20 state and local elections to watch this year
With Democratic control of the US House and Senate on the line in this fall's midterm elections, the races for those chambers have drawn plenty of attention. Republicans appear to be in good position to make gains in November, buoyed, in part, by historic midterm headwinds facing the party in power, economic concerns and President Joe Biden's low approval ratings.
But races at the state and local level will also have consequences that extend far beyond this year. New state laws targeting abortion, guns and voting rights, among other issues, have put a spotlight on the state and local officials responsible for signing or enforcing those measures.
Democratic candidates for governor, secretary of state and attorney general are presenting themselves as bulwarks against full GOP control of their states.
