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| 2024 Election: | Joe Biden's book | Kamala Harris' book | Donald Trump's book | JD Vance's book | 2024 Senate Debates |
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| Book Reviews | |||||||||||||||
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(from Amazon.com) | |||||||||||||||
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(click a book cover for a review or other books by or about the presidency from Amazon.com) |
from Past and present Senate candidates from Pennsylvania (number of quotes indicated): |
| OnTheIssues.org excerpts: (click on issues for details) |
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Abortion Bob Casey: Ban abortion after 20 weeks; but fund Planned Parenthood. Carla Sands: Is "unapologetically pro-life". David McCormick: Staunchly pro-life; life begins at conception. Jeff Bartos: Rated pro-life by Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, LifePac. John Fetterman: Unabashedly pro-choice;protect constitutional abortion right. Kathy Barnette: I value all life, will promote alternatives to abortion. Katie McGinty: Endorsed by EMILY's List. Katie McGinty: Supports public funding for Planned Parenthood. Lou Barletta: Ban abortion after 20 weeks; de-fund Planned Parenthood. Mehmet Oz: Knows how precious life is and is 100% Pro-Life. Pat Toomey: Great news that employer can withhold contraceptive coverage. Val Arkoosh: Endorsed by EMILY's List for pro-choice women. Val Arkoosh: We need to codify Roe v. Wade immediately. Bob Casey: Overturning Roe v. Wade is dangerous. David McCormick: Opposes national abortion ban: states should decide. |
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Budget & Economy David McCormick: Support small businesses; get government out of the way. Everett Stern: Pro-growth: make small business loan more readily available. Everett Stern: End notion that only job of business is to maximize profit. Jeff Bartos: Big companies thrived in pandemic; mom-and-pops got crushed. Jeff Bartos: Trump tax cuts, deregulation led to best economy pre-COVID. Jeff Bartos: Opposed American Rescue Plan as "spendapalooza". Jeff Bartos: Concerned infrastructure bill might burden working families. Kathy Barnette: Incentivize investments in assets that generate real growth. Lou Barletta: Recovery is found in private business, not big government. Mehmet Oz: President Biden's reckless spending has led to inflation. Pat Toomey: Growing government was not the key to economic recovery. |
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Civil Rights Bob Casey: Evolved over time to support gay marriage. Joe Sestak: Anti-discrimination laws toward LGBT are long overdue. John Fetterman: Officiated at one of the first same-sex marriages in PA. John Fetterman: Women only makes 78 cents for every dollar a man makes. Kathy Barnette: Critical Race Theory is evil race-based Marxism. Katie McGinty: It is past time to close the pay gap. Malcolm Kenyatta: Everyone has the right to love whomever they choose. Malcolm Kenyatta: BLM has to include Black queer folks & Black trans folks. Mehmet Oz: Did program on "curing" gays; later blogged it was harmful. Sean Parnell: Fact check: claimed military colorblind almost 200 years. Sharif Street: Add LGBT protection in our non-discrimination laws. Sharif Street: Against discrimination based on religion or lack of one. Val Arkoosh: Would be first woman physician elected to the Senate. Val Arkoosh: For Equality Act to protect LGBTQ+ community. David McCormick: Denounced "structural bigotry" in 2020; "wokeness" in 2022. David McCormick: 2013: supported same-sex marriage to Supreme Court. |
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Corporations Everett Stern: Businesses shouldn't have to violate their religious beliefs. Everett Stern: Supports regulation of financial institutions. Joe Sestak: Small manufacturing is on cusp of a comeback, if helped. Katie McGinty: Support Consumer Financial Protection Bureau against banks. Pat Toomey: AdWatch: Fights against corporate welfare & giant handouts. Bob Casey: Make biggest corporations pay their fair share . Bob Casey: Regulate banking hidden fees & crack down on shrinkflation. David McCormick: Cut the red tape; let firms innovate. |
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Crime David McCormick: Will always back and support law enforcement officials. Everett Stern: Blue Lives Matter: Police officers aren't 2nd class citizens. Everett Stern: Calls to defund the police is open invitation for anarchy. Jeff Bartos: Keep moratorium on death penalty. Jeff Bartos: Against "Defund the Police," police need to be fully funded. John Fetterman: Break the cycle of violence to decreases murders. John Fetterman: Overhauled clemency process, recommended more commutations. John Fetterman: Must expand redemption, forgiveness side of criminal justice. Malcolm Kenyatta: Must address systemic issue of mass incarceration. Malcolm Kenyatta: We really do need radical reform to policing. Sharif Street: Allow life sentence convictions to be open to parole. Val Arkoosh: Train our police in de-escalation techniques. Bob Casey: Defund localities that defund the police. David McCormick: Fewer police means less safe communities. |
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Drugs Jeff Bartos: Marijuana: no on legalization, yes on medical use. John Fetterman: Very pro-legalization of marijuana. John Fetterman: Listening tour, report got governor to support legalization. John Fetterman: Legalization means billions in revenue, thousands of jobs. John Fetterman: Go "full Colorado" on legalizing recreational marijuana. Katie McGinty: Medical marijuana yes; but legalization no. Mehmet Oz: Cannabis safer than alcohol & safer than narcotics. Mehmet Oz: Marijuana not gateway to narcotics, may be the exit drug. Pat Toomey: Medical marijuana research yes; but state laws no. Sharif Street: Emerging cannabis industry could boost job opportunities. Val Arkoosh: Decriminalize marijuana, reform on nonviolent drug offenses. Bob Casey: Focus on violent drug dealers and de-schedule marijuana. David McCormick: Marijuana is a gateway to harder drugs. |
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Education Bob Casey: Refinance student loans at lower rates. Carla Sands: Opposes woke culture, censorship, and critical race theory. Carla Sands: Introduce competition to how we fund education. Everett Stern: Parents and families have first responsibility for education. Everett Stern: More funding for vocational training, community colleges. Jeff Bartos: Silencing conservative students is fundamentally un-American. Jeff Bartos: Critical race theory is "state-sponsored racism". Jim Christiana: Worked with Democrats to expand education tax credits. John Fetterman: Started a GED program in Braddock before running for mayor. Kathy Barnette: Competition is the best way to ensure innovation. Lou Barletta: Empower parents to choose kids' education environment. Malcolm Kenyatta: Our children deserve a school system that is equitable. Mehmet Oz: Extreme left indoctrinating kids with anti-American ideology. Mehmet Oz: Will fight for more school choice for all Americans. Sharif Street: Free state college for family incomes under $110,000. Val Arkoosh: COVID: Showed tears realizing what her own teens had lost. Val Arkoosh: Supports funding of public schools, childcare, Pre-K. David McCormick: Reimagine how we educate people, through school choice. John Fetterman: Solid affordable education in public schools and college. Bob Casey: Fund African American history in schools. David McCormick: Patriotic education instead of liberal wokeness . David McCormick: No transgender students in women's sports. David McCormick: Loan forgiveness forces us to pay someone else's debt. |
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Energy & Oil Bob Casey: Regulate greenhouse gases; join Paris Climate Accord. Carla Sands: Base energy policy on open markets and competition. David McCormick: Needn't choose between clean environment & affordable energy. Everett Stern: Changing technology is opportunity to replace infrastructure. Jeff Bartos: Natural gas is bounty God has given us here in Pennsylvania. Jeff Bartos: Natural gas is key to future of Pennsylvania's economy. John Fetterman: Encourage clean energy policies. John Fetterman: Can't ban fracking immediately, have to be honest. Kathy Barnette: Green New Deal will put millions of people out of work. Katie McGinty: No fracking COMPANY donations; but some from fracking execs. Katie McGinty: Corn ethanol as renewable fuel can replace some fossil fuels. Lou Barletta: Don't regulate greenhouse gases; we're in a cooling trend. Malcolm Kenyatta: Renewable energy will be a step forward for our economy. Mehmet Oz: I believe in energy independence, don't beg other countries. Mehmet Oz: Supports fracking, will make us safer and create jobs. Pat Toomey: Corn ethanol is corporate welfare that hurts oil refineries. Rick Saccone: No extraction tax on the Marcellus Shale gas. Sharif Street: Put Pennsylvania on track to 100% renewable energy by 2050. Val Arkoosh: Supports federal efforts to ban fracking nationwide. John Fetterman: 2018: I oppose fracking; 2022: I support fracking. Bob Casey: Invest in meaningful climate action now. David McCormick: Unleash oil & gas production; halt clean energy subsidies. |
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Environment John Fetterman: Focus on green businesses; create green jobs. Bob Casey: Regulating auto emissions; conserve at-risk wildlife species. |
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Families & Children Bob Casey: Mandatory reporting of the pure evil of child abuse. John Fetterman: Involved with Big Brothers and AmeriCorps since age 23. Lou Barletta: Opposes gay marriage; let states decide. Sean Parnell: Denies wife's claim of physical and verbal abuse. Sharif Street: Every woman deserves access to affordable childcare. Val Arkoosh: Provided paid parental leave for county employees. Val Arkoosh: Voters set priorities: the economy, jobs, cost of child care. Bob Casey: Help me find the true cost of assisted living. John Fetterman: Fight for universal pre-k and childcare. |
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Foreign Policy David McCormick: Sanction China for its crimes; reparations for COVID. Everett Stern: Pro-Israel candidate; attended "Stand Up for Israel" rally. Jeff Bartos: Supports security for Israel, against Iran nuclear deal. Jeff Bartos: Hold China accountable, for moving embassy in Israel. Jeff Bartos: U.S.-Israel relationship is sacred to me and to our family. Jeff Bartos: Would fight UN Human Rights Council studying racism in US. Jeff Bartos: Let people sue China for COVID, prosecute IP theft. John Fetterman: Proactively engage in preventative diplomacy. Katie McGinty: Defeat terrorist threats while upholding America's values. Katie McGinty: Supports Iran nuclear deal. Rick Saccone: Don't trust UN vetting: pause all Syrian refugees. David McCormick: Ensure the United States stands up for itself in the world. David McCormick: Oppose China to practice and preserve our exceptionalism. David McCormick: Promote equality and pluralism around the world. |
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Free Trade Bob Casey: Go after "trade cheaters" to protect PA jobs. Carla Sands: While ambassador, US exports to Denmark rose over 20%. David McCormick: With Bush: embrace trade; with Trump: America First. David McCormick: When China succeeds, the United States succeeds. Jim Christiana: Negative consequences of retaliatory tariffs on agriculture. Joe Sestak: Supports Ex-Im Bank & supports trade agreements in principle. Joe Sestak: Supports TPP in principle, but verify openly before we trust. John Fetterman: Fight to reverse bad trade policies like NAFTA. Lou Barletta: Use tariffs as leverage to get better trade deals. Mehmet Oz: We need to focus on creating jobs here in America. Pat Toomey: Ex-Im Bank is an egregious forms of corporate welfare. Val Arkoosh: For robust Buy America policies, incentivize retaining jobs. David McCormick: Extend the Trump administration's model of fair trade. |
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Government Reform Bob Casey: Lobbyist money ok if it has no impact on your vote. Bob Casey: Disclose political donors; Citizens United empowers wealthy. Bob Casey: Protect voting rights; no voter-ID. Carla Sands: Heavy-handed regulations will affect state's energy future. Carla Sands: Signed Term Limits on Congress Pledge. David McCormick: Supports Voter ID & absentee ballot signature verification. David McCormick: Fully supports term limits; pledges no more than two terms. Everett Stern: After whistleblower at HBSC, unable to find another job. Jeff Bartos: Election not stolen; Trump not to blame for insurrection. Jeff Bartos: For voter ID, end "no excuse" absentee ballots. Jeff Bartos: Signed U.S. Term Limits pledge. Jeff Bartos: Voting rights bill attempt by radical left to seize power. Jeff Bartos: Investigate 2020 election, particularly mail-in ballots. Jeff Bartos: Senseless regulations drive businesses to other countries. Jim Risch: Opposed independent commission to investigate Jan. 6th. John Fetterman: Mocked Texas AG on voter fraud accusations. Kathy Barnette: 2020: Something horribly wrong took place in this election. Katie McGinty: Stand against partisan attempts to disenfranchise voters. Katie McGinty: Constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. Lou Barletta: No disclosure of political donors. Malcolm Kenyatta: Opposed law making voting process less accessible. Mehmet Oz: Government that can give you everything can take it all away. Pat Toomey: Curb pork-barrel earmarks by law. Pat Toomey: Voter ID law protects integrity of the system. Pat Toomey: I think Trump committed impeachable offenses. Pat Toomey: Not clear if impeachment is valid after leaving office. Sean Parnell: Filed lawsuit against no-excuse mail-in ballot system. Sharif Street: For same-day voter registration, early voting, vote by mail. Val Arkoosh: Overturn Citizens United, won't take corporate PAC money. David McCormick: Cut red tape and get out of the way of private innovation. Pat Toomey: Bipartisan independent commission to investigate Jan. 6th. David McCormick: January 6 was a dark chapter in American history. Jim Risch: Bipartisan independent commission to investigate Jan. 6th. |
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Gun Control Bob Casey: Expanded background checks; ban on bump stocks. David McCormick: Stand against extreme left who want to abolish our rights. Everett Stern: Keep guns away from criminals, in law-abiding citizen hands. Jeff Bartos: Proud gun owner since dad gave him Glock on 21st birthday. Jim Christiana: Opposes background checks on gun purchases. John Fetterman: Brandished shotgun after hearing shots fired on street. Kathy Barnette: I live the 2d Amendment, registered conceal carry holder. Katie McGinty: Scored 100% on CeaseFire Pennsylvania survey. Lou Barletta: No background checks; but limit bump stocks. Mehmet Oz: Supported "red flag laws" on his television show. Mehmet Oz: Proud gun owner, firm believer in Second Amendment. Pat Toomey: Expand background checks and apply terrorist watch lists. Rick Saccone: Don't ban guns for no-fly list; too many false positives. Val Arkoosh: Ban high-capacity magazines, assault weapons. Bob Casey: Condemn political violence but condemn gun violence too. Bob Casey: Ban weapons of war like AR-15 rifles. David McCormick: Opposes red flag laws; supports background checks. |
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Health Care Carla Sands: Vaccine mandates put us on slippery slope to tyranny. David McCormick: Government should never impose vaccine mandates. Jeff Bartos: Vaccinated but opposed to federal mandates. Jeff Bartos: Vaccine mandate is a backbreaker for small businesses. John Fetterman: Supports single-payer health care. Kathy Barnette: Don't force people through coercive mandates. Kathy Barnette: Remove stigmas associated with mental illness. Malcolm Kenyatta: Healthcare is not a privilege but a right. Mehmet Oz: Elites fighting COVID pandemic took away our freedom. Mehmet Oz: Expand access to private sector plans for prescription drugs. Mehmet Oz: Criticized for promoting dubious cures on his TV show. Rick Saccone: Free-market principles instead of ObamaCare. Sharif Street: Create a public option to compete with private insurers. Shiva Ayyadurai: Coronavirus: diet & vitamins better defense than masks. Val Arkoosh: Led national physician's coalition for reform. Val Arkoosh: Focus on disparities in health outcomes for Black moms. Bob Casey: Cap insulin at $35; negotiate drug costs for Medicare . David McCormick: Oppose ObamaCare; support veterans' health care. |
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Homeland Security David McCormick: Advocate for resources for military and veterans. Everett Stern: Found money-laundering at HSBC bank to fund terrorist groups. Everett Stern: Corruption of government is a National Security threat. Katie McGinty: Guarantee world's best-equipped & best-trained military. Val Arkoosh: Robust funding for military installations & veteran benefits. John Fetterman: Hold up our end of the bargain for veterans. |
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Immigration Bob Casey: Stricter employment rules and enforce the borders. Bob Casey: Support sanctuary cities like Philadelphia. Bob Casey: Comprehensive reform, including DREAMers staying. Carla Sands: Build the wall; don't admit unaccompanied alien children. Craig Snyder: Refugees among most loyal and contributing Americans. David McCormick: Stop illegal immigration; finish building the Wall. Everett Stern: Create work visa program that respects the rule of law. Jeff Bartos: Secure the border, cut funding for sanctuary cities. Jim Christiana: Hold sanctuary cities liable for damages by the undocumented. Jim Christiana: Replace lottery visa program with a merit-based process. John Fetterman: Wife's family came to Americas as illegal immigrants. John Fetterman: If illegals lead an exemplary life, create a path. Kathy Barnette: A merit-based immigration policy that puts Americans first. Katie McGinty: Communicate with federal officials instead of sanctuary city. Katie McGinty: Support DREAM Act plus earned path to citizenship. Lou Barletta: Avoiding immigrant family separation is amnesty. Lou Barletta: Zero-tolerance policy; stop DACA in its tracks. Mehmet Oz: We need to have a secure border with a barrier to protect us. Mehmet Oz: We're subsidizing cartels involved in human trafficking. Pat Toomey: Withhold community funding from sanctuary cities like Philly. Rick Saccone: Intense vetting of immigrants from terror-training countries. Sean Parnell: 30,000 refugees from Afghanistan is irresponsible. Val Arkoosh: Fair pathway to citizenship for those willing to work for it. John Fetterman: Investments toward keeping our borders strong. |
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Jobs Bob Casey: Raise federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $12 by 2020. Joe Sestak: Increase minimum wage to $10.80 now & $15 later. John Fetterman: Support raising the minimum wage to at least $15 an hour. John Fetterman: Backs $15-an-hour minimum wage. John Fetterman: Joined newspaper employees on the picket line. Katie McGinty: Endorsed by United Steelworkers. Katie McGinty: Backs $15-an-hour minimum wage. Malcolm Kenyatta: Champion of equal-pay; $15 Now movement. Malcolm Kenyatta: We need to value service industry employees. Sharif Street: Strengthen workers ability to collectively bargain. Sharif Street: Increase minimum wage to $12, increase to $15/hour by 2025. Val Arkoosh: As county chair, raised local minimum wage to $15 an hour. David McCormick: Don't change nor raise the minimum wage. |
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Principles & Values Arlen Specter: Switched from GOP to Democrat, then lost Democratic primary. Bob Casey: Dubbed "Sleeping Bob" for anti-Trump obstructionism. Carla Sands: Announcement video highlighted abiding Christian faith. Carla Sands: Third generation to practice chiropractic in Pennsylvania. Carla Sands: Had brief career as movie/TV actress 1987-1991. David McCormick: America is exceptional; will stand up against wokeness. Everett Stern: Founded Tactical Rabbit, private intelligence agency. Everett Stern: I am a passionate believer in the First Amendment. Everett Stern: Protecting US is life's passion, central purpose of career. Everett Stern: Voted for Trump in 2020, but thinks his behavior "atrocious". Jeff Bartos: COVID: Provided forgivable loans to small businesses. Jeff Bartos: People just need government to get out of the way. Jeff Bartos: Matters to me that I'm Jewish, not to average voter. Jeff Bartos: Marxists are trying to divide us by race. Jeff Bartos: The only candidate with meaningful ties to the state. John Fetterman: Mentored young boy whose parents had died of AIDS. John Fetterman: Doesn't live in Lt. Gov.'s mansion; but opened pool to kids. Malcolm Kenyatta: Liberty and justice not currently attainable for all. Mehmet Oz: Immigrant father loved US; saw deep darkness of alternatives. Mehmet Oz: We need to expand the role of religious institutions. Pat Toomey: Choice between radical left wing and Trump, not referendum. Val Arkoosh: Determined to level the playing field for working families. Val Arkoosh: I am ready to call Republicans on their BS and get to work. Mehmet Oz: We cannot move on from 2020 election, but Biden is President. David McCormick: Candidates with Muslim background are a political liability. David McCormick: For the most part I don't hear extreme rhetoric. David McCormick: We need real debate but must dial back violent rhetoric. |
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Social Security Joe Sestak: Never raise, never, the age for our seniors to retire. Joe Sestak: Never supported policy to cut Social Security or Medicare. Joe Sestak: Social Security is the cornerstone of retirement security. Katie McGinty: Cuts to Social Security are wrong for working families. Lou Barletta: Explore privatization of Social Security. David McCormick: Entitlements are not sustainable in their present form. John Fetterman: American bargain is the ability to retire with dignity. |
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Tax Reform Bob Casey: Repeal tax cut on top 1% of earners. Everett Stern: Large companies should pay taxes like smaller businesses. Jeff Bartos: Cut spending and waste, give working families tax breaks. Malcolm Kenyatta: Require online retailers to collect & remit local sales tax. Mehmet Oz: I believe in capitalism which means lower taxes, regulations. Val Arkoosh: Corporations, wealthy must pay their share. David McCormick: Make 2017 Trump Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent. |
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Technology Bob Casey: Support Net Neutrality; require equal access to all users. Jeff Bartos: Rein in Big Tech--but owns stock in Google and Apple. Joe Sestak: Faster path through patent-approval process. Kathy Barnette: Break up monopolies colluding to censor unwanted speech. Lou Barletta: End Net Neutrality; don't require equal access to all users. Sharif Street: Continue to invest in electric vehicle infrastructure. David McCormick: Win the race for data leadership, get Big Tech under control. John Fetterman: Invest in rural broadband & infrastructure . |
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War & Peace Bob Casey: Supports Obama's Iran nuclear treaty. Everett Stern: Don't get into wars not in interest of US and allies. Katie McGinty: No ground troops against ISIS. Lou Barletta: Withdraw from Obama's Iran nuclear treaty. Mehmet Oz: For leaving Afghanistan but Biden surrendered to Taliban. Rick Saccone: Establish foothold diplomatic presence in North Korea. John Fetterman: Forever wars line the pockets of defense contractors. |
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Welfare & Poverty John Fetterman: Fight GOP cutting SNAP benefits for families & kids. |
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Senatorial winners and losers in each state: AK - AL - AR - AZ - CA - CO - CT - DE - FL - GA - HI - IA - ID - IL - IN - KS - KY - LA - MA - MD - ME - MI - MN - MO - MS - MT - NC - ND - NE - NH - NJ - NM - NV - NY - OH - OK - OR - PA - RI - SC - SD - TN - TX - UT - VA - VT - WA - WI - WV - WY - U.S. House of Representatives winners and losers in each state: AK - AL - AR - AZ - CA - CO - CT - DE - FL - GA - HI - IA - ID - IL - IN - KS - KY - LA - MA - MD - ME - MI - MN - MO - MS - MT - NC - ND - NE - NH - NJ - NM - NV - NY - OH - OK - OR - PA - RI - SC - SD - TN - TX - UT - VA - VT - WA - WI - WV - WY - Gubernatorial winners and losers in each state: AK - AL - AR - AZ - CA - CO - CT - DE - FL - GA - HI - IA - ID - IL - IN - KS - KY - LA - MA - MD - ME - MI - MN - MO - MS - MT - NC - ND - NE - NH - NJ - NM - NV - NY - OH - OK - OR - PA - RI - SC - SD - TN - TX - UT - VA - VT - WA - WI - WV - WY - |
All material copyright 1999-2022 by Jesse Gordon and OnTheIssues.org Reprinting by permission only. |
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