Latest news with #7thCongressionalDistrict
CBS News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- CBS News
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis to announce whether he'll seek another term
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Illinois) will hold a news conference this week at which he will share his decision on whether to seek another term in office. Davis is now serving his 15th term in the U.S. House of Representatives. His office said on Thursday, he will hold a news conference on Chicago's West Side at which he will announce whether he will seek a 16th term in the 2026 election cycle. An Arkansas native, the 83-year-old Davis arrived in Chicago in 1961. He worked as a teacher, and later became the executive director of the Greater Lawndale Conservation Commission. After serving in positions at several other social service organizations, Davis was elected alderman of Chicago's 29th Ward on the West Side in August 1979. In 1984 and 1986, Davis ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary in the 7th Congressional District, losing to incumbent Rep. Cardiss Collins. He also ran for mayor in the 1989 special election to finish the term of the late Mayor Harold Washington, but later withdrew. Davis left the City Council in 1990 and was elected to the Cook County Board of Commissioners. He also ran again for mayor in 1991, losing to Mayor Richard M. Daley in the Democratic Primary. Davis ran again for the 7th Congressional District seat in the 1996 race, and won. Throughout his time in Congress, Davis fought for voting rights, affordable healthcare and housing, and criminal justice reform — while continuing to be a powerful advocate for social justice and civil rights. After Daley retired in 2011, Davis ran for mayor a third time — only to withdraw and throw his support to former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun. Rahm Emanuel won that mayoral race. Davis has since been elected to several more terms in Congress. He won his most recent race for another term in 2024 handily, In the Democratic primary that year, he faced and fended off two challengers who were considered to be formidable — activist Kina Collins, who came within six percentage points of unseating him in the last primary race in 2022, and City of Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin. "It's a reaffirmation that when people have courage, when people have relationships, when people are willing to work — and work across racial, ethnic, and party lines – that people work for the good of the hood," Davis said upon winning the 2024 Democratic primary in March of that year.
Washington Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Tennessee sets US House special election as candidates of both major parties line up
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A December special election in Tennessee will take place to fill an opening left by Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Green's retirement , putting the focus on a district that has reliably favored the GOP in recent elections but includes a chunk of Democratic-voting Nashville. State officials on Thursday announced that the primary election will take place on Oct. 7 and the general election on Dec. 2 in the 7th Congressional District contest. Green, who was the Homeland Security Committee chairman, resigned July 20.
16-07-2025
- Politics
Southern Arizona voters cast ballots to select nominees to succeed late US Rep. Raúl Grijalva
PHOENIX -- Voters in Southern Arizona cast ballots Tuesday to select nominees to succeed the late U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who was one of the most senior and progressive power brokers on Capitol Hill. His death in March left the seat wide open for the first time in over two decades. Grijalva was a champion of environmental protections and reliably went to bat for immigrants and Native American tribes. He routinely breezed past GOP challengers in the deep-blue district, which stretches across most of the state's border with Mexico and includes parts of Tucson and nearby counties. A handful of Democratic hopefuls — including Grijalva's daughter — are seeking the nomination in the primary for the 7th Congressional District seat. Adelita Grijalva, a progressive, is regarded as the frontrunner. Also in the running are former state lawmaker Daniel Hernandez; digital strategist and reproductive rights advocate Deja Foxx; Indigenous activist and scholar Jose Malvido Jr.; and retired health care executive Patrick Harris Sr. Painting company owner Daniel Butierez, off-road vehicle businessman Jimmy Rodriguez and restaurant owner Jorge Rivas are vying for the GOP bid. Butierez captured more than one-third of the vote in the 2024 election against Raúl Grijalva. Polls closed in Tuesday's primary at 7 p.m. The winners will face off for the seat in the special general election on Sept. 23. The seat will not decide control of the U.S. House, but it is one of three vacancies in heavily Democratic districts that, when filled in special elections this fall, will likely chip away at Republicans' slender 220-212 majority in the chamber. Democrats enjoy a nearly 2-1 ratio registration advantage over Republicans in the 7th District. Lee Ziesche, a 36-year-old climate justice organizer, said climate and affordability are among the top issues for her in this election. She said she is voting for Adelita Grijalva. 'I do think that Adelita has organized and been a part of this community for a very long time and would carry on her father's progressive legacy,' Ziesche said. Rosalyn Carrillo is supporting Foxx, the youngest candidate at 25 years old who has said she's an alternative to a "legacy" last name and will be an obstructionist to President Donald Trump. 'We need something different. We need to change it up,' said Carrillo, a 19 year-old college student in Tucson. Jim Chilton, an 86-year-old rancher who owns a ranch on the Arizona-Mexico border, said he is supporting Butierez because he feels he'd make decisions in line with securing the border if elected.
Washington Post
11-06-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Forget ‘Trump accounts.' Here's how to secure our children's future.
Darrick Hamilton is chief economist at the AFL-CIO and director of the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy at the New School. Ayanna Pressley, a Democrat, represents Massachusetts's 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. In the United States, the wealthiest nation in the world, a child born into poverty is unlikely to ever climb out of it. Wealth inequality in this country has reached historic highs, with the top 10 percent of households holding 67 percent of the nation's total wealth, while the bottom 50 percent holds just 2.5 percent. This means that millions of children grow up lacking basic economic security.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sen. Mark Green's retirement leaves open field for Republicans, a 'longshot' for Democrats
Tennessee is expected to see a special election later this year to replace U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, and political experts say it could bring an open field of Republican candidates. Regardless of who runs for Green's seat, experts say it would likely be a 'longshot' for any Democratic candidates as the district has a strong Republican hold. Green on June 9 announced his resignation from the 7th Congressional District, just months after his reelection, to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. His district represents a swath of rural counties in middle and west Tennessee, as well as Montgomery County and parts of Davidson and Williamson counties. 'It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from Congress," he said in a statement. "Recently, I was offered an opportunity in the private sector that was too exciting to pass up. As a result, today I notified the Speaker and the House of Representatives that I will resign from Congress as soon as the House votes once again on the reconciliation package." His office didn't respond to an interview request; it's unclear what the private sector opportunity is. Republicans hope to pass what President Donald Trump calls his 'big, beautiful bill' by July 4. If Green vacates his seat after voting on the bill, the state could see a special election this fall. Under Tennessee law, Gov. Bill Lee must order a special election within 10 days of Green's resignation and set a primary election date within 55 to 60 days. The state would then set a subsequent general election within 100 to 107 days. Green was reelected in November. His term expires in January 2027. Green, a 60-year-old doctor and military veteran who lives in Clarksville, was first elected to his seat in 2018. He announced in February 2024 that he would not seek a fourth term, characterizing the country and Congress as nearly irreversibly broken. He changed his mind after a flurry of calls from fellow Republicans and a personal appeal from Trump. John Geer, a longtime political science professor at Vanderbilt University, speculated that Republicans, without any other strong candidates, asked Green to reconsider as he was set to fight off a challenge from former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry. 'They might have been worried a little bit that Megan Barry might win,' he said. Geer said it's unclear who would run for his seat now, but any new candidate will be quickly bolstered by Lee and U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee. A typical low turnout for special elections could help a Democratic candidate, but Geer said it will depend on the political climate later this year, and the climate is changing fast. 'It's a longshot, but if the public is really angry and there is a Democrat that is viewed as a moderate, there could be a chance,' he said. Kent Syler, a political science and public policy professor at Middle Tennessee State University, said Barry ran a spirited and well-funded campaign against Green but still had relatively low turnout at 38%. Syler said Tennessee's 7th Congressional District contains an interesting mix of urban, suburban and rural voters, which poses a challenge for Democrats since they typically do better in urban areas. 'That dynamic will make it very difficult for a Democrat to take this seat,' he said. 'That being said, this race is going to be far more about Donald Trump than it is about the two candidates.' Green serves as chair of the Homeland Security Committee, and it's unclear how his departure will impact a Congressional investigation into Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell for allegedly obstructing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity. The investigation is set to be led by the House Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees. A former U.S. Army major, Green was first elected to office in the Tennessee General Assembly, where Trump tapped him in 2017 to serve as Secretary of the Army. The move, however, sparked a backlash over comments he made about LGBTQ+ groups and Muslim religious practices. Green has said comments were misconstrued, but he withdrew his candidacy. During his time in Congress, Green was an advocate for legislation affecting U.S. soldiers and veterans. His first bill after being sworn into Congress was the Protecting Gold Star Spouses Act to allow Coast Guard Gold Star Spouses to continue receiving stipends via the Survivor Benefits Plan. He advocated against the mandated COVID-19 vaccine for military members and fought for those who did not comply to be honorably discharged. Tennessee and Montgomery County Republicans have praised his service as news of his retirement spread. Tennessee GOP Chairman Scott Golden said Green was both a friend to him and the Republican Party. "Congressman Mark Green is a true American patriot,' Golden said. 'He has served in the Army, served as a doctor, served Tennessee in the State Senate, and served our Country in Congress.' Aron Maberry, freshman representative in the Tennessee General Assembly, commended Green's work. "Mark has really fought hard for District 7 and has done a lot of great things in Washington, D.C., and stood with our president," Maberry said. "I'm thankful for his services to our nation, in Tennessee and Montgomery County." This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Sen. Mark Green's retirement leaves open field for Republicans and a 'longshot' for Democrats
