The Grind:
While all eyes are already shifting to 2024 when Democrats and Republicans will once again wrestle over party control of Congress and the White House, there are a number of off-year statewide races in 2023 that may set the stage for bigger national races in the following year.
There are a number of governor’s races slated for 2023 that may have big implications for how the 2024 presidential elections will be administered in some states, such as Kentucky and Louisiana. Meanwhile, Republicans and Democrats are set to battle for majorities in state legislatures in Virginia and New Jersey as they vie for control over state laws.
The Details:
Here are five races to watch in 2023:
Kentucky governor’s race-
Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY) will seek to defend his seat in the governor’s race in the red state, with a growing field of Republican candidates emerging to challenge the incumbent as he vies for a second term.
So far, 12 Republicans have filed to challenge Beshear in the governor’s race, including former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft, state Attorney General Daniel Cameron, state Rep. Savannah Maddox, Somerset Mayor Alan Keck, and state Auditor Mike Harmon.
The Democratic primary field has also started to take shape, with at least two other candidates throwing their hats in the ring to challenge Beshear for the party nomination. Those challengers include former Republican Peppy Martin and former state engineer Geoff Young, who recently lost a House race against Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) in the midterm elections. Read more…