Election Day is Every Tuesday 8/24-31
Hello! We have at least FOUR flip opportunities this week! And one of them is in the Iowa Senate, where we have the change of breaking their super majority, so the stakes are high this week.
As always this is a guide, so it’s long, so click on the title and read in it the app or on your browser, you won’t see the whole thing in email.
Shout out to my incredible volunteers, Michelle RF Masters, Nancy, and Bree, I could not ever do this without you!
Without further ado, the schedule!
Tue Aug 26 - AL, CA, GA, IA, MA, SC and TN
Sat Aug 31 - DE
TUESDAY Aug 26
Alabama
this is not complete. There are elections in most if not all municipalities, check yours!
House special elections District 11:
Alexandria Braswell (DEM)
Priorities:
Protect Section 504 and disability rights, secure funding for rural infrastructure while protecting against tax increases, ensure fair prescription drug prices and support pharmacies from corporate interference in pricing and access
Jefferson County
Bessemer - could not find an official sample ballot.
City Council,
Place No. 2:
Gerald Garner (Incumbent, supports small business, first responders, and prioritizes storm response),
David Silverstein (Priorities: "Advancing plans for a pedestrian bridge safely linking Mountain Brook and Homewood across Hollywood Blvd. and over Hwy 280, Expanding opportunities through public-private collaboration, Support for strong neighborhoods and schools, Top-of-class resources, training, and support for first-responders, Responsive, transparent leadership, Thoughtful, responsible growth that preserves Mountain Brook’s character").
Place No. 4.:
Becky Holt (Priorities: "Public Safety: Supporting first responders and ensuring neighborhoods remain secure. Youth & Family Spaces: Maintaining and improving parks, fields, and community facilities. Strong Schools: Collaborating with education leaders to support student success."),
Joe Sandner IV (likely Repub, Priorities: "Preserve our quality of life", "Expand our revenue base", "Maintain our long-term financial stability", wants to fund the police, support schools, invest in sports teams, utilize debt reserves to expand the community).
Lauderdale County
Mayor (Hold):
Anthony Britnell,
Bill Griffin,
Steve Holt (Rep),
Christian "CJ"McCoy (likely Dem, Priorities: homeless services, job training, increase affordable housing, revitalize public transport particularly in underserved neighborhoods, improve public infrastructure, reduce crime by promoting citizen and community approaches with mental health programs and youth intervention, reduce response time of emergency services, expand after-school programs),
Ricky D. Pickett,
Billy Ray Simpson (Running to combat racism, has publicly spoken out against the chief of police, has been accused of threatening others at public meetings),
Ron Tyler (former chief of police).
City Council
District 1:
Stephanie Harvey (Priorities: examine existing city ordinances, ensure fair enforcement of city codes, revise ordinances to make them clearer and easier to enforce, conduct an assessment of needed infrastructure updates and make sure that those updates are done equitably in the community. Points out issues with gerrymandering in the district and how that redistricting has resulted in needed maintenance only being done in certain areas of the town),
Kaytrina P. Simmons (Incumbent, helped repair roads, street lights, community center), Dave M. Smith.
District 2:
Gunner Ford (Priorities: fiscal responsibility, economic development, housing and opportunities to career pathways for unhoused college students),
Jackie Hendrix (Priorities: support public safety, enhance quality of life, promote equal economic opportunity.),
River Zurinsky (Running on ensuring basic services for the homeless, funding for police and fire departments, put "In God We Trust" on police and fire department vehicles, restore street lighting, build a lot of very expensive public infrastructure such as an amphitheatre and an aquarium).
District 3:
Andrew Betterton (DEM, focus on healthcare, keeping cost of living down, investing in public education system),
Alisa Dickson (Former police officer. Priorities: Fiscal responsibility, supporting small businesses, neighborhood safety, well-supported public safety services and will advocate for safe, well-maintained streets and parks, youth empowerment programs),
Cory Richardson.
District 4:
Josh Bowling,
Michelle Rupe Eubanks (Incumbent, built the city's first public school bus stop).
District 5:
Brandon Balentine,
John Hicks Jr.,
Ben Maharrey,
Thomas Spence.
District 6:
Chapel King (Conservative),
Jimmy Oliver.
School Board
District 2:
Robert "RY" Griffin,
John Williams.
District 3:
Lynn Sparks (Incumbent, Rep),
Jennifer Spry.
District 4:
MaLeah Chaney,
Robin Thompson,
Tom Wissert.
District 6:
Casey Wilburn,
Rachel Winston (DEM, Dr. in Nursing Practice, running as an openly gay woman with the support of her wife, she prioritizes inclusion, special education programs, and college preparation programs).
Lee County
Auburn - sample ballot only available to residents.
Mobile County
Mayor (Hold):
Spiro Cheriogotis (likely Dem, lawyer, small business owner, and former judge. Priorities: repair roads, invest in infrastructure, safer communities, support first responders, build community including more parks, school improvements, sponsor diversity),
Barbara Drummond (DEM, Priorities: attract more businesses, job training for youth, expand after-school and summer programs, protect the environment and prepare for climate change, strengthen access to mental health services/food/housing/healthcare, expand access to public transportation, support home ownership),
Connie Hudson (REP, endorsed by Republican politician Margie Wilcox. Priorities: hire 100 more police officers within two years, put resource officers at every school, start a pre-k pilot program, complete the new animal shelter, build more parks and community resource centers, partner with the schools to bring in more adult education opportunities),
Paul Prine (former police chief, prioritizes public safety, career development, and economic growth, currently suing members of city council).
City Council
District 1:
Cory Penn,
Herman Thomas (Resigned as a judge after allegations that he took inmates into private rooms, spanked them, and offered to help with their criminal cases in exchange for sexual favors).
District 2:
William Carroll (Incumbent, in current term has fixed sidewalks, expanded bike lanes, added more street lighting, added more ADA accessibility, cleaned up the creek, and invested in community based programing for first responders),
Reggie Hill (likely Dem, wants to ensure city government complies with existing laws, more amenities for city employees, invest in recreational programming, modify existing city codes to include more training for police officers/move people through the justice system faster, add youth violence prevention programs and community based safety programs, eliminate food deserts, improve access to affordable housing and update dilapidated buildings),
Samantha Ingram.
District 3: Uncontested.
District 4:
Bill Appling (former police officer),
Ben Reynolds (Incumbent),
Matt Frazier.
District 5: Uncontested.
District 6:
Paul “Donk” Onderdonk,
Josh Woods.
District 7:
Robert E. Battles Sr. (DEM, held previous government seats but began losing elections after the district was redrawn to disenfranchise black voters),
Gina Gregory (Incumbent who took the seat after the area was redistricted).
Montgomery County
Pike Road,
Mayor:
Mark Spurlin,
Gordon Stone (Incumbent, has helped improve roads, upgraded the fire department, and added more ambulances).
Council Member
Place No. 1.:
Chris Dunn (Incumbent, helped support the renovation of three local schools, supports business development),
Mim Whatley.
Place No. 3.:
William Cornwell,
Jeffrey Lewis (supports transparency, business development), Marcus Robinson ("Key priorities include infrastructure development, school funding, and public safety", extensive previous experience in state and local government).
Place No. 5:
Doug Fuhrman (Independent, deacon, wants to prioritize construction, community connections, and schools),
Blake Ioimo (Independent, pro-vaccines).
Morgan County
Mayor:
Billy Jackson (likely Dem, there are a lot of racist hate posts calling him a "BLM candidate", among other things, circulating on facebook, Priorities: community, reducing homelessness by working with organizations that are already working with the unhoused, is against building a homeless shelter, addressing mental health crisis, increasing recreational options, get the police department to communicate with the community and increase transparency),
Kent Lawrence (likely Rep, Priorities: building trust in government and in the police department, funding the police department, improve roads, reduce spending, improve transparency, bring in more businesses),
William Butch Matthews
Suzie Wiley (TV host).
City Council
District One:
Terrance Adkins (DEM, Priorities: transparency, diversity and inclusion, revitalize downtown, housing justice and improvements to public housing, community centered public safety with an emphasis on mental health response and de-escalation training, improving access to healthcare and creating more green spaces, expand youth recreation/educational/and work transition programs, strong anti-police violence platform),
Sabrina Bay (Priorities: tear down and rebuild the recreation center), Perry Freeman, Nick Perkins (Possible Dem, Priorities: build a school-to-work-pipeline, bring in more businesses, communicate more with small businesses, financial responsibility without increasing taxes, increase transparency).
District Three:
Mike Faraqui (officially Independent but with clear Dem leaning, Priorities: transparency, smart goals for all city departments, advanced notifications on zoning changes, restructure the police and fire departments, embrace diversity and plan for inclusivity, update infrastructure),
Carlton McMasters (Incumbent, has approved going $6 million over budget and has blocked citizens from commenting at public meetings! Priorities: work with businesses, improve transparency, improve green spaces, balance the budget).
District Four:
Sarah French (anti-police violence activist running with the goal of overhauling the police department and holding government officials accountable),
James "Jamie" Handley,
Jason Putman (publicly excused a police officer who refused to identify himself and generally acted in an inappropriate manner during an investigation on a facebook page of the police departments press release where they said the behavior was unprofessional and unbecoming.),
Angela Thom (supports the local museum, wants to rebuild the dog park),
Pam Werstler (Campaign moto is "amplify change").
District Five:
Barry Bullard (Independent),
Harold Gilmore (Pastor who focuses on minority issues, hospice care, parole board, wants to bring diverse voices into politics).
City School Board
District One:
Stephanie "doctor" Allen (likely DEM, has a PhD...name is written here as appears on the ballot, Fulbright scholar, has experience in student success, diversity),
Michele Gray King (Incumbent, there is evidence that she has been violating campaign rules and using her current position in order to advance her campaign.).
Shelby County
Alabaster
Mayor (Flip):
Scott Brakefield (Incumbent, likely REP, supports big businesses and increasing resources for police department),
Yoko Brown (Priorities: Supporting small business; community safety through civilian oversight committees, youth intervention programs, domestic violence prevention, and mental health programs, wants to provide deescalation training to police department; strengthen community by providing more multilingual outreach services, increase diversity representation in festivals and cultural events; work with the schools to ensure equal access to IEPs, mental health programs in the schools, and parent advocacy groups; infrastructure improvements, fix roads, improve sidewalks and lighting)
City council
Ward 1:
Gerry J. Bivins (Pastor, appears to be on the ballot but has been left off of community events and articles which feature the other candidates),
Angel Evans (Priorities: Supporting businesses, schools, park clean ups, community events),
Mike Myers (Priorities: improve the roads, clean up abandoned structures, add more sports teams and other after school programs for kids. Has had threats, vandalism, and stalking which has extended to individuals who publicly support him in an apparent attempt to stop his political campaign.)
Ward 2: Rick Ellis (Uncontested)
Ward 3: Stacy Rakestraw (Uncontested)
Ward 4: Greg Farrell (Uncontested)
Ward 5: Jamie Cole (Uncontested)
Ward 6: Jamia Alexander James (Uncontested)
Ward 7: Kerri Pate (Uncontested)
California
Calaveras County:
Special Election Gann Limit Increase Measure (all mail)
(The Gann Limit is a constitutional spending cap approved by voters via Proposition 4 in a 1979 special election. Prop. 4 emerged from California’s anti-tax movement of the 1970s.)
Ebbetts Pass Fire Protection District – Measure B
To enable the Ebbetss Pass Fire Protection District to continue to spend tax revenues on firefighting and para medic services, shall the measure reauthorizing the voters’ previous increase of the District’s appropriations limit by $1,564,487 for each fiscal year be adopted, increasing the appropriates limit for the 2024-2025 fiscal year through the 2027-2028 fiscal year?
Argument in Favor: Measure B is not a new tax, it is simply authorization to spend revenues from taxes already approved by the voters. Taxes will not be increased in any way. If the measure does not pass, the fire district will be unable to spend the revenue to provide equipment and staffing for 2 ambulances and 2 fire engines 24/7/365. California constitution requires that voters approve spending of tax revenues every 4 years if they are over the GANN limit.
Argument Against: None
Colusa County
Uniform District Election (UDEL) – VOTE 411 has an error
Glenn County
landowner election water districts Election August 31 – cannot find anything other than news releases about scheduled election date
Kern County:
City of Arvin special municipal (all mail) city council seat (no sample ballot available)
Henry Oliver Experience: Vietnam Veteran Priorities: improving public safety and city infrastructure
Anabel Rubio Experience: School board president of Arvin Union School District, current Direction of Nutrition Services at Vineland School District Priorities: unifying the council, working collaboratively, bringing additional funding to help fix streets.
Tim Tarver Experience: former Arvin mayor and council member Priorities: balance and getting council to work as a team
LA County
Culver City
Measure CL
CULVER CITY NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND COMMUNITY SAFETY MEASURE. Shall an ordinance providing funding for maintaining three fully-staffed fire stations/ 911 emergency response times; retaining firefighters, paramedics, police officers; homeless reduction services/ encampment prevention; improving parks/ fields; repairing potholes/ streets/ storm drains; senior/ youth services and other General Fund uses, by enacting a ¼ cent sales tax, providing approximately $5,600,000 annually until ended by voters, requiring all funds locally controlled, audits/ public spending disclosures, be adopted? Yes/No
Mendicino County:
Special District Election Irish Beach water district & waterworks district 2
insufficient number of candidates to hold election
Merced County:
City of Los Banos Special Vacancy Election
City Council Member District 1 (1)
Mitzy Perez Experience: Priorities: park equipment, deliberate planning for growth, maintaining what is special about Los Banos, restoring trust, homelessness issues, road safety, limited special education supports
Kalid “Virriy” Sanchez Experience: secretary of the Los Banos Chamber of Commerce Priorities:
Monterey County: City of Carmel–by–the–Sea Special Election Priorities: Other
Riverside County:
Special election the 63rd Assembly District (FLIP)
Chris Shoults DEMOCRAT Experience: current educator, served as labor union board member, planning commission member, governor’s appointee to state education commission Priorities: cost of living, health care access, education and economic development
Santa Barbara County
Buellton
Special Municipal Election – District 4 (all-mail ballot election)
Dave King (qualified candidate) Experience: former mayor of Buellton, retired highway patrol office Priorities: preserving Buellton’s character, advancing family-f.riendly projects including a bowling alley, regional ball fields and a disc golf park
Carla Mead (qualified candidate) LIKELY DEMOCRAT Experience: board chair Human Society – Dog Adoption and Welfare Group, former middle school teacher Priorities: safe streets, community spaces, improved infrastructure, revitalize Avenue of Flags, establish a public relations department and enhance outreach through citizen-run committees and online feedback portal, pedestrian bridge over Hwy 101 and an expanded Santa Ynez Valley River Trail
Georgia
Special general election State Senate District 21 (FLIP):
DEM, only Dem running against 6 Rep candidates for this seat.
Lawyer, small business owner, former reporter and author.
Priorities: Reducing cost-of-living by expanding access to affordable childcare; protecting public schools by fighting to ensure they receive adequate funding necessary to be safe and places to held children succeed; expanding access to affordable healthcare by closing gaps in coverage, reducing prescription copay costs, and restoring a woman's right to make her own healthcare decisions
Iowa
Iowa Senate District 1 Special Election (FLIP):
(Please note that this is a historically close race which typically has low voter turnout.)
DEM,
Priorities: Affordable, accessible childcare; bodily autonomy, allowing patients and doctors to make educated decisions about treatment; equitable access to affordable healthcare; fully fund public education, return voucher money to public schools, ensure funding keeps pace with inflation; economic mobility, create tax credits for small businesses and new graduate who stay in Iowa.
Massachusetts
Middlesex County
Councilor Ward One (1) Preliminary Election to narrow field to 2 candidates
Kevin Meaney Experience: Chief Probation Officer Priorities: Streets, environment, affordability
Amanda Harvey Experience: Director of Development at Woburn’s Council of Social Concern Priorities: affordable housing for renters and homeowners, keeping Woburn attractive, support students, teachers and staff, serving the community by listening, preserve Horn Pond and other public spaces, the environment, improving city services such as bi-weekly recycling, strengthening and being actively involved in initiatives that bring communities together.
Yano Philip Amara Experience: Director of Real Estate for New Tradition Priorities: new approach to economic development, affordability, responsible school budget, being responsive to constituent needs
South Carolina
Sumter County
Pinewood
Town Council Special Election:
Lavaron Johnson (running uncontested)
Tennessee
Knox County
Knoxville Primary Election
Knox News has a voters guide/ an article interviewing each of the candidates from all 5 of the districts. See here.
City Council
District 1
Karyn Adams, key issues: (housing, affordability, homeless), engaged & connected neighborhoods, improving communication & transparency, expanding sidewalks, greenways & community connectivity, preserving our green spaces & natural resources
Lindsey Jaremko Union member, licensed social worker, and South Haven neighbor. "I’m running to make sure my neighbors aren't an afterthought as our district grows.” Doesnt’ want the mayor to chair city council meetings because it gives the impression that the city council serves the mayor.
Becky Jones; Self-identified Republican (their backdrop image on their official candidate page is the ‘Thin blue line american flag”. Self-described as ‘lifelong resident of south knoxville, christian, member of north acres baptist church, and dedicated volunteer for frontline workers in blue. Key issues: “change course on homelessness with policies that put knoxville first and removes criminals” “no mini-apartments in established single-family detached neighborhoods", reduce property taxes by cutting unnecessary spending, providing financial relief to residents who need it while encouraging economic growth”, support frontline workers, foster business-friendly environment”
Charles Van Morgan, (independent) (also known as Van) ran for election for Governor of Tennessee. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022. Morgan completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers. listed as independent on ballotpedia. He provided answers to questions back in 2022 when he previously ran for Governor of TN. 3 key messages of their campaign: Give Tennesseans back their Government, Provide for public safety, and Put Tennesseans first. Former police officer
District 2
Nathan Honeycutt, lean democrat. One of their issues is for modern public safety and trusted support. They want Expand Co-Responder Teams: Pair officers with mental health professionals for more effective crisis response, Invest in Training: Ensure police receive high-quality training in de-escalation, cultural awareness, and community engagement., Increase Transparency: Strengthen trust through open data, civilian oversight, and clear accountability measures., Prevent Violence Early: Support programs that provide youth mentorship, conflict resolution, and alternatives to violence.
Melody Watts, leans republican , one of their key pledges is for school safety Advocating for the presence of police in schools, Melody is focused on ensuring a safe learning environment for all students.
District 3
Nicholas Ciparro
Ivan Harmon
Doug Lloyd
Frank Ramey
District 4
Matthew DeBardelaben
Jane George
Jeff Talman
District 6
Charles Frazier
Denzel Grant
Stan Johnson
George “Cat Dad” Raudenbush, spoke at Center City Conservatives Republican Club.
Lawrence (Man) Williams Jr
SATURDAY Aug 31
Delaware
TO BE ADDED
I hope this helped you vote this week. Remember, these elections could be decided by a few votes, so your vote REALLY matters.
Let’s flip some seats!
Our voices are our superpower, but only when we use them!