State Bytes

South Carolina: Amber Barnes and Brian Flynn of McGuireWoods joined us on October 24 to discuss the state's gubernatorial contest between Governor Henry McMaster (R) and State Representative James Smith (D). We also examine issues down ballot candidates are running on and their thoughts on what may be coming down the pike for the upcoming session.

Texas:  Jack Erskine and Ky Ash of K&L Gates joined us on October 18 to talk about the potential down ballot impact of the state's U.S. Senate race. Mr. Ash gives us an overview of Governor Greg Abbott's (R) re-election campaign as well as his opponent, Lupe Valdez (D). Mr. Erskine tells us what candidate trends he's seeing on the ground. We also discuss potential big ticket items on the table for the upcoming legislative session.

Tennessee Part Two: We were lucky enough to chat with two folks in a state that is experiencing more media attention than it is used to in an election cycle. Jim Schmidt of Schmidt Government Solutions joined us on October 25 to give us his thoughts on how Democratic enthusiasm may affect state level elections and when the state's embrace of the Republican Party occurred. 

Tennessee Part One: We were lucky enough to chat with two folks in a state that is experiencing more media attention than it is used to in an election cycle. Mike Bivens of Bivens & Associates joined us on October 22 to outline the gubernatorial race between Karl Dean (D) and Bill Lee (R). Mr. Bivens gives us his thoughts on state house and senate races and the Republicans' achievements in the legislature.

Oklahoma: Pat McFerron of CMA Strategies talked with us on October 19 about the gubernatorial race between Kevin Stitt (R) and Drew Edmondson (D). We examine trends that he is seeing on the ground and Mr. McFerron also discusses last session's education funding package.

North Dakota:  Tom Kelsch from The Kelsch Law Firm chatted with us on October 17 about the U.S. Senate race and the state's attorney general race. We examine two state ballot measures and Mr. Kelsch gives us his thoughts on issues lawmakers may tackle next legislative session.

Minnesota:  Sonnie Elliott of Faegre Baker Daniels joined us on September 25. Ms. Elliott gave us a lay of the land in the state's gubernatorial election between Congressman Tim Walz (DFL) and Jeff Johnson (R). We also discuss state house races and the state senate special election and how those results could affect next legislative session.

Ohio:  We have two episodes in this battleground state. We talked with Mike Caputo of Capitol Partners on October 23. In Part One, Mr. Caputo discusses the gubernatorial race between Attorney General Mike DeWine (R) and Rich Cordray (D). Mr. Caputo also discusses early voting numbers and the huge uptick in registered unaffiliated voters.

Ohio:  We have two episodes in this battleground state. We talked with Ali Mock from Government Edge on October 25. In Part Two, Ms. Mock gives us an overview of the issues gubernatorial candidates and down ticket candidates are running on. We discuss potential issues legislators may tackle during the lame duck legislative session. Ms. Mock also weighs in on why Ohio has become such a bellwether for national trends.

Vermont:  Allison Crowley DeMag from Morris & DeMag talked with us on October 16 about the gubernatorial race between Governor Phil Scott (R) and Christine Hallquist (D). Ms. Crowley DeMag also discusses what needs to happen for the Democrats to have veto-proof majorities in both the House and Senate.