"Amateurs" -- The Saulsburys www.senate.gov/artandhistor...

Senators make a beeline for open governorships - Washington Examiner Leading from the statehouse is a more attractive political option than being 1 of 100 in gridlocked Washington.

An important development in government, as federal office is looking less appealing than anytime since the very early days (and shout out to any Jonathan Trumbull fans -- one of the three in 1797 to take the Senate-to-Gov route).

www.washingtonexaminer.com/magazine-was...

Joel Engardio recall election certified — 95.8% of signatures deemed valid The petition to recall Supervisor Joel Engardio was certified. A special District 4 election is slated to take place on September 16.

The petition to recall Joel Engardio was certified this morning with a 95.8% signature validity rate.

A special election is slated for Tuesday, Sept. 16.

by @junyaoyang.bsky.social

missionlocal.org/2025/05/sf-j...

Joel Engardio recall likely to qualify after 99.3% of sampled signatures deemed valid Only 4 signatures in a sample of 549 submitted by the Recall Engardio campaign were deemed invalid, meaning this is likely headed to a vote.

Incredible 99.3% success rate on validation of signatures:

missionlocal.org/2025/05/joel...

YouTube video by FOX31 Denver Mountain View council member accused of shooting teen in the face recalled in special election

The headline really gets the job done here:

Mountain View council member accused of shooting teen in the face recalled in special election

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ycdi...

WV's Underwood lost a third term race in 2000, but left him out, since his first solo term was in 56

Three caveats on the gubernatorial numbers:
Utah's Herbert won in a special and then won two terms. But his listed as not seeking a third term.
NM's King is left out, as the state had a one term limit. Won in 70, 78, 90 and then lost in 94.

Trump might not want to seek a third term even if he could It may not be just the law that stops President Donald Trump from attempting a third-term run. History shows that voters grow weary of presidents, executives, and one-party rule.

The Third term blues -- may not just be tradition that prevented third term runs:
www.washingtonexaminer.com/magazine-was...

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan: How Nigeria's recall process compares to other countries The United States of America, which only allows recalls at the state and local level, had almost 100 officials forced to an early ballot last year.

www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-new...

Effort to recall Contra Costa County DA continues The clock is ticking for backers of an effort to recall Contra Costa County's District Attorney to rally enough support to get the proposal before voters.

www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/e...

The strategies behind Barbara Lee and Loren Taylor's mayoral campaigns Taylor adopted a playbook to take down a much bigger rival, while Lee focused on a few key messages. Who will come up on top?

The strategies behind Barbara Lee and Loren Taylor's mayoral campaigns oaklandside.org/2025/04/17/o...

Of course, the state legislature (thanks to the 2022 law change) may be most responsible

Carey, Maxwell out as voters remove council members in Bowman Mark Berryman

Georgia: Two Bowman councilmembers ousted in April 8th recall vote:

wsgcradio.com/news/f/carey...

thehill.com/opinion/judi...

The Governor’s Choice: Hawai‘i’s Undemocratic Cycle of Influence and Power - Hawaii Business Magazine The governor’s power to fill vacant seats in the state Legislature has been used at least 82 times. Some appointees then launched big political careers.

Really good piece on appointment of state legislators in Hawaii (vs. special elections):

www.hawaiibusiness.com/the-governor...

The rough path to recalling Mayor Karen Bass Experts say that getting the signatures necessary to qualify for the ballot will be extremely difficult.

www.latimes.com/california/n...

The salary for North Slope Mayor (Alaska) is $280K+?
recallelections.blogspot.com/2025/03/alas...

A Retired Actress, a Can of Spray Paint and a Recall Election On April 23, townspeople will determine Heather Donahue's future on the Freedom Select Board.

The Blair Witch Recall!

www.midcoastvillager.com/news/a-retir...

Statewide campaigns in 2026 likely mean forgoing 2028 presidential runs - Washington Examiner A presidential run is almost always a long shot. Would running and winning a statewide race two years before make a positive difference in the odds?

A message to Harris/Kemp/Youngkin/Cooper? Campaigns for new statewide jobs in 2026 could be fatal for a 2028 presidential runs
www.washingtonexaminer.com/premium/3336...

YouTube video by KPIX | CBS NEWS BAY AREA San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus vows to not resign after special election

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OQR...

Nicole Shanahan Puts Money Into Effort to Recall Karen Bass Nicole Shanahan, who pumped millions into Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign last year and joined him on the ticket, is now backing an effort to remove Mayor Bass of Los Angeles.

A Kennedy Ally Puts Money Into a Push to Recall Karen Bass www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/u...

Though they both lost, Alameda DA Price did much better in Oakland itself than Mayor Thao. Does the Downballot Roll-off effect explain this result? A look at the hard numbers tells a specific tale, one that we've seen in other recalls:

scocablog.com/the-downball...

The rise of the executive order is more evident than ever Federal policy is being established via executive order from President Donald Trump, which has left Congress as a legislative body on the sidelines.

federalnewsnetwork.com/congress/202...

The latest Gavin Newsom recall attempt is the most pointless yet Even under rosiest projections, a recall election wouldn’t be scheduled until September, about a year until California Gov. Gavin Newsom leaves office for good.

www.sfchronicle.com/politics/joe...

And here is some further thoughts on the big mystery in the law -- when do the petitions get approved:

recallelections.blogspot.com/2025/02/minn...

Why Minnesota's recall law spells likely doom for ouster efforts against House members • Minnesota Reformer The other hope may be that the GOP plan on using this as a political talking point for 2026 elections, and the recall efforts keep the story alive.

Why Minnesota’s recall law spells likely doom for ouster efforts against House members minnesotareformer.com/2025/02/13/w...

Bartley officials recalled by decisive margin Red Willow County Clerk Penelope Cooper has released preliminary results of the Bartley recall election, indicating that both targeted officials have been removed by a decisive margin. With 115 of the...

Nebraska: Two Bartley officials ousted:

www.mccookgazette.com/story/306196...

Here's how an LA Mayoral recall effort would actually work -- thanks to the City Charter, it would be very different than what we've seen in Oakland and Alameda:

scocablog.com/the-path-to-...

The end of the founders’ presidency - Washington Examiner Donald Trump’s early administration moves are accelerating the concentration of executive power at the expense of Congress.

Congress was THE original power center -- including possibly choosing the executive. What happened? After years of bipartisan neglect, and writing about hopeful pathways to Congress' return to relevancy, guess it's time to throw in that towel.

www.washingtonexaminer.com/premium/3301...

There's nothing like a Coroner recall:

recallelections.blogspot.com/2025/01/wash...