Political Note #168 Andrew Gillum FL Governor

Post published:September 30, 2018
Post category:Governor General Election Lose State Elections 2018 Year Result State Type of Election Political Notes Florida

Andrew Gillum was President of the student body of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) -- an Historically Black University. He was elected to a one year term as a City Commissioner, then to a regular four year term after that. He was elected to two more four year terms after the first one. As a Commissioner, he focused on kids. He brought technology to youth and to the schools, opened a teen center, created a focus on restorative justice for youth, and supported the creation of a downtown park. He was elected Mayor with 76% of the vote.

Political Note #167 Ned Lamont CT Governor

Post published:September 27, 2018
Post category:Win Governor General Election State Elections 2018 Year Result State Type of Election Connecticut Political Notes

Ned Lamont is the grandson of Thomas Lamont -- former chairman of the JP Morgan Company. He is the grandnephew of former American Civil Liberties Union Director Corliss Lamont. Ned's father worked for FDR on the Marshall Plan and for Nixon at Housing and Urban Development. In 2006, Ned Lamont beat Joe Lieberman in the Democratic Primary for the Senate -- opposing him because of his support for the Iraq War. Lieberman then ran as an independent and won the general election. Mostly, Ned Lamont went away. He ran for Governor in 2010, but Dan Malloy beat him in the primary. Ned Lamont went away again. To make money. Now he’s back.

Political Note #166 Mary Barzee Flores FL CD 25

Post published:September 24, 2018
Post category:Federal Elections General Election Lose US Congress 2018 Year Result State US Congress 2018 Type of Election Political Notes Florida

She grew up just outside of Miami's Little Havana. Her dad, a store manager, sickened, lost his job, his health insurance, and died while Mary was in high school. She learned what it was like when life is tough. She worked in fast food. She worked as a maid, dishwasher, waitress, bartender. She remembers the low wages, she remembers the sexual harassment. She was fortunate in her mother -- who was a military veteran and could provide some support. She was fortunate in her talent and her drive. She went to the University of Miami intending to learn how to conduct an orchestra. She got a law degree instead. She become a federal public defender She was elected to Florida's state court -- the state's eleventh circuit.

Political Note #165 Diane Mitsch Bush CO CD 03

Post published:September 21, 2018
Post category:Federal Elections General Election Lose US Congress 2018 Year Result State Colorado US Congress 2018 Type of Election Political Notes

Diane Mitsch Bush has, however, become a figure in Colorado. People in Colorado know her as an effective legislator. She was a County Commissioner from 2007 to 2012. She was a state representative from 2013 to 2017. As a state rep she won awards: Most effective freshman legislator, the Farmers Union's most effective legislator, the Livestock Association's most effective legislator, Conservation Colorado's Legislator of the year. Rural groups that don't necessarily agree with each other agree on her.

Political Note #164 Leslie Cockburn VA CD 05

Post published:September 18, 2018
Post category:Federal Elections General Election Lose US Congress 2018 Year Result State US Congress 2018 Type of Election Political Notes Virginia

Leslie Cockburn is a journalist and a film maker. She has been attacked for a 1991 book "Dangerous Liaison: The Inside Story of the US-Israeli Covert Relationship." Her critics say the Cockburns always see Israel as a menace. Her opponent has been attacked for agreeing to join the Tea Party caucus in Congress if elected in order to get the nomination. He denies that there was any such a deal.

Political Note #163 Fred Hubbel IA Governor

Post published:September 15, 2018
Post category:Governor General Election Lose State Elections 2018 Year Result State Type of Election Political Notes Iowa

In another country, he would be Sir Fred. He might be the Earl of Terrace Hill. Terrace Hill is the Iowa Governor's Mansion. Formerly a Hubbell home, it was donated (not by Fred) to the state of Iowa to become a museum and the home for the Governor. Fred Hubbell has been a central civic figure in Des Moines and philathropist. As Acting Director of Iowa's Department of Economic Development, he identified $160 million of ineffective tax credits and incentives and targeted them for elimination. He served as Board Chair of the Iowa Power Fund which was authorized to invest $100 million in wind and solar energy. In this land of ethanol production, wind now provides nearly 40% of Iowa's electricity generation. Coal's share has dropped from about 75% to 45%.

Political Note #162 Tony Evers WI Governor

Post published:September 12, 2018
Post category:Win Governor General Election State Elections 2018 Year Result State Type of Election Political Notes Wisconsin

Tony Evers has had a string of victories. A former teacher, principal, and school superintedent, he has a more than respectable record of getting elected and of accomplishments. Since 2009, Evers has been elected and reelected three times, the same number of times as Walker, and by larger margins than Walker's margins. Evers education focus has been on children's safety and achievement.

Political Note #161 Richard Ojeda WV CD 03

Post published:September 9, 2018
Post category:Federal Elections General Election Lose US Congress 2018 Year Result State US Congress 2018 Type of Election Political Notes West Virginia

Richard Ojeda is unusual. He is a Democrat who has a pretty good chance of getting elected in West Virginia. Analysts rate the district Lean Republican. His grandfather was an undocumented immigrant from Mexico. His father was born in the US, a US citizen, and a nurse. He was tough in Iraq. He earned a clutch of medals -- among them two bronze stars and two medals for meritorious service. As a state senator, Richard Ojeda was a terror. He kicked the energy companies lobbyist out of his office. Not for show. He led a fight to legalize medical marijuana, declaring victory against big pharma.

Political Note #160 Joe Radinovich MN CD 08

Post published:September 6, 2018
Post category:Federal Elections General Election Lose US Congress 2018 Year Result State US Congress 2018 Type of Election Political Notes Minnesota

Joe Radinovich has been a state legislator, campaign manager, labor advocate. He is running for an open seat in the US Congress in a district that ranges from the northern suburbs of the Twin Cities to the iron range.

Political Note #159 Kim Schrier WA CD 08

Post published:September 3, 2018
Post category:Federal Elections Win General Election US Congress 2018 Year Result State US Congress 2018 Type of Election Political Notes Washington

Kim Schrier has a BA from the University of California, Berkeley. In astrophysics. Phi Beta Kappa. Her medical degree was from the University of California, Davis. She showed few hints of political interest, let alone ambition. Her interest in health care extended beyond the individual children and families she worked with. The proposals to abolish the Affordable Care Act got her attention. She prepared diligently to meet with her Congressman. She explained what was wrong, even dangerous about the Republican proposals. Her Congressman voted for Trumpcare in committee. Not long afterwards, he announced his retirement. Not long after that, Kim Schrier decided on her own candidacy.