120th Congress (2027-2029)

Tremendous Turnover Of Membership Coming In Future 120th Congress (2027-2029)

Ronald Leave a comment

It is already evident that at least one out of every eight members of Congress will not be returning in 2027, as either they are retiring; have lost renomination; or are running for another office other than the one they now hold.

Eleven US Senators and 59 House members are definitely leaving, with 7 Republicans and 4 Democrats leaving the Senate, and 38 Republicans and 21 Democrats leaving the House of Representatives.

So a total of 45 Republicans and 25 Democrats are leaving Congress.

This does not include those members of Congress who have died or resigned during this two year term.

The aging of Congress is a factor, but also those who desire to move on to another political goal, or are facing the reality of primaries and also the reapportionment of seats by gerrymandering that will eliminate others who had planned to run for reelection.

So the future 120th Congress (2027-2029) will have record turnover, and it is certain, there will be more “new” members of both houses of Congress, than just the present number of 70 members leaving.

Texas Senate Race Likely To Promote Flip Of Senate To Democrats!

Ronald 21 Comments

In a surprise, but not shocking development, President Donald Trump has abandoned Texas Senator John Cornyn, who voted with him almost all of the time, and instead, has thrown his support and endorsement to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a highly divisive and corrupt figure, for the upcoming Senate Republican Primary runoff, taking place on May 26.

Trump has proved yet again that loyalty is a one way street, as no matter how much any Republican backs him, if such individual shows any independence or expresses doubt about some Trump utterance or policy, Trump is very willing to abandon him.

This led to the defeat of Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie, because of his persistence in pursuing the Epstein Scandal, and speaking out in criticism of the Iran War.

This led to the defeat of Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, who went against his own best judgment to support Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, despite his crazy views on vaccines. But Cassidy also voted to convict Trump on impeachment charges after the January 6, 2021 US Capitol Insurrection, so Trump went on the attack for Cassidy’s “disloyalty”.

Now, Cornyn, who was Senate Majority Whip after 2014, and was a contender for Senate Majority Leader in 2024, faces the likelihood that he will lose his seat to a man, Attorney General Ken Paxton, who was impeached but not convicted in the Texas state legislature, for corruption, and also was cheating on his wife, who is presently suing him for divorce. But Trump says Paxton is a “True” MAGA Republican.

The end result is the strong likelihood that Texas State Senator and Democratic Senatorial nominee James Talarico, who has great charisma and personal presence, will have an easier time winning the Senate seat, the first Democratic statewide victory in 30 years. If Talarico wins, the likelihood of Democratic control of the US Senate in the 120th Congress (2027-2029) seems assured.

Talarico will turn 37 this summer, and is perceived by many as a future leader of the Democratic Party nationally, if he can win the Texas Senate seat, and some observers see him as having potential for national office.

Democrats Must Promote New Voting Rights Legislation IF They Take Power In The 120th Congress (2027-2029)

Ronald 33 Comments

IF the Democrats can win control of the House of Representatives, and hopefully, the Senate, for the 120th Congress (2027-2029), it is urgent that new Voting Rights legislation is adopted.

What the Supreme Court has done in Louisiana V. Callais has wiped out the advancements of the past six decades, and is unacceptable long term.

To deny minority groups in America–African Americans and Latinos–a role in American government, is setting America back to the late 19th century, and cannot be sustained long term.

And the need for Supreme Court reform is also urgent, including imposing for future Justices age limits and term limits, and also expansion of the Court from 9 to 13 members.

The whole future of American democracy, already wounded, is at stake in these upcoming Midterm Elections of 2026!

Tumultuous Time On Redistricting In The House Of Representatives, With Revival Of “Jim Crow” White Supremacy In South!

Ronald 24 Comments

The shocking series of events, begun by the Supreme Court decision in Louisiana V. Callais on April 29, has provoked other Southern States to promote similar racial gerrymandering and redistricting, favoring the Republican Party.

Then, the Virginia State Supreme Court has negated the popular referendum for redistricting, favoring the Democratic Party, upending all projections regarding the House of Representatives in the 120th Congress (2027-2029).

This is a tumultuous time that can allow for the possibility that the Republicans will be able to overcome their disadvantages, which normally, in a midterm election, would lead to gains by the Democratic party, out of power in the White House, and with many reasons why they should gain control of the House of Representatives, particularly with only a three seat edge by the Republicans, a very tenuous situation.

The idea that Jim Crow Racism of the post Reconstruction period of the Gilded Age would come back a century and a half later, and the effective repeal of the legendary Voting Rights Act of 1965 under President Lyndon B. Johnson and his Great Society programs, is extremely depressing and demoralizing.

But, there is no guarantee of what the ultimate effect of the Supreme Court decision will be long term.

But clearly, many of the African American members of Congress from the South are likely to lose their seats, and the Republicans, the party that ended slavery, now will have the reputation of being the White Supremacist party that the Democrats were for nearly 90 years until the 1960s.

“Fight Club” Democrats In Senate Resist Leadership Of Minority Leader Chuck Schumer

Ronald 11 Comments

A substantial group of leftward leaning Senate Democrats have resisted the leadership of Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and are in process of pushing for a more leftward trend by Democrats nationally, and have been labeled “Fight Club”.

This group, includes the following Senators:

Chris Van Hollen of Maryland
Tina Smith of Minnesota
Chris Murphy of Connecticut
Bernie Sanders of Vermont
Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts
Ed Markey of Massachusetts
Jeff Merkley of Oregon
Martin Heinrich of New Mexico

and some House Democrats are also promoting a more leftward trend, including:

Ro Khanna of California
Pramila Jayapal of Washington
Yassamin Ansari of Arizona
Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts

Already, this Senate group has “won” with the withdrawal from the Maine Senate race of Governor Janet Mills, leading to the clear nomination of “rabble-rouser” Oyster Farmer, Graham Platner, to oppose Republican Senator Susan Collins in the upcoming Midterm Elections of 2026.

Whether this strategy of challenging the “Establishment” Democrats will work is yet to be seen, but there is a battle going on for how the Democrats should approach the challenge of Donald Trump, with the hope that it would lead to Democratic control of the US Senate in the 120th Congress (2027-2029).

Among those states with competitive Democratic Senate primaries, besides what Maine was until yesterday, are the following which are favored over others:

Michigan–Abdul El-Sayed or Mallory McMorrow over Haley Stevens
Minnesota–Peggy Flanagan over Angie Craig

However, the “Fight Club” is not opposing:

North Carolina–Roy Cooper
Ohio–Sherrod Brown
Alaska–Mary Peltola
Georgia–Jon Ossoff

And already, Julia Stratton in Illinois and James Talarico in Texas are major positives in the “Fight Club” view.

The election returns in November will give the answer as to whether the leftward tilt was the smart way to go!

US Supreme Court Majority Destroys Voting Rights Act Of 1965, LBJ’s Civil Rights Accomplishment!

Ronald 16 Comments

Six decades ago, in 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson courageously promoted the passage of the Voting Rights Act, to right the wrong of racial discrimination which denied African Americans, primarily in the South, the enforcement of the 15th Amendment of 1870, the right to vote, under Jim Crow racism for nearly a century.

Now, the disgraceful modern Supreme Court, with three Trump appointees, two appointees of George W. Bush, and the despicable Clarence Thomas appointed by George H W Bush, have destroyed the concept that African Americans and other racial minorities (Latinos, native Americans, Asian Americans), should have adequate representation, and instead are re-establishing white supremacy all over again.

In the Louisiana redistricting case (Louisiana V. Callais), the Louisiana legislature denied African Americans a second “black” seat out of six, despite the fact that about one third of the state has black population. The Supreme Court decided 6-3 that what Louisiana had done was not discriminatory, even though it is clear that it is, without any realistic doubt.

That, plus the outrageous reapportionment gerrymandering in Florida promoted by outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis, against the state referendum on the subject of gerrymandering passed overwhelmingly in 2010, being perpetrated on the same day as the Supreme Court decision, is disheartening.

It is highly likely that many African American members and other minority districts, primarily, but not only in the South, will have no or greatly reduced representation in the halls of the House of Representatives in the upcoming 120th Congress (2027-2029) and beyond.

Chief Justice John Roberts has revealed his true nature on this subject, having initiated it in 2013 in Shelby County Alabama V. Holder, the first cutting back on the Voting Rights Act, and now with three Trump appointees on the Court, that law is being, effectively, eviscerated.

The historical legacy of John Roberts is damaged for the long run of history, as he will go down as a destroyer of the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

Proposed maps show “blue” areas in the South, where black representation was present in the House of Representatives, would be mostly decimated–completely in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina, and be dramatically cut back in North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

This is an outrage against the concept of democracy and the rule of law, a tragedy of massive proportions.

It is also a slight against the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr, John Lewis, and other civil rights heroes, who spent their lives promoting fair treatment, and suffered much brutality in the process!

Reapportionment Battles Create Massive Struggle For Control Of House Of Representatives In The Future 120th Congress (2027-2029)!

Ronald 13 Comments

The reapportionment battle in Virginia yesterday resulted in a gerrymandering that will, in theory, provide four more likely Democratic held seats in the US House of Representatives for the future 120th Congress (2027-2029).

This is the latest development in the battle for the lower chamber of Congress, begun by President Donald Trump urging Texas to reapportion, and then further pursued in reaction by Democrats to do the same in California, and then other states also participating in gerrymandering in the midpoint of the decade, instead of the usual such action after the census that takes place across the nation in the decennial reapportionment.

Ironically, the action of Texas may partially backfire and help Democrats gain one or two seats, and of course, there is no certainty as to how elections based on this present gerrymandering activity will play itself out in reality.

On paper, it is pretty much a “wash”, at this point however, with the theoretical results being so far:

Texas 5 Republican gains
California 5 Democratic gains
Virginia 4 Democratic gains
Ohio 2 Republican gains
North Carolina 1 Republican gain
Missouri 1 Republican gain
Utah 1 Democratic gain
Florida (special session next week, potential 1-5 Republican gain

Before Florida, theoretically, Democrats may have gained a one seat edge, but if Florida succeeds in its gerrymandering, Republicans could gain a few seats edge.

Also, still in limbo, but possibly taking gerrymandering action before the elections in November, are New York, Georgia, and Louisiana.

Of course, this is not even taking into consideration that public opinion of Republicans is in rapid decline.

Also, there will be massive turnover, with many retirements, and some resignations to avoid expulsion.

The economic situation and anti Iran War views of vast majorities of Americans is making for a very favorable climate for Democrats, who already have won a vast majority of off year and special elections since the results of the Presidential Election of 2024, now nearly a year and a half ago.

Odds Of Democratic Senate Majority Growing

Ronald 23 Comments

The odds of a Democratic Senate majority in the upcoming 120th Congress (2027-2029) are growing, based on recent estimates and judgments of political experts.

A total of four additional Democratic victors, and preservation of three contested Democratic seats, are the challenge the party faces in 2026.

At least six seats are in play that are presently Republican held seats:

Alaska–Mary Peltola
Ohio–Sherrod Brown
Maine–Graham Platner or Janet Mills
North Carolina–Roy Cooper
Texas–James Talarico
Iowa–Josh Turek or Zach Wahls

Nebraska, with an Independent, Dan Osborn, and Montana, with an Independent, Seth Bodnar, are “wild cards” as well.

And Florida, with Alexander Vindman or Angie Nixon is also perceived as a long shot.

Of course, New Hampshire with Chris Pappas; Georgia with Jon Ossoff up for reelection; and Michigan with Abdul El-Sayed, Mallory McMorrow and Haley Stevens, are Democratic states with major challenges to keep the seats.

Four Potential Senate Gains For Democrats In 2026

Ronald Leave a comment

Beyond Alaska and Maine, and long odds Iowa, there are four other Republican Senate seats that are in play in the Midterm Elections of 2026.

Nebraska has Republican Pete Ricketts, former two term Governor, and part owner of the Chicago Cubs baseball team, running for a full term, after succeeding the retired Senator Ben Sasse in 2023. Ricketts has a conservative record, and will NOT have a Democratic opponent, but interestingly, he will have an Independent opponent, Dan Osborn, who polled well against Senator Deb Fischer in 2024, losing by only 6 points, amazing result, with no formal backing by Democrats.

A former labor union leader and US Navy veteran, he is running again with a populist platform, appealing to the middle and working class, and he is seen as intriguing, with a possible chance to win.

North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis is not seeking reelection, and former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper is the favorite to win the seat over Republican Michael Whatley, former North Carolina Republican Chairman, and also Republican National Chairman in 2024-2025.

Cooper was an exceptional governor in a state where the opposition Republicans often controlled the legislature, but he gained a reputation for principled leadership, and had a background as four term State Attorney General before his two terms as Governor. There is real optimism that Cooper can swing this state to the Democratic camp, with Cooper ahead in public opinion polls.

Ohio also is a state that Democrats are optimistic will swing their way in the Senate race, with former Senator Sherrod Brown, who served three terms, but lost his seat in 2024, trying for a comeback against appointed Senator Jon Husted, former Lieutenant Governor, who replaced Vice President JD Vance, when he was elected Vice President to Donald Trump in the Presidential Election of 2024.

Brown was considered one of the most liberal members of the Senate, and earlier had served in the House of Representatives and in the state legislature. Husted has been strongly conservative, and served as Secretary of State of Ohio before becoming Lieutenant Governor. It will be a tough race, but Democrats are hopeful that Brown can return to the Senate in the upcoming election. Polls indicate a very close race between Brown and Husted.

Finally, the crucial state of Texas, strongly Republican in recent decades, but having a three way primary in the Republican Party, of incumbent Senator John Cornyn, State Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Congressman Wesley Hunt.

Cornyn has been in the Senate for four terms, but is facing a serious challenge from the controversial and crooked Paxton, and African American Congressman Hunt. Cornyn has more support from the party and funding, but Paxton in particular could possibly upend the race, although his corruption is a significant issue, as he was impeached, although not convicted by the Texas legislature. Polls show an extremely close race for the nomination, with African American Congressman Hunt seen as a wild card.

The Democrats have an even more exciting race of outspoken African American Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, and State Representative James Talarico. Either candidate would be an exciting addition to the Senate, with Crockett more controversial and outspoken, while Talarico brings a soothing brand of noncontroversial Christianity and idealism to the race. Talarico would be the youngest US Senator if he won the seat. There is something very inspiring to this author and blogger about Talarico, particularly.

There will be plenty of “fireworks” in Texas, with the state primaries coming in March. And were Crockett or Talarico to win the seat in November, almost certainly, the Senate would become a Democratic majority for the 120th Congress (2027-2029).

Texas Democratic Senate Race Gets Interesting!

Ronald 6 Comments

Texas has been heavily “Red” since the early 1990s, and yet, there is a growing feeling that for the first time in all those years, a Democrat might be able to win the Senate seat of Senator John Cornyn, who has two opponents, corrupt state Attorney General Ken Paxton, and African American Congressman Wesley Hunt.

The Democrats had former African American Congressman Colin Allred, the Senate losing candidate to Ted Cruz in 2024, planning to run again, but now, at the last minute, he has decided to run for a House seat instead.

So it now seems that the battle for the Democrats is with two exciting and dynamic candidates, 36 year old state House member James Talarico, and 44 year old African American Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett.

Crockett is a late comer to the race, and apparently, convinced Allred to leave the race, but Crockett should not think that Talarico will be a slouch, as he is very dynamic, charismatic, and preaches religion in a different way, arguing against extremist Christian propaganda, and seeing Christianity as liberal, as he contends, and the record shows, Jesus Christ preached two thousand years ago.

Talarico is an example of an inspiring young man who is representative of the future, and this blogger and author is very impressed with him.

Crockett is highly controversial in her rhetoric, so it will be an interesting race against Talarico, and the winner will have a better shot if Paxton, who seems to be favored in polls right now, ends up defeating John Cornyn for the nomination.

Texas Politics will be the center of attention, and could decide the balance of power in the US Senate for the 120th Congress (2027-2029)!