RandySF
RandySF's JournalGA-GOV: Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan launches Democratic bid for governor
Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, who was previously a Republican, launched his gubernatorial campaign as a Democrat on Tuesday.
“As Georgia’s first Democratic governor in 28 years, I will stand up to Trump and his yes men in our state while bringing down the costs of childcare, health care, and housing so every Georgia family is in the best position possible. That’s what Georgia deserves,” Duncan said in a statement announcing his candidacy.
In his launch video, Duncan calls attacks from President Trump “a badge of honor” and highlights his break with the GOP. The Republican-turned-Democrat pledged “to make Georgia the frontline of democracy and a backstop against extremism.”
Duncan’s campaign comes after he formerly joined the Democratic Party last month.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5504521-georgia-governor-race-democrat/
NJ-GOV: Democrats Put Another $1.5 Million Into New Jersey Race
“The Democratic National Committee will spend another $1.5 million on New Jersey’s off-year gubernatorial race, upping its commitment in a state that Republicans believe is trending their way,” Semafor reports.
“Democratic nominees have led in public polling in both states, but surveys missed a GOP surge in New Jersey’s 2021 elections. Democratic gubernatorial nominee Mikie Sherrill will face GOP nominee Jack Ciattarelli in their first televised debate later this week.”
https://politicalwire.com/2025/09/16/democrats-put-another-1-5-million-into-new-jersey-race/
Former Syracuse basketball player Tiana Mangakahia dies following cancer battle
The basketball world is mourning the loss of former Syracuse basketball point guard Tiana Mangakahia. The Australian native passed away surrounded by her family after a long battle with breast cancer on September 11. She was 30 years old.
Mangakahia’s family announced her passing on the athlete’s Instagram. “We are heartbroken to share the passing of our beautiful Tiana Mangakahia. She left us on 11/09/2025, surrounded by family, friends and lots of love. Tiana was a shining light who touched the lives of everyone she met with her kindness, strength, and warmth. She fought right till the very end, showing courage and grace beyond words.”
The post continued, “Though our hearts ache without her, her legacy and the love she gave will stay with us forever. We will continue to honour her in everything we do. We love you endlessly, Tiana, and will miss you always.”
Mangakahia was a member of Syracuse’s women’s basketball team from 2017 to 2021. During her time there, she was a two-time All-ACC first-team selection, a two-time WBCA Division I Coaches’ All-America honorable mention selection, Associated Press (AP) All-America Honorable Mention, Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award finalist, and was awarded the Syracuse 8 Courage Award, according to Syracuse.
https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/former-syracuse-basketball-player-tiana-mangakahia-dies-following-cancer-battle/
Becca (Hurley) Kramer gets call to NAIA Hall of Fame
ORANGE CITY, IA (KTIV) - After wowing Orange City crowds over a decade ago Becca (Hurley) Kramer of Northwestern has been selected for induction into the NAIA Hall of Fame.
In her time at Northwestern Hurley was named a first team All-American 3 times. While also earning National Player of the Year honors in her senior season.
As a player Kramer was a pest defensively, she still holds the Red Raider single season record for steals and ranks 2nd all time in career take aways.
While in Orange City Hurley was a key cog in the machine for three NAIA National Championships on the court.
https://www.ktiv.com/2025/09/15/becca-hurley-kramer-gets-call-naia-hall-fame/?outputType=amp
I have one piece of advice for Patel and his fellow right wing talkers.
Shut up before the alleged perpetrator gets a mistrial.
Arkansas groups to kick off town hall tour to promote ballot measure
Two Arkansas civic action groups will kick off a town hall tour Tuesday in Little Rock to promote a direct democracy ballot initiative their coalition hopes to put on the 2026 ballot, according to a news release.
The event, to be held at First United Methodist Church of Little Rock at 6 p.m., will feature a panel from the Arkansas Public Policy Panel and Citizens First Congress to answer questions about the ballot measure. The town hall is sponsored by ballot question committee Protect AR Rights and its coalition partner For AR Kids.
Three other town halls are planned — Fort Smith on Sept. 23, Conway on Oct. 14 and Clinton on Nov. 4.
The coalition is looking to roll back 13 laws targeting Arkansas’ direct democracy process that passed during the 2025 legislative session. The laws generally imposed more requirements on ballot committees trying to put issues to voters at the ballot box.
https://arkansasadvocate.com/briefs/arkansas-civic-groups-to-kick-off-town-hall-tour-to-promote-ballot-initiatives/
How to get Georgia voters to turn out for the PSC election? Talk about their power bills.
While any election brings ads, events, door-knocking, and other efforts to remind people to get to the polls, this year campaign workers concerned with Georgia’s Public Service Commission races have another hurdle: education.
Climate and environment organizers gathered in Atlanta recently to strategize about how to mobilize voters ahead of November’s election for two seats on the Georgia PSC. Dubbed “Watts at Stake,” the event brought together organizers, community leaders, and influencers to hear about the importance of the somewhat obscure state agency — a message the speakers view as critical this election cycle.
“If you ask most people, they don’t know what the PSC is,” Russell Armstrong with Black Futures Lab, a group focused on leveraging Black electoral power, told Grist.
But, Armstrong and others said, voters care about what the PSC does, once they understand it.
https://grist.org/georgia-psc/georgia-voters-psc-election-power-bills/
Easthampton's interim Mayor Salem Derby announces election bid
EASTHAMPTON — A fourth candidate for the Easthampton mayoral race has emerged as longtime City Councilor and interim Mayor Salem Derby has decided to throw his name in the ring.
Derby, an Easthampton City Councilor for 22 years, accepted the role as interim mayor back in July following the resignation of Mayor Nicole LaChapelle. He joins a mayoral race already featuring City Councilor JT Tirrell, Mayoral Executive Assistant Lindsi Sekula and resident Robert Laferriere.
Initially when moving to the interim position this summer, Derby told Reminder Publishing he was not interested in running for mayor in the fall, but that soon changed once Derby was able to get a grasp on the day-to-day of his new role through the interim position.
“I didn’t think I was going to do it, but there was this moment where I was like, wait a minute, all of these things are just kind of coming together at the right moment and this is a really perfect job for me and the skills I have, and the experiences that I’ve had in my life,” said Derby. “The other part of that was knowing that, can I really turn my back and walk away when I feel like I’m probably the best candidate for the job.”
https://thereminder.com/local-news/hampshire-county/easthampton/easthamptons-interim-mayor-salem-derby-announces-election-bid/
Election deniers now hold posts on local US election boards, raising concerns for midterms
A number of people who deny the legitimacy of the 2020 election, and often of other elections in which Republicans have not been victorious, have been elevated to positions of power since Donald Trump’s re-election, raising concerns about the potential for partisan meddling in critical parts of the country like Arizona and Georgia.
State by state, activists aligned with the “election integrity” movement have found their way on to local elections boards and elections offices, raising red flags for Democrats who have already started efforts to have them removed.
“I think Republicans want to put us in jail,” Fulton county commissioner Dana Barrett said, moments after a contempt hearing in an Atlanta, Georgia, courtroom in August, where she and five other county commissioners were fighting a battle to reject the appointment of two Republican election denialists to the Fulton county board of registrations and elections.
people stand outside and walk by domed building
Utah emerges as a pivotal battleground amid race to redraw congressional maps
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The commission’s charter says the board must appoint two nominees made by each political party. A finding of criminal contempt could have resulted in commissioners being jailed until they agreed to make the appointment, but Fulton county superior court judge David Emerson found the board in civil contempt last month for refusing to vote for the appointment as ordered by the court. A $10,000 daily fine for failing to make the appointment is on hold, pending appeal.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/15/election-deniers-midterms-board-offices
Salem Preliminary Election Guide 2025: Candidates, Where To Vote
SALEM, MA — Salem voters will head to the polls to narrow the field for City Council in four wards during the city's preliminary election on Tuesday.
Only Wards 1, 2, 5 and 6 will be voting. Ward 6 has had a chance in location with voting taking place in the theater/music room of the Bates School.
Those choosing to vote by mail must return the preliminary ballot to the city clerk's office or to an election drop box by 8 p.m. on election day.
https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem/salem-preliminary-election-guide-2025-candidates-where-vote
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