LOCAL
Opinion and analysis of local politics from the Georgetown University student body.
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Opinion and analysis of local politics from the Georgetown University student body.
After a year of political turmoil in New York following the resignation of Governor Andrew Cuomo, a bitterly contested mayoral primary and an ongoing struggle between progressives and moderate Democrats, the state is at an electoral crossroads.
— Andrew Morin
In a blow to Democrats nationwide, former governor Terry McAuliffe conceded the Virginia gubernatorial race to Republican hopeful Glenn Youngkin in the morning following Election Day. A race that many in the Democratic Party once saw as safe, considering McAuliffe’s name recognition and Biden’s over ten-point margin of victory in the state in 2020, has now potentially become the nightmare scenario for the party ahead of the 2022 midterms.
— Zach Fotiadis
A key state for Democrats, the race to be Atlanta’s next mayor is heating up.
— Maya Smith
Given Democrats’ narrow majority in the House, Florida’s new Congressional district, and the redrawing of borders that will follow, could hand Republicans the Speakership in 2023.
— Zach Fotiadis
California Governor Newsom’s recall challenge, the second ever in Californian history, undermines our democratic processes, jeopardizes public health, and has cost taxpayers an exorbitant and unnecessary amount.
— Channing Lee
With open seats for the mayoralty and much of the city council, this year’s upcoming elections in New York City are set to be an early test for the left wing of the Democratic Party under the Biden administration.
— Andrew Morin
Texas’ sudden extreme weather event exposed American’s current water supply system’s problems, leaving 156,000 people are without water at all. The U.S. should look towards China’s model of a tripartite government-enterprise cooperation model involving local governments, large technology suppliers and the local small and medium-sized enterprises.
— Haoyang Li, Wejia Ma and Qihan Li
Virginia, the state with the record of executions since 1608, is abolishing the death penalty. Now, other states must join Virginia in working towards a more just nation.
— Lindsey Gradowski
Alaskan Ballot Measure 2 will create an open primary process, which will allow the top four vote-getters to advance to the general election. Eliminating closed party primaries, Alaskan Ballot Measure 2 creates an incentive for bipartisan coalitions.
— Takuya Amagai
Democratic challenger Mark Kelly’s victory over GOP Sen. Martha McSally in Arizona was a crucial moment for this battleground state, restoring the character of democracy after her appointment by Governor Doug Ducey.
— Srishti Khemka
With all five seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission filled by Republicans, the upcoming runoff election on January 5th, 2021 presents an opportunity for Democrats to set the agenda on payment for essential utilities like electricity, telephone, and gas. As COVID-19 cases soar across the country, the Public Service Commission’s ability to shut off power makes their role more critical than ever.
— Takuya Amagai
Voters in Indiana’s 5th congressional district are gearing up for their first competitive House election in this millennium. In a microcosm of the nationwide political battle for the suburbs, centrist Democrat Christina Hale is set to face conservative Republican Victoria Spartz.
— Luke Henkel
If the outcome of the presidential election remains ambiguous past November 3, Trump will likely blame it on the inefficiency and shortcomings of vote-by-mail, deeming the process illegitimate.
— Ethan Johanson
If the House has to decide the next president, it currently favors the Republican Party. For Democrats to maintain a majority of the state delegations, they would have to hold as many House seats as they can in the 2020 Election. Winning at-large seats in Montana and Alaska would be key to achieving this goal.
— Takuya Amagai
Arizonan voters have the rare opportunity to potentially shape not only the Presidential and U.S. Senate race, but also the U.S. Supreme Court. Democratic Senatorial Candidate Mark Kelly can be the deciding vote that leaves Justice Ginsburg’s seat vacant until Joe Biden is sworn as President. But everything will have to go right for Democrats for that to happen in the next couple months.
— Takuya Amagai
Florida may be trending “red” on paper, but context adds clarity. A closer look at the significance of the stats explains why Florida can’t be counted out of the 2020 election just yet.
— Eric Bazail-Eimil
Democrats in Virginia took control of the state government this month. The victory portends a broader political shift in the state that could affect the 2020 race.
— Jacob Denninger
Rising from the grave of the 2021 Oregon legislative session comes HB 4002, a bill to grant farmworkers the right to overtime pay. Loved by the workers, and feared by farm owners, the resurrection and reconsideration of this bill has garnered national attention.
— Elizabeth Johnson