Highlights from the Week
1. On October 28, an intruder broke into the San Francisco home of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who was not home at the time. The intruder cornered her husband, Paul Pelosi, demanding to see and speak to Speaker Pelosi. Paul Pelosi was able to call 911 but was attacked with a hammer, cracking his skull. The incident has brought attention to the way that political rhetoric can lead to real-world violence, and politicians from all parties have condemned the attack. Click here to see a statement from Speaker Pelosi about the incident, click here to read Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s statement, or click here to read Republican Minority Whip Steve Scalise’s statement.
2. Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro lost his reelection to left-wing challenger and former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on October 31. Bolsonaro was notable for his strong support for President Donald Trump and his reputation for conservative policies on social, environmental, and economic issues. Bolsonaro was quiet for two days before announcing that he would NOT be conceding, but WOULD assist in the transition of power to President-elect Lula. Lula was president of Brazil from 2003 to 2010 before being sentenced to prison in 2018 for corruption. The Brazilian Supreme Court annulled all charges against him in 2021. Click here to see statements from Congress mentioning Bolsonaro, click here to see a statement from President Biden congratulating President Lula, or click here to see statements from Congress mentioning Brazil.
3. Results from Israel’s election show former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing political bloc forming a majority in the parliament for the first time since 2019. This victory has come about due to an alliance between Netanyahu’s Likud party and more extremist parties such as the controversial Jewish Power group, who support stripping Palestinian residents of citizenship and frequently accuse political opposition of being terrorists. Just last week, President Biden announced a historic treaty between Israel and Lebanon which ended the maritime border conflict between the two countries (click here to read that statement). Click here to read statements from Congress mentioning Netanyahu or here to read statements from Congress mentioning Israel. Click here to read statements from President Biden mentioning Israel.
Elections
By the Elections Research team (Noah, Anthony, Courtney, Seth, Nick & Caleb) and Elections Research Interns (Torin, Tayelon, Juvencio, Maggie, Francesca, and Joelle)
Elections:
Want to learn more about your local election office information ahead of the general election? Click here to select your state to view your local election office's contact information by county.
Want to learn more about where to register to vote? Click here to select your state to view your voter registration deadlines, qualifications, and requirements ahead of the general election.
Biographies:
Want to learn more about the candidates running in the congressional general election? You can see the full list of candidates running nationally here. 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 the gubernatorial general election? You can see the full list of candidates running nationally here. 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 the statewide general election? You can see the full list of candidates running nationally here. 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 the state judicial general election? You can see the full list of candidates running nationally here. 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 the state legislative general election? You can see the full list of candidates running in 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.
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: 1,531 statements were added this week. See highlights from the week for notable statements.
Key Votes:
States: 23 new votes were added.
Alabama’s House and Senate passed HB 434 which authorizes video testimonies for victims and witnesses involved in human trafficking cases regardless of age. The bill establishes its effective date on the first of the third month following its passage and approval.
Michigan’s governor signed HB 5703 into law, requiring school offices and rooms where the board of education meets to have sections of the state constitution posted. These sections are expressly related to the importance of religion and morality in education and government and the parent's or guardians’ right to be involved in their child’s education.
The Arizona House passed Resolution 2004, establishing the support of the House for federal legislation and unused federally owned materials to be transferred to Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas for the purpose of building a border wall.
Federal Legislation: 0 new votes
Special Interest Groups:
There were 201 endorsements and 48 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 114,181 candidates and entered endorsements for 40,859 candidates.