There are five races we are tracking election results for across the nation today. The marquee event is the hotly contested election for Chicago Mayor. We’ll also be following state legislative special elections in Georgia and Connecticut as well.
Chicago
Polls are open today in Chicago until 7 p.m. CST. Before then you can check out our preview from Zachary Donnini who breaks down today’s race and all eight challengers to embattled incumbent Lori Lightfoot. Also, if you still haven’t subscribed to our YouTube channel, what are you waiting for? There you can find in-depth dives into everything we are watching in 2023 including today’s mayoral election in Chicago. If no candidate wins a 50%+1 majority of the vote, the top two vote-getters will move on to an April 4 runoff election.
Georgia
In Georgia’s 119th State House District, the seat is vacant after Republican Danny Ramsey stepped aside before taking office following an arrest for stealing prescription drugs from residents of a retirement home that he managed. The district sits just west of Athens covering parts of Burrow and Jackson Counties. Two Republicans emerged from a field of seven candidates to advance to today’s runoff. Polls close at 7 p.m. EST.
Connecticut
There are three races for vacant districts in the Connecticut State House today. Despite being hit with a huge winter storm overnight polls are still open in the four cities that make up these districts. Polls close at 8 p.m. EST.
The seat in the 6th State House District is vacant after Democrat Edwin Vargas resigned on January 3rd to pursue a job in academia in the state’s university system. The 6th District covers the southern border of Hartford and stretches into part of the town of West Hartford. Two candidates are running to fill the vacancy. Democrat James Sanchez is a Hartford City Councilman who faces Jason Diaz who is the head of the local firefighters union and running as an independent. Former Rep. Vargas was unopposed as a Democrat in his last two elections.
In the 100th State House District, the seat is vacant following the tragic death of Democrat Quentin Williams in a wrong-way driver accident on January 5th. The 100th district covers most of Middletown. Running in today’s contest are Democrat Kai Juanna Belton and Republican Deborah Kleckowski who unsuccessfully ran for this seat back in 2012. Former Rep. Williams was unopposed back in the 2022 November general election.
Finally, the seat in the 148th State House district is vacant after Democrat Dan Fox resigned on January 4th to pursue a judicial seat on the state Superior Court. The 148th District lies in southern Stamford. Running to fill the vacancy is Democrat Anabel Figueroa, who is a long-time member of the Stamford Board of Representatives, and Republican Olga Anastos. Former Rep. Fox won his reelection last November by 35%, the closest race of his tenure in the State House.