CA » SD-17 (Palmdale)

Now that Senator George Runner is moving up to the State Board of Equalization, he'll give up his SD-17 seat on Jan 3. And that means another special election.

Here is a recent news article about it:
Special election will decide who fills Runner's Senate seat

This makes a total of at least four special elections across California in the immediate future ... perhaps more, if any assembly members win races for the open senate seats.

Now that the November elections are behind us, we can concentrate our efforts in special elections. As long as they feature at least one candidate who supports repeal of the motorcycle helmet law (and that candidate is electable) then our efforts will be time well spent.

- RIDE2REPEAL@gmail.com

CA » SD-28 (Torrance)

It looks like the SD-28 (Torrance) special election is turning out to be a bust.

This district recently made national headlines, with proclamations such as "Dead Woman wins Election in California." But in California's famously gerrymandered districts, there was no way that John Stammreich, her Republican challenger, was ever going to win that race.

Senate District 28 belongs to the Democrats.

Initially there was some hope that some real contenders would emerge for the special election. The RIDE2REPEAL.COM game plan is to volunteer for the electable candidate who supports repeal of the helmet law. In urban Democratic districts, this is the only way to make progress.

The first name to pop up was Ted Lieu, termed-out Assembly member. Lieu has never voted on helmet law repeal, so it will take some time and effort to find out. Next came Jennifer Hahn, LA City Council member. Again, no voting record to go on.

Then Assembly Member Warren Furutani's name was mentioned. Not only does he vote against motorcyclists at every opportunity, he's also on the Transportation Committee. His winning would be bad for the Senate, but possibly good for the Assembly.

But in the end, both Hahn and Furutani dropped out of the race. Even Stammreich is sitting this one out. That means termed-out Assembly member Ted Lieu is now freshman Senator Ted Lieu.

We still need to find out where he stands on the helmet law. The best way, of course, is putting it to a vote. There is no better indicator of how they WILL vote than how they DID vote.

RIDE2REPEAL@gmail.com

DC » City Council (At Large)

It looks like DC may have a special election soon, depending upon whether they appoint an interim council member or hold a special election.

Council Member Kwame Brown is moving up to become Council Chair, and this creates a vacancy in his old seat.

Here is an interesting article about the situation:
D.C. GOP keeps hopes alive with special election

Another article indicates DCDSC National Committeeman Vincent Orange may be appointed:
Orange objects to a fairer special election process

The City Council serves as the legislative body for the District of Columbia, with just over a dozen members. This makes it easy to build a biker-friendly legislative majority, mathematically speaking.

The first step in this direction is to figure out who's running, and then find out where they stand on the helmet law. If there is at least one candidate who supports helmet law repeal -- and that candidate is electable -- it's an opportunity that normally happens only once in a blue moon.

As always, updates will be posted to the Elections page at RIDE2REPEAL.COM.

RIDE2REPEAL@gmail.com

IA » SD-48 (Osceola)

Iowa Senate District 48 will have a vacant seat, now that State Senator Kim Reynolds will soon become Lieutenant Governor.

Here is a recent article about the vacancy:
Reynolds Resigns From State Senate – Special Election Needed To Fill Seat

The odds are good that this district will remain in Republican hands. The question for motorcyclists, however, will be whether any of the candidates support their right to decide.

It's not like Iowans are in danger of getting a new helmet law anytime soon. But there will always be nanny-crats looking for the chance to control someone else's life.

Should I receive any input from the Iowa motorcycling community, I'll be sure to post it under the Elections page at RIDE2REPEAL.com.

RIDE2REPEAL@gmail.com

MS » SD-6 (Tupelo)

MS » SD-6 (Tupelo)
Senate District 6 is one of three recent vacancies in the Mississippi State Legislature. This particular vacancy is the result of State Senator Patrick Nunnelee winning election to the US Congress.

The election is scheduled for Jan 11. A runoff election, if necessary, will be held Feb 1. The position will be on the ballot again in 2011 as part of the regular state election cycle.

Here are recent news articles:
Three open state legislative seats lead to special elections
Special election set Jan. 11 to replace Nunnelee, Palazzo, Minor

MS » SD-12 (Shelby)

Senate District 12 is one of three recent vacancies in the Mississippi State Legislature. This particular vacancy is the result of State Senator Johnny Walls winning election to the Circuit Court's 11th District. The election date has not been set.

Here are recent news articles:
Three open state legislative seats lead to special elections
Special election set Jan. 11 to replace Nunnelee, Palazzo, Minor

MS » HD-116 (D'Iberville)

House District 116 is one of three recent vacancies in the Mississippi State Legislature. This particular vacancy is the result of State Representative Stephen Palazzo winning election to the US Congress.

The election is scheduled for Jan 11. A runoff election, if necessary, will be held Feb 1. The position will be on the ballot again in 2011 as part of the regular state election cycle.

Here are recent news articles:
Three open state legislative seats lead to special elections
Special election set Jan. 11 to replace Nunnelee, Palazzo, Minor

OK » SD-47 (Edmund)

A vacancy has been created in the Oklahoma State Senate because Senator Todd Lamb is set to become Lieutenant Governor.

General elections are set for Feb 8. The following Republicans have announced their intentions to run for the SD-47 seat: Carol Hefner, Steven Dobbs, Greg Treat, Kenny Goza. No Democrats have announced yet. Here is a recent article:
Henry sets special election date for vacant Senate seat in Edmond

Gov. Henry announced a primary election for Oklahoma State Senate District 47 will be held January 11. Voters will go to the polls for the general election February 8. A filing period for the office will be held December 13 - 15. Here are additional articles:
Gov. Henry Sets Special Election To Fill Todd Lamb's State Senate Seat
Henry Sets SD47 Special Election Dates


-RIDE2REPEAL@gmail.com

PA » HD-185 (Philadelphia)

Due to the recent death of State Represenative Robert Donatucci, there will be a special election for HD-185 (Philadelphia). So far the only candidate mentioned is his widow, Maria Donatucci.

Here is a recent article about the vacancy:
Widow of state Rep. Donatucci considers running to fill his House seat

TX » HD-44 (San Antonio)

Texas House District 44 is vacant, and that means a special election will be coming soon. Here is a recent news article on this event from KNGB.am/radio/news/

Republican candidates are:
- Ron Avery, 63, of Seguin
- Chris Burchell, 46, of Adkins
- Jim Fish, 53, of Cibolo
- Gary W. Inmon, 43, of Schertz
- John Kuempel, 40, of Seguin
- Myrna McLeroy, 72, of Gonzales
- Robin R. Walker, 58, of Seguin

Democratic candidates include:
- Daniel Rodriguez Andrade, 45, of Seguin
- Cheryl Dees Patterson, 44, of Seguin

Updates will be posted as needed to the ELECTIONS page.

RIDE2REPEAL@gmail.com

VA » HD-8 (Salem)

On Tuesday, November 23, Virginia Republicans and Democrats will nominate candidates for VA House District 8, which includes Salem and parts of Roanoke county.

This vacancy is the result of Delegate Morgan Griffith's election to the US Congress. Governor McDonnell said he would set the date for the election to be Jan 11.

Here's are two articles about the upcoming Republican "Firehouse" primary:
http://roanokevalleyrepublicans.blogspot.com/2010/11/fire-house-republican-primary-november.html
http://www2.godanriver.com/news/2010/nov/15/mcdonnell-sets-date-special-election-ar-654926/

Here's an article about the upcoming Democratic Caucus to nominate candidates:
http://www2.wsls.com/news/2010/nov/16/roanoke-co-democrats-set-nov-23rd-caucus-8th-distr-ar-657233/

Updates will be posted as needed to the ELECTIONS page at RIDE2REPEAL.COM.

VA » SD-19 (Danville)

Virginia will hold a special election to fill a new vacancy in VA Senate District 19, which includes Danville and surrounding counties.

Here's an article about one candidate who's announced his intent to run: http://www.thefranklinnewspost.com/article.cfm?ID=17533

Candidate names have been posted to the ELECTIONS page at RIDE2REPEAL.COM.

"Ride Like a Cowboy"

In the political world, there are three kinds of creatures: Ranchers, Cattle, and Cowboys.

> Ranchers control the herd, and we know them as "politicians."
> Cattle choose their Ranchers, and we know them as "voters."
> Cowboys work for the Ranchers and steer the herd. We call them "campaign volunteers."

Ranchers can't get there alone, so they will always need Cowboys to get the Herd moving in their direction. Ranchers therefore have the utmost respect for experienced and reliable Cowboys. On the other hand, they have no need or respect for anyone who they can't depend on. They just don't matter.

During the 2010 campaign season, quite a few bikers gained valuable experience as campaign volunteers this year -- regardless of who they worked for, and regardless of whether their candidates won or lost. Experience counts. And the more reliable we bikers become at showing up to help candidates, the sooner we'll EARN the respect we've always wanted from our lawmakers in Sacramento.

Thanks to everyone who "rode like a cowboy" on the campaign trail this year.

RIDE2REPEAL@gmail.com