Peaceful transition of power

Gov. Kathy Hochul won reelection, defeating Republican Bruce Blakeman by roughly 20 points, while running mate Adrienne Adams was elected lieutenant governor, giving New York its first all-female statewide executive leadership team. Hochul, the state's first female governor, secured a second full term.

The results came amid a broader Democratic wave nationwide, with the party flipping New York's 17th District (Cait Conley over Rep. Mike Lawler) and New Jersey's 7th District, and winning control of both the House and Senate. Hakeem Jeffries is now positioned to become the first Black House speaker.

Sources:

ABC7 New York

Sentiment

Paul Carver, a Republican running for a competitive Arizona House seat in a swing district, is facing renewed scrutiny over his ties to far-right paramilitary groups and his presence in Washington, D.C. during the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Carver, board president of the Deer Valley Unified School District, has deleted Facebook posts appearing to show him at the Capitol that day, and Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes testified he had dinner with Carver the night before the attack. Reporting also links Carver to leadership of the Arizona chapter of the Three Percenters, a paramilitary group, from 2021 to 2022.

Democratic incumbent Stephanie Simacek, Carver's opponent, has criticized his extremist ties as disqualifying for a district she says wants stability. Despite the controversy, Republican House Speaker Steve Montenegro's leadership PAC has spent heavily to support Carver's campaign. Carver has declined interview requests. The race is seen as pivotal to control of the Arizona House.

Sources:

AZfamily.com

Emerging News

New York Elects All-Female Statewide Executive Leadership

New York Elects All-Female Statewide Executive Leadership

Sources:

Sentiment

Arizona House candidate faces scrutiny over Jan. 6 presence and militia ties

Arizona House candidate faces scrutiny over Jan. 6 presence and militia ties

Sources:

Sentiment