State Bytes

New Hampshire:  Jim Merrill from The Bernstein Shur Group joined us on October 5 to talk about the gubernatorial race between Governor Chris Sununu (R) and Molly Kelly (D) and what folks are running on in state level races. Mr. Merrill talks about trends he has seen this cycle. He also gives us a lay of the land of the upcoming legislative session.

Missouri:  In this special roundtable episode, three guests joined us on September 27 to talk Missouri demographics and politics. Bill Shoehigh of Shoehigh and Associates and Kurt Schaefer and Doug Nelson of Lathrop Gage discuss the state house and state senate races and initiatives on the ballot in November and how those results might shape the 2019 session. We also briefly discuss the new dynamic in the Governor’s Office.

Michigan:  Pat Harrington from Muchmore Harrington Smalley & Associates joined us on October 3 to outline the issues gubernatorial candidates Gretchen Whitmer (D) and Attorney General Bill Schuette (R) are running on. Mr. Harrington talks about the state’s “blue pockets” and which chamber he believes is the most likely (though not guaranteed) to flip. We also discuss different post-election scenarios and what they would mean for next session.

Maryland:  Lisa Harris Jones from Harris Jones & Malone joined us on September 28 to talk about the gubernatorial election in the Old Line State between Governor Larry Hogan (R) and Ben Jealous (D). She also details how the state’s surprising primary went down and her thoughts on what issues have resonated with voters this cycle.

New Mexico:  Al Park from The Park Law Firm joined us on September 26 to discuss the upcoming election and New Mexico’s political history. Mr. Park recaps issues folks are running on in the state and trends he is experiencing in these races on the ground. We also discuss potential issues for the legislature to tackle this upcoming session.

Pennsylvania:  Rick Russell from State Street Advisors talked with us about the Keystone State’s elections on September 27. At the time of our recording, Mr. Russell acknowledged that there was a lack of intensity and animosity in the gubernatorial race. However, State Senator Scott Wagner (R) recently live streamed a video on Facebook that could change the mood of this race. (The original video was removed from the site.) We also discuss the state house and senate races and the upcoming challenges facing the legislature.

Arizona:  Barb Meaney from Triadvocates chatted with us on September 25 to discuss the dynamics of the gubernatorial and state senate races. She notes that her state has bucked the trends we’ve seen in other states. Mr. Meaney also outlines issues that may come up in the 2019 legislative session.

New York:  Evan Stavisky from The Parkside Group joined us on September 24 to discuss the state’s competitive primary results and what that could mean for the legislative session. We chat about what could happen if the State Senate flips to full Democratic control and Mr. Stavisky gives us a fun fact about the Senate chamber itself.

Arkansas:  Justin Allen from Wright Lindsey Jennings chatted with us on September 21 about Governor Asa Hutchinson’s (R) and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge’s (R) campaign platforms. Mr. Allen identified several issues that will likely be on the table in the 2019 legislative session. We also discuss the state’s ballot measures, some of which are in litigation.

Hawaii:  Mike Iosua and Kim Yoshimoto joined us from Imanaka Asato on September 20 to discuss the Democratic gubernatorial primary contest. Mr. Iosua and Ms. Yoshimoto talk about what issues Hawaiians are facing today and how that sets up the 2019 legislative session.