GUEST COLUMN: Analysis of 2014 state elections from pharmacy perspective
Recently, NACDS provided a summary of the 2014 midterm elections, with an emphasis on the federal level. As promised, this memo includes an overview of the state elections, which will shape the operating environment on pivotal state issues.
2014 State Legislature Elections: Increase in Republican Control and Divided Control of State Governments
Many individuals characterized the results of the 2014 midterm elections as a Republican wave — and if that term is appropriate for the federal elections it also pertains to results at the state level. It also is worth noting that the last two midterm elections have reflected the historical trend that the party not in control of the White House made gains in the state legislatures and in the U.S. Congress.
This year’s midterm elections have resulted in significant Republican gains in state legislatures, with three state legislatures moving to Republican control. Due to this shift, Republicans now control 30 state legislatures, Democrats control 11, eight legislatures are divided, and Nebraska is unicameral.
The elections also produced an increase in the number of states in which one party does not have control of the entire state government.
2014 Governors’ Races: Republicans Boost Margin
Republicans will hold at least 31 of the country’s 50 governorships next year, including gubernatorial offices previously held by Democrats in Arkansas, Illinois, Maryland and Massachusetts. In Alaska, Independent challenger Bill Walker defeated incumbent Republican Governor Sean Parnell. The governors’ race in Vermont remains undecided. In Vermont, the election will go to the state legislature for it to decide in January because no candidate was backed by a majority of the voters.
State Leadership: Organizing in the Aftermath
With 11 new governors to date, control of three state legislatures shifting to the Republicans, and a total of 19 state governments under divided control, efforts in the states turn toward the build-up of gubernatorial transition teams and action to determine chamber leadership positions and committee chairs.
Although some states are making progress in the interim, many states with changes in party control will have a slower start in the New Year as they inaugurate new governors, and as legislators work to organize new chamber and committee leadership. Also of interest are key vacancies in state agencies, such as recent departures of state Medicaid Directors in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin.
Pharmacists Serving in Legislatures
In the recent federal election analysis, NACDS noted that a former Georgia State Senator, pharmacist and pharmacy owner, Earl Leroy “Buddy” Carter (R), won his bid for the U.S. Congress. In other good news, beginning in 2015, 47 pharmacists will serve in 25 state legislatures across the country — including 37 Republicans and 10 Democrats. Georgia and Mississippi have the most pharmacists serving in the state legislatures, with four each. Newly elected pharmacists include Justin Boyd (R) of Arkansas, Jeff Stone (R) of California and Paul Chace (R) of Maine. Incumbent pharmacists, Maryland Delegate Donald B. Elliott (R) and North Carolina Representative Tom Murry (R), lost their bids for re-election. Also unsuccessful were newcomers Brian Caswell (D) of Kansas, Mike Seiber (D) of Kentucky and Tim McMenamin (R) of Oregon. Texas State Senator Leticia Van de Putte (D), a pharmacist, lost her bid for Lieutenant Governor, but will continue to serve in the State Senate.
Individual State Results
Alabama
From Governor Robert Bentley’s (R) decisive victory to other races on the ballot, Republicans defeated challengers with relative ease, and maintained control of every statewide office. Constitutional amendments supported by the Republican-controlled Legislature were approved or appear on their way to ratification. Notably, Governor Bentley stated last week that the state's General Fund budget will be the biggest problem before lawmakers next year. The state will have a deficit of at least $200 million in the budget when a fiscal lifeline expires. Voters in 2012 approved of taking money from a state trust fund to support the budget, but that bail out expires this year.
Alaska
Governor-elect Bill Walker (I) ran as the Independent challenger and won. With the election of Governor Walker, it is expected that there will be a substantial shift in staff. Specifically, Health and Social Services Commissioner Bill Steuer, who oversees Medicaid, will be leaving. NACDS members operating in Alaska have faced various problems with the current Medicaid program. NACDS’ major issue focus for 2015 will be enhancing the ability of our members to immunize patients.
Arizona
The Governor’s office, the House and the Senate remain under Republican control. NACDS’ major focus during the 2015 legislative session will be immunization policy.
Arkansas
Republicans swept the Governor’s office and all statewide Constitutional offices. The Republican Party now claims supermajorities in both the House and the Senate.
California
Although the Democrats lost their supermajorities in both houses, California remains a Democratic majority state. The Democrats retained large majorities in the House and the Senate, as well as control all of the statewide Constitutional offices. Incumbent Governor Jerry Brown, Jr. (D) was easily re-elected to his fourth term.
Colorado
Governor John Hickenooper (D) was re-elected by a slim margin. Elections were also close in both houses; several races came down to several hundred votes, or less. In the Senate, the Republicans took control for the first time in a decade, now with an 18-17 majority lead. Democrats, although still in control, lost ground in the House, losing three seats resulting in a 34-31 majority. Colorado state law requires an automatic recount of all votes for any state races with a .5% margin or less. As such, several of these key races will trigger automatic recounts.
Connecticut
Governor Dannel P. Malloy (D) defeated Republican challenger Tom Foley by a larger margin than he did four years ago. The Senate Democrats lost one seat, but still remain the majority. New leadership is needed in the Senate, as President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D) has retired. The new President Pro Tempore will be Martin M. Looney (D) and the Majority Leader will be Bob Duff (D). The House Republicans picked up 10 seats bringing them to 64 seats, their highest membership in the House since 1994. Only 12 moderate Democrats are now needed to join with Republicans to create a majority and defeat liberal measures on the House floor. The additional 10 Republicans also play a huge part in the committee process. Although Democrats will still be in power (87 members), the increased Republican numbers will have an impact, especially when legislators are absent from committee votes. New leadership is also needed in the Republican Caucus. Representative Themis Klarides (R) will be the new minority leader, as Representative Lawrence F. Cafero, Jr. (R) has retired.
Delaware
While the Democrats retain a majority in the Senate, they lost their supermajority. In the House, the Democrats retain control; however, the Republicans were able to pick up two seats.
Florida
Incumben