State Legislative Tracker: New Jersey considers gun control legislation
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March 3, 2014
Edited by Joel Williams
This week’s tracker includes a look one at gun control legislation in New Jersey.
Weekly highlight
Last week, no state began its legislative session. Here is a brief look at issues making headlines across the country:
- New Jersey: Democrats in the New Jersey Legislature have proposed legislation that would limit the magazine capacity of guns to 10 rounds from the current 15 rounds and would also ban semiautomatic rifles with fixed-magazine capacities that exceed 10 rounds. The same legislation was introduced and passed last year in the General Assembly, but President Stephen Sweeney (D) refused to bring it up for a vote in the Senate. This year, the legislation has been introduced by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D) and Senate President Pro Tempore Nia Gill (D) with support from Sweeney. In the Assembly, Majority Leader Louis Greenwald (D) sponsored the legislation as he did last year. Sweeney changed his mind on supporting the legislation after he met with families who lost children in the Sandy Hook school shooting. A social media campaign to recall Sweeney has been started by gun rights advocates in response to his support of the legislation. The bill is expected to pass both houses, but it is unclear if Gov. Chris Christie (R) will sign it.[1][2][3][4]
- Vermont: Governor Peter Shumlin (D) and the legislative leaders hope to see another increase in minimum wage. House Speaker Shap Smith (D) and Senate Majority Leader Philip Baruth (D) support Shumlin's idea that the way to fix "leaving too many lower-income workers behind" is to "pay them a fair wage for a day's work." Vermont's minimum wage is currently the third highest at $8.73 an hour, but those supporting raising it say that many employees working for minimum wage rely on taxpayer-funded social services. There are currently three definitive suggestions for what the new minimum wage should be. Shumlin is supportive of President Barack Obama's plan to raise it to $10.10 an hour over time. The House and Senate have proposed $12 or $12.50 an hour while other legislators have argued for a raise to $15 an hour. On February 26, the Vermont House General, Housing and Military Affairs Committee was urged to raise minimum wage to the low end of "livable" at $12.50 an hour. However, Rep. Ronald Hubert (R), the owner of a small store, argued that the raise would cost him $46,000 for his four minimum-wage employees. He said he "would lay off five people the day this bill is signed." The raise to $15 an hour would cost him $84,000. Even minimum wage being $10 would cost about $20,000 a year. Supporters of the bill are having to consider the cost to the workers, as well. Raising minimum wage could cause for them to no longer be qualified for social service programs. Consequently, amendments to the social services system might be required with an increase in minimum wage.[5][6]
- Wisconsin: Assembly Majority Leader Bill Kramer (R) has entered treatment and is facing disciplinary action following allegations that he sexually harassed two women following a fundraiser in Washington last week. In the wake of a short statement released Saturday by Kramer's office, which declined further comment, Speaker Robin Vos (R) responded, saying that the Republican caucus will vote on whether to remove Kramer from his position on Tuesday, and that Kramer had "lost our trust and confidence." Two anonymous Republicans told the Associated Press that Kramer had been approached to resign after allegedly groping a woman at a bar on Wednesday and making an inappropriate statement to another while flying back on Thursday. Kramer, whose brash style has split Assembly Republicans, was elected as Majority Leader last September following the resignation of Scott Suder (R). During the nominations for the position, fellow Rep. Chris Kapenga accused Kramer of a pattern of inappropriate behavior in public, particularly at a meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council in Chicago.[7][8][9][10]
Partisan breakdown
As of today, March 3, 2014, the following figures represent the cumulative partisan breakdown of the 50 state senates and 49 state houses. In the 50 states, Republicans currently control 51.8% of all seats while Democrats hold 46.5%. All told, Republicans control 57 chambers while Democrats are the majority in 41 chambers. One chamber is nonpartisan.
Representation in 50 State Legislatures | ||
---|---|---|
Party | Number of | Percentage |
Democratic state legislators | 3,438 | 46.5% |
Republican state legislators | 3,828 | 51.8% |
Independent (and nonpartisan) state legislators | 66 | 0.89% |
Third party (and non-voting) legislators | 12 | 0.16% |
Vacancies | 42 | 0.57% |
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 January 21, 2014, the breakdown of chamber control by party is as follows:
- See also: Partisan composition of state houses
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 5,415 state representatives.
As of January 21, 2014, the breakdown of chamber control by party is as follows:
Cumulative numbers
As of September 5, 2025, 5,368 state representatives were affiliated with either the Democratic or Republican parties. This total is updated monthly.
Partisan balance of all 7,386 state legislative seats | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Legislative chamber | ![]() |
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Vacant | ||||
State senates | 833 | 1,121 | 5 | 14 | ||||
State houses | 2,391 | 2,977 | 20 | 25 | ||||
Total: | 3,224
|
4,098
|
25
|
39 |
Vacancies
As of April 8, 2025, there were 15 state house vacancies across 12 states. This total is updated monthly.
State | Vacancies |
---|---|
Alabama | 1 |
Connecticut | 1 |
Florida | 1 |
Hawaii | 1 |
Iowa | 1 |
Louisiana | 1 |
Massachusetts | 2 |
Mississippi | 2 |
Missouri | 1 |
New Hampshire | 1 |
Oklahoma | 2 |
Pennsylvania | 1 |
South Carolina | 1 |
Independents
As of April 8, 2025, there were 19 state representatives in eight states identifying as independents or parties other than Democratic and Republican. This total is updated monthly.
State | Independents/Minor party |
---|---|
Alaska | 4 (Independent), 1 (Undeclared) |
Maine | 1 (unenrolled) |
Massachusetts | 1 (unenrolled) |
Mississippi | 2 (Independent) |
New Hampshire | 1 (No affiliation) |
Rhode Island | 1 (Independent) |
Vermont | 4 (Vermont Progressive Party), 3 (Independent) |
Sessions
Regular sessions
- See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions
- Click here to see a chart of each state's 2014 session information.
Currently 36 out of 50 state legislatures are meeting in regular session. One state, Wisconsin, is in special session but currently recessed.
The following states have convened their 2014 regular session:[11]
- January 6: California
- January 6: Idaho
- January 7: Indiana
- January 7: Kentucky
- January 7: Mississippi
- January 7: Ohio
- January 7: Pennsylvania
- January 7: Rhode Island
- January 7: Vermont
- January 8: Colorado
- January 8: Nebraska
- January 8: Maine
- January 8: Maryland
- January 8: Michigan
- January 8: Missouri
- January 8: New Hampshire
- January 8: New York
- January 8: West Virginia
- January 8: Virginia
- January 13: Georgia
- January 13: Iowa
- January 13: Washington
- January 13: Arizona
- January 13: Alabama
- January 14: Wisconsin
- January 14: New Jersey
- January 14: Delaware
- January 14: South Carolina
- January 14: South Dakota
- January 14: Tennessee
- January 14: Massachusetts
- January 15: Hawaii
- January 21: Alaska
- January 21: New Mexico
- January 27: Utah
- January 29: Illinois
- February 3: Oklahoma
- February 3: Oregon
- February 5: Connecticut
- February 10: Arkansas
- February 10: Wyoming
The following states have adjourned their 2014 regular session:[12]
- February 20: New Mexico
Special sessions
Snapshot of State Legislatures | |
---|---|
There are 7,383 Total State Legislators | |
Total Democratic state legislators | 3,224 (Expression error: Unexpected < operator.%) |
Total Republican state legislators | 4,098 (Expression error: Unexpected < operator.%) |
There are 99 Total State Legislative Chambers | |
Total Democratic Party-controlled chambers | 41 |
Total Republican Party-controlled chambers | 57 |
Total tied or nonpartisan chambers | 1 |
2014 Session Information | |
Total Special Elections | 14 |
Total Special Sessions | 1 |
Wisconsin
Gov. Scott Walker (R) called the legislature into special session on January 22. Walker asked the legislature to find a way to fund $500 million worth of property and income tax cuts.[13]
In recess
As of today, March 3, there are six state legislatures currently in recess:[14]
- Illinois: March 4
- Nebraska: March 4
- Kansas: March 5
- New Hampshire: March 5
- Pennsylvania: March 10
- Wisconsin: March 11
2014 Legislative Elections
- See also: State legislative elections, 2014
A total of 87 of the 99 chambers will hold state legislative elections on November 4, 2014.
The 87 chambers with elections in 2014 are in 46 states. They are:
- Alabama (Senate and House)
- Alaska (Senate and House)
- Arizona (Senate and House)
- Arkansas (Senate and House)
- California (Senate and Assembly)
- Colorado (Senate and House)
- Connecticut (Senate and House)
- Delaware (Senate and House)
- Florida (Senate and House)
- Georgia (Senate and House)
- Hawaii (Senate and House)
- Idaho (Senate and House)
- Illinois (Senate and House)
- Indiana (Senate and House)
- Iowa (Senate and House)
- Kansas (House Only)
- Kentucky (Senate and House)
- Maine (Senate and House)
- Maryland (Senate and House)
- Massachusetts (Senate and House)
- Michigan (Senate and House)
- Minnesota (House Only)
- Missouri (Senate and House)
- Montana (Senate and House)
- Nebraska (Unicameral Legislature)
- Nevada (Senate and Assembly)
- New Hampshire (Senate and House)
- New Mexico (House Only)
- New York (Senate and Assembly)
- North Carolina (Senate and House)
- North Dakota (Senate and House)
- Ohio (Senate and House)
- Oklahoma (Senate and House)
- Oregon (Senate and House)
- Pennsylvania (Senate and House)
- Rhode Island (Senate and House)
- South Carolina (House Only)
- South Dakota (Senate and House)
- Tennessee (Senate and House)
- Texas (Senate and House)
- Utah (Senate and House)
- Vermont (Senate and House)
- Washington (Senate and House)
- West Virginia (Senate and House)
- Wisconsin (Senate and Assembly)
- Wyoming (Senate and House)
The Kansas, Minnesota, New Mexico and South Carolina senates also typically hold elections in odd years. However, senators are elected to 4-year terms in those states and those will not be up for election again until 2015.
1090 of the country's 1,972 state senate seats are up for re-election in November 2014, and 4,958 of the country's 5,415 state house seats are up for re-election. Altogether, 6,048 of the country's 7,387 state legislative seats are up for re-election on November 4, 2014.
Primary Information
The state legislative filing deadlines and primary dates are as follows:
Note: Ballot access is a complicated issue. The dates in the table below are primarily for candidates filing for access to the primary. For more detailed information about each state's qualification requirements -- including all relevant ballot access dates for the primary and general election -- click to our detailed pages in the state column.
2014 State Legislative Primary Information |
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State | Filing Deadline | Primary Date | Days from Deadline to Primary |
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Alabama | ![]() |
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116 |
Alaska | ![]() |
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78 |
Arizona | ![]() |
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90 |
Arkansas | ![]() |
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78 |
California | ![]() |
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88 |
Colorado | ![]() |
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85 |
Connecticut | ![]() |
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90 |
Delaware | ![]() |
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63 |
Florida | ![]() |
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67 |
Georgia | ![]() |
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74 |
Hawaii | ![]() |
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67 |
Idaho | ![]() |
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78 |
Illinois | ![]() |
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106 |
Indiana | ![]() |
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88 |
Iowa | ![]() |
![]() |
81 |
Kansas | ![]() |
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65 |
Kentucky | ![]() |
![]() |
112 |
Maine | ![]() |
![]() |
85 |
Maryland | ![]() |
![]() |
119 |
Massachusetts | ![]() |
![]() |
98 |
Michigan | ![]() |
![]() |
105 |
Minnesota | ![]() |
![]() |
70 |
Missouri | ![]() |
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133 |
Montana | ![]() |
![]() |
85 |
Nebraska | ![]() |
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85 |
Nevada | ![]() |
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88 |
New Hampshire | ![]() |
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88 |
New Mexico | ![]() |
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119 |
New York | ![]() |
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61 |
North Carolina | ![]() |
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67 |
North Dakota | ![]() |
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64 |
Ohio | ![]() |
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90 |
Oklahoma | ![]() |
![]() |
74 |
Oregon | ![]() |
![]() |
70 |
Pennsylvania | ![]() |
![]() |
70 |
Rhode Island | ![]() |
![]() |
76 |
South Carolina | ![]() |
![]() |
72 |
South Dakota | ![]() |
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70 |
Tennessee | ![]() |
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126 |
Texas | ![]() |
![]() |
85 |
Utah | ![]() |
![]() |
96 |
Vermont | ![]() |
![]() |
75 |
Washington | ![]() |
![]() |
80 |
West Virginia | ![]() |
![]() |
108 |
Wisconsin | ![]() |
![]() |
71 |
Wyoming | ![]() |
![]() |
81 |
Special Elections
There are no special elections scheduled this week. The next special election will take place on March 18 in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania State Senate District 28
Write-in candidate Scott Wagner (R) defeated party-nominated candidates Linda E. Small (D) and Ron Miller (R) in the special election, which took place on March 18, 2014.[34][35][36]
The seat was vacant following Mike Waugh's (R) appointment as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Farm Show on January 12.
A special election for the position of Pennsylvania State Senate District 28 was called for March 18. Candidates were nominated by their party rather than chosen through a primary[37]
- March 18 Special election candidates:
Linda E. Small
Ron Miller
Recent election results
February 25, 2014
☑ Connecticut State Senate District 10
Gary Holder-Winfield (D) defeated Steven Mullins (R) in the special election, which took place on February 25.[34][38][39]
The seat was vacant following Toni Harp's (D) election as Mayor of New Haven.[40]
A special election for the position of Connecticut State Senate District 10 was called for February 25. Candidates were nominated by their party rather than chosen through a primary. The filing deadline for candidates was January 21.[40]
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | ![]() |
75.6% | 3,236 | |
Republican | Steven Mullins | 24.4% | 1,045 | |
Total Votes | 4,281 |
- February 25 Special election candidates:
Gary Holder-Winfield
Steven Mullins
☑ Rhode Island House of Representatives District 49
Michael Morin defeated Douglas Brown and Mark Chenot in the January 21 Democratic primary. Morin defeated write-in candidates in the special election, which took place on February 25.[34][41][42][43]
The seat was vacant following Lisa Baldelli-Hunt's (D) election as Mayor of Woonsocket.[44]
A special election for the position of Rhode Island House of Representatives District 49 was called for February 25, with a primary on January 21. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was December 13, 2013.[45]
Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
---|---|---|
![]() |
52.1% | 373 |
Douglas Brown | 46.6% | 334 |
Mark Chenot | 1.3% | 9 |
Total Votes | 716 |
January 21 Democratic primary candidates:
- Douglas Brown
- Mark Chenot
- Michael Morin
- Note: Stuart Gitlow appeared on the official candidate list but did not appear on the primary ballot.
- February 25 Special election candidates:
Michael Morin
☑ Virginia House of Delegates District 100
Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. (R) defeated Willie C. Randall (D) in the special election, which took place on February 25.[34][46][47]
The seat was vacant following Lynwood Lewis's (D) election to the Virginia State Senate on January 7.
A special election for the position of Virginia House of Delegates District 100 was called for February 25. Candidates were nominated by their party rather than chosen through a primary. The nominating deadline for parties was February 10.[48]
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | ![]() |
60.3% | 6,810 | |
Democratic | Willie C. Randall | 39.7% | 4,475 | |
Total Votes | 11,285 |
- February 25 Special election candidates:
Willie Randall
Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.
Looking ahead
Upcoming special elections include:
- March 18: Pennsylvania State Senate District 28
- March 25: Alabama House of Representatives District 53
- March 25: California State Senate District 23
- April 1: Massachusetts State Senate Fifth Middlesex District
- April 1: Massachusetts House of Representatives Fourth Hampden District
- April 1: Massachusetts House of Representatives Second Suffolk District
- April 1: Massachusetts House of Representatives Thirteenth Suffolk District
- April 1: Massachusetts House of Representatives Sixteenth Suffolk District
See also
- State legislative elections, 2014
- 2014 state legislative calendar
- Signature requirements and deadlines for 2014 state government elections
- State legislative special elections, 2014
- State legislative recalls
Footnotes
- ↑ nj.com, "Steve Sweeney recall campaign over ammo magazine capacity locked, loaded by gun rights advocates," accessed March 1, 2014
- ↑ nj.com, "Sweeney proud of change of heart on ammo magazine limit," accessed March 1, 2014
- ↑ articles.philly.com, "N.J. Democrats propose limiting capacity of gun magazines," accessed March 1, 2014
- ↑ bizjournals.com, "Jersey reloads on gun control; last time it fired blanks," accessed March 1, 2014
- ↑ USA Today, "13 states raising pay for minimum wage workers," December 30, 2013
- ↑ Burlington Free Press, "Push grows to raise Vt.'s minimum wage," February 26, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin State Journal, "State Assembly Majority Leader Bill Kramer enters treatment, may be forced from post," March 2, 2014. Accessed March 2, 2014
- ↑ Journal Sentinel, "Assembly Majority Leader Bill Kramer accused of sexual harassment," March 1, 2014. Accessed March 2, 2014
- ↑ The Capital Times, "Assembly Republicans plan to vote to oust Majority Leader Bill Kramer from post," March 1, 2014. Accessed March 2, 2014
- ↑ Reuters, "Wisconsin Republican lawmakers seek to remove majority leader," March 2, 2014. Accessed March 2, 2014
- ↑ Stateside Associates, " Session Calendar 2014," accessed March 3, 2014
- ↑ Stateside Associates, " Session Calendar 2014," accessed March 3, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin Governor's Office, "Governor Scott Walker Calls Special Session, Calls on Legislators to Pass the Blueprint for Prosperity," January 23, 2014
- ↑ StateNet, " Daily Session Summary," accessed March 3, 2014
- ↑ Alaska Statutes, "Section 15.25, Nomination of Candidates," accessed October 31, 2013
- ↑ Secretary of State Website, "2014 Election Important Dates," accessed November 4, 2013
- ↑ Running for Public Office, "A 'Plain English' Handbook for Candidates," 2012 Edition, accessed October 21, 2013 (dead link)
- ↑ Arkansas Code of 1987, "Title 7, Elections," accessed October 30, 2013
- ↑ Summary of Qualifications and Requirements for the Office of State Senator, Member of the Assembly, "June 3, 2014, Primary Election," accessed October 21, 2013
- ↑ California Elections Code, "Section 8100-8107," accessed October 28, 2013
- ↑ California Secretary of State Website, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed October 21, 2013
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State Website, "Major Political Parties FAQs," accessed October 31, 2013
- ↑ Colorado Revised Statutes, "Title 1, Elections," accessed October 31, 2013
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State Website, "Frequently Asked Questions, Nominating Papers," accessed October 31, 2013
- ↑ Florida Department of State Division of Elections, "2013-2014 Dates to Remember," accessed November 6, 2013
- ↑ 2013 Florida Statutes, "Section 99.061," accessed December 2, 2014
- ↑ Hawaii State Legislature, "HRS §12-6 Nomination papers: time for filing; fees", accessed May 22, 2013
- ↑ 2014 Kentucky Election Calendar, accessed November 12, 2013
- ↑ Kentucky State Board of Elections "Candidate Qualifications and Filing Fees" accessed November 26, 2011
- ↑ Maine Secretary of State "State of Maine 2014 Candidate's Guide to Ballot Access," accessed February 11, 2014
- ↑ The State Board of Elections, "Candidacy," accessed November 5, 2013
- ↑ 2014 Massachusetts State Primary and State Election Schedule, accessed December 2, 2013
- ↑ Official Election Calendar for the State of Nebraska, accessed November 18, 2014
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 Pennsylvania Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed March 3, 2014 Cite error: Invalid
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tag; name "list" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ ydr.com, "Wagner apparent winner in special state Senate election," March 19, 2014
- ↑ Pennsylvania Secretary of State, "Official special election results," accessed August 29, 2014
- ↑ philly.com, "Lt. Gov calls special election to fill vacant Senate seat," January 13, 2014
- ↑ nhregister.com, "Holder-Winfield wins 10th District state Senate race," February 25, 2014
- ↑ newhavenindependent.org, "Holder-Winfield Clobbers Mullins By 3-1 Margin; “Sex Predator,” Pretend-Tax Attacks Fell Flat," February 26, 2014
- ↑ 40.0 40.1 governor.ct.gov, "Gov. Malloy: Special Election For State Senator In New Haven And West Haven To Be Held February 25," January 10, 2014
- ↑ Providence Journal, "Morin defeats 2 primary challengers to gain hold on Woonsocket House seat," January 21, 2014
- ↑ ctpost.com, "Morin wins Woonsocket election for RI House seat," February 26, 2014(Archived)
- ↑ Rhode Island Secretary of State, "Official Primary election results," accessed March 26, 2014
- ↑ ripr.org, "Baldelli-Hunt To Be Inaugurated As New Mayor Of Woonsocket," December 3, 2013
- ↑ turnto10.com, "State sets special election for Woonsocket House seat," December 4, 2013
- ↑ Washington Post, "Bloxom wins special election to fill Va House seat," February 26, 2014
- ↑ Virginia Board of Elections, "Official special election results," accessed March 14, 2014
- ↑ dailyprogress.com, "Feb. 25 set for Va. House special election," January 29, 2014