None of the three congressional seats that were up for special elections changed party hands. The Democrats picked up the governorship in Louisiana, while the Republicans picked up the one in Kentucky and held onto the governorship in Mississippi. The Republicans also picked up other various statewide offices. This led
NPR to call the 2015 elections "a stinging rebuke to President Obama ... cap[ping] off yet another disappointing election cycle for Democrats", who have performed poorly against the Republicans in midterm and off-year elections during Obama's tenure.[1] According to The Washington Post, the election results were characterized by deepening
political polarization, as the Democrats held their own or even gained ground in Democratic-leaning cities and states, while Republican gains were concentrated in Republican-leaning states.[2]
Federal elections
The following special elections were held to replace Senators or House Representatives who either died or resigned while in office:
Three states held gubernatorial elections in 2015.
Kentucky: Democrat
Steve Beshear is term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term in office.[18] Republican
Matt Bevin won the election.
Seven legislative elections were held for four states in 2015: Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia.[21] In New Jersey, only the lower house of the legislature held elections. Republicans maintained control of both chambers of the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Virginia legislatures, while Democrats maintained control of the New Jersey General assembly.
Local elections
Various elections were held for officeholders in numerous cities, counties, school boards, special districts and others around the country.
Mayoral elections
Some of the large cities holding mayoral elections include:[22]
Hartford, CT: Incumbent
Pedro Segarra was defeated in the Democratic primary election by
Luke Bronin.[38] Bronin then defeated independent Joel Cruz, Jr. in the general election.[39]
Houston, TX: Democrat
Annise Parker is term-limited and could not run for re-election to a fourth term in office.[40] A run off was held on December 12, 2015. Democrat
Sylvester Turner won the election.
Indianapolis, IN: Republican
Greg Ballard is retiring rather than running for re-election to a third term in office.[41] Democrat
Joe Hogsett was elected to replace Ballard.
Nashville, TN: Democrat
Karl Dean is term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term in office.[54] Democrat
Megan Barry was elected to replace Dean.
Wichita, KS: Democrat
Carl Brewer is term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term in office.[72] Republican
Jeff Longwell was elected to replace Brewer.
Houston, Texas Proposition 1: A referendum on an anti-discrimination ordinance known as the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance. Houston voters rejected this measure.
None of the three congressional seats that were up for special elections changed party hands. The Democrats picked up the governorship in Louisiana, while the Republicans picked up the one in Kentucky and held onto the governorship in Mississippi. The Republicans also picked up other various statewide offices. This led
NPR to call the 2015 elections "a stinging rebuke to President Obama ... cap[ping] off yet another disappointing election cycle for Democrats", who have performed poorly against the Republicans in midterm and off-year elections during Obama's tenure.[1] According to The Washington Post, the election results were characterized by deepening
political polarization, as the Democrats held their own or even gained ground in Democratic-leaning cities and states, while Republican gains were concentrated in Republican-leaning states.[2]
Federal elections
The following special elections were held to replace Senators or House Representatives who either died or resigned while in office:
Three states held gubernatorial elections in 2015.
Kentucky: Democrat
Steve Beshear is term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term in office.[18] Republican
Matt Bevin won the election.
Seven legislative elections were held for four states in 2015: Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia.[21] In New Jersey, only the lower house of the legislature held elections. Republicans maintained control of both chambers of the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Virginia legislatures, while Democrats maintained control of the New Jersey General assembly.
Local elections
Various elections were held for officeholders in numerous cities, counties, school boards, special districts and others around the country.
Mayoral elections
Some of the large cities holding mayoral elections include:[22]
Hartford, CT: Incumbent
Pedro Segarra was defeated in the Democratic primary election by
Luke Bronin.[38] Bronin then defeated independent Joel Cruz, Jr. in the general election.[39]
Houston, TX: Democrat
Annise Parker is term-limited and could not run for re-election to a fourth term in office.[40] A run off was held on December 12, 2015. Democrat
Sylvester Turner won the election.
Indianapolis, IN: Republican
Greg Ballard is retiring rather than running for re-election to a third term in office.[41] Democrat
Joe Hogsett was elected to replace Ballard.
Nashville, TN: Democrat
Karl Dean is term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term in office.[54] Democrat
Megan Barry was elected to replace Dean.
Wichita, KS: Democrat
Carl Brewer is term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term in office.[72] Republican
Jeff Longwell was elected to replace Brewer.
Houston, Texas Proposition 1: A referendum on an anti-discrimination ordinance known as the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance. Houston voters rejected this measure.