The big story for states ... Obama-care is here to stay (for now anyway). States will be deciding if and how to expand Medicaid and implement health insurance exchanges without breaking state budgets. The looming fiscal cliff could put huge strains on state budgets. States and localities are the true government service providers (healthcare, education, public safety, emergency serivces) and rely heavily on federal dollars to provide these services. Major cuts in federal dollars deal major blows to state and local governments.
Governors -
Most of the governor's races went as expected. Incumbents won in Delaware, Missouri, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont and West Virginia. Indiana's Mike Pense cruised to victory to replace a term-limited Mitch Daniels.
The competitive races truly lived up to their billing. Governor-elect Maggie Hassan (D) defeated perennial candidate Ovide Lamontagne. Democrats also held in Montana and Washington. The Governor-elect Inslee (D) vs Attorney General McKenna was a great race to watch. Many thought given the late polls that McKenna might have pulled it out, but because Washington State votes by mail he probably peaked a week too late. In North Carolina, former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory (R) managed the only flip in the fifty states winning the seat left open by a retiring Governor Bev Perdue (D). Gov. Louis Fortuno, a pro-statehood Republican was the only incumbent defeated, as he lost to Alejandro Garcia Padilla of the Popular Democratic Party, an anti-statehood candidate on the same day Puerto Ricans approved a pro-statehood referendum.
Attorneys General Races -
In Pennsylvania, Kathleen Granahan Kane (D) won the Attorney General's race, which could set up an investigation in to Governor Corbett's handling of the Jerry Sandusky case when he was the state's top attorney.
In West Virginia, Darrell McGraw(D) ends a 20-year run as Attorney General as he was narrowly defeated by Republican Patrick Morrisey.
Washington State went blue as out-going AG Rob McKenna (R) will be followed by Bob Ferguson.
Legislatures -
The big news in state legislatures is the new supermajority in California. In California, tax increases can only be approved by a two-thirds majority. In recent sessions, that has meant that some Republicans would have to vote in favor. That will change in January and Californians can expect to see tax increases in the near future.
Wisconsin - The Wisconsin Senate flipped majorities in the third time in two years (which is unusual considering they only hold elections every two years). Republicans were able to retake the Senate majority that they won in 2010 and lost in the special elections of 2011 and 2012.
The New York Senate will be led by a parliamentary-like coalition government as a few break-away Democrats will caucus with the Republicans. This coalition seemed to work during the first two-years of the Cuomo administration and ended the chaos and disfunction that was symbolic of Albany during the Paterson administration. Somehow Sheldon Silver looks like he will continue his leadership role as Speaker of the Assembly.
In Maine, Republican control of the legislature was short-lived as voters returned control to Democrats. Maine is unique in that the legislature "elects" the three Constitutional officers - Attorney General, Secretary of State and Treasurer. Expect changes to come in all three offices.
New Hampshire - The country’s largest state legislature continues to see giant shifts in control. For the third time in three elections that the New Hampshire House of Representatives has shifted control, this time back to the Democrats. Democrats also narrowed the gap in the Senate, a body they also controlled before the 2010 elections.
Arkansas Republicans control both houses of the Legislature for the first time since reconstruction, as Republicans took control of both the House and Senate.
Over all, Democrats had a good night on Election night. Democrats netted 170 seats across the country. In addition to those mentioned, Democrats have flipped the Colorado House, both the Minnesota House and Senate and the Oregon House. In addition to wins in Arkansas and Wisconsin, Republicans were able to gain control of the Alaska State Senate.
Ballot Issues -
I am happy to say that marriage equality was a huge winner at the ballot box this year. Marriage equality was approved by voters in Maryland, Maine, Washington and an attempt in Minnesota to ban marriage equality failed. This was an amazing night as marriage equality was previously riding a thirty-three ballot losing streak. To me, this should not be a political issue. Our friends and family members are entitled to equal rights and protections under the law and more importantly should be able to celebrate their relationships with their partners. Congratulations!
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