US Midterm Election Megathread II: The Stretch Run Begins

[Corrian]

So this is currently who I have as options for who I might vote for in my local elections:

US Senate:
Don L. Rivers (Democrat Party)
Jennifer Gigi Ferguson (Independent Party)
Matthew D. Heines (Republican Party). Yes, you read that right. I probably won't ultimately vote for him, as there are better ones to me, but I found him interesting for a Republican. He supports grant free tuition, legalizing marijuana and using the profits for free tuition, full DACA amnesty, breaking up tech monopolies and surveillance platforms, establish a $20 minimum wage (Even I think that might be a biit high, but thought this was interesting from a Republican, though he did specify at +500 employee corporations). Though he also supports establishing English as the official US language.
Maria Cantwell (Democratic Incumbent). Pretty much have the same problems with her as my representative. Feels like a lot of "Fought for this, retained this, etc" without solutions to actually do anything new. Nonetheless, I'll probably inevitably vote for her as well when she likely gets the nomination, I just don't find her super exciting. Seems to be a trend with Democrats as of late, and still. She just talks about making college "more affordable". Nothing about actually making it free.
Clint R. Tannehill (Democratic Party). Supports free healthcare and tuition free colleges straight up, so that's a good thing in my books.

Congressional District 1 US. Representative
Adam Pilskog (No Party Preference). He seems pretty moderate actually, though seems lean Democrat views. Seems to have a pretty moderate policy on immigration (Supports an easier pathway to citizenship, but also more border security).
Suzan DelBene (Democrat Incumbent). She seems fine, but "fine" isn't really the greatest, albeit acceptable. She sounds pretty much what you would expect out of a generic Democrat. I just don't really see a vision for anything new and exciting, just "I will defend this and that". Which, again, is fine, but I want change. So while I'll ultimately vote for her when she likely ultimately wins, I'm not that interested in voting on her now.

Legislative District 39 State Senator:
Jamal Rabieh (Independent Party). He's the only one i really seem to think looks good. The Democratic candidate wants to increase the marijuana usage age from 21 to freaking 25, which I think is ridiculous, but I'm one of those ones that think if you're an adult, you should be able to do what you want. So if anything I think it should be lowered to 18, not upped. Same with alcohol. I think Republican Keith L. Wagoner was kind of okay as a Republican, but still not my preferred. Elizabeth Scott is a tea partier, so she's a no.

Legislative District 39 State Representative Position 2:
Eric Halvorson (Democrat Party, 1 of 2 options). Though I feel like the Republican candidate in this case wasn't all too bad. She's been my state representative as is, albeit I don't really pay a lot of attention to what my state representatives do (I should).

Legislative District 39 State Representative Position 1:
Ivan Lewis (1 of 3 options, but the options are a Republican and "GOP Party" candidate and I recall both being kind of meh, so. Though meh for me is getting an A from the NRA, so)

County Partisan Office
Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney
Adam Cornell (Democratic Party). Only option, though he seems fine, so I'll vote for him.

We had a Green Party and Republican party candidate both going on about the "Dangers" of 5G Internet, so that was fun. Because yes, I read all the descriptions of all 29 Senate candidates. There was also a Democrat who sounded okay and then BAM, here he is talking about bombing North Korea and China into submission, so that was interesting.

The more I look at it, the more I realize I'm represented by Republicans. All my Legislative District politicians are Republicans.

[Corrian]

A little late, but the Plaza's expanding again with our first referendum in Washington State:

Just one measure to look at. Initiative 1639 would bring fairly sweeping gun control regulations to the state including raising the minimum age for buying semiautomatic assault rifles(SARS for future reference) and pistols to 21, require prospective owners of all firearms to undergo background checks and pass firearm safety exams, impose a 10-day waiting period on purchasing SARs, require gun shops to charge a $25 licence fee, and make leaving guns in places where people forbidden from possessing them can get to them a Class C Felony. Washington isn't as uniformly blue as some think, so even though I think it will pass, it'll be closer than some might think.

I feel like the policy of increasing age limits is just a cheap ass solution that doesn't really solve some of the actual problems.

[Shrillland]

Snip

The more I look at it, the more I realize I'm represented by Republicans. All my Legislative District politicians are Republicans.

As are mine. Here, they just don't even bother to hide it since they almost invariably run unopposed every time.

[Corrian]

Snip

The more I look at it, the more I realize I'm represented by Republicans. All my Legislative District politicians are Republicans.

As are mine. Here, they just don't even bother to hide it since they almost invariably run unopposed every time.

See, at least mine don't run unopposed. But I live in the countryside that isn't really super heavily Republican, so they can sway. The towns around me voted for Trump, but they had also voted for Obama previously. Though one small one actually voted for Clinton. And we're talking 100 people small.

[Shrillland]

A little late, but the Plaza's expanding again with our first referendum in Washington State:

Just one measure to look at. Initiative 1639 would bring fairly sweeping gun control regulations to the state including raising the minimum age for buying semiautomatic assault rifles(SARS for future reference) and pistols to 21, require prospective owners of all firearms to undergo background checks and pass firearm safety exams, impose a 10-day waiting period on purchasing SARs, require gun shops to charge a $25 licence fee, and make leaving guns in places where people forbidden from possessing them can get to them a Class C Felony. Washington isn't as uniformly blue as some think, so even though I think it will pass, it'll be closer than some might think.

I feel like the policy of increasing age limits is just a cheap ass solution that doesn't really solve some of the actual problems.

Maybe, but some of the other policies could help.

[Shrillland]

As are mine. Here, they just don't even bother to hide it since they almost invariably run unopposed every time.

See, at least mine don't run unopposed. But I live in the countryside that isn't really super heavily Republican, so they can sway. The towns around me voted for Trump, but they had also voted for Obama previously. Though one small one actually voted for Clinton. And we're talking 100 people small.

Nothing like that around here, mine was one of just a few dozen counties in Illinois that voted for McCain.

[Washington Resistance Army]

A little late, but the Plaza's expanding again with our first referendum in Washington State:

Just one measure to look at. Initiative 1639 would bring fairly sweeping gun control regulations to the state including raising the minimum age for buying semiautomatic assault rifles(SARS for future reference) and pistols to 21, require prospective owners of all firearms to undergo background checks and pass firearm safety exams, impose a 10-day waiting period on purchasing SARs, require gun shops to charge a $25 licence fee, and make leaving guns in places where people forbidden from possessing them can get to them a Class C Felony. Washington isn't as uniformly blue as some think, so even though I think it will pass, it'll be closer than some might think.

Also the bit about safe storage makes it unconstitutional as per DC v Heller.

[The Huskar Social Union]

Could the Republicans honestly not get anyone to run against an actual nazi in Chicago, edit: sorry, Illinois' third district? Seriously, they could get no one to go against Arthur Jones?

[San Lumen]

Could the Republicans honestly not get anyone to run against an actual nazi in Chicago, edit: sorry, Illinois' third district? Seriously, they could get no one to go against Arthur Jones?

It’s a very blue district. No one wanted to be the sacrificial lamb

[Washington Resistance Army]

Could the Republicans honestly not get anyone to run against an actual nazi in Chicago, edit: sorry, Illinois' third district? Seriously, they could get no one to go against Arthur Jones?

Afaik he's been politically active for decades, it's just such a blue area nobody even bothered to run against the Democrats so he took the opportunity.

[The Huskar Social Union]

Could the Republicans honestly not get anyone to run against an actual nazi in Chicago, edit: sorry, Illinois' third district? Seriously, they could get no one to go against Arthur Jones?

Afaik he's been politically active for decades, it's just such a blue area nobody even bothered to run against the Democrats so he took the opportunity.

Could the Republicans honestly not get anyone to run against an actual nazi in Chicago, edit: sorry, Illinois' third district? Seriously, they could get no one to go against Arthur Jones?

It’s a very blue district. No one wanted to be the sacrificial lamb

Ah okay cheers.

[San Lumen]

Afaik he's been politically active for decades, it's just such a blue area nobody even bothered to run against the Democrats so he took the opportunity.

It’s a very blue district. No one wanted to be the sacrificial lamb

Ah okay cheers.

I expect to hear about the results in that district on tv election night though and others with neo Nazi, white supremacists running.

[Shofercia]

A little late, but the Plaza's expanding again with our first referendum in Washington State:

Just one measure to look at. Initiative 1639 would bring fairly sweeping gun control regulations to the state including raising the minimum age for buying semiautomatic assault rifles(SARS for future reference) and pistols to 21, require prospective owners of all firearms to undergo background checks and pass firearm safety exams, impose a 10-day waiting period on purchasing SARs, require gun shops to charge a $25 licence fee, and make leaving guns in places where people forbidden from possessing them can get to them a Class C Felony. Washington isn't as uniformly blue as some think, so even though I think it will pass, it'll be closer than some might think.

So you can join the military at 18, but you need to wait until you're 21 to own a pistol? This is why gun owners laugh at these kinds of laws.

Ah okay cheers.

I expect to hear about the results in that district on tv election night though and others with neo Nazi, white supremacists running.

A Neo-Nazi ran in California. His last name was Little. After the votes came in, a lot of people suggested that he change his name to Minuscule. More people than voted for him. Cue the laugh track.

[Shrillland]

A little late, but the Plaza's expanding again with our first referendum in Washington State:

Just one measure to look at. Initiative 1639 would bring fairly sweeping gun control regulations to the state including raising the minimum age for buying semiautomatic assault rifles(SARS for future reference) and pistols to 21, require prospective owners of all firearms to undergo background checks and pass firearm safety exams, impose a 10-day waiting period on purchasing SARs, require gun shops to charge a $25 licence fee, and make leaving guns in places where people forbidden from possessing them can get to them a Class C Felony. Washington isn't as uniformly blue as some think, so even though I think it will pass, it'll be closer than some might think.

So you can join the military at 18, but you need to wait until you're 21 to own a pistol? This is why gun owners laugh at these kinds of laws.

There's still the court battle to go through, and no guarantee it will survive it.

[Zurkerx]

Prediction as of 7/31: https://www.270towin.com/2018-senate-election/aJRr7a

[Corrian]

So interestingly, despite the fact Cruz leads the Democrat by an average of 8 points, neither of them have 50% of the vote share at the moment.

[Shofercia]

Wow, Newsom only has 45% of the vote. Cox has 30%, and the rest, 25% are undecided. Cox's voters are more likely to turn out, meaning that if he can, by a miracle, win 80% of the independent vote, he'll win the Governorship. But the Dems will easily have a majority in the House and Senate. If Cox wins, will the gridlock be good or bad for California?

Judging by some of the crazy ideas of them both, I'd rather have gridlock

[Cannot think of a name]

So interestingly, despite the fact Cruz leads the Democrat by an average of 8 points, neither of them have 50% of the vote share at the moment.

Cruz is near 48 though, and O'Rouke at just shy of 40. That's a big gap to run the board on, though apparently the Dallas News sees it as a growing thing:

The anti-Trump ardor is even stronger than the anti-Cruz sentiment. And even though O'Rourke himself doesn't frame the contest as a referendum on the president, in the minds of many supporters, it is.

"I want that old-school Republican. I want old-school decency," said Erica Esparza, 33, a stay-at-home mom rocking her 3-month-old son as she waited for O'Rourke's town hall at a Pecos civic center Monday afternoon.

She gives Trump some credit for a strong economy but condemns him for putting that at risk with trade wars, and for an immigration policy that includes "children being locked in cages" and for "the collusion with Russia. As much evidence as we know - they impeached Bill Clinton for a far lesser crime."

Voting against a politician is a time-honored American tradition, and often a factor in midterm elections, when voters get a chance to vent their anger with a president and his party.
...
Democrats haven't pulled off a statewide victory in Texas since 1994. But O'Rourke has managed to pull within single digits in the most recent polls, and he's outpaced Cruz in fundraising by eye-popping margins. Handicappers don't list Cruz as endangered. But a stiff anti-Trump headwind could tip enough votes in a close contest.

[Cannot think of a name]

Wow, Newsom only has 45% of the vote. Cox has 30%, and the rest, 25% are undecided. Cox's voters are more likely to turn out, meaning that if he can, by a miracle, win 80% of the independent vote, he'll win the Governorship. But the Dems will easily have a majority in the House and Senate. If Cox wins, will the gridlock be good or bad for California?

Judging by some of the crazy ideas of them both, I'd rather have gridlock

It's gonna be Newsom.

[Corrian]

I am pretty certain we'll have to suffer through Cruz for another 6 years, but a man can dream.

[Cannot think of a name]

I am pretty certain we'll have to suffer through Cruz for another 6 years, but a man can dream.

It would be quite the upset.

[Tobleste]

So interestingly, despite the fact Cruz leads the Democrat by an average of 8 points, neither of them have 50% of the vote share at the moment.

Cruz is near 48 though, and O'Rouke at just shy of 40. That's a big gap to run the board on, though apparently the Dallas News sees it as a growing thing:

The anti-Trump ardor is even stronger than the anti-Cruz sentiment. And even though O'Rourke himself doesn't frame the contest as a referendum on the president, in the minds of many supporters, it is.

"I want that old-school Republican. I want old-school decency," said Erica Esparza, 33, a stay-at-home mom rocking her 3-month-old son as she waited for O'Rourke's town hall at a Pecos civic center Monday afternoon.

She gives Trump some credit for a strong economy but condemns him for putting that at risk with trade wars, and for an immigration policy that includes "children being locked in cages" and for "the collusion with Russia. As much evidence as we know - they impeached Bill Clinton for a far lesser crime."

Voting against a politician is a time-honored American tradition, and often a factor in midterm elections, when voters get a chance to vent their anger with a president and his party.
...
Democrats haven't pulled off a statewide victory in Texas since 1994. But O'Rourke has managed to pull within single digits in the most recent polls, and he's outpaced Cruz in fundraising by eye-popping margins. Handicappers don't list Cruz as endangered. But a stiff anti-Trump headwind could tip enough votes in a close contest.

That voter you quoted sounds pretty impressive. She actually knows what's going on. If there were more of her in the world, democracies would all be in a much better shape.

[San Lumen]

Wow, Newsom only has 45% of the vote. Cox has 30%, and the rest, 25% are undecided. Cox's voters are more likely to turn out, meaning that if he can, by a miracle, win 80% of the independent vote, he'll win the Governorship. But the Dems will easily have a majority in the House and Senate. If Cox wins, will the gridlock be good or bad for California?

Judging by some of the crazy ideas of them both, I'd rather have gridlock

Newsom is almost certain to win. While I dont see any election as written in stone anymore I dont see a path to victory for Cox. The rural counties simply do not have enough votes to overcome the populous coast. he'd have to make serious inroads in the Bay Area and and Southern California to even have a shot.

[Northern Davincia]

I am pretty certain we'll have to suffer through Cruz for another 6 years, but a man can dream.

Let's cross our fingers for the eventual Canadian overlord of these United States.

[Telconi]

Wow, Newsom only has 45% of the vote. Cox has 30%, and the rest, 25% are undecided. Cox's voters are more likely to turn out, meaning that if he can, by a miracle, win 80% of the independent vote, he'll win the Governorship. But the Dems will easily have a majority in the House and Senate. If Cox wins, will the gridlock be good or bad for California?

Judging by some of the crazy ideas of them both, I'd rather have gridlock

Newsom is almost certain to win. While I dont see any election as written in stone anymore I dont see a path to victory for Cox. The rural counties simply do not have enough votes to overcome the populous coast. he'd have to make serious inroads in the Bay Area and and Southern California to even have a shot.

Catastrophic bay area earthquake that puts ol' Gavin in a coma.