RandySF
RandySF's JournalIn new redistricting lawsuit, federal panel weighs whether to overturn Utah's court-ordered map
As a blizzard descended on Salt Lake City on Wednesday, a federal three-judge panel spent hours grilling attorneys on opposing sides of a new redistricting lawsuit seeking to throw out a state judge’s earlier decisions that voided Utah’s 2021 congressional map and ordered a remedial map that created one Democratic and three Republican districts.
After three hours of arguments and questioning, the judges did not issue a decision from the courtroom at the Orrin G. Hatch U.S. District Courthouse but took the case under advisement.
What they ultimately decide will have major implications for Utah’s 2026 congressional elections.
Will the court-ordered map imposed by 3rd District Judge Dianna Gibson stand? Or will they reinstate Utah’s 2021 congressional boundaries? Gibson previously ruled the 2021 map was the result of an unconstitutional process after the Utah Legislature drew it in the wake of undoing a 2018 voter-approved anti-gerrymandering law known as Proposition 4 that she’s since reinstated as Utah law.
https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/18/redistricting-lawsuit-federal-judges-weigh-whether-to-overturn-utah-congressional-map/
Arizona could ask voters to allow firing squad executions under GOP proposal
Republican legislators in Arizona want to bring back death by firing squad as an option for those sentenced to the death penalty, and as a requirement for people convicted of killing a law enforcement officer.
A similar proposal, sponsored by Republican Rep. Alexander Kolodin, failed in the Arizona House of Representatives last year, but Sen. Kevin Payne, R-Peoria, revived the idea this year.
Payne’s Senate Concurrent Resolution 1049 would ask voters in November to amend the Arizona Constitution to allow death row inmates to choose to be executed by lethal injection, the gas chamber or firing squad. If the person was sentenced to death for murdering a law enforcement officer, the firing squad would be the only execution option.
Senate Bill 1751, also sponsored by Payne, would put the same rules about firing squad executions into state statute, but would only be triggered if voters favor SCR1049.
https://azmirror.com/2026/02/18/arizona-could-ask-voters-to-allow-firing-squad-executions-under-gop-proposal/
OH-SEN: Sen. Husted met with man accused of bribery 2 days before HB 6 was introduced, according to schedule
Ohio Republican U.S. Senator Jon Husted met with the alleged mastermind of Ohio’s largest public corruption scheme two days before scandal-ridden bribery legislation was introduced, according to his official calendar.
As former FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones and VP Mike Dowling are on trial for bribery, their close ties to major political players continue to be revealed.
“I think all the significant actors have yet to be discovered,” said state Sen. Kent Smith, D-Euclid.
But one name kept coming up in the Summit County courtroom.
https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/02/19/sen-husted-met-with-man-accused-of-bribery-2-days-before-hb-6-was-introduced-according-to-schedule/
VA-07: After helping steer redistricting push, Helmer (D) seeks seat in proposed 7th District
Virginia Del. Dan Helmer launched his third congressional campaign on Wednesday, backed by a slate of Democratic leaders. Just a few hours later, he brushed aside accusations that he helped engineer a congressional district for himself, arguing instead that he did exactly what his party’s leaders elected him to do: win.
“My role was electing a Democratic majority two years ago so we could fight back against what Trump is doing and reelect it this year,” Helmer said in an interview with The Mercury, dismissing criticism that his congressional bid presents bad optics.
Helmer, 44, is seeking his party’s nomination in a newly drawn 7th Congressional District — a seat expected to favor Democrats if voters approve a constitutional amendment in April allowing mid-decade redistricting. The New York Times reported Wednesday morning that Helmer’s formal announcement was imminent.
The Fairfax Democrat, who has served in the House of Delegates since 2020 and chairs the House Democratic Caucus’ campaign arm, said his principal role was ensuring Democrats had the numbers to advance their priorities and “push back against” President Donald Trump.
https://virginiamercury.com/2026/02/18/after-helping-steer-redistricting-push-helmer-seeks-seat-in-proposed-7th-district/
Nearly 150 candidates file for office on first day
Around 150 candidates for district, legislative and statewide offices submitted their official paperwork with the Montana Secretary of State’s Office on Tuesday, the first day candidates could file for office.
“Tuesday was an incredible opening day for the 2026 candidate filing period,” Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen said in a statement. “It was great to visit with so many of the candidates, and an honor to assist them with this step as they sign up to serve their community and state.”
Candidates have until March 4 to file their paperwork.
Among those seeking re-election is Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, the first to file Tuesday morning
https://dailymontanan.com/2026/02/18/nearly-150-candidates-file-for-office-on-first-day/
Public Service Commission candidates file for office
Four candidates so far have filed to run for the Montana Public Service Commission, and all are Republican.
Two seats are up for grabs, in Districts No. 1 and No 5.
District No. 1 is a huge but uneven swath of eastern Montana, and District No. 5 is an area in northwest Montana.
In District No. 5, Commissioner Annie Bukacek, also a medical doctor, will try to hold off challenger David Sanders. Bukacek is serving in her first PSC term.
https://dailymontanan.com/2026/02/18/public-service-commission-candidates-file-for-office/
'Let's not screw this up': Senate GOP leader raises alarm ahead of rare SC Supreme Court contest
COLUMBIA — The head of the South Carolina Senate GOP cautioned his fellow legislators on the optics of electing a former member of the General Assembly to the state’s highest court.
“Y’all, this looks really bad,” Majority Leader Shane Massey said on the Senate floor Wednesday.
In a rare move, the Edgefield Republican directly addressed what he called a “unique” judicial election two weeks before voting is scheduled to take place.
For the first time in more than 20 years, a sitting South Carolina Supreme Court justice faces a challenge for keeping his seat.
https://scdailygazette.com/2026/02/18/lets-not-screw-this-up-senate-gop-leader-raises-alarm-ahead-of-rare-sc-supreme-court-contest/
Oregon Republicans walk out of Senate ahead of vote on transportation referendum
Republicans in the Oregon Senate staged a walkout Wednesday afternoon ahead of a scheduled vote on a bill to reschedule a referendum on controversial transportation tax and fee increases from November to May.
Senators were scheduled to meet at 1:30 p.m., but no Republicans were present during roll call, prompting Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, to adjourn until Thursday morning. Senate Bill 1599, the proposal to move the date of the referendum, has since been listed on Thursday’s Senate agenda. While the House came to a brief standstill at the same time, four Republicans showed up, allowing lawmakers in that chamber to reach a quorum.
A spokesperson for Wagner did not immediately offer any comment, and Senate Republicans did not specifically attribute their absence to the transportation vote.
“Senate Republicans paused the process so there could be more meaningful discussions between the majority and the minority,” Ashley Kuenzi, a spokesperson for Senate Republicans, wrote in an email.
https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/02/18/oregon-republicans-walk-out-of-senate-ahead-of-vote-on-transportation-referendum/
TX-SEN: Alsobrooks becomes first Senator to endorse Crockett in Texas Senate race
Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) endorsed Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) in the Democratic primary for Senate in the Lone Star State, becoming the first Senator to back the congresswoman.
In a Wednesday release, Alsobrooks endorsed Crockett and Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in their respective Senate races.
“In the Senate, we need leaders who are both willing to take on tough fights and to work across the aisle to get things done on behalf of their constituents,” the first-term Senator said. “Now more than ever, we need fighters whose north star is and always will be the people they serve. I cannot wait to call them colleagues.”
Crockett’s main competition for the Democratic nomination is Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D). A January poll from the University of Houston found that 47 percent of likely Democratic primary voters backed Crockett, while 39 percent supported Talarico and 12 percent were unsure.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5744051-sen-angela-alsobrooks-endorses-jasmine-crockett/
RNC sues to stop Virginia redistricting referendum
The Republican National Committee (RNC) sued Wednesday in the hopes of stopping Virginia Democrats from moving forward with their new congressional map.
The new lawsuit seeks to block an April referendum, when voters could pave the way for lawmakers to approve the new design that would hand Democrats four pickup opportunities.
“Emergency relief is needed to prevent the transmission of a defective proposal for constitutional amendment to Virginia voters that violates the Commonwealth’s Constitution and an order of this Court,” the complaint states.
Virginians are set to head to the polls April 21 to vote on a constitutional amendment that would permit the state legislature to redistrict mid-decade. Currently, redistricting powers lie with an independent, nonpartisan commission.
https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5744400-rnc-sues-virginia-redistricting/
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