A lot of national attention may already be on 2024, but next week’s elections will be key in determining party control of a few state governments and major issues.
Some of the most notable races will be the Kentucky and Mississippi gubernatorial general elections.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) is running for a second term in office against Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R). Most polling has shown Beshear in the lead by at least a few points, but members of both parties have said they expect a close finish between the candidates.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) is also running for reelection against Democrat Brandon Presley. Reeves may have the advantage in a strongly red state along with former President Trump’s endorsement, but Democrats have voiced hope for an upset based on Reeves’ low approval ratings and a statewide welfare scandal.
Virginia and New Jersey will also be holding legislative elections that will be key for determining the success of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s (D) agendas for the remaining two years of their terms.
In Virginia, Democrats narrowly control the state Senate, while Republicans have a slim majority in the state House. Youngkin has campaigned intensely for Republicans running for seats this fall, and the elections will be a test for his political influence, as The Hill’s Julia Manchester reports.
Democrats have had a majority in both house of the New Jersey legislature for years, but Republicans have expressed optimism at their chances this time with the political environment statewide and nationally.
At the same time, voters in Ohio will go to the polls to vote on two major ballot measures Tuesday. Activists have been campaigning for months over a ballot measure that would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, protecting it through viability.
A six-week ban went into effect after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade last year, but it was put on hold while legal challenges to it play out.
Ohioans will also vote on a measure that would legalize recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and older. If the measure passes, Ohio would become the 24th state to fully legalize recreational marijuana.
Pennsylvania will also vote in a special election to fill a vacant state Supreme Court seat that has raised discussions of abortion and election results certification.
The night after the election, some of the leading Republican candidates for president will take the stage for a third debate, this time in Miami.
The event will likely feature at least Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.).
Trump plans to skip the debate again, instead holding a rally nearby in Florida at the same time.
As The Hill’s Julia Mueller reports, the debate could be one of the last major chances for the non-Trump candidates to break through in a race dominated by the former president.
