Watch out for the Political Races in 2023

WHowever, all eyes are already turning to 2024 When Democrats and Republicans will again fight for party control Congress The White HouseThere are several off-year statewide races that will be held in 2023, which could set the stage for larger national races the next year.

There are a number of governor’s races slated for 2023 that may have big implications for how the 2024 presidential elections will be administered in some states, such as Kentucky and Louisiana. In the meantime, Republicans as well as Democrats will battle it out for majorities in New Jersey’s state legislatures.

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These are the five races you should be watching in 2023.

Kentucky governor’s race

Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY) will seek to defend his seat in the governor’s race in the red state, with a growing field of Republican candidates emerging to challenge the incumbent as he vies for a second term.

So far, 12 Republicans have filed to challenge Beshear in the governor’s race, including former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft; state Attorney General Daniel Cameron; state Rep. Savannah Maddox; Somerset Mayor Alan Keck and state Auditor Mike Harmon.

The Democratic primary field is also starting to shape with at least two additional candidates vying for Beshear’s nomination. Former Republican Peppy Martin (R-KY), and Geoff Young (extended state engineer) are among those who have challenged Beshear.

Beshear is supported by both the state and national Democrats. But, the incumbent could face a difficult battle in the red state if it comes to the nomination. Republicans hold strong majority in both chambers, while Beshear defeated former Gov. by a narrow margin. Matt Bevin was only 0.4 percentage point.

The Democrat has high approval ratings in the state. According to the poll, 59% of voters approve of his job performance. a Morning Consult poll It was conducted in October.

Louisiana governor’s race

The governor’s mansion in Louisiana is up for grabs in 2023 because Gov. John Bel Edwards (D-LA), is unable to run for reelection because of term limits.

Republicans are looking at the race as a potential pickup opportunity in the otherwise redstate, while Democrats seek to retain their limited power. It has taken a while for the Democratic primary field to form, with only one well-known Democrat considering a bid: Shawn Wilson, Transportation Secretary.

The Republican primary field is the focus of attention. A number of candidates have decided that they will be putting their hats into the ring, including Jeff Landry, state attorney general, and Lt. Governor. Billy Nungesser and state senator Sharon Hewitt. U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) is also considering a run for the governor’s mansion, telling voters in early December he was giving the decision “serious consideration.”

According to internal polling, Kennedy could be a front-runner if he runs for gubernatorial office. A survey conducted by Kennedy’s political team showed him leading the GOP field with 21% of voters’ support, followed by Landry with 12.8% and Wilson at 18.2%.

Virginia General Assembly

Both chambers of Virginia’s General Assembly are up for grabs in 2023, just two years after Republicans made huge gains in the state and flipped control of the House of Delegates and the governor’s mansion.

Democrats want to keep control of the tight majority they have in the state Senate. They hold 21 seats more than Republicans, which gives them a slight advantage. Republicans are trying to defend the 52-47 majority they have in the House of Delegates, which they were able retake in 2021.

If Republicans manage to hold on to their majority in the state House and take control of the state Senate, the GOP will have total control over both chambers in the state legislature and the governor’s mansion. If Democrats manage to hold control of both chambers it will give the party leverage to fight Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA), and offer some opportunities to advance their agenda in the next two years.

Virginia Democrats have expressed some optimism about their electoral chances in 2023, pointing to the party’s gains in other state legislatures during the 2022 midterm elections.

New Jersey Legislature

As in Virginia, New Jersey’s two chambers of the Legislature are up for grabs as Democrats attempt to defend their majority in the Senate or the House.

The state Senate is controlled by Democrats with a 24-16 majority and the General Assembly with 46-34 majorities. Republicans, however, have indicated that they are confident of making significant gains due to their electoral strength for 2021.

GOP candidates will face a difficult battle in 2023 if it is any indication that the midterm elections in 2023 are anything like those in 2023. This is because New Jersey’s Democratic congressional candidates did well in their races. A proposed initiative, which will decide abortion access in the state, is likely to be a boon for Democrats. It will appear on the 2023 ballot.

In other states that had similar initiatives on the ballot during the midterm elections, Democrats benefited from increased voter turnout from their base — particularly as Democratic candidates focused much of their campaigns on abortion access.

Wisconsin Supreme Court

Wisconsin is no stranger to hosting tight elections after a handful of contentious midterm races in 2022 — but this time, the competition rests in the state’s Supreme Court.

While elections for state supreme courts should be impartial, the race in Wisconsin is a significant factor as it could decide the ideology of the court over the next two-years. The seat is being vacated by conservative Justice Patience Roggensack, who is retiring from the state’s highest court in the summer.

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So far, Roggensack has been replaced by four candidates. These include Everett Mitchell (liberal judge in Dane County Circuit Court) and Janet Protasiewicz (military judge in Milwaukee County Circuit Court). Jennifer Dorow, a conservative Waukesha County Circuit Judge, and Daniel Kelly (ex-State Supreme Court Justice) have also declared their intentions to run.

Although conservatives have a 4-3 majority at the Wisconsin Supreme Court, it has assumed a new urgency as the court is expected to rule on abortion access in the wake of the reversal. Roe v. Wade Earlier in the year. Two primary elections will take place on Feb. 21, with the top two candidates qualifying for a general election in April.