BILLBOARD News Now
Unusual Demand
Donald Trump made an unusual demand when he “ordered” Texas Governor Greg Abbott “find him” five new Republican Congressmen to be elected in 2026. To accomplish that congressional districts would have to be re-drawn – most unusual – in the middle of a 10-year census cycle. Trump’s goal is to assure Republicans retain control of Congress after the 2026 mid-term elections. Without that Trump knows his presidency is over and investigations of his actions (beyond that of Epstein) will probably happen.
Often overlooked – but most important – are state legislators elected to make policy and oversee state government. With the limelight focused on Texas state legislators, it shows the importance of this position in state government. There are 7,386 state-elected lawmakers across the 99 state legislative chambers in the United States. This figure includes members in both bicameral (two house) legislatures and Nebraska’s unicameral (one house) legislature.
Too often little attention is given to these legislative positions…except when political party operatives are recruiting “favorite sons” to run. Trump’s pressure campaign shows the importance of civic organizations & community groups as well as local governments beginning involved in finding legislative candidates.
These legislative elections must become competitive. Often at the legislative level choices are only incumbents and no competition. When that happens after a census we end up with few congressional competitive races thus no voter interest. According to a New York Times (NYT) analysis last year, only 8 percent of congressional races were competitive, down from 34 percent in 1996.
In the name of fairness – bipartisan or nonpartisan – state commissions should be established to handle redistricting. Certainly respected citizens can be found to help design redistricting.
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More Details on U. S. Senate Election
West Virginia Watchdog.org is on the scene at the Capitol and has provided more details on the legislation just passed.
Legislature Passes Senatorial Succession Bill
After five days the Legislature has passed the bill to allow a special election to select a successor to U. S. Senator Byrd. Details yet available.
Special Session on Byrd Seat at Impasse
The Associated Press is reporting a special election for the Byrd U. S. Senate Seat is in doubt.
Don’t Write Obama Off in 2012
Respected columnist Charles Krauthammer presents a warning to those who already believe Obama is on his way out in 2012. His analysis should be taken seriously by Republicans, Independents and unhappy Democrats. Remember in January, 2008 Senator Hillary Clinton was...
Political Tidbits…..
Saturday evening Tidbits…..the Legislative games are in full swing…..the House voted down Manchin’s proposal related to changing the law for a special election to fill the U. S. Senate seat…..at last check House Republicans were working to allow Congresswoman Capito...
Shelley’s Weekend Plans
Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito spoke with National Review about her plans for the weekend. She appears to be taking a serious look at becoming a candidate for the U. S. Senate. The interview will give phillipsbillboard readers a look at how she is approaching...
West Virginia’s Future in Congress
Cecelia Mason a West Virginia Public Radio correspondent prepared a perspective on a Congress without Byrd or Mollohan and the impact on our State. It’s worth a click and read.
Washington’s Senate Take This Morning
Insiders in Washington read The Fix even before coffee. Its focus again this morning is the WV Senate Race. Phillipsbillboard readers will want to see today’s take. With the state Legislature yet to weight in who knows what Friday will bring?
Governor Releases Succession Legislation
Governor Manchin's office just release the fine print for the special session of the Legislature on succession. With the interest being shown by West Virginia voters phillipsbillboard decided to post all the background released minutes ago. July 13, 2010 Governor...
A Lesson for Republicans
The public, state officials, editorials, political leaders and letters to the editor are calling out for an election to name a replacement for the late Senator Byrd. They want to vote. Remember when Republican Party leaders under the chairmanship of Rob Capehart...
The Fix
Across the nation the process and politics to send another West Virginian to the United States Senate is receiving attention. The Fix, a Washington Post Political News and Analysis column is one of the most interesting. Democrat and Republican operatives as well as...
Political Tidbits…..
What was Governor Manchin thinking when he told POLITICO the only remaining obstacles.....to his “highly likely” candidacy for the Senate…..left were “procedural” regarding who would become Governor were he to vacate the position? Article VII of the State Constitution...
BILLBOARD Archives
Manchin To Announce Intentions
Governor Joe Manchin told POLITICO in Boston he will announce his intentions about entering the Senate race on Monday. Manchin says only “procedural” matters regarding who would become governor were he to vacate the position remain. He is attending the National...
Manchin’s Legal Counsel Issues Statement
The Governor’s Legal Counsel has issued a statement advising the Governor to call a special session of the Legislature next week to address the issue of succession. The statement is below. STATEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE Statement from the Governor’s Legal...
Manchin Capito Matchup In Senate Race
Rasmussen Reports conducted a telephone survey of Likely Voters in West Virginia Thursday night. Governor Manchin is matched with two potential Republican opponents. Click the link above for the results.
RNC Enters WV State Chairman’s Race
The Chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) Michael Steele has put himself in the middle of the race to select a Chairman of the Republican Party in WV. He has no business doing so. Chairman Steele yesterday announced the RNC will establish a West...
McGraw Issues Fast Opinion
Attorney General Darrell McGraw in less than a day has responded to Governor Manchin’s request for a legal opinion of the succession process to fill the vacancy left by the passing of Senator Robert C. Byrd. Secretary of State Natalie Tennant had offered her opinion...
A Private Sector Stimulus
The major corporations of America could create a private sector stimulus according to the editor of Newsweek International. He offers an interesting review of the problem Obama has with CEO’s. The business, economics, politics and social policy are all wrapped up in...
The Incumbent Protection Act
While a change in the election law may be at hand to fill the seat of the late Senator Byrd I would like to urge “The Incumbent Protection Act” be amended. That is my name for how vacancies in nominations are filled (Section 3-5-19). Current law says if no one files...
How Did We Get Section 3-10-3?
Many of us in the political business have been consulting the election laws of West Virginia in recent days. Reading Section 3-10-3 leaves you wondering where this concept originated. Political columnist Phil Kabler for The Sunday Gazette-Mail took time last week to...
Political Tidbits
Political junkies are going to love 2010…..looks like we are moving toward a change in election law…..an election to replace the late Senator Robert C. Byrd…..which could then result in a special election for Governor. Republicans are quiet…..but John Raese is a name...
Manchin’s Decision
Many readers of phillipsbillboard do not read The Charleston Gazette on a daily basis nor desire to. There is an excellent historic perspective prepared by The Associated Press on appointees being named to vacant U. S. Senate seats in West Virginia. It could explain...
Political Tidbits…..
Governor Manchin kept his word…..he will not go to the Senate but remain in office as promised for his full term…..but the Governor got a little help from SOS Natalie Tennant…..she says the law does not require a special election to fill the Byrd seat…..wonder if she...
West Virginia Day Political Tidbits…..
2010 elections will see Democrats spend $50 million to focus on Obama’s minority and young voters…..want to bet this is the first poll for 2012…..to see if surge voters will return to help re-elect Obama. 1st District congressional candidate David McKinley needs to...