Kentucky Gov. Bevin Concedes Defeat as GOP Pushes for Victory in Louisiana

Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin has conceded defeat in the state’s gubernatorial race to Democrat Andy Beshear. The concession comes over a week after the election, which was too close to call on election night. Beshear led by just over 5,100 votes on election night, a margin of less than 0.4 percent. A re-canvass left that margin essentially unchanged, leading Bevin to forgo the possibility of a recount request. Democrats are declaring Beshear’s victory a harbinger of things to come in 2020 after winning a statewide race in Trump country. But the circumstances in Kentucky are unique. Kentucky has long voted

voting

Overlooked Elections from Tuesday Provide Some Surprises

All eyes on Tuesday were on marquee races of the 2019 general elections in Virginia, Kentucky, and Mississippi. In Virginia, another blue wave devastated the GOP. In Kentucky, the incumbent Republican governor trails in a race that’s too close to call, while Republicans handily swept other statewide races on the ballot. Republicans also swept the statewide races in Mississippi. But elections in New Jersey and a handful of ballot initiatives have been overlooked. And there’s one more election coming up next week. In Tucson, Ariz., a strong majority rejected a ballot measure which would have declared it a sanctuary city. Tucson,

Supreme Court Takes Up Case on Louisiana Abortion Law

As the Supreme Court begins a new term, they will take up a case regarding a very important issue: abortion. The decision will be whether to uphold or overturn a new Louisiana law that requires abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. Opponents see this as an attempt to shut down abortion clinics, while supporters argue that it may be necessary to save the lives of women who are harmed during an abortion. In the 2016 Whole Women’s Health v. Hellerstedt case, the Supreme Court struck down a similar Texas law for causing an “undue burden” to women

Louisiana Becomes Latest State to Pass Pro-Life “Heartbeat Bill”

Louisiana’s House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved Senate Bill 180, popularly known as the ‘Heartbeat Bill,’ in a roll-call vote on Thursday. Though it would have easily been possible for the Republican members alone to put the bill on the governor’s desk, almost half of the state’s House Democrats also voted in favor. With little hesitation, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, who describes himself as a “conservative Democrat,” signed the bill. Edwards’ signature was expected, as the governor frequently rebuffs the dictates of his party on this issue. The bill is a substantial improvement on previous law, which was broadly permissive

Supreme Court Blocks Louisiana Abortion Law

In a blow to the pro-life movement, the U.S. Supreme Court has blocked Louisiana’s Unsafe Abortion Protection Act. The law was blocked 5-4 on Thursday after Chief Justice John Roberts, in a move that surprised many, joined the liberal wing of the court to form the majority opinion. While the decision currently blocks the law, the battle is not over — the case has been given a temporary stay and is likely to be challenged during the court’s next term in October. Enacted in 2014, the law required doctors who perform abortions in Louisiana to have admitting privileges at a

The Rise of the Big Business Democrats

There was a time, not long ago, when Democrats commonly accused the Republican Party of being the “Party of Big Business.” Republicans, or so it was claimed, cared more about corporate interests than those of the average voter, while Democrats were supposedly looking out for the little guy. During this election season, however, there has been a substantial — and yet barely noticed — change in Democratic rhetoric. Rather than vilifying big businesses, many Democratic leaders and candidates have started to openly trumpet their high regard for the priorities of the corporate world. Why this sudden change? Because Big Business