Democrat Alvin Bragg made history when he won the Manhattan District Attorney’s race Tuesday to become the first Black man elected to that office.
He defeated Republican opponent Thomas Kenniff with over 83% of the vote.
He will replace retiring District Attorney Cy Vance in January, and inherit high-profile investigations involving former President Donald Trump.
Former Seattle City Council President Bruce Harrell has won the race for Seattle mayor over current council President Lorena González.
Harrell maintained his lead with 64% of the vote following a second ballot count on Nov. 3.
Harrell will replace Mayor Jenny Durkan, who chose not to seek re-election, and serve a four-year term. The mayor of Seattle is responsible for ensuring the laws of the city are enforced while directing and controlling city government.
Senate Democrats failed to advance a revised version of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act on Wednesday after Republicans blocked the vote from advancing to debate.
The legislation would replace part of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that the U.S. Supreme Court struck down in 2013 and would aim to restore Justice Department review of changes in election law in states with a history of discrimination.
The bill did not receive the 60 votes needed to overcome a legislative hurdle called a filibuster, preventing the start of debate on the legislation.
In a vote of 50 to 49, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska was the only Republican who supported proceeding to debate. Speaking from the Senate floor prior to the vote, she said while she had "reservations" on the legislation, she believed it was the best starting point to begin debating voting rights legislation.
The revised bill that Republicans blocked on Wednesday includes changes such as what factors courts can consider when determining if Section 2 of the VRA has been violated. The bill also drops a requirement for localities with growing minority populations to get preclearance for changes on offering food or drinks to people waiting in line to vote. The change has been included under the earlier version of the bill's new requirement for "practice-based" preclearance.
Elaine O’Neal became the first Black female mayor of Durham Tuesday evening.
O’Neal defeated mayoral candidate Javiera Caballero—who suspended her campaign following the primary election in October—receiving 84.69% of the vote.
She ran for mayor on a platform centered around neighborhood safety and well-being, housing & transit, youth engagement & education and economic relief & recovery.
O’Neal the first Black female Mayor to serve the city of Durham. During her term, she hopes to “get [Durham] to a point where we can reunite as one.”
Democrat Ken Welch will serve as St. Petersburg’s next Mayor.Welch will also be the city’s first Black Mayor.
The former Pinellas County Commissioner defeated City Council member Robert Blackmon with 60% of the vote to Blackmon’s 40%, with all precincts reporting, according to unofficial results from the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections office.
Welch will replace incumbent Mayor Rick Kriseman, who is leaving office because of term limits.
