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WASHINGTON — The lobster featured on the menu of Thursday’s state dinner comes with caviar, squash ravioli — and a heaping side of controversy. Maine officials would typically be thrilled to have their state’s most famous export featured at such a high-profile White House event. Maine lobstermen have long prided themselves on sustainability and argue the concern about right whales is misplaced. “I am glad President Biden and his State Dinner guests had the opportunity to enjoy Maine lobster,” Democratic Maine Gov. “The administration should make their policy consistent with their culinary preferences.”The Office of the First Lady, which oversees the state dinner preparations, did not respond to a request for comment.

☆ Midterm Elections Produce More States Controlled by One Party
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Rosie Ettenheim | Randy Yeip | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

After weeks of uncertainty, New Hampshire Republicans emerged this week with a slim majority in the state House of Representatives following midterm elections. With the GOP retaining control of the state House and Senate and the governorship, New Hampshire brings to 39 the number of states with a governing trifecta—one party holding a majority in both legislative chambers while also occupying the governor’s mansion. It is the most trifectas since 1947. Democrats now hold 17 state trifectas, compared with 22 held by Republicans, after the party flipped legislative chambers in Minnesota and Michigan and governorships in Massachusetts and Maryland. The GOP flipped one governorship, in Nevada, loosening Democrats’ grip on a state where that party maintained control of both legislative chambers.

☆ Al-Shabaab terror attack targets Mogadishu hotel
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Omar Nor | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Mogadishu CNN —The al Qaeda linked terror group al-Shabaab has carried out a suicide attack and stormed a central Mogadishu hotel frequented by Somalia’s ministers and members of parliament, Somali police said Sunday. Al-Shabaab stormed the Villa Rose hotel near Somalia’s presidential palace following a suicide bombing at the gate at 8 p.m. local time (noon ET), according to police. Bishar Ahmed confirmed to CNN that a major attack occurred at the hotel, which lies in a heavily protected zone in downtown Mogadishu, where the state house, ministries and a high-security intelligence prison are also located. In May, US President Joe Biden decided to redeploy troops to Somalia in support of the local government and to counter al-Shabaab. The move reversed a decision by former President Donald Trump to withdraw all US troops from the country.

☆ Live Results: Mary Peltola defeats Sarah Palin and others: Alaska's at-large district US House election
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Hanna Kang | Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola won against three others — including Sarah Palin — in Alaska's at-large congressional district. Alaska has only one congressional district and therefore does not go through a redistricting process. Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola of Alaska has defeated three challengers in Alaska's at-large congressional district general election — most notably former Gov. Palin, the former governor of Alaska, has known Peltola for years and served alongside her in the Alaska state house. Although Alaska's 2022 general election, much like the special election, will largely be centered around Peltola and Palin, Alaska's ranked choice voting system makes this a four-way race.

“You really need leadership in these local areas to execute on the Inflation Reduction Act to the fullest extent,” Spears said. “This completely opens the pathway for Michigan to lead on clean cars of the future, and that’s really exciting,” Spears said. Climate victories at the local level are also poised to make a big impact. If fully implemented, climate experts have said the Inflation Reduction Act could reduce U.S. emissions by about 40% below 2005 levels by 2030. “So it’s really important to have climate leadership in state and local governments to actually execute on that and make sure it happens well.”

As Republicans across the country saw their predictions of commanding victories up and down the ballot fall short on election night, Democrats in Pennsylvania were celebrating signs of a blue wave. Spencer Platt / Getty Images fileMany state Republicans said it’s no surprise that the strategy worked. “I think Republicans are going to be very demoralized here,” one Republican who worked on a Pennsylvania campaign, said in an interview. But while Oz struggled to overcome questions about his residency, Democrats and Republicans both said the election was driven by the Shapiro-Mastriano dynamic. “To have a wave, you not only have to have the initial motion, but you have to have the driver.

Voters in Arizona have approved a ballot initiative to extend in-state college tuition to qualifying students regardless of immigration status, the Associated Press has reported. Proposition 308 will allow students, including those who are undocumented, to pay in-state college rates if they've attended Arizona high schools for at least two years. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema to Republicans like Arizona state House Speaker Rusty Bowers and former Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Karrin Taylor Robson. The outcome signals a stark contrast and shift from Arizona's 2006 Proposition 300, which prohibited undocumented people from receiving in-state tuition and state financial assistance. More than 71% of Arizona voters at the time voted in favor of the proposition.

Audiences will see how the battle in the Texas Legislature over gender-affirming care for trans children is far from a mere partisan philosophical argument or campaign talking point for me. That’s the year a flood of anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in the Texas Legislature — the majority of which directly targeted trans kids and their families. This year dealt Texas trans families a double blow when state Attorney General Ken Paxton delivered a nonbinding legal opinion that gender-affirming care for children was child abuse — followed by a directive from Gov. We acted quickly as a family, breaking the news of our pending out-of-state move to Noah over an unforgettably sad dinner. Despite it all, Texas is where our hearts reside, no matter how many miles might separate us and how directly damaging Republican rhetoric has been.

“Personalities come and go,” said Dave Ball, the GOP chair in Pennsylvania’s Washington County, who has supported and defended Trump. Trump is preparing to do just that, with a Tuesday announcement expected at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. In Illinois, Republicans had threatened to take two state Supreme Court seats and flip state Senate and House seats. In Pennsylvania, GOP leaders had hoped to at least hold on to the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Pat Toomey. Trump lost the state by narrow margins in 2016 and 2020.

☆ The Republican Wipeout in Michigan
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-12 | by ( The Editorial Board | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

If Florida is an example of a state Republican Party governing well and building a majority, Michigan is the opposite. Wolverine State Republicans suffered an election wipeout Tuesday that leaves them without any legislative power for the first time in decades. Gretchen Whitmer won re-election despite punishing schools closures, and state Democrats gained their first trifecta in about 40 years. Democrats picked up seats in the state Senate, flipping it to 20-18 Democrats from 22-16 Republicans. Republicans had a supermajority in the state Senate and a trifecta only four years ago.

Democrat Tina Kotek has won the race for governor in Oregon, NBC News projects, narrowly defeating Republican Christine Drazan. With her victory Kotek will be one of the first out lesbian governors in the United States. She joins another out lesbian governor-elect, Democrat Maura Healey of Massachusetts, in making history in the 2022 midterms. Drazan came close, bombarding Kotek with relentless attacks over record-breaking crime and homelessness and tying her to term-limited Democratic Gov. Her victory suggests those messages may have broken through to Oregon voters.

Nov 10 (Reuters) - Democrat Tina Kotek won a tough three-way race to become the next governor of Oregon, the Associated Press projected on Thursday, enabling Democrats to extend nearly four decades of control over the Oregon governorship. Official returns from Tuesday's election showed Kotek winning 47.1% of the vote to 43.5% for Republican Christine Drazan. The last time a Republican was elected governor was in 1982, and Kotek was always favored to succeed Democratic governor Kate Brown, who could not run again due to term limits. With the polls tightening late in the race, President Joe Biden visited Oregon in mid-October to campaign with Kotek, a former state legislator. In Michigan, Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer was re-elected and voters flipped the state House and Senate from Republican to Democratic control.

National Democrats were fairly happy on Election Day as they dodged a predicted trouncing at the polls, but state Democrats might have even more to celebrate. And Democrats appear on track to flip the state House in Michigan, as well as in Pennsylvania and Minnesota, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the nonpartisan organization that represents legislative chambers. Democratic wins this cycle signals a shift in state legislative priorities that could have major ramifications on contentious issues. The Republican-controlled state legislatures in Pennsylvania and Michigan had entertained election denial conspiracies after the 2020 election, for example. "Success does beget success," she said, noting that many state legislative candidates outperformed those competing at the federal level.

☆ A record number of LGBTQ candidates claim victory in another 'rainbow wave'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Jo Yurcaba | Jo Yurcaba Is A Reporter For Nbc Out. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

A record number of LGBTQ candidates won their midterm races this year, creating what some advocates are calling yet another “rainbow wave.”Many races are still too close or too early to call, but as of Thursday afternoon, at least 400 out LGBTQ candidates had won their elections, according to the LGBTQ Victory Fund, which supports queer people running for office. “With so much at stake this election, from the future of marriage equality to abortion, LGBTQ candidates’ grit and exceptional grassroots support is paying off.”National firstsQueer candidates celebrated a number of notable victories and firsts across the country. Alaska is one of four states with zero out LGBTQ state lawmakers, according to the LGBTQ Victory Institute. Magni said the results prove that LGBTQ candidates can successfully compete in both blue and red states. “This is a powerful message, saying, ‘Hey, LGBTQ candidates can win elections and can win elections in many states and many districts across the country.’” he said.

☆ I'm a Pennsylvania poll worker. I worked a 15-hour shift for $250, but it was worth it to help people vote — especially in a swing state.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Ananya Vahal | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Aaron Stevens, 33, is a Philadelphia poll worker who worked the 2022 midterm elections in Pa. This was his fourth time as a poll worker because he loves to see his community participate. This is my fourth time as a poll worker in Philadelphia. If their information was correct, we guided them to the touch-screen voting machines and gave them extra help if needed. When I used to work as a poll worker in the past, people were worried about voting terminals getting hacked.

Share this -Link copiedWisconsin Senate race too close to call Wisconsin's Senate race between GOP Sen. Ron Johnson and Democrat Mandela Barnes is too close to call, NBC News says. Vance wins Ohio Senate race, defeating Democrat Tim Ryan, NBC News projects COLUMBUS, Ohio — J.D. Ohio Republican Senate candidate J.D. Vance is leading The Senate race in Ohio is too early to call, NBC News says, but Republican candidate J.D. Share this -Link copiedGeorgia Senate race too close to call Georgia's Senate race is too close to call about three hours after polls closed at 7 p.m.

☆ Cobb County, a longtime GOP stronghold, will be critical for Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock in Georgia's December runoff
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Cobb County, a one-time GOP stronghold, is now critical for Democrats running statewide in Georgia. Warnock's strong suburban support will be key as he again faces Walker in a Dec. 6 runoff election. With over 95% of county precincts reporting in the Senate race, Warnock was leading Walker by nearly 17 points (57%-40.5%) in Cobb County. The current raw vote total is 175,387 votes for Warnock to 125,324 votes for Walker, an advantage of over 50,000 votes in this jurisdiction for the incumbent. Which begs the question: why has Cobb County become such a bellwether for statewide Democrats?

☆ Democrats say they have won control of Pennsylvania's state House for first time in more than a decade
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Democrats claim they have won a majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. If confirmed, it would be the first time Democrats have won a majority in the chamber since 2008. State Rep. Joanna McClinton is set to be the first woman and first Black speaker of the House. "Pennsylvania voters overwhelmingly rejected hatred," state Rep. Joanna McClinton, a Democrat from Philadelphia, said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon in Philadelphia. It would be the first time Democrats have won control of the chamber since 2008 and only the second time since 1995.

☆ Results: Republican Gov. Kristi Noem prevails over Democratic challenger Jamie Smith in South Dakota
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Warren Rojas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Kristi Noem has won a second term as governor of South Dakota. Noem faced South Dakota state representative Jamie Smith. Kristi Noem, who was running for a second term against South Dakota state representative Jamie Smith, has prevailed. South Dakota's gubernatorial candidatesNoem spent nearly a decade in the US Congress and served two terms as a South Dakota state representative prior to that. Smith has served three terms in the South Dakota state House of Representatives.

Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola is running against three others — including Sarah Palin — in Alaska's at-large congressional district. Alaska has only one congressional district and therefore does not go through a redistricting process. Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola of Alaska faces off against three challengers in Alaska's at-large congressional district general election. Palin, the former governor of Alaska, has known Peltola for years and served alongside her in the Alaska state house. Although Alaska's 2022 general election, much like the special election, will largely be centered around Peltola and Palin, Alaska's ranked choice voting system makes this a four-way race.

OregonTina Kotek, a former state House speaker, hopes to retain Oregon Democrats’ 36-year hold on the governorship and would be one of the first openly lesbian governors if she won. She faces Christine Drazan, a Republican, and Betsy Johnson, an independent.

☆ Live Election Results: South Carolina State Legislature
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Polls close in the state at 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. It symobilizes the 2022 Election. Election 2022 South Carolina Results Explore more election results Alaska Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Nevada New Hampshire New Mexico New York North Carolina Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island Texas Virginia Washington WisconsinThe South Carolina House is currently under Republican control and is not seen as particularly competitive. Only the state House is up for election this cycle, the State Senate is up next in 2024. South Carolina House of Representatives election results:

☆ Live Election Results: Connecticut State Legislature
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Polls close in the state at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. It symobilizes the 2022 Election. Election 2022 Connecticut Results Explore more election results Alaska Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Nevada New Hampshire New Mexico New York North Carolina Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island Texas Virginia Washington Wisconsin (1 District) Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. The Connecticut House is currently under Democratic control and is considered generally likely to remain as such, but it is still a competitive cycle. Connecticut State House of Representatives election results:Connecticut State Senate election results:

☆ Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp fends off Democrat Stacey Abrams for a second term, NBC News projects
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Emma Kinery | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Governor Brian Kemp holds up four fingers to indicate "four more years" as he speaks after winning the Republican primary during his primary election watch party in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. May 24, 2022. Brian Kemp has secured another term, fending off Democrat Stacey Abrams in the duo's second match-up, NBC News projected. Georgia voters in 2020 elected Democrats to both U.S. Senate seats and backed President Joe Biden. State officials, including Kemp, refused to do Trump's bidding and drew his ire when they certified Biden's electoral college win in Georgia. Abrams took flak two weeks before the election when she said on MSNBC that abortion was an economic issue.

☆ Democratic Lt. Gov. Josh Green faces off against Republican Duke Aiona in Hawaii's gubernatorial election
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Hanna Kang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Joshua Green is running against Republican Duke Aiona in Hawaii's gubernatorial race. Aiona, a former lieutenant governor of Hawaii, is making his third run for governor. Election 2022 Hawaii Results Explore more election results Alaska Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Nevada New Hampshire New Mexico New York North Carolina Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island Texas Virginia Washington WisconsinDemocrat Josh Green faces off against Republican Duke Aiona in Hawaii's gubernatorial election. Hawaii's gubernatorial candidatesGreen, the Democratic nominee and the state's lieutenant governor, has roots in Hawaii politics. Following his time as a state representative, he served in the Hawaii State Senate from 2008 to 2018.

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