On November 4, independent candidate Tim Madden was elected to the Massachusetts State House, in the Barnstable, Dukes & Nantucket District (Massachusetts legislative seats don’t have seat numbers). No incumbent was running. There may be other independents elected to state legislatures around the country. One was also elected in Wisconsin.
The new Massachusetts House will consist of 160 members, but only 16 Republicans. Republicans had 19 members in the 2007 session.
Do you know who the independent currently in the highest-elected office is? And what independent was elected to the highest office in this election?
The highest independents are US Senators Lieberman and Sanders, both elected in 2006. The highest race any independent won in 2008 is state legislator.
Lieberman was not elected as an independent. He was elected as a minor party candidate. CFL is an on going party much to Joe’s dismay.
Who is Tim Madden caucusing with? I believe 16 members is the minimum necessary for the Republicans to force roll call votes in the House.
Timothy Madden meant to run in the Democratic primary, but he missed the deadline for changing his party registration. He ran a write-in campaign in the primary but lost, but continued to run as an independent in the general election. He plans to become an official Democrat and caucus with them. The Republicans are now down to 16 of 160 seats. The kept their 5 of 40 seats in the state Senate.
The independent in Wisconsin is Jeff Wood of the 67th Assembly District in northwestern Wisconsin.
Take a look at:
http://www.ri.gov/election/results/2008/general_election/races/315.html
Rhode Island now has an independent State Senator.