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Louis Jacobson

Louis Jacobson

Contributor

Louis Jacobson is the senior correspondent at the fact-checking website PolitiFact. He is also senior author of the 2016 and 2018 editions of the Almanac of American Politics and was a contributing writer for the 2000 and 2004 editions. For Governing, Jacobson has written a column on state politics since the 2010 election cycle, including handicapping gubernatorial, state legislative and state attorney general races. Before that, he wrote a similar column for Stateline.org and Roll Call. He has also handicapped state and federal races for such publications as the Cook Political Report, the Rothenberg Political Report, PoliticsPA.com and the Tampa Bay Times. Earlier in his career, Jacobson served as deputy editor of the congressional newspaper Roll Call, as the founding editor of its affiliate, CongressNow, and as a staff correspondent at National Journal. In 2014, he received the Weidenbaum Center Award for Evidence-Based Journalism from Washington University in St. Louis, and in 2017, the Society of American Business Editors and Writers gave him a Best in Business award for his economics coverage.

From weak state parties to regional differences, we look at why these states are defying demographics.
Following years of turmoil and gridlock in many states, newly elected governors are getting a lot done.
Moderate-to liberal candidates won in five states, while conservatives were successful in two.
Despite all the teacher strikes and walkouts, voters largely stuck to partisan lines at the ballot box.
Their victories mirrored their numerical gains in the governors' races.
If they ultimately flip the four seats where they have the lead, the party would take the majority of attorney general seats nationwide.
Eight states have competitive elections next week whose outcomes could influence a number of policies. But these down-ballot races are largely overshadowed.
The GOP is at risk of losing nine seats, while Democrats could lose three. If there's a big Democratic wave, Republicans could lose their majority.
Since June, six races have shifted in the party's favor.
Education has emerged as an issue this fall beyond school board and superintendent races.