Bachelor of Science

Texas's 2026 midterms produced a reported Democratic sweep of statewide races. State Rep. Gina Hinojosa defeated three-term incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott, who had Donald Trump's endorsement, becoming Texas's first Latina governor and first Democratic governor in more than 30 years; Abbott conceded on election night. Hinojosa carried urban, suburban and border counties statewide, including a 14-point win in previously Republican-leaning Tarrant County and a 2-point win in fast-growing Denton County, which hadn't backed a Democratic gubernatorial candidate in three decades. In the Senate race, Democratic state Rep. James Talarico defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who had survived impeachment and a primary against Sen. John Cornyn. Vikki Goodwin reportedly unseated Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and Nathan Johnson defeated Mayes Middleton for attorney general. Redrawn South Texas House districts and a railroad commission race involving Bo French also drew attention amid shifting Hispanic voter patterns.

Hinojosa campaigned heavily against border enforcement cooperation with ICE, though much of that policy, including SB 4's sanctuary-city ban and SB 8's sheriff deputization requirements, is set by the Republican-controlled Legislature rather than the governor alone. She retains authority over Operation Lone Star and Texas National Guard deployments but has not pledged to end border security funding. Trump publicly blamed Abbott's loss on him becoming a "RINO."

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy says he could stop or alter certification of the state's U.S. Senate result if an investigation he ordered finds illegal conduct tied to Democrat Mary Peltola's campaign. The probe follows a New York Times report alleging Peltola advisers and DSCC aides helped recruit a second "Dan Sullivan," now called "Decoy Dan," to run against Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. Peltola denies knowledge, though her former campaign manager said she was "definitely aware"; the DSCC also denies involvement. The Justice Department has sued to block certification of any winner but Sullivan and opened a criminal investigation, while President Trump has called the episode voter fraud.

Sullivan says the scheme is costing him votes and confusing voters, but has pledged to accept the results. A House Oversight Committee leader suggested Peltola might not be seated if she wins. "Decoy Dan" has drawn FBI scrutiny, with one donor describing agents questioning his son. Prosecutors are expected to continue investigating past Election Day as debate continues over whether the recruitment was deceptive or whether blocking certification is itself interference.

With polls showing a tight contest days before the Nov. 3 election, LA City Councilmember Nithya Raman has detailed plans to challenge incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. Her platform includes moving the city's homelessness budget away from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, giving the city controller broad audit power, and cutting encampments by half before the 2028 Olympics. On housing, she pledges a "shot clock" for permits, self-certification for simple projects, new high-rise zones, and a Office of Tenant Protections. On public safety, Raman would expand unarmed crisis response teams and has signaled she would replace LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell.

Bass, in office since 2022, has faced scrutiny over wildfire response, federal immigration enforcement, and homelessness policy, issues likely to shape how voters weigh the race's outcome.

California's Senate Bill 1406, which took effect at the end of September 2026, aims to close the so-called Montana loophole, in which residents register high-end vehicles—exotic cars, RVs, and other pricey assets—to out-of-state shell LLCs to dodge California's sales tax and registration fees. Under the new law, if any owner or manager of such an LLC is a California resident, assets located in the state become subject to California taxes, and LLC partners can be held liable for unpaid amounts, with nonpayment potentially treated as a crime. Enforcement details remain unclear since vehicles stay registered elsewhere. Some owners used these LLCs to dodge emissions rules too, an issue only partly addressed by other upcoming legislation.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a batch of housing bills aimed at speeding up residential construction, though most are expected to have a modest effect in San Diego, often considered an easier place to build than other parts of California. Among the changes: lower impact fees for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) over 750 square feet (SB 1117); narrower rules easing construction of for-sale townhouses on vacant single-family lots (SB 1116, AB 1751); a requirement for large cities like San Diego to designate high-density "transit-hub districts" allowing taller buildings near transit (AB 2074); and a mandate for cities to provide upfront, non-binding infrastructure fee estimates to developers (SB 1014).

The most consequential local legislation, SB 344 and SB 958, clears environmental and height-related legal hurdles for the Midway Rising megaproject, which could break ground next year. Plans include a 16,000-seat arena and 4,254 apartments — a regional record — with roughly 2,000 designated as subsidized housing, far surpassing the county's current largest affordable complex.

California's new vaccine exemption laws, Senate Bills 276 and 714, are mired in bureaucratic confusion a year after being signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The laws were meant to tighten oversight of medical exemptions, requiring a standardized state exemption form and flagging doctors disciplined or under investigation by the Medical Board of California. But the state Department of Public Health has not issued guidance on key provisions, leaving school nurses unsure whether increased scrutiny of exemptions applies now or starting in 2021.

State Sen. Richard Pan, the bills' author, insists some provisions are already in effect, including invalidating exemptions written by disciplined physicians such as Dr. Bob Sears, who was placed on probation in 2018. Four doctors, including Sears, face pending board allegations tied to immunizations. Advocacy groups and school nurse associations say the lack of clarity undermines the law's intent, while critics continue protesting the legislation, including outside Newsom's residence.

A proposed aluminum smelter in Inola, Oklahoma, majority-owned by Emirates Global Aluminum, has become a central issue in the state's 2026 governor's race ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Republican candidate Mike Mazzei supports the project, citing projected job creation, nearly $1 billion in annual income, and national security benefits as the U.S. seeks to reduce reliance on Chinese aluminum production. Democratic candidate Cyndi Munson opposes it, criticizing roughly $200 million in state incentives directed to a foreign corporation, though legislative records show a mixed voting history on related bills.

Developers estimate the facility could support thousands of jobs annually and contribute tens of billions of dollars to Oklahoma's economy through 2060, while recent design changes aim to cut fluoride emissions well below other U.S. primary aluminum plants. The state's Department of Environmental Quality is still reviewing an air permit application, and the project's environmental claims remain unverified pending construction. Three independent candidates are also on the gubernatorial ballot alongside Mazzei and Munson.

A candidate questionnaire from The Denver Post offers a window into the competitive race for Colorado's 4th Congressional District. One contender, a retired Navy rear admiral and former Special Assistant to the President for South Asia, outlined priorities centered on lowering costs, balancing the federal budget, and curbing congressional corruption through term limits, age limits, and a ban on lawmakers trading stocks.

On policy specifics, the candidate called for ending tariffs, passing a comprehensive farm bill, and requiring insurers to reimburse rural hospitals more fairly. They said federal land in the district should not be a default target for new oil and gas leasing, favoring local input over blanket Washington mandates. On immigration, they backed stronger border security paired with legal pathways addressing labor shortages in agriculture and rural health care. They also urged more congressional oversight of executive actions, including unauthorized military engagements and federal spending. Incumbent Lauren Boebert and candidate Douglas Mangeris did not respond to the questionnaire.