Liam Sweeney’s Post

Five Florida Senate Primaries to Watch

Political Primaries Primaries were once thought of as a good, democratic idea. Better than smoke filled rooms occupied by old time pols. But winner-take-all primaries mean that someone with 17 or 20% of a party's registered voters can capture all the delegates from a state. That is the math that selected Trump in 2016, when most people early on thought it impossible for him to prevail. The primary system also means that delegates from non-contested states, like the Democrats in 2024, selected six months before the convention are unable to respond to eventual developments. Their first ballot votes belong fixedly to the presumptive nominee, and President, Joe Biden. The majority of the voting public does not want this matchup, imposed upon us by the primary system. Felon versus Worn Out is obviously not the best offer the public might find inspiring. Stubbornness is not a character strength. Neither is lying. Start learning about Ranked Choice voting. And tolerate no talk about this being the last election. We the public, the voters, own the system - not the parties or the politicians. We need to make it better - again. 60 years after the Chicago debacle of 1968. And we can.

🚨 Stay Informed on Local Business News! 🚨 The Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) has released a comprehensive guide for voting in Connecticut's 2024 primaries, happening on August 13. With early voting already underway, registered Democrats and Republicans have crucial decisions to make that could significantly impact local governance and business policies. The guide covers key primary races in Fairfield County, including State Senate Districts 22 and 23 and various Connecticut General Assembly districts. Notably, several incumbents are facing primary challengers, making these elections particularly pivotal. 💡 For professionals and businesspeople, staying abreast of these developments is essential for understanding potential shifts in local policies affecting the business landscape. Dive into detailed candidate profiles and their stands on vital business issues to make an informed choice. 📢 Discover more details on our website: https://lnkd.in/enkwJ9Ar CBIA  #localbusinessnews #electionguide2024 #fairfieldcountyelections #connecticutbusiness #voterinformation #newsflash #fairfieldcountyct #westchesterny #todaynews #connecticutstate_photos

VOTE NO on Prop 1. As you know, ranked voting is different from open Primaries. This Idahoan Independent will vote NO. Now, I registered as a Republican after the primaries this year. I believe in balance, and the Democrats have gone too far left, and some Republicans have gone too far right. I am for the old open primaries but not ranked voting—myth vs. Fact on Prop 1. It's not open primaries. It's ranked. Differences.

Day 1 of the Republican Convention led to the announcement of Senator JD Vance as former President Trump's running mate. The latest polling shows in the presidential battleground states that Biden narrowly won over Trump four years ago there is a dead heat: Nevada, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. Trump has a slight edge in Arizona. These states are key because with any kind of momentum, Trump could provide tailwinds to the Republican Senate candidates in those same states and win all of them in addition to the top three races most likely to flip to Republican control on November 5th – West Virginia, Montana and Ohio. However, many Democrats have outraised opponents, are gearing up to outperform Biden, and may sweep some or all of these Senate seats. While all the focus is on the top of the ticket, these key Congressional races are worth watching because they will determine who chairs committees, sets funding levels, drafts the legislation that makes it to the floor, and what priorities are addressed in Congress. Check out this Senate rundown and remember to register to vote! #Elections2024 #elections #Congress #vote #politics

The purpose of presidential primaries is to help political parties select their nominee for the general election. Here's a breakdown of their key functions: 1. Candidate Selection: Primaries allow party members and registered voters to choose their preferred candidate from within their party. 2. Grassroots Engagement: They engage voters at the grassroots level, ensuring a fair and inclusive method of nominating candidates. 3. Testing Campaign Strength: Primaries help test the strength and viability of candidates' campaigns. 4. Platform Building: They play a key role in shaping the final platforms of the major candidates. 5. Democratic Participation: Primaries provide a nationwide stage for the free and open exchange of ideas and opinions, which is fundamental to participatory democracy. Does that help clarify things? https://lnkd.in/dPRq7--m

Governing ran the opinion article below arguing that politics is too polarized in California to hold top-two primaries. This year's U.S. Senate primary race may not be the best example to draw conclusions from. Democrats had three well known members of Congress running in the race, while the Republicans had a sports celebrity running. And those were just the major contenders. Running in any statewide race is a major ordeal and candidates need to have plenty of capital, especially in major media markets, to have a real shot in the race. Congressman Adam Schiff had the major advantage in this regard. His role in the Trump impeachment hearings were an important asset. His strongest Democratic opponent, Congress member Katie Porter gained some quick recognition in her short period of time in office. Having to also contend with veteran lawmaker Barbara Lee made for a steeper climb. A large field always makes any race that much tougher. Schiff's elevating Garvey in the race was a calculated move to shore up Republican support for the former Dodger and Padre, as well as to lessen the impact of Porter and Lee. Had only one of the Congresswomen run, the story might have been quite different. The Citizens United ruling may have also had a major effect on the race. Any thoughts about where Katie Porter will or should land next, or tother thoughts about California politics or top-two primaries are welcome for discussion! #primaries #ussenate #california #electionrules #toptwoprimaries https://lnkd.in/eQUMA2sb

https://lnkd.in/gvv_8UCy "Biden’s withdrawal created a scenario that was nearly unprecedented in modern times. The comparison many observers reached for was the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago — a contentious nomination process set against a backdrop of antiwar protests and a violent police response. The episode led to the creation of the modern primary system — and it explains a lot about why parties stick with it. Before that point, different versions of primaries existed, but they didn’t matter as much. Not all candidates chose to participate in them, and some did so more as a political tactic than a requirement, experts say. For example, John F. Kennedy famously used the 1960 West Virginia primary to show that a Catholic candidate could win support in Protestant parts of the country. So candidates competed in primaries, but in the end, party bosses controlled the candidate selection process. That became most evident at the 1968 convention. Then-President Lyndon B. Johnson, facing poor approval ratings and dwindling support, had decided not to run for reelection. Robert F. Kennedy, a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination, had been assassinated two months earlier, immediately after sweeping the California primary. Democrats were, as some like to say, in disarray. At the convention, delegates nominated the sitting vice president, Hubert Humphrey, who hadn’t competed in a single primary. Humphrey went on to lose to Republican Richard Nixon, and Democrats decided there had to be a better way. They appointed a commission headed by then-Sen. George McGovern of South Dakota to come up with it. The commission was “the biggest single change for the process of presidential selection in American history,” said Byron Shafer, who wrote a book about it called “Quiet Revolution: Struggle for the Democratic Party and the Shaping of Post-Reform Politics.”"

Many people are wondering: Are there really just 538 people in America deciding who becomes president, and why is “270” the magic number for victory? Here’s the fascinating history and breakdown of how U.S. elections actually work. The answer lies in a unique system called the Electoral College, a process that has roots all the way back to the founding of the country. When the U.S. Constitution was written in 1787, the framers wanted a way to balance power between the states, prevent any one area from dominating, and ensure that the voices of smaller states weren’t lost. Rather than electing the president by a direct popular vote, they created this Electoral College system, where each state has a set number of “electors” based on its population. Here’s how it works: Each state gets a number of electors equal to its total number of representatives in Congress (both the House and Senate). That brings us to 538 electors overall—one for each of the 435 House members, 100 Senators, plus three electors for Washington, D.C. The magic number of 270 represents a simple majority of these 538 votes, enough to secure a win. So, who are these electors? They aren’t random people; each political party in each state selects electors who are generally loyal party members, often local leaders or activists. When people cast their ballots in presidential elections, they are actually voting for these electors. If a candidate wins a state, typically the electors pledged to that candidate get to cast their official votes. Over time, this system has sparked debate—supporters argue it protects smaller states and maintains the federal balance, while critics feel it distorts the will of the popular vote. Some states have even started to shift their laws to reflect the national popular vote more closely, further evolving this historical system. In short, while the Electoral College may seem complex, it’s a system deeply woven into the fabric of American democracy, ensuring that presidential elections remain both national and uniquely state-based. #ElectoralCollege #AmericanElections #USPolitics #Vote2024 #ElectionHistory #HowElectionsWork #270ToWin #PopularVote #DemocracyInAction #PoliticalHistory #VotingSystem #CivicsExplained #USA

House Republicans will hold internal leadership elections for the 119th Congress on Wednesday, with some surprises in store. Conservatives are considering a last-minute challenge to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), and President-elect Trump's pick of House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) to be United Nations Ambassador is setting off a scramble for her position. The closed-door leadership elections will be conducted by secret ballot, with a candidate forum in the morning and elections in the afternoon. Speaker nominee Johnson is seeking to keep his gavel, emphasizing continuity of leadership. However, he faces a potential protest challenger due to conservative frustrations with his handling of spending and policy issues. House Republican Conference Chair Stefanik's nomination has opened up the No. 4 House GOP leadership slot, with Reps. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) and Kat Cammack (R-Fla.) vying for the messaging-focused role. Chair of the Republican Policy Committee Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Ala.) is seeking another term as policy committee chair, facing a challenge from Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) who promises to strengthen relationships with the Senate and Trump Administration. House Republican Conference Secretary Several candidates are seeking the secretary position if Rep. McClain wins the conference chair race, including Reps. Mark Alford (R-Mo.), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), and Erin Houchin (R-Ind.). Uncontested races House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), and House GOP Vice Chair Blake Moore (R-Utah) are all seeking second terms in their respective roles. #ConservativePolitics #ElectionLaw. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g39Xf7xU