.[37] Since no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters, Lott and Taylor, met in a runoff election, which Lott won.[38][39]

Georgia House of Representatives, District 122, Special Election Runoff, 2015
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngJodi Lott 76.1% 4,102
     Republican Mack Taylor 23.9% 1,290
Total Votes 5,392
Georgia House of Representatives, District 122, Special Election, 2015
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngJodi Lott (advanced to runoff) 41% 3,000
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngMack Taylor (advanced to runoff) 29.7% 2,174
     Republican Joe Mullins 15.3% 1,123
     Republican Pat Goodwin 13.9% 1,020
Total Votes 7,317
November 3 Special election candidates:
Republican Party Jodi Lott Approveda
Republican Party Joe Mullins
Republican Party Mack Taylor Approveda
Republican Party Pat Goodwin
December 1 Special election runoff candidates:
Republican Party Jodi Lott
Republican Party Mack Taylor

Rhode Island State Senate District 11

See also: Rhode Island state legislative special elections, 2016

A special election for the position of Rhode Island State Senate District 11 was called for January 5, 2016. A primary election took place on December 1, 2015. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was October 23, 2015.[40]

The seat was vacant following Christopher Ottiano's (R) resignation on October 13, 2015. He resigned to take a job at the Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island.[41]

James Arthur Seveney defeated Brett N. Pelletier and Amy G. Rice in the Democratic primary. John A. Pagliarini Jr. defeated Joan B. Chabot and Kenneth Mendonca in the Republican primary. Gregory Steven Blythe ran as an independent candidate.[42][43] Pagliarini defeated Seveney and Blythe in the special election.[44]

Rhode Island State Senate, District 11, Special Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngJohn Pagliarini 51.8% 1,327
     Democratic James Arthur Seveney 47.1% 1,207
     Independent Gregory Steven Blythe 1.1% 28
     Other Write-in 0.1% 2
Total Votes 2,564
Democratic Party December 1 Democratic primary candidates:
Republican Party December 1 Republican primary candidates:
Grey.png Independent candidates:

Recent elections results

November 10, 2015

☑ New Hampshire House of Representatives District Strafford 1

See also: New Hampshire state legislative special elections, 2015

A special election for the position of New Hampshire House of Representatives District Strafford 1 was called for November 10. A primary election took place on September 22.[45]

The seat was vacant following Robbie Parsons' (R) death on June 22, 2015.[46]

Larry Brown (D) was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Robert Graham defeated Frank Emiro in the Republican primary. Brown was defeated by Graham in the special election.[47][48]

New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford1, Special Election, 2015
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngRobert Graham 77.8% 259
     Democratic Larry Brown 22.2% 74
Total Votes 333
New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford1 Republican Primary, 2015
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngRobert Graham 92.9% 92
Frank Emiro 7.1% 7
Total Votes 99
Democratic Party September 22 Democratic primary candidates:
Republican Party September 22 Republican primary candidates:
November 10 Special election candidates:
Democratic Party Larry Brown
Republican Party Robert Graham Green check mark transparent.png

☐ Oklahoma State Senate District 34

See also: Oklahoma state legislative special elections, 2016

A special election for the position of Oklahoma State Senate District 34 was called for January 12, 2016. A primary election took place on November 10, 2015. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was September 2, 2015.[49]

The seat was vacant following Rick Brinkley's (R) resignation on August 20, 2015. He resigned before admitting in federal court that he stole $1.8 million from the Better Business Bureau.[50]

J.J. Dossett defeated Lisa Franklin in the Democratic primary, while David McLain defeated Mark Williams, John Feary and Chuck Daugherty in the Republican primary. Greg Douglass withdrew from the race before the Republican primary.[51] Dossett defeated McLain in the special election.[52][53]

Oklahoma State Senate, District 34, Special Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngJ.J. Dossett 56.3% 2,173
     Republican David McLain 43.7% 1,687
Total Votes 3,860
Democratic Party November 10 Democratic primary candidates:
Republican Party November 10 Republican primary candidates:
Note: Greg Douglass withdrew from the race before the primary.[51]
January 12 Special election candidates:
Democratic Party J.J. Dossett
Republican Party David McLain

Looking ahead

Upcoming special elections include:

  • December 1:
  • December 8:

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Fox 8 Live, "State Senator Troy Brown issues statement addressing arrest," accessed November 30, 2015
  2. ↑ Daily Comet, "Area legislator charged with domestic abuse battery," accessed November 30, 2015
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 wwltv.com, "Police: State Senator punched female friend in face during altercation," accessed November 30, 2015
  4. ↑ wbrz.com, "NOPD says married Sen. Troy Brown punched girlfriend at Bayou Classic party," accessed November 30, 2015
  5. ↑ ksla.com, "OPSO: Louisiana State Senator arrested in New Orleans," accessed November 30, 2015
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Associated Press, "Proposed Bill Would Make 21 Legal Age To Buy Tobacco In Massachusetts," November 28, 2015
  7. ↑ Massachusetts General Court, "Bill H.2021," accessed November 30, 2015
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 State House News Service, "Pols weigh push to raise smoking age," November 20, 2015
  9. ↑ The Boston Globe, "Walsh takes aim at teen smoking," November 18, 2015
  10. ↑ Reuters, "Hawaii becomes first U.S. state to raise smoking age to 21," June 20, 2015
  11. ↑ Stateside Associates, "Session Calendar 2015," accessed November 30, 2015
  12. ↑ StateNet, "Daily Session Summary," accessed November 30, 2015
  13. ↑ StateNet, "Daily Session Summary," accessed November 30, 2015
  14. ↑ 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 courts determined that the state's 3rd Congressional District must be re-drawn. A three-judge panel is in the process of drawing a new congressional map.
  15. ↑ The News & Advance, "Virginia projected to gain 12th U.S. House Seat after 2020 census," accessed November 30, 2015
  16. ↑ Mississippi, New Jersey and Virginia held general elections on November 3, 2015. Louisiana's general election was held on November 21.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Mississippi Secretary of State, "2015 Elections," accessed January 2, 2015
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Mississippi Secretary of State, "2015 Election Calendar," accessed January 2, 2015
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 New Jersey Department of Elections, "2015 Primary Election Timeline," accessed February 2, 2015
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Virginia State Board of Elections, "2015 November Election Calendar," accessed January 2, 2015
  21. ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Call for Special Election in State Senate District 20," accessed November 4, 2015
  22. ↑ 41 NBC, "Tolleson announces retirement from State Senate," October 6, 2015
  23. ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Secretary Kemp Announces the Close of Qualifying for the Special Election in State Senate District 20," accessed November 10, 2015
  24. ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Special Election - December 1, 2015," accessed December 2, 2015
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Rockdale News, "Governor calls for District 43 Special Election," accessed September 8, 2015
  26. ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Call for Special Election in State Senate District 43," accessed September 17, 2015
  27. ↑ Rockdale News, "Special election for District 43 to be called," August 1, 2015
  28. ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Georgia Secretary of State Brian P. Kemp Releases Final Decision on Candidate Challenge," accessed October 20, 2015
  29. ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Qualifying Candidate Information," accessed September 17, 2015
  30. ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Special Election Results for November 3, 2015," accessed November 3, 2015
  31. ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Special Election - December 1, 2015," accessed December 2, 2015
  32. ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Georgia Secretary of State Brian P. Kemp Releases Final Decision on Candidate Challenge," accessed October 20, 2015
  33. ↑ WRDW-TV, "UPDATE | Date of special election set for Ben Harbin's seat," accessed August 12, 2015
  34. ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Call for Special Election in State House District 122," accessed September 17, 2015
  35. ↑ The Augusta Chronicle, "District 122 special election set for Nov. 3," accessed September 16, 2015
  36. ↑ The Augusta Chronicle, "Ben Harbin will leave Legislature to become lobbyist," accessed June 30, 2015
  37. ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Qualifying Candidate Information," accessed September 17, 2015
  38. ↑ NBC 26, "House District 122 race will go to runoff between Taylor and Lott," accessed November 3, 2015
  39. ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Special Election - December 1, 2015," accessed December 2, 2015
  40. ↑ Providence Journal, "Special election schedule set for Ottiano's replacement in R.I. Senate," October 14, 2015
  41. ↑ Providence Journal, "Republican Sen. Ottiano to resign because of new job," October 13, 2015
  42. ↑ Rhode Island Government, "Seven declared candidates for Senate District 11 Special Election," accessed October 26, 2015
  43. ↑ Rhode Island State Board of Elections, "Senate 11 Primary Results," accessed January 22, 2016
  44. ↑ Rhode Island State Board of Elections, "Senate 11 Special Election Results," accessed January 22, 2016
  45. ↑ Fosters, "Special election to be held in state rep. District 1," accessed September 3, 2015
  46. ↑ fosters.com, "State rep. loses battle with kidney cancer," accessed June 26, 2015
  47. ↑ fosters.com, "Graham, Brown to face off for state representative seat," accessed September 23, 2015
  48. ↑ New Hampshire Secretary of State, "Strafford County District No. 1 (Middleton, Milton)," accessed November 20, 2015
  49. ↑ theadanews.com, "Oklahoma governor sets special election to replace senator," accessed August 12, 2015
  50. ↑ koco.com, "Oklahoma state senator pleads guilty to wire fraud, tax evasion; resigns position," accessed August 20, 2015
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 Oklahoma State Election Board, "Candidates for State Senator District 34 Special Election," accessed September 3, 2015
  52. ↑ Oklahoma State Election Board, "Special Legislative Races Special Election — November 10, 2015," accessed November 11, 2015
  53. ↑ Oklahoma State Election Board, "Special Legislative Races Special Election — January 12, 2016," accessed January 13, 2016
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