It’s Election Day in America, with key races stretching from Rhode Island to Ohio to Virginia. But first, some California House news:
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus BOLD PAC is endorsing Rudy Salas’ campaign to unseat Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.). Valadao is one of 18 House Republicans who represent a seat that President Joe Biden won in 2020. The incumbent Republican defeated Salas — a state legislator — by two points in 2022.
Here’s what else we are on the lookout for today:
Rhode Island special election: The House Democratic Caucus will almost certainly welcome Gabe Amo into its ranks following the special election in Rhode Island’s 1st District. Amo, a former White House staffer and son of Ghanaian and Liberian immigrants, is heavily favored to win in the strongly Democratic district.
The special election to fill former Rep. David Cicilline’s (D-R.I.) seat will mean there will be 213 Democrats in the House. One vacancy — in Utah’s 2nd District – will remain for another two weeks.
Abortion rights on the ballot in Ohio: Ohioans are voting on whether to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution. The Buckeye State — once a key presidential battleground state — has trended Republican in recent cycles. But a victory for pro-abortion rights activists in Ohio would be another sign that the issue is salient in GOP-leaning areas ahead of 2024.
Virginia state legislature: Control of both chambers of Virginia’s state legislature is up for grabs today. GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin has been heavily involved in trying to bring total Republican control to the commonwealth.
The results could provide a preview of what’s to come next fall when there will be a number of key House battleground races in the Old Dominion State.
— Max Cohen
