Posts by Dr. Eric Ostermeier
Records Are Made to Be Broken
Political parties in three states set all-time party and a few state records in gubernatorial elections during the 2022 midterms. In Hawaii, Lieutenant Governor Josh Green won a party- and state-high 63.16 percent in the gubernatorial race, besting predecessor David Ige’s 62.67 percent in 2018. In Florida, GOP Governor Ron DeSantis received 59.37 percent –…
Read MoreA Review of Gubernatorial Elections without Two Major Party Candidates
More than 95 percent of gubernatorial elections since 1900 have had two major party candidates on the ballot including every election in 34 states.
Read MoreA Review of US Senate Elections without Two Major Party Candidates
Voters in at least one and in as many as four states will not have candidates from both major parties on the ballot in 2026’s U.S. Senate elections.
Read MoreHow Often Do Sitting US Senators Place Third (Or Worse) in Primaries?
A competitive Texas Republican U.S. Senate primary could lead to a result not seen in more than 60 years.
Read MoreUtah and a Review of the Size of State Supreme Courts
Utah joins the majority of states with seven justices on their court of last resort.
Read MoreMinnesota Poised to Elect a Woman to US Senate for 5th Straight Contest
Only four states have ever accomplished this historical feat.
Read MoreHow Often Does Ranked Choice Voting Produce Plurality Winners? (Updated)
Redefining what constitutes an electoral majority has nonetheless resulted in plurality winners in nearly half of Minnesota municipal elections that triggered ranked choice voting since 2009.
Read MoreJesse Ventura and a Review of Comeback Bids by Minnesota Governors
Ex-Minnesota governors have subsequently appeared on a primary or general election gubernatorial ballot 10 times since statehood.
Read MoreGovernor Klobuchar? A Review of Minnesotans Who Served in Multiple Elected Statewide Offices
More than three-dozen Minnesotans have served in at least two of the 13 offices that have been on a statewide ballot since 1857.
Read MoreOhio Republicans Eye Rare US House Gains in 2026
The Ohio GOP has netted U.S. House seats during the midterms of Republican presidential administrations in just two out of 24 cycles since the formation of the party.
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