TN-05: If TN Democrats perform like they did Tuesday, Congressional District 5 stays GOP

The vote total for state Rep. Aftyn Behn in the Tennessee 7th Congressional District race against now-U.S. Rep. Matt Van Epps show Democrats have narrowed their deficit to Republicans but not enough to flip any seats, an analysis of election data by the Lookout finds.

The racet to watch in the 2026 election is Tennessee Congressional District 5, currently held by Columbia Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles. He’s won about 56% of the vote in the past two elections, the lowest of any Tennessee Republican who won their U.S. House race.

Behn performed better in every county in District 7 in 2025 when compared to the Democratic candidates in 2024 or 2022. But if the same shifts in Nashville, Williamson County and rural counties that happened in District 7 on the Dec. 2 special election occurred in the 5th district, the Democratic candidate would lose by 4 to 7 percentage points.

Kent Syler, a political science professor at Middle Tennessee State University, said based on his look at the election data, he came up with a similar number, but cautioned that the 2026 midterms are still 11 months away and a lot could happen.


https://tennesseelookout.com/2025/12/08/if-tn-democrats-perform-like-they-did-tuesday-andy-ogles-would-still-hold-his-house-seat/

CO-SEN: State Sen. Julie Gonzales launches primary challenge against Sen. Hickenlooper

Democratic state Sen. Julie Gonzales on Monday announced she is running to unseat U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper in 2026, aiming to ride a wave of liberal and progressive dissatisfaction with Democratic leadership to an upset primary victory.

Gonzales’ announcement, rumored for weeks, sets up a clash in Colorado between a leading progressive voice at the state Legislature and a business-friendly moderate who has been a fixture in Colorado politics for roughly three decades.

In an interview, Gonzales called the 2026 midterm elections “a defining moment for the future of the Democratic Party.”

“What sort of party do we want to be?” Gonzales said. “Do we want to send back John Hickenlooper, a go-along-to-get-along incrementalist, or do we want to send a proven legislator, with a track record of taking on big fights against a well-funded corporate lobby, who’s gotten s*** done?”



https://coloradonewsline.com/2025/12/08/julie-gonzales-primary-hickenlooper/

The "good old days".

Utah Judge Rejects GOP Bid to Block Fairer Map for 2026 Elections

A Utah judge Friday refused to halt her landmark ruling that struck down the GOP-led legislature’s gerrymander. The decision means the court-ordered, fairer map — which gives Democratic and independent voters a meaningful chance at representation — remains on track for the 2026 elections.

Judge Dianna Gibson denied the Legislature’s attempt to pause her ruling, entirely rejecting Republicans’ claims that they were boxed out of the appeals process.

In the ruling, Gibson wrote that “the Legislative Defendants’ assertion that they have ‘had no opportunity to appeal’ in this case” was unsupported and that lawmakers presented “no evidence to show that they were prevented from appealing” any of the court’s major orders — including the rulings issued on Aug. 25, Sept. 6 and Nov. 10.

The judge went further, noting that GOP lawmakers were responsible for their own delay.


https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/utah-judge-rejects-gop-bid-to-block-fairer-map/

Recount certifies winner in Montgomery Co. Municipal Court election

MONTGOMERY COUNTY — Judge Brandon Myers has been officially certified as the winner of the Judicial election for the Montgomery County Municipal Court.

This comes after a close election result triggered a recount, according to the court.

The Montgomery County Board of Elections completed the recount on Dec. 3.

The certified votes show that Myers beat Cindi Westwood by 26 votes, according to the court.



https://www.whio.com/news/local/recount-certifies-winner-montgomery-co-municipal-court-election/CO2BGZDZ7FFYPG7SXWFD5AQJ7Q/

Over $47,000 in super PAC money flooded a local mayoral runoff election and supported one candidate. What does that mean

IDAHO FALLS — Between the general election and the runoff election for the new Idaho Falls mayor — 28 days — the winning candidate’s campaign was supported with tens of thousands of dollars in Political Action Committee (PAC) money. The losing candidate was supported by none.

How much did these PACs affect the election results?

Idaho Falls Mayor-elect Lisa Burtenshaw won Tuesday’s runoff election against runner-up Jeff Alldridge by 772 votes, a decent margin in an election where only 12,098 people showed up to vote out of the 32,204 registered voters in Idaho Falls.

Alldridge was the winning candidate in the general election, earning 5,599 votes, which was 62 votes more than Burtenshaw, who received 5,537 votes at that time. Still, neither candidate achieved over 50% of the vote required to win the election.



https://www.eastidahonews.com/2025/12/over-47000-in-super-pac-money-flooded-a-local-mayoral-runoff-election-and-supported-one-candidate-what-does-that-mean/

Anita Bonds Will Not Seek Re-election, Adding To The Already-Chaotic 2026 Campaign Season

At-Large D.C. Councilmember Anita Bonds will not seek reelection in 2026, she confirms to Washington City Paper Saturday.

Her decision throws yet another election wide open in the coming local campaign season. As of now, there definitely will be a new mayor and there could easily be five or six new councilmembers by early 2027.

Bonds, a member of the D.C. Council since 2012, disclosed her decision Saturday during a meeting at The Point restaurant in Southwest. About 50 people attended the gathering and munched on a buffet spread of eggs, waffles, and shrimp and grits.

Bonds tells City Paper she plans to now focus on two or three major things she’d like to accomplish before her term ends Jan. 2, 2027. She spoke in general about housing and expanding the size of the D.C. Board of Elections, but didn’t go into deep detail.



https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/775411/anita-bonds-will-not-seek-re-election-adding-to-the-already-chaotic-2026-campaign-season/

Morehead City mayoral candidate withdraws appeal, calls for new election

Mayoral candidate Lee Stiles, who has been leading incumbent Mayor Jerry Jones by a single vote, has withdrawn his appeal to the Carteret County Board of Elections, saying a new election is now the “best way forward” for the city.

Stiles confirmed that he is no longer challenging the Board’s decision to elevate Jones’ election protest to the State Board of Elections. The razor-thin margin in the Nov. 5 mayoral race had already triggered a mandatory recount on Nov. 14, which reaffirmed Stiles’ one-vote lead.

In a statement, Stiles said extensive discussions with his attorney, Hart Miles, convinced him that asking the state to intervene further would only prolong uncertainty for voters and city employees.

“After conversing with my attorney, Hart Miles, several different times over the last week or so, we both decided that the best way forward in this situation is to withdraw the appeal and advocate for a new election/runoff,” Stiles said. “The taxpayers are the ones suffering at this point. They are the ones who will pay for a new election. Also, with this election being in limbo, it has put a lot of strain on our city staff. I truly believe the best way forward is to have a new election and that will dispel any rumors or confusion about the fairness of our local election process. I will have to go out and beat Jerry Jones for a third time and I am up for the task.”



https://wcti12.com/news/local/morehead-city-mayoral-candidate-withdraws-appeal-calls-for-new-election

Houston attorney (D) and former council member (D) face off in special election

Houstonians are one step closer to finding out who will take over the City Council At-Large 4 seat.

Former City Council member and one-time mayoral hopeful Dwight Boykins and Houston attorney Alejandra Salinas are in an ongoing runoff to fill the spot vacated by Dr. Letitia Plummer.

Plummer resigned from her council seat in July to launch her bid for Harris County judge. She remains on the horseshoe, however, and will until December.

Salinas collected 21 percent of the vote to Boykin's 20 percent in the Nov. 4 general election, sending them to a Dec. 13 special runoff. Salinas led in early voting and Election Day tallies, while Boykins received more mail-in votes.






https://www.chron.com/politics/article/salinas-and-boykins-face-off-in-runoff-election-21225081.php

Incumbents win 2025 Dagsboro Town Council election

Dagsboro voters have chosen three individuals to continue representing them in the 2025 Town Council election.

The three incumbents received the most votes: Carol Thompson (72 votes), Jason Russell (60) and C.J. Shortridge (60); with a new challenger Barry Hurst (32 votes) being the runner up.

Thompson, Russell and Shortridge will each serve a two-year term, likely beginning at the Dec. 15 council meeting.

The election was held Saturday, Dec. 6. Dagsboro allows voting from both residents and non-resident property owners. Individuals can contact Town Hall anytime if unsure of their registration status.



https://www.coastalpoint.com/news/incumbents-win-2025-dagsboro-town-council-election/article_16a64223-da7e-425a-a8ef-accb6bfea518.html