Special Elections Begin

Estes Wins in Kansas, Georgia, South Carolina and Montana Still to Come

Kansas state treasurer Ron Estes (R) has won a special election to fill the House of Representatives seat previously held by CIA Director Mike Pompeo. The April 11 election gained national attention as this was the first major electoral test since the election of President Donald Trump last fall. Unofficial results have Estes winning the seat by seven points. Pompeo was reelected to the seat in November by 32 points before accepting his appointment at the CIA. In a sign of how serious the Republican National Committee took the race, both President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence recorded messages that voters received via phone calls.

Mr. Estes’ race is the first of several for members of the House who have joined President Trump’s administration. There will soon be elections in Georgia to replace Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, in South Carolina to replace Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney and Montana to replace Department of the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. Expect to see national coverage for each race as both Republicans and Democrats will make claims of the national significance. PLASTICS staff is monitoring the elections and the impact each has on the agendas in Congress and the Administration.