RandySF
RandySF's JournalMar-a-Lago & Tampa Deliver Latest Earthquakes in Special Election Upsets
PRESS RELEASE
WASHINGTON — State legislative Democrats just defied the odds in Trump’s backyard tonight with the latest round of special elections in Mar-a-Lago and Tampa. Florida Democrats Emily Gregory and Brian Nathan delivered decisive victories in deep Trump territory – Trump won these districts in 2024 by 11 points and 7.5 points, respectively. These victories chip away at the GOP supermajorities in both chambers, building momentum for November as the DLCC prepares to break GOP supermajorities in both chambers in Florida.
Democrats have now flipped 30 seats across the country since Trump was elected, while Republicans have not flipped a single one. Just this month, Democrats have flipped seats with upset wins in Arkansas and New Hampshire. Momentum is undeniable as the DLCC prepares for a target map that will deliver the biggest gains in two decades this November.
“Mar-a-Lago and Tampa just flipped red to blue, which should have Republicans sweating the midterms. A Trump +11 district in his own backyard shouldn’t be in play for Democrats, but tonight proves Republicans are vulnerable everywhere. State Democrats have now flipped a staggering 30 districts red to blue since Trump’s election. Gas prices are spiking, grocery costs are up, and families can’t get by – it’s clear voters at the polls are fed up with Republicans.
“If Mar-a-Lago and Tampa are vulnerable, imagine what’s possible this November. Democrats are clearly on offense as we prepare for the most expansive midterm strategy ever down-ballot, with 650 seats in play. 2026 is shaping up to be an election for the history books.”
https://www.dlcc.org/news/press/mar-a-lago-tampa-deliver-latest-earthquakes-in-special-election-upsets/
Terry Frank (R) announces bid for re-election as Anderson County mayor
Terry Frank has launched her re-election campaign for Anderson County mayor. The county Republican and Democratic primaries are May 5.
Her platform emphasizes fiscal conservatism, public safety, infrastructure investment, and economic opportunity as the cornerstones of her vision, according to a news release announcing her candidacy.
“The many steps we’ve taken to provide sound fiscal management has strengthened Anderson County government’s financial position, providing stability for our citizens and businesses. However, families and retirees continue to face challenges from inflation. We must remain focused on prioritizing tax dollars to enhance quality of life while keeping the county affordable for families and retirees on fixed incomes. We cannot tax our way to prosperity - we must govern with wise, and sometimes tough, decisions,” Frank said in the release.
A lifelong Anderson County resident with paternal roots tracing back eight generations, Frank grew up in Oliver Springs. She graduated from Anderson County High School, attended Sewanee: The University of the South, and earned a B.A. in political science from Middle Tennessee State University. For 20 years, she and her husband Lee owned and operated a small business in Oak Ridge.
https://www.oakridger.com/story/news/politics/county/2026/03/24/terry-frank-announces-bid-for-re-election-as-anderson-county-mayor/89283459007/
Charles County Commissioner Ralph E. Patterson II Disqualified From Re-Election Bid
LA PLATA, Md. — Charles County Commissioner Ralph E. Patterson II has been disqualified from seeking re-election, according to official Maryland State Board of Elections records.
The state’s 2026 candidate listing shows Patterson’s candidacy status as “disqualified” as of Monday, March 23, 2026. The listing does not specify the reason for the disqualification.
Patterson, a Democrat, currently serves as vice president of the Charles County Board of County Commissioners and has represented District 4 since December 2022. He filed for re-election and, as of the candidate filing deadline, was running unopposed.
Under Maryland election law, candidates seeking public office must meet a series of filing and eligibility requirements to appear on the ballot. For the 2026 election cycle, candidates were required to file a certificate of candidacy by Feb. 25, 2026, the official filing deadline set by the Maryland State Board of Elections.
https://thebaynet.com/charles-county-commissioner-ralph-e-patterson-ii-disqualified-from-re-election-bid/
Big changes to voting process begin in upcoming West Virginia primary election
KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS) — With 50 days to go until the 2026 primary election in West Virginia, voters should be aware of several changes that could impact how they participate.
Most notably, it’s not just about what’s on the ballot, but how you cast it. Beginning this year, voters will be required to show a photo ID at the polls.
“This will be the first election that you’ll have to have a photo ID through the Secretary of State’s Office or your county clerk,” West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner said.
Another big change impacts unaffiliated voters in the Mountain State.
https://wchstv.com/news/local/big-changes-to-voting-process-begin-in-west-virginia-primary-election
Medina election called 'ugliest in history of the village'
MEDINA – The hard-fought recent village election featured many social media posts that residents say were often nasty and unfair personal attacks.
Those posts, campaign mailers and comments at public meetings often set an unpleasant tone.
“This was the ugliest election in the history of the village,” resident Mary Hare said during Monday’s Village Board meeting.
She faulted the union for Medina firefighters for dividing the village with their social media posts. That union endorsed Mayor Marguerite Sherman and Courtney Henderson as a trustee.
https://orleanshub.com/medina-election-called-ugliest-in-history-of-the-village/
Lubbock City Council outlines District 4 special election
LUBBOCK, Texas — Following the unexpected resignation of Lubbock City Councilman Brayden Rose, the Lubbock City Council approved the parameters for the upcoming special election to fill his position in District 4.
Those interested in running for Councilman Rose’s seat are able to file starting today, March 24, until April 27 at 5 p.m. Early voting will run from June 15 through June 23, with only citizens in District 4 able to cast a vote. Election Day is slated for June 27, which is the earliest available day due to election law.
The special election is expected to cost around $70,000-90,000, according to Lubbock City Secretary Courtney Paz.
https://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/local-news/lubbock-city-council-outlines-district-4-special-election/
Georgetown Mayor West (?) will retire, opening May election
Longtime Georgetown Mayor Bill West, who has been the target of criticism amid a heated town debate over homelessness services, announced Monday night that he will retire at the end of his current term in May.
West’s announcement comes after several tumultuous months for elected officials in the Sussex County seat, which have devolved into shouting matches at town council meetings and frequent social media attacks.
Since last fall, West and other members of the town council have often found themselves at odds with a growing group of vocal residents who have criticized the town’s approach to homelessness. That group has repeatedly said it would seek candidates to run against West and other council members up for re-election later this spring.
Much of the tension in town has centered on the effectiveness of two homelessness service providers — the Shepherd’s Office and Springboard Delaware’s Pallet Village — and the town government’s consideration of a proposal by the nonprofit Little Living to build cottage homes in town.
https://spotlightdelaware.org/2026/03/24/georgetown-mayor-west-will-retire-opening-may-election/
San Ramon Mayor (?) Announces Re-Election Campaign
SAN RAMON, CA — San Ramon Mayor Mark Armstrong announced his re-election campaign Monday. Armstrong, a 22-year San Ramon resident, has served on the San Ramon City Council since 2021 and as mayor since 2024.
“Serving as mayor of San Ramon has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” he said in a statement. “Our city is an exceptional place to live, work, and raise a family. I am running for re-election to build on the progress we’ve made—keeping our community safe, protecting our neighborhoods and hillside open spaces, and ensuring San Ramon remains fiscally strong and prepared for the future.”
Armstrong listed public safety, protecting neighborhoods and open space, quality of life, and fiscal accountability as his top priorities. He said that he supports keeping the San Ramon Police Department “fully funded, well-trained, and properly equipped,” and wants to work with police to address neighborhood concerns like speeding near schools and parks, property crime, and traffic safety.
“Residents deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods, parks, and schools. I will work to ensure that any state-required housing avoids or minimizes the impact on schools and neighborhoods,” he said in a statement.
https://patch.com/california/sanramon/san-ramon-mayor-announces-re-election-campaign
Cranberry Republican Scialabba to step down from state House, opening door for special election
Cranberry Township Republican Stephenie Scialabba announced Tuesday that she will resign from the state House effective next week. The Butler County representative previously said she would not seek reelection, but in a speech from the House floor, she said she’d cut her time short in Harrisburg.
Scialabba said she’s resigning on March 31 in part to focus on her family. She asked legislators to consider expanding child care in the state Capitol, to make it easier for lawmakers who are parents and must regularly travel to Harrisburg.
“If you're a mom or a dad who doesn't want your parenting and your public service to live in two separate spaces, a dedicated children's environment within reach would close the gap in real ways for capital staffers and lawmakers,” she said. “This is 2026 — it's time we have a family-affirming state Capitol.”
Scialabba, who was picked last year to lead an artificial intelligence task force, was first elected in 2022 and most recently served on the House committees for education, communications and technology, state government and judicial matters. She’s an attorney who has worked in cybersecurity and data privacy after earning her law degree from the University of Pittsburgh.
https://www.wesa.fm/politics-government/2026-03-24/scialabba-resigns-butler-county-house
"Fiasco": Voters, Williamson County commissioners press party chairs on election confusion
GEORGETOWN, Texas — The Williamson County Commissioners Court hosted a workshop on Tuesday to discuss confusion and frustration among voters over primary voting locations earlier this month.
The Williamson County Republican Party opted to move from a countywide voting system to a precinct-level voting system in the March primary, a move that required voters to vote at their assigned polling location on Election Day instead of any polling location in the county.
After countywide voting was used for over a decade, voters reported long lines and confusion over polling locations.
During a public comment period, voters from both political parties and poll workers criticized the rollout of the new system.
https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/fiasco-voters-williamson-county-commissioners-press-party-chairs-on-election-confusion
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