VOTER GUIDE TO 2016 SENATE, HOUSE, GOVERNOR and STATE RACES
Prepared by Thom Palmer
September 4, 2016
September 4, 2016
Throughout this post, you'll find these LINKS. Each link "should" open in a separate window. Please let me know if this gives you want you need. I am unable to list all 435 House of Representative members, but the SAMPLE BALLOT and HOUSE RACE link will show you the matchup. You'll want to compose helpful emails, Facebook and Twitter posts for your local groups and friends. Grab a piece of paper and a pen. You'll want to jot down some notes.
Step 1. Locate your Congressional District
Step 2: Lookup your actual ballot using the SAMPLE BALLOT LOOKUP tool.
Step 3. Senate Races : See who is running by using your SAMPLE BALLOT LOOKUP
Step 4. House Races : A very comprehensive look at the system.
Step 5. Gubernatorial (Governors) Races : See if you Governor is up for re-election.
Step 6. Your Governor's Races (if applicable this year)
Step 7: Don't forget your STATE and LOCAL Legislators.
Step 8. A list of top GOP leaders to knock off in 2016
FIRST THINGS FIRST.
Find your Congressional District
You don't need to enter your full address. Just put your zip code in the address field, and it should find you unless your zip is split between two districts. Let me know if anything looks goofy.
If you're like most Democrats, you'll just choose anyone with a "D" next to their name. Frankly, this is the most sure-fire way of straightening out Congress and saving the planet. However, Only 31% of the electorate are registered Democrats.
Here's the breakdown...
Democrats 31%
Republicans 27%
Independents and Third Party 38%
And when you factor in Independents that lean Democrat or Republican, you have...
Democrats 48%
Republicans 41%
Any way the wind blows 11%
WHO IS UP FOR RE-ELECTION?
All 435 U.S House of Representatives go up for re-election EVERY TWO YEARS. The two year term is required by our Constitution. HOWEVER, Only 1/3 of the 100 Senators (there are two for each state) go up for re-election EVERY TWO YEARS. Their term is six years, but they rotate in order to keep drastic changes from happening.In 2014 mid-terms, only 17% of registered Democrats showed up to vote. So, with a 10% congressional approval rating, Republicans in both the House and Senate gained seats. This is why it's so important that you not only show up on November 8th, but mark your calendar for November 6th, 2018 as well. Otherwise, whatever gains Democrats make in the Presidential year they graciously give back to the GOP two years later. Republicans then say "THE VOTERS HAVE SPOKEN" and call it a mandate to screw the President. Having the moral high ground means NOTHING if you freely donate House and Senate seats to Republicans. We need to put them in the penalty box for about a decade. It is imperative that you promote elections and SHOW UP EVERY TWO YEARS.
SAMPLE BALLOT LOOKUP
This is a really good tool. You don't have to put in your address or email, unless for some reason it cannot locate your zip code, but this will give you the details of your actual ballot for November 8th. I love it, because you're able to get ahead of the curve, look up your candidates and ballot measures, and then start conversations on Facebook and Twitter, or the grocery store. Post information about your Democratic candidates in order to bolster and promote name recognition and policy positions. Don't make it too long (like me) because less people will read it, and this is a numbers game.
SHOW ME MY NOVEBER 8th BALLOT
Click the link to find your Senate races. Then, locate your candidate's web site, and share their policy page with all of your groups and contacts. With what we hope to be increased turnout for Democrats and Independent voters, we can't afford to lose the opportunity to re-take the Senate. Hillary, should she win, will need a Democratic Senate in order to reduce the obstructionism that the GOP has already vowed to continue during her administration.
1/3 of SENATORS GO UP FOR RE-ELECTION EVERY TWO YEARS. HERE'S THIS YEARS MATCH-UPS
Here's your ballots for November, but don't forget 2018 as well. I'm working on a full list of all 435 races, but in the meantime, use the WHAT'S MY DISTRICT and the MY BALLOT links to locate your House of Representatives match-ups.
Don't forget your STATE Senate and House races. These are SEPARATE from the U.S. House and Senate races and play a HUGE role in the things that pertain to your individual state, such as regulations which control the cleanliness of your water, safety of your food, wages, clean energy, and infrastructure, taxes, voter suppression, and a whole lot more. You can have two Democratic U.S. Senators, but if your state legislators are all Republican, you'll still be wondering how the majority of your electorate voted for Democrats, yet gerrymandering gave your state a majority of Republican lawmakers. 42 states are holding state Senate races on November 8th. Keep in mind that most local ( Mayors, City Council, etc ) races happen during summer or fall in off years, so you need to check your city web site for election dates.
DEMOCRACY REQUIRES VOTING, AND VOTING HAPPENS NEARLY EVERY YEAR, SOMETIMES TWICE IN ONE YEAR. Pay attention, list your dates and mark your calendars. IT'S FREE(DOM).
DEMOCRACY REQUIRES VOTING, AND VOTING HAPPENS NEARLY EVERY YEAR, SOMETIMES TWICE IN ONE YEAR. Pay attention, list your dates and mark your calendars. IT'S FREE(DOM).
THIS LINK GETS YOU TO YOUR STATE SENATE and LEGISLATURES MATCH-UPS
We've all seen the childish obstructionism in the United States House of Representatives and Senate. Republicans main talking points in this election season is that economic recovery has been too slow, infrastructure is horrible, there aren't enough jobs, and pay is too low. NEVER FORGET Mitch McConnells vow to deny President Obama anything good in order to make him a one-term President. It didn't work, yet they continued the same games throughout his 2nd term. This was done with the express written and verbal objective of tanking the economy, harming Americans and doing as much damage as they can in the hope that the electorate (we the people) would blame the President instead of the perpetrators. Republicans unanimously voted down equal pay for women, perpetrated voter suppression against minorities and Democrats, voted over 50 times to deny healthcare to millions, and a host of other votes cast to damage Americans and slow economic growth.
HOW COME I SHOULD NOT VOTE FOR ANY REPUBLICAN RIGHT NOW?
LIST OF REPUBLICAN LEADERS TO BE OUSTED IN 2016
( check back for comprehensive info and links to be added )
NO REPUBLICAN SEAT IS SAFE THIS YEAR
Check back here in a couple of days for a comprehensive breakdown of GOP leaders and conspiracy theorists. This is the preliminary list of the ones that you chose in my Facebook outreach. The list may change or grow, and I will list their opponents, along with a link to their web sites, for those who wish to learn more and/or donate to the Democratic challenger.
If one of these Republicans is in your district and listed as "SAFE REPUBLICAN", don't believe it. NO REPUBLICAN SEAT IS SAFE this year, as Democratic turnout is expected to outperform Republican turnout. FIND YOUR DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE and either volunteer to help the campaign or DONATE. In addition, if you have a few extra bucks, pick your favorite nemesis and donate to their Democratic challengers campaign as well. We have a really great opportunity here, but we need to claim it.
Paul Ryan (R) WI-01 vs RYAN SOLEN (D) http://www.solenforcongress.com/
Speaker of the House. Paul is a two-faced liar who supports Trumps fascist policies. He reluctantly took the House Speaker role because nobody qualified wanted it, and all the rest are insane. He's in a tough position for sure, but he played a huge role in the self-destruction of the Republican party, and continues playing baby games, so he has to go.
Darrell Issa (R) CA-49 vs DOUGLAS APPLEGATE (D) http://applegateforcongress.com/home
Conspiracy theorist and witch-hunter. Issa grilled Hillary Clinton and Loretta Lynch in the fake Email hearings, where he spent millions of your hard earned tax dollars trying to sell fiction as fact. Issa is a lecher. He uses his position for personal financial gain. American Family Voices filed a complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics against Issa, alleging he had repeatedly used his public office for personal financial gain. Darrell Issa is a disgusting human being that we need to fire.
Trey Gowdy (R) SC-04 vs CHRIS FEDALEI (D) http://www.votefedalei.com/
Another witch-hunter and conspiracy theorist, Gowdy headed the Benghazi hearings. While the executioners could not find any fault with Hillary and Benghazi, he continues spreading lies. His cohort Kevin McCarthy accidentally busted Gowdy by admitting in an interview that the Benghazi hearing was nothing more than a publicly funded smear campaign designed to bring down Hillary's poll numbers. The lies that continue being told are the reason Clinton's trustworthiness numbers are so low, and it's all bullshit. Gowdy wasted another several million of our hard-earned tax dollars on a publicly funded, months long attack ad called "Benghazi Hearings". He needs to go. We need to send a message.
Jason Chaffetz (R) UT-03 vs STEPHEN TYRON (D) http://tryonforcongress.com/
Jason is just a piece of garbage. He continually gets on news talk shows and blasts his Fox News and GOP phony scandal talking points, attempting to sell them as fact. He cuts off any host that tries to challenge him on his lies. He, like Darryl Issa, is a disgusting human being.
Kevin McCarthy (R) CA-23 vs WENDY REED (D) http://wendyreedforcongress.com/
Majority Leader. Represents Republicans on the House. Admitted openly that Republicans, led by Trey Gowdy, held the Benghazi hearings for the sole purpose of driving down Hillary Clinton's poll numbers. His loose lips cost him the Speaker role after John Boehner resigned. We owe McCarthy a debt of gratitude for clearing things up and admitting the witch-hunt, but having admitted to wasting millions of your tax dollars for political gain, he has to go.
Marco Rubio (R) FL-Senate vs PATRICK MURPHY (D) https://www.murphyforflorida.com/
A flip-flopper who ignores and misses most of his Senate votes. He has stated that he hates being in the Senate, but with delusions of grandure, continues to waste our money. Another Neanderthal when it comes to climate change. His obsession with becoming President is almost humorous. While he's a pretty good speaker, if you listen close, and watch his mannerisms, he pretends to be John F. Kennedy on the stump. He's a waste of space.
A flip-flopper who ignores and misses most of his Senate votes. He has stated that he hates being in the Senate, but with delusions of grandure, continues to waste our money. Another Neanderthal when it comes to climate change. His obsession with becoming President is almost humorous. While he's a pretty good speaker, if you listen close, and watch his mannerisms, he pretends to be John F. Kennedy on the stump. He's a waste of space.
Dana Rohrabacher (R) CA-48 vs SUZANNE SAVARY (D) http://www.drsuesavary.com/
aka "MR. DINOSAUR FARTS": Rohrabacher doubts that global warming is caused by humans. During a congressional hearing on climate change on February 8, 2007, Rohrabacher mused that previous warming cycles may have been caused by carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by "dinosaur flatulence". Meanwhile, California burns. He must go.
Ken Calvert (R) CA-42 vs TIM SHERIDAN http://sheridanforcongress.com/
Busted by Corona cops having sex with a known prostitute in his car, but used his position to have charges dropped. According to the police report, she was in the middle of giving him oral sex when busted. Constantly buys up our hillsides, has a freeway put in, and develops and sells the property at outrageous profits. He's a lecher and a creep, but keeps winning because his roadside signs are bigger. That's how stupid this is.
Steve Scalise (R) LA-01 vs ???
Majority Whip. Assists leadership in managing party's legislative program.
Cathy Rodgers (R) WA-05 vs JOE KAPOOTAS (D) http://www.pakootasforcongress.com/
Repulican Conference Chairman. Heads organization of all Republican party members in the House.
Luke Messer (R) IN-06 vs BARRY WELSH (D) https://welshforcongress.wordpress.com/
Republican Policy Committee Charman. Heads Conference forum for policy development.
Kelly Aiyotte (R) NH-Senate vs MAGGIE HASSAN (D) http://maggiehassan.com/
Ayotte is an obstructionist extraordinaire. Continuing to attempt to defund Planned Parenthood and overturn Roe v Wade, the Trumper is definitely at risk of losing her seat. She needs a long vacation, so let's send her packing.
Ayotte is an obstructionist extraordinaire. Continuing to attempt to defund Planned Parenthood and overturn Roe v Wade, the Trumper is definitely at risk of losing her seat. She needs a long vacation, so let's send her packing.
John McCain (R) AZ-Senate vs ANN KIRKPATRICK (D) http://www.kirkpatrickforsenate.com/
McCain has constantly played political games over the last 8 years, bashing the President's every move. He still hasn't gotten over the 2008 race. Nobody can hate McCain, but he's done his time and it's time for Arizona to go blue. Obstructionism won't fly, and he'll get a well deserved retirement. He should get a good challenge from Kirkpatrick.
McCain has constantly played political games over the last 8 years, bashing the President's every move. He still hasn't gotten over the 2008 race. Nobody can hate McCain, but he's done his time and it's time for Arizona to go blue. Obstructionism won't fly, and he'll get a well deserved retirement. He should get a good challenge from Kirkpatrick.
Pam Bondi (R) Florida Atty General. Sorry folks, she's not up for re-election.
John Thune (R) SD-Senate vs JAY WILLIAMS (D) http://www.jaywilliams2016.org/
John Thune is a disgusting piece of garbage, deserving of a walk of shame. He hijacks interviews, avoids answering questions through pivoting to some fake scandal against the President or Hillary Clinton, and won't let the interviewer interrupt to get the original question answered. Why he's still invited on to news shows is anybody's guess. He's a birther, a climate change denier, and a pro-pipeline oil whore. He needs to go NOW.
Louis Gohmert (R) TX-01
The "Oswald Cobblepot" of Congress, Gohmert claims the caribou love oil pipelines because they're warm. Another denier of science,Cobblepot Gohmert visits conspiracy theory sites regularly, and spews falsehood after falsehood around. Women need to be put in their place per the bible, and believes in "terror babies". He's a teabagger of epic proportion, trolling the sewers with his fellow dillusionists. Kick him out.
John Thune is a disgusting piece of garbage, deserving of a walk of shame. He hijacks interviews, avoids answering questions through pivoting to some fake scandal against the President or Hillary Clinton, and won't let the interviewer interrupt to get the original question answered. Why he's still invited on to news shows is anybody's guess. He's a birther, a climate change denier, and a pro-pipeline oil whore. He needs to go NOW.
Louis Gohmert (R) TX-01
The "Oswald Cobblepot" of Congress, Gohmert claims the caribou love oil pipelines because they're warm. Another denier of science,
Cornyn (R) TX-Senate ( to be updated )
Jim Inhofe (R) OK Senate
We're stuck with Inhofe until 2020. He's the guy who held up the snowball in a Senate Session to prove that global warming as fake. Enough said, but the best we can do is go after the other Okahoma Senator in an attempt to restore a bit of logic and reason to Oklahoma. See below.
James Lankford (R) OK-Senate vs MIKE WORKMAN (D) https://www.facebook.com/Workman4OK/
Jim Inhofe (R) OK Senate
We're stuck with Inhofe until 2020. He's the guy who held up the snowball in a Senate Session to prove that global warming as fake. Enough said, but the best we can do is go after the other Okahoma Senator in an attempt to restore a bit of logic and reason to Oklahoma. See below.
James Lankford (R) OK-Senate vs MIKE WORKMAN (D) https://www.facebook.com/Workman4OK/
Thanks, Thom...Will post everywhere..
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! :-)
DeleteThank you so much! :-)
DeleteThanks, Thom...Will post everywhere..
ReplyDeleteThanks Crew. We're in the home stretch. Let's kick some ass.
DeleteThanks Crew. We're in the home stretch. Let's kick some ass.
Delete