Local & State Results Tell Us About the National Mood

Los Angeles County: District Attorney George Gascón, a progressive prosecutor who pledged to make major reforms to the criminal justice system, was soundly defeated in his reelection bid.

Prop 36: California voters overwhelmingly passed a ballot measure to increase penalties on drug and theft crimes.

Prop 218: A Colorado ballot measure, which would extend the amount of time inmates need to serve before they’re eligible for parole, was approved by voters.

Amendment 3: Florida voters rejected a ballot measure that would have legalized recreational marijuana use in the state (the amendment failed to garner the 60% threshold of support).

Chicago: Chicago voters elected only 4 out of 10 candidates endorsed by the scandal-plagued Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) to the city’s new hybrid Board of Education.

• Chicago Tribune reporter Alice Yin: “Though the races began as sleepy provincial contests, they quickly became a referendum on [Mayor Brandon Johnson] and his closely allied Chicago Teachers Union. The new mayor, whose 2023 campaign was bankrolled by the CTU, has struggled to retain control of the nation’s fourth-largest public school district and drawn criticism for plans to take out a high-interest, $300 million loan.”

Bubba’s Two Cents

My take is that the pattern in these local and state elections reflects the broader national trend: backlash against decriminalization and policies perceived as soft on crime as well as a rejection of big Dem machine special interests (like teachers unions).