DemDaily: August Election Preview!
July 24, 2023
One gubernatorial primary, a major statewide initiative and half a dozen major mayoral races are up in the month of August as we approach the last stretch of the 2023 elections.
August 2023 Election Calendar
August 1, 2023
Tucson, Arizona Mayoral Primary: Incumbent Democratic mayor
Wichita, Kansas Mayoral Primary: In the official nonpartisan election, incumbent Democratic mayor Brandon Whipple -- seeking a second term -- is being challenged by eight primary opponents. Major contenders include Jared Cerullo, Bryan Frye, Celeste Racette and Lily Wu. The top two vote-getters will face each other in November’s general election.
Olympia, Washington Mayoral Primary: In Olympia, three candidates are vying to succeed retiring incumbent Cheryl Selby (D) in the nonpartisan election. Selby has endorsed Olympia City Councilmember Dontae Payne (D), who currently works in Governor Jay Inslee’s policy office. Olympia business owner David Ross (D), and homeless advocate Desiree Chantal Toliver (D) are also running.
| As of July 2023, 63 mayors in the 100 most populous cities are affiliated with the Democratic Party, 24 with the Republican Party, four are Independents, seven identify as nonpartisan or unaffiliated, and two mayors' affiliations are unknown. While a majority of mayoral elections are nonpartisan, most officeholders are affiliated with a political party. |
Spokane, Washington Mayoral Primary: In the nonpartisan primary, incumbent Mayor Nadine Woodward (R) is being challenged by six candidates including former Spokane Firefighters Union President Tim Archer (R), and former State Department of Commerce Director Lisa Brown (D). The top two advance to the general election in November.
August 3, 2023
Nashville, Tennessee Mayoral General: Eleven candidates are running in the nonpartisan general election to succeed Incumbent Mayor John Cooper (D), who is not seeking reelection.
According to a July 17-19, 2023 GBAO Strategies/Laborers Union poll of likely voters, the top contenders are Nashville Metro Councilmember Freddie O'Connell (D) with 21% of respondents, businesswoman and former GOP consultant Alice Rolli (R) with 13%, State Senator Jeff Yarbro (D) with 12%, economic development and housing executive Matt Wiltshire (D) with 10%, and early favorite State Senator Heidi Campbell (D) with 8%. A full 23% of voters, however, are still undecided (MOE +/- 4.4%)
If no candidate receives over 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will advance to a September 14, 2023 runoff election.
August 8, 2023
Mississippi Gubernatorial: One-term GOP Governor Tate Reeves is expected to sail through the GOP primary after several name Republicans declined to challenge him -- despite a 48% approval rating which makes him the most unpopular governor in the South.
Four-term Public Commissioner and former Nettleton Mayor Brandon Presley, a distant relative of Elvis Presley, is unchallenged in the Democratic primary and offers Democrats their first hope in over two decades of retaking the Governor's mansion. An April 24–27, 2023 Impact Research survey of likely voters showed Tate leading Presley 47% to 44% (± 4.0%)
Other elections up in the August 8 Mississippi statewide primary include Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State and other state executive offices, as well as State Senate, State House and School Boards.
| In addition to the three gubernatorial races up in 2023 -- in Mississippi, Kentucky and Louisiana --there are legislative, mayoral, municipal, judicial, and/or local elections in nearly 40 states. See: DemDaily: The 2023 Election Calendar! |
Ohio Issue 1: Constitutional Amendment Measure: A special election referendum sent to the ballot by the state's Republican-controlled legislature, the measure would raise the requirement to amend the Ohio Constitution from a simple majority to 60%. It is widely regarded as an effort to thwart passage of an abortion-rights citizen initiative that will be on the ballot in November. See: DemDaily: Ohio's Ballot Battles
August 22, 2023
Montgomery, Alabama Mayoral General: Incumbent Steven Reed (D) is favored to win reelection against challengers Victorrus Felder, Barrett Gilbreath, and Marcus McNeal.
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Sources: Ballotpedia, Wichita Beacon, KAKE, King5, ALReporter, KXXV, Axios, TennesseeLookout
