Latest news with #CongressionalDistrict
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Who is Josh Weil? Florida teacher is running for US Senate. What we know
An Orlando-area teacher who has run for Senate once already and lost a special election in April for Florida's 6th Congressional District seat is running for Senate again. The self-described 'proud progressive' unsurprisingly lost the congressional district seat to Randy Fine, who was backed by President Trump, in a district where he won 60% of the vote in all six of the counties included in the district during the 2024 presidential election. Weil, who earned almost 43% of the vote in his congressional race earlier this year, will be the first Democrat to represent Florida in the Senate since 2018 if he wins his 2026 race for one of Florida's two Senate seats. Here's who Josh Weil is, who he's running against and a quick refresher on how midterm elections work. More about Weil's campaign: Florida Democrat Josh Weil, who lost a House election in April, is running for U.S. Senate Who is Josh Weil? Josh Weil is a 40-year-old teacher from Orlando who has worked in Orange County Public Schools and the Osceola County School District as a math and science teacher, instructional coach and dean of students. He's affiliated with the Islamic Center of Orlando, the Florida Education Association, the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus and the Florida chapter of Progressives for Democracy in America. According to BallotPedia, Weil was born in East Meadow, New York, and earned bachelor's degrees from Stony Brook University and Northwood University in 2009 and 2011, before moving to Florida to earn his master's in 2013. He has a master's degree in teaching from the University of Central Florida in Orlando and a specialist of education certificate from Stetson University in DeLand. According to his campaign website, though, he was raised in Orlando. He's also a divorced father to two boys, but told The Daytona Beach News-Journal in December that it didn't stop him from being fully dedicated to his then-campaign for a congressional seat. "Josh was raised in Orlando by a single mom. Now, Josh is raising his own two boys, and he knows firsthand how hard it is becoming for Florida families to make ends meet," Weil's current campaign website says. "Our health care costs too much, our homes cost too much, and our home insurance – when we can get it – costs even more. He's running for the U.S. Senate to keep Florida affordable for all Floridians and to ensure the economy works for the people it's currently leaving behind: workers, seniors, and families." This is his second attempt at running for a Senate seat. In 2022, he made a bid for the Senate and dropped out just before qualifying, when then-U.S. Rep. Val Demings went on to challenge incumbent Marco Rubio, The News-Journal reported in December. Weil was "among the longest of longshots" in a district that was 49% Republican and 26% Democrat going into the 2024 presidential election, where President Trump won with more than 60% in each of the six counties that make up the 6th District. Weil still went on to earn 42.7% of the vote in that election, according to BallotPedia. April's congressional election: Randy Fine wins 6th District against Josh Weil Who is Josh Weil running against? Special election for Marco Rubio's Senate seat Weil is running for the Senate seat currently held by Ashley Moody, who was Florida's Attorney General from 2019 through January 2025, when she was sworn into office after Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed her to fill Marco Rubio's seat. Rubio's Senate seat was left vacant after he was appointed to become the U.S. Secretary of State in January. Moody has President Trump's endorsement for the seat, but isn't running uncontested. Not only is Weil running against her in the race for the seat she currently holds, but a fellow Republican announced his candidacy as well. Jake Lang, who was charged with and pardoned for attacking police officers during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection in Washington, D.C., is also running for the Senate seat, according to reports from Newsweek and The Guardian. From January 2025: Gov. DeSantis names his pick to replace Marco Rubio in US Senate How many senators does each state have? Here's who Florida's current senators are The United States Congress is composed of two governing bodies: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The number of representatives each state gets in the House is determined by the state population. Florida has 28 congressional districts, so it is represented by 28 representatives in the House. But the number of representatives each state has in the Senate is the same for all 50 states. Each state is represented by two senators, totaling 100 senators. Florida's current senators are Rick Scott and Ashley Moody, both Republicans. Former Florida Gov. Rick Scott has represented Florida in the Senate since 2019. If Weil wins his run for Senate, it will be the first time Florida's been represented by a Democrat in the Senate since 2018. When are the Senate elections? How congressional, midterm elections work Elections for the United States Senate are part of midterm elections, which are held approximately halfway through a presidential term. Elections to the U.S. Senate are expected to be held on Nov. 3, 2026, with 33 of the 100 seats up for regular election, according to BallotPedia. Those elected to the U.S. Senate in the 33 regular elections on Nov. 3, 2026, will begin their six-year terms on Jan. 3, 2027. U.S. Senators serve six-year terms. Senators elected in the 33 regular midterm elections in November 2026 will begin their six-year terms on Jan. 3, 2027. The reason why Moody's seat is up for reelection, although she will have only served for around a year by the time midterms come, is that the governor appointed her to fill a vacancy. When a Senate seat is left vacant, the state's governor makes a temporary appointment to fill the seat until an election can be held to fill it. That makes this election a special election. Ashley Moody announced her candidacy shortly after being appointed by Gov. DeSantis in early 2025. Whoever wins the 2026 election to fill Rubio's seat will have to run again in 2028, when his term would have ended had he not been appointed as the Secretary of State. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida teacher running for senate to unseat Ashley Moody
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
US Congress seats: Another Democrat launches campaign to represent NC 11th district
At least one more Democratic candidate is planning to run to represent North Carolina's 11th Congressional District, a seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, a second-term Republican from Henderson County. Jacob Lawrence, 26, filed a statement of candidacy form with the Federal Elections Commission on July 21. He released a tongue-in-cheek campaign video July 28 playing on his relative youth in politics, saying he was 'hip enough for your grandkids,' yet 'square enough for your grandparents.' Lawrence is originally from Mooresville, which is north of Charlotte in Iredell County, in North Carolina's 10th Congressional District. He earned an economics degree from Brigham Young University, he said. Most recently, Lawrence said he has been working in Nairobi, Kenya as project manager for the United Nations World Food Programme, helping with food security initiatives. He is currently looking for an apartment in Asheville and plans to campaign full time, he told the Citizen Times on July 25. Describing his run as one that falls into the 'concerned citizen' type, Lawrence said he will focus on 'upstream issues' like political disenfranchisement and corruption, specifically gerrymandering and campaign finance reform, if elected. 'Like a lot of people, I'm aware there's a lot of issues to be faced — a lot of issues to be tackled,' Lawrence said. 'And while I might not be the perfect person, you look at who's currently sitting in office, and you say, 'Well, I can't do a worse job?'' Lawrence also said he'll focus on local issues like Tropical Storm Helene recovery and veterans' affairs Earlier in July, Jamie Ager, CEO and co-founder of Hickory Nut Gap Farm, confirmed he would also be vying for the seat. 'My hope is to bring working class roots to the Democratic party,' Ager said July 15, citing his business experience and deep roots in the community. In June, Moe Davis, a retired Air Force colonel-turned author and podcaster, announced his bid for Congress. Davis, 66, ran for the same seat in 2020, losing to Republican Madison Cawthorn. Chris Harjes, a Buncombe County real estate investor and nurse practitioner, announced his run for Congress in May. Zelda Briarwood and Marcus Blankenship have also announced their bids for the seat. North Carolina's 11th Congressional District is typically a Republican stronghold. The last Democrat to win was former NFL quarterback Heath Shuler in 2006. Shuler defeated Charles Taylor, a long-time Republican member of Congress from Transylvania County. More: Jamie Ager, Hickory Nut Gap Farm CEO and co-founder, running for Congress More: Roy Cooper, former NC governor, launches US Senate campaign More: Asheville Citizen Times staff recognized for journalism excellence in Helene coverage Jacob Biba is the Helene recovery reporter at the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jbiba@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: US Congress: Another Democratic candidate launches bid for NC seat Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
President Donald Trump endorses Mike Rogers in Michigan U.S. Senate race
President Donald Trump endorsed former congressman Mike Rogers July 24 in his Republican bid for an open U.S. Senate seat. Trump announced the endorsement on his Truth Social media platform in a move that strengthened already strong expectations that Rogers, who lost narrowly to U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin in 2024, will again be the Republican nominee in 2026, this time for a seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township. 'I'm grateful to have President Trump's complete and total endorsement," Rogers said in a news release. 'He knows that we have what it takes to win this seat and deliver real results for hard-working families." On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, announced on X that he would not run for the U.S. Senate, after discussions with his family and "in consultation with President Trump." That announcement largely cleared the field of major potential challengers to Rogers. Huizenga did not say whether he would seek a ninth term in Congress, where he represents the 4th Congressional District and where Republicans hold a slim majority in the U.S. House going into the midterm elections. Rogers, a former FBI agent from Livingston County, served seven terms in Congress and became chair of the House Intelligence Committee before stepping down in 2015 to become a radio talk show host. Rogers also had Trump's endorsement in the 2024 U.S. Senate race. Republicans and Democrats will choose their respective U.S. Senate candidates in a primary election next year. Peters announced in January that he wouldn't seek a third six-year term, setting the stage for Michigan's second open seat U.S. Senate election in two years. A competitive race is developing on the Democratic side, where announced candidates include U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham; state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak; former state House Speaker Rep. Joe Tate, D-Detroit; and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed of Ann Arbor, a former Wayne County health director who sought the Democratic nomination for governor in 2018. Republicans have not won a U.S. Senate election in Michigan since former U.S. Sen. Spencer Abraham won a single term in 1994. Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: President Trump endorses Mike Rogers in Michigan U.S. Senate race
Toronto Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
The White House wants more states to redraw House maps to help GOP. Democrats are readying a fight
Texas state Rep. Jolanda 'Jo' Jones looks through U.S. Congressional District maps during a redistricting hearing at the Texas Capitol, Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) EG flag wire: true flag sponsored: false article_type: : sWebsitePrimaryPublication : publications/toronto_star bHasMigratedAvatar : false :
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tennessee sets US House special election as candidates of both major parties line up
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A December special election in Tennessee will take place to fill an opening left by Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Green's retirement, putting the focus on a district that has reliably favored the GOP in recent elections but includes a chunk of Democratic-voting Nashville. State officials on Thursday announced that the primary election will take place on Oct. 7 and the general election on Dec. 2 in the 7th Congressional District contest. Green, who was the Homeland Security Committee chairman, resigned July 20. The race already features contested Democratic and Republican primaries. For state lawmakers, the off-year election is enticing: Running for the congressional slot won't mean forfeiting their seats or trying to run two races at once to keep theirs. A special election before the midpoint of President Donald Trump 's term adds intrigue as well. The race could test whether Donald Trump's record in office so far can change the margins while it is fresh on voters' minds. Here's a look at how the race is shaping up. The district District 7 was one of the three seats that carved up Democratic-voting Nashville in the 2022 Republican redistricting efforts. The new lines allowed Republicans to flip a long-held Democratic seat centered on Nashville. Republicans hold eight of nine House seats in Tennessee, with Rep. Steve Cohen in Memphis being the only Democrat. In a district spanning 14 counties from the Kentucky northern border to the Alabama southern border, Green defeated Democratic opponents by more than 21 percentage points in 2024 and by nearly 22 points in 2022. Trump beat Biden in 2020 by 12 points among voters in those boundaries. The district also includes Fort Campbell and has drawn multiple candidates with military backgrounds. The contenders On the Republican side, the lawmakers who have already joined the mix include state Reps. Jody Barrett of Dickson and Lee Reeves of Franklin. Former Tennessee Department of General Services Commissioner Matt Van Epps has also launched a campaign. He has drawn Green's endorsement. The field also includes Montgomery County Commissioner Jason Knight, health care industry businessman Mason Foley, and real estate businessman Stewart Parks, who was pardoned by Trump after entering the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection. Democrats have recruited state Reps. Bo Mitchell, Aftyn Behn and Vincent Dixie, all from Nashville. Democrat David Jones, who works in the Nashville district attorney's office, is running as well. Jon Thorp, an air ambulance pilot from Springfield, is listed as a Republican candidate in federal campaign finance filings, but has said on social media he will run as an independent. The field could quickly change with the qualifying deadline of Aug. 12 still weeks away. Green's goodbye Green announced last month he would leave Congress once the House voted again on the sprawling tax and budget policy bill backed by Trump. Green has said he was offered a private sector opportunity that was 'too exciting to pass up' and will be starting his own company, but hasn't offered many specifics. He said he will be doing something "specifically designed to help America compete against the CCP (Chinese Communist Party), but this time in business." Green had said in February 2024 that he would not run seek reelection, a decision revealed a day after the impeachment of then-President Joe Biden's Homeland Security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. But many fellow Republicans called on him to reconsider, and he jumped back into the running just two weeks later. Green previously served as an Army surgeon and in the state Senate and is from Montgomery County.
