Political surprises brewing in unlikely states

[Daily Kos: The Brief]( [November elections we are watching closely]( It’s not a midterm or a presidential year, but voters in Kentucky, Mississippi, New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, and other states all face important state or local elections, and everyone should watch closely to see what the results presage for 2024. In blood-red Kentucky, Republicans are [struggling to gain traction]( in the governor’s race, where popular Democratic incumbent Andy Beshear remains the favorite. Indeed, after months of trying to make “the radical transgender agenda” a thing, the Republican candidate is now claiming that “Andy Beshear is a nice enough guy.” Attacking transgender people remains an electoral loser for Republicans, even in one of the most evangelical states in the country. In Ohio, a ballot initiative to guarantee a right to abortion is headed toward a landslide victory, with a Public Policy Polling survey finding support at 55-38. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine must be looking at similar polling: He’s now trying to convince people to vote against the measure by saying he’ll [loosen Ohio’s oppressive abortion restrictions](. Are there any abortion-rights supporters brainless enough to fall for that trap? Hopefully not. After all, DeWine signed the state’s six-week ban, which lacks exceptions for rape and incest. Why would anyone trust him to do better? This election will demonstrate the continued potency of reproductive rights heading into next year. In Virginia, Democrats can retake control of the state House of Delegates by picking up just a handful of seats. You can still make a difference in these races by [supporting these five great Democratic candidates](. And by doing so, you can help quell the insufferable Beltway narratives that somehow it is Democrats who are currently in trouble. You know who is in trouble? Republicans. And not just because they [picked a radical weirdo]( as their new House leader. There are few states more conservative than Mississippi, where its racialized politics means that roughly 90% of white voters vote for Republicans no matter what. Yet [infighting among Magnolia State Republicans]( could offer Democrat Brandon Presley an opening for a surprise victory. And like the GOP civil war happening inside the U.S. House of Representatives, a divided Republican Party could pay big electoral dividends for Democrats next year. Today’s reader poll: How many more times does Donald Trump violate gag orders before he finally goes to jail? [Click here to vote.]( Other top stories: - [Trump earns a second gag order after bullying potential witnesses]( He’ll be collecting these like Pokémon cards in the coming months. - [The age issue is catching up with Donald Trump, and it could hurt him far more than it does Biden]( Trump’s Republican primary opponents are seizing on his “cognitive decline”-style stumbles. And while people already think President Joe Biden is old and have factored it into their decisions, there is a lot of room for Trump to suffer once people realize that he, too, is old—and significantly more addled. - [Sen. Football Guy is outraged that three-fifths of the Senate might end his military blockades]( Republicans used to be the party of national security. Now they celebrate fools like Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is undermining the Pentagon. - [If you can afford to make a monthly donation, please take a minute right now to give $3 to keep Daily Kos online and accessible for everyone.]( - [House Democratic ad seeks to make ‘MAGA Mike’ stick]( Seditionist Rep. Matt Gaetz triumphantly labeled new House Speaker Mike Johnson “MAGA Mike,” and Democrats are happy to amplify that. What better way to label Johnson’s extremism than to use their own words against them? - [Ex-North Dakota lawmaker charged with flying to Prague with intent to rape a minor]( The longtime North Dakota lawmaker is a retired school counselor. - You’ll find the best [daily Ukraine coverage]( at Daily Kos! - [It's getting chilly outside. Stay warm with a Daily Kos hoodie. Click here to get yours now!]( Before you leave, can you do one more thing? 2023 has been a hard financial year for Daily Kos. Donations of just a few dollars from our readers and activists helps us pay the bills. Please support progressive news and activism by making a donation of $5 today. [Chip in $5]( If you wish to donate by mail instead, please send a check to Daily Kos, PO Box 70036, Oakland, CA, 94612. Contributions to Daily Kos are not tax deductible. Sent via [ActionNetwork.org](. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Daily Kos, please [click here](.