Highlights from the Week
1. Rescue and clean up efforts continue in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, which devastated parts of southwest Florida last week. The death toll is currently at 58 but is expected to rise as more bodies are located by rescue teams. Governor DeSantis is working with President Biden to secure federal funds and relief for the citizens of Florida. Click here to see all statements on Hurricane Ian, or click here to see President Biden’s statement on the hurricane relief effort.
2. North Korea launched two ballistic missiles this week, signaling an intensification of hostilities between the North Korean authoritarian regime and the capitalist democracies in Japan and South Korea. On Thursday, October 5, North Korea launched two missiles that flew over Japan and landed outside of the Japanese economic zone. Two days before the North Korean launch, the United States and South Korea launched four missiles in a drill, and tensions have been building regarding an American aircraft carrier sailing between the waters in Japan and the Korean Peninsula last month. Click here to see Vice President Harris’s statement on her visit to the Korean demilitarization zone, or click here to see President Biden’s statement to the Japanese prime minister on the missile launch.
3. Country star Loretta Lynn died on October 4, 2022. Loretta Lynn became famous in the 1950s and soared to stardom with her song “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” which lamented the struggles of a family living in the poverty of Appalachia’s coal belt. Lynn danced with controversy throughout her career; her more controversial songs dealing with themes of sexism, war, and poverty were banned from radio stations across the country for a period of time. Click here to see a statement from Kentucky Representative Hal Rogers on Loretta Lynn’s contributions to the state of Kentucky and the U.S.
Elections
By the Elections Research team (Noah, Courtney, Seth, Nick, Caleb, & Anthony) and Elections Research Interns (Torin, Tayelon, Juvencio, Jasmine, Maggie, Francesca, and Joelle)
Elections:
Want to learn more about the candidates who are running in Arizona’s general election? You can see the full list of candidates by office below:
Biographies:
Want to learn more about the candidates running in congressional general elections? You can see the full list of candidates running for various states below:
If you want to learn more about a candidate, click on a candidate and go to their ‘Bio’ tab to learn more.
Want to learn more about the candidates running in gubernatorial general elections? You can see the full list of candidates running for various states below:
If you want to learn more about a candidate, click on a candidate and go to their ‘Bio’ tab to learn more.
Want to learn more about the candidates running in Pennsylvania’s state legislative general election? You can see the full list of candidates running here.
If you want to learn more about a candidate, click on a candidate and go to their ‘Bio’ tab to learn more.
Issue Positions/Political Courage Test:
Want to learn more about the candidates who are currently being tested and their responses to the Political Courage Test ahead of the general election? You can see the full list of candidates, their responses, and response rates running in various states by office below:
Officials
By the Officials Research team: Thomas, Bibi, Johanan, Neal, Jake, Craig, Israel, and Katie
Public Statements: 1,817 statements were added this week. See highlights from the week for notable statements.
Key Votes:
States: 20 new votes were added.
Louisiana passed LA 185, protecting the rights of university clubs to hold gatherings, meetings, protests, and other activities. The law protects clubs from facing consequences for ideological stances or protesting.
In Oklahoma the governor signed into law SB 186, prohibiting persons who are currently serving probation from carrying firearms.
The California legislature passed AB 2091, which was then signed into law by the governor, prohibiting medical providers, insurers, and prisons from disclosing medical records regarding abortions to out-of-state-law enforcement.
Special Interest Groups:
There were 439 endorsements and 9 rating scorecards released to the live web this week, which can be viewed here (organized by group). This year to date, the SIGs team has rated 87,058 candidates and entered endorsements for 32,390 candidates.