SUMMARY: Three candidates—two Democrats and one Republican—are contesting the Texas House speaker position, currently held by Rep. Dade Phelan. Following recent elections, Republicans have a majority with 88 seats, needing 76 votes to elect a speaker. Key issues include school choice and the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton. Rep. David Cook aims to reform the House and has criticized Phelan’s reliance on Democratic support. Phelan asserts he has sufficient backing to secure reelection. Additionally, Democrats Ana-Maria Ramos and John Bryant have announced their candidacies, focusing on issues like public education, abortion rights, and gun safety reforms.

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SUMMARY: After Republicans dominated statewide races, especially in South Texas, Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa announced plans to resign after 12 years. In the Nov. 5 elections, Hispanic voters in border counties largely supported Republican candidates, including President-elect Trump and Senator Ted Cruz. Hinojosa attributed Trump’s success with Hispanics to frustrations over border security and criticized the Democratic transgender agenda. Some Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, blamed the party’s cultural policies for the shift to the right. Hinojosa apologized for his remarks and called for party unity, but announced his resignation due to the party’s electoral losses.

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SUMMARY: Voter turnout in Louisiana for the 2024 presidential election dropped to 65.9%, affecting over 2 million voters, marking a decline from previous elections. The turnout was higher in 2020 at 70.1%, coinciding with a closer race. Although 2016 and 2012 had similar turnout percentages (67.9%), the total votes cast were lower. Congressional turnout also fell across districts, with District 1 dropping from 73.2% in 2020 to 67% in 2024, and District 6 nosediving from 74.6% to 59.6%. Even the 2023 gubernatorial race saw a decrease, with turnout falling from 51% to 36.3%.

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