State Bytes

Anne Farley of First State Strategies and Mary Davis of Ned Davis Associates sat down with us twice – thanks to our IT difficulties! – to talk about the upcoming governor’s race in Delaware. We also discuss what happened in the primary and learn about what their last meals on Earth would be!

Jenifer Brandeberry and Julie McKenna of Brandeberry McKenna Public Affairs joined on October 30 to discuss the ballot measures Coloradoans will decide as well as how the coronavirus pandemic effected the legislative session. We also learn about new shows to add to our binge list!

Jim Merrill of Bernstein Shur sat down virtually with us October 23 to talk about the governor’s race and the themes that are driving the legislative races. Jim also shares what his last meal on Earth would be!

Theresa Kostrzewa and Lisa Martin of Capitol Advantage joined us October 21 to give us a lay of the land on the gubernatorial and attorney races. Theresa and Lisa also talk about the state legislative races and all the attention the state has been receiving on all levels this election. We also add more tv shows onto our binge list!

Dave Picard of the Wyoming Group joined us October 28 to give us an overview of how the legislative primaries played out earlier this year and how the Legislature operates in even years versus odd years versus interim months. Dave also gives a shout out to his favorite restaurant!

Sandy Braden of Braden Heidner Lowe & Associates sat down with us virtually October 28 to talk all things Kansas. We learned how the primaries and retirements will shake up the Legislature and Sandy’s favorite tv channel to binge!

Brian Allen of Capitol Hill Advisors joined us October 27 to break down the upcoming elections in Utah. We learned a bit about the gubernatorial contest and how the pandemic effected the legislative session this year. Brian shares what his last meal on Earth would be!

Rick Russell of State Street Advisors came back on the pod October 27 to talk about the competitive state chamber races in the Key State this cycle. Rick also shares with us what his next, new adventure will be!

Ted Popely sat down with us virtually on October 22 to go over how the state house came to be under a coalition majority control. We also get a lesson in how the state’s unique Permanent Fund Dividend effects politics and everyday life in Alaska. Ted also shares what he’s been binging recently!

Amber Barnes, friend of the pod, from McGuireWoods joined on October 14 to talk about things to watch on election night in the Palmetto State, a notable retirement in the legislature, and what issues are likely to be brought up next session. We also see where her sports loyalties lie!

Justin Smith from Woods Fuller Shultz & Smith came back on the pod October 14 to talk about the upcoming legislative elections. Justin also briefs us on the state’s ballot measures and we learn about his new favorite bingeable tv show!

Mark Vane of Husch Blackwell joined us virtually October 13 to talk about the heavily targeted Texas State House. We also learn about what is coming down the pike next session. Mark then shares what would be his last meal on Earth!

Ali Mock from Government Edge came back on the pod October 13 to give us a lay of the land in this year’s state legislative elections in Ohio. Ali also recaps the shake-up that happened in House leadership earlier this year. Ali also gives us two solid book recommendations!

Dustin Miller from Government Strategies joined us on October 13 to talk all things Kentucky. We learned some history on how the state’s turnout has affected the state House makeup over the last few cycles and how the pandemic affected this year’s session. Dustin also shares his college memories and we learned about his favorite sports teams!

Jeremey Shepherd and Annie Early of Schreiber GR Group came on the pod October 9 to talk about the state’s absentee ballot situation and the types of issues state legislative candidates are running on. We also learn about Annie’s favorite sports team and Jeremey’s favorite Wisconsin-made food!

Erin Niemela and Emily Pappas, of Niemela Pappas & Associates, sat down with us virtually October 9 to discuss the ballot measures Californians will decide this cycle and how the pandemic affected the state’s legislative session. Erin and Emily also give a shout-out to their new favorite bingeable tv show!

Nick Simonetta and Kristen Boilini of Pivotal Policy Consulting joined us October 2 to talk about the exciting state Senate and House races this cycle in Arizona. We also learn about Nick’s favorite sports teams and Kristen gives us a book recommendation to add to our lists!

Former Statesider Glenn Oppel of Strategies 360 came on the pod October 8 to talk about the state’s highly competitive gubernatorial and attorney general races. Glenn also goes over what folks can expect next session. Then, we learn about what his favorite meal on earth is!

Jill Rice of Dinsmore sat down with us virtually on October 8 to discuss the gubernatorial and attorney races in her state. Jill also briefs us on the teachers’ activism that has taken place over the last couple of sessions and how that is affecting this election cycle. She recommends some more bingeable television options!

Justin Allen Wright Lindsey Jennings joined us October 7 to talk all things Arkansas. We learn about how a congressional race is affecting several state races. Justin goes over the issues state candidates are focusing on this cycle. Then, we learn about Justin’s new favorite television show!

Elizabeth Emerson of Goff Public came on the pod September 29 to talk about the state’s heavily targeted battle for the House and Senate. We discuss the issues candidates are running on and learn about her sports allegiances!

Brian Dempsey and Anna Lucey of Dempsey Lucey & Associates joined us October 7 to talk all things Massachusetts. We discuss the two ballot measures voters will decide and how the coronavirus pandemic has affected and will continue to affect the legislative session. Brian and Anna also share the television shows they’ve been binging recently!

We welcomed Jamie Feehan of Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer to the pod October 1 to discuss the state’s gubernatorial and attorney races. We get an education on how Vermont’s districts work and Jamie also breaks down what is likely to transpire during the next legislative session. We end the show learning about a new British crime drama!

Brad Alexander of Impact Public Affairs visited the pod September 30 to talk about the upcoming state House and Senate elections in the Peach State and the impact of specific retirements from the legislature. Brad also laments about his favorite football team!

Jim Hedrick of H2 Government Relations sat down with us virtually on September 29 to talk about the state’s gubernatorial race and what might be in store for the Governor’s future. Jim also gives us some background on how the state’s legislative districts are comprised. We also learn about a new book to add to our lists!

Mike Saxl of MaineStreet Solutions came on the pod September 29 to give us the lay of the land in Maine – a state that has a highly contested U.S. Senate race that could affect down ballot races. He also breaks down what happened when the session abruptly drew to a close due to the pandemic and what will likely be on the docket in 2021. Mike then tells us what his last meal on earth would be! 

Friend of the pod Lenny Lopes, of The Victor Group, sat down with us virtually on September 28. Lenny talks about recent shifts within the Democratic Party in Rhode Island and how that will continue to affect the work of the Legislature.

We welcomed Chris Lyon from Lewis, Longman and Walker to talk all things Florida on September 25. It’s another big election year for the Panhandle State and Chris leads a data-driven conversation about registered voter party breakdown and mail-in ballots. We learned about constitutional amendments that could drive voters to the polls. And, we got the scoop on the Governor’s new law and order proposals. Chris also starts a controversial conversation about burger joints!

Kim Robak of Mueller Robak LLC joined us September 24 to talk about turnout and enthusiasm and how these things could affect federal and state races this cycle. Kim gives us a primer on the state’s unique legislature -- the Unicameral. She also gives some recommendations for those of us that have already watched everything on our streaming lists!

Jason Kreizenbeck of Lobby Idaho joined us September 23 to talk about how the Legislature responded to the pandemic as well as some important retirements from the Legislature. Jason also shares his new favorite show to binge!

We welcomed Brian Grace from The Nexus Group September 23 to talk about one of the few gubernatorial races that is actually competitive this cycle. Brian also gives us an overview of the competitive races in the state house and state senate. He also gives a shout-out to his favorite quarantine television show!

We chatted with Mike Bivens of Bivens & Associates September 23 to give us a lay of the land in the upcoming state house and senate races. Mike shares his thoughts on what’s coming down the pike for next legislative session and what his last meal on earth would be!

Wayne Lair Jr. of Statewide Public Affairs sat down with us virtually on September 22 talk about the outcomes of the Assembly and Senate primaries, the new make-up of leadership in the chambers, and how the coronavirus pandemic has effected New York state and New York City. Wayne also gives us a Netflix suggestion!

Mike Biberstine of Frost Brown Todd LLC came on the pod September 21 to talk about what issues are taking center stage in the gubernatorial race and how the attorney general race was shaken up after Republicans did not re-nominate the current Republican incumbent. Mike also tells us what his last meal on earth would be!

John Thompson, of John Thompson Consulting, joined us September 21 to talk about mail-in ballot procedures, the current budget short-fall, and the leadership vacuum created in the Roundhouse due to a handful of incumbents losing their primary races. He also shares his favorite quarantine recipe!

James McSpadden, Brett Robinson, and Seth Rott of MMR gave us an overview of Oklahoma politics on September 18. We learned about the dynamics of the legislative session during COVID and what issues are coming down the pike next year – including Medicaid expansion. And of course, we talked about the King!

Mike Triplett, owner of Triplett Enterprises, came on the pod September 15 to talk about the hotly contested House races. He thinks it will be an extremely late night on election day in Iowa. Mike also talks about the state’s unique redistricting commission.

Mike Cassidy from McGuire Woods joined us September 14 to talk about how turnout in a presidential year may endanger some state legislators, and how a big ballot measure could affect the election and the state’s budget for years to come. He also tries to choose a favorite Chicago sports team and describes what would be his last meal on earth.

We welcomed seasoned podcast host (check out The Political Life!) Jim O’Brien and his associate James Woulfe of The Connecticut Group onto the pod on September 2. They outline the angst by candidates about the changes that have been made the election schedule this cycle due to COVID and how different the Legislature may look next year. Jim and James throw out some of their favorite quarantine shows.

Paul Cosgrove of Tonkon Torp came on the pod September 2 to lend us some knowledge on Oregon politics. Paul explains how the winner of the state’s Secretary of State race could have a bigger impact on the state’s future could have than some may realize. He also introduces us to a new British crime show!

We chatted with Jason Wadaga of Kindsvatter Dalling & Associates on September 2 about all the attention Michigan has been receiving lately. Jason gives a shout-out to his favorite Netflix original!

Richard Perkins of The Perkins Co. joined us on August 31 to chat about all things Nevada. Richard gives us a lay of the land on the state legislative elections and the special sessions that have occurred due to the coronavirus pandemic. Richard also gives us his recommendations on television shows to binge.  

In our first episode of the season, we sat down virtually on August 25 with Kekoa McClellan of The McClellan Group. We learned a lot about this blue-hued state – Kekoa also shared his favorite quarantine recipe with us!

Stateside's Co-CEO Michael Behm sat down (virtually) with CSG's Executive Director David Adkins for an in-depth conversation on the coronavirus pandemic and how it has effected state government.

State Bytes has published the last episode of its third season – and second elections-focused season. While many folks tend to forget about off-year elections, they still have consequences, particularly at the state level where most policy-making that effects everyday life occurs. And, when results started to pour in last Tuesday, we saw Democrats flip the Virginia Legislature as well as the Kentucky Governor's Mansion. Republicans flipped two attorneys general offices and maintained gubernatorial and legislative power in Mississippi. In our final episode of the season, we welcomed Tim Storey, the Executive Director of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), to the pod to discuss these electoral results with our Co-CEO Michael Behm.

Dom Magnolo of Duane Morris Government Strategies joined us to talk about the legislative races in New Jersey. Dom gives insight on the 80 seats up in the New Jersey General Assembly. While there is no top of the ticket race, these contests could have a great impact on next legislative session.

For this episode, we welcomed Holly Chisa of HPC Advocacy to talk about the upcoming City Council elections in Seattle, Washington. Holly gives us an overview of the current political landscape in Seattle. We discuss the dynamics of the four open seat races as well as the races with incumbents' up for re-election. Holly briefs us on the "Head Tax" and how it is still affecting the city. 

We welcomed Travis Blankenship of McGuire Woods to talk about the hotly contested Virginia Senate races for our seventh episode of this season. Travis talks about how Virginia has changed since the last time the Senate was up. We discuss what issues Senate candidates have been touting on the trail and which Senate districts are in play. Travis also briefs us on what the Senate was able to get accomplished this past session and what's left to tackle next session.

We chatted with Tray Adams of McGuire Woods about the hotly contested Virginia House races for our sixth episode. Tray gives us a recap of what went down in the 2017 election and what folks are running on in 2019. We discuss the newly drawn House districts and how that is effecting some races. And, Tray briefs us on what may be coming down the pike next session in the House. 

We welcomed Stephen Clay of The Clay Firm to our fifth episode. He discusses the gubernatorial show down between Lt. Governor Tate Reeves (R) and Attorney General Jim Hood (D). We also learned that Louisiana is not the only southern state to experience a large turnover in the legislature this cycle and what topics may be on the table for those new legislators come 2020.

We welcomed back Steven Dover - one of our friends from the north - to chat about the upcoming Canadian election. The election will be held October 21. We discuss the campaign messages of both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as well as his top tier opponent, Andrew Scheer. We also learn about other issues facing Canada this year.