What's on the ballot today? - August 19, 2014
August 19, 2014
Control over the Virginia State Senate hangs in the balance as voters head to the polls in today's special election for a vacancy in District 38.
Virginia's special election joins primaries for state legislature, state executive office, U.S. House and U.S. Senate in Alaska and Wyoming. Voters in Alaska will also decide on Ballot Measure 1, which has attracted significant campaign contributions and heated debate over tax benefits for oil companies.
The District 38 special election pits Mike Hymes (D), A. Benton Chafin (R) and Rick A. Mullins (I) in a race to replace Phillip Puckett (D), who retired on June 9, 2014.[1] Puckett's resignation was followed by a second vacancy in the senate, created by the resignation of District 16 Sen. Henry Marsh (D).[2] The balance of power in the chamber shifted from an even split of 20 members each for the Democrats and Republicans to a 20-to-18 advantage for the Republicans. If Chafin wins the special election, Republicans will control the Senate despite the results of an as-yet-unscheduled special election for District 16. There are also special elections in Virginia House of Delegates District 48 and Virginia House of Delegates District 90, though the Republican majority in that chamber is not in jeopardy.
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| Arkansas |
| Florida |
| Iowa |
| Oklahoma |
Alaskans face a crowded primary ballot, as Democratic and Republican candidates seek nominations for governor and lieutenant governor. The U.S. Senate primary has also drawn attention, as Sen. Mark Begich (D) is considered vulnerable in his re-election bid. The hottest race on the primary ballot, however, is a ballot measure aimed at repealing tax breaks for oil companies operating in the state. Ballot Measure 1 would repeal the More Alaska Production Act passed by the Alaska State Legislature in 2013, which eliminated taxes on profits per barrel of oil while maintaining a 35 percent base tax.[3][4] Supporters of the measure argued that the act provided an excessive benefit to oil companies, while opponents believe that tax incentives will attract more oil companies to the state. Political action committees opposed to the measure, including Vote No on One and Keep Alaska Competitive, have spent $13.7 million ahead of today's vote, compared to $571,000 spent by supporters.
Republicans in Wyoming have a busy day ahead of them, as primary foes hope to advance to November elections for four state executive offices. The Republican gubernatorial primary highlights a tense relationship between Gov. Matt Mead and current Superintendent of Education Cindy Hill. Hill jumped into the race in January 2013, citing efforts by Mead and the Wyoming State Legislature to strip her office of administrative power. She won a lawsuit against the state in April 2014, which found changes to the superintendent's office unconstitutional.[5]
Alaska
- See also: Alaska elections, 2014
- Democratic and Republican primaries for governor and lieutenant governor.
- Alaska Ballot Measure 1
Congress
State legislatures
Virginia
- Special elections for Virginia State Senate District 38, Virginia House of Delegates District 48 and Virginia House of Delegates District 90.
Wyoming
- See also: Wyoming elections, 2014
- Republican primaries for governor, secretary of state, superintendent of education and treasurer.
Congress
State legislatures
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ WJLA, "Phil Puckett, Virginia senator, announces his resignation," June 9, 2014
- ↑ Times Dispatch, "Marsh retiring after 22 years in Virginia Senate," July 1, 2014
- ↑ Anchorage Daily News, "Critics of oil tax cuts move ahead with referendum to repeal the legislation," April 18, 2013
- ↑ Alaska Dispatch News, "Revenue forecasts: 'Facts' used in oil tax debate may not be," August 4, 2014
- ↑ Casper Star-Tribune, "Cindy Hill back in charge of Wyoming Education Department," April 21, 2014
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