California's first Latina Senate leader enters the final month with control over hundreds of bills and a legislative record her office says received bipartisan support 87% of the time.
Four independent veterans are competing in Washington's Top Two primary on Tuesday, representing different branches and offices while benefiting from the state's nonpartisan system that gives independents equal ballot access.
Maine Democrats nominated Troy Jackson for Senate after a rapid grassroots campaign mobilized delegates across the state. Now he faces incumbent Susan Collins in a race that polling shows is too close to call.
Closed primaries do not protect party purity—they force independent voters to register with parties they do not believe in just to have a meaningful voice.
"For me, it really is money in politics," he said. "Money in politics touches so many, if not every, issue that's out there. If you're taking their money, you've got to do their bidding."
Democratic National Committee are close to adopting a ranked choice voting ban in the 2028 presidential primary, despite its use in Maine and Washington, D.C. state law.
A constitutional lawsuit in Oregon is challenging closed primaries and forced party membership, sparking a broader national debate about independent voter rights and public elections.
Governor Pritzker frames the Democratic Party divide as "Team Cave" versus "Team Fight," but sidesteps questions about whether this commitment extends to independent voters locked out of primary elections.
Maine and Washington, D.C. may still use ranked ballots, but Democrats would allocate delegates as though voters never ranked anyone beyond first place.
Cara Brown McCormick
Shawn Griffiths
Jay Field
John Opdycke
Matt Shinners
Rob Richie
Jeremy Gruber
Jennifer Esteban