Gov. Inslee:  As a plethora of Democratic political figures begin to make statements and initiate moves toward the 2020 presidential race, several took a definitive step early this week. One of them, two-term Washington Governor and ex-US Congressman Jay Inslee (D), formed a federal political action committee that could be the first step in his making a formal move into the presidential contest.

Of the 30 potential candidates who have at least acknowledged considering the race, five are Governors or former Governors. The sitting incumbents in addition to Gov. Inslee are Govs. John Hickenlooper (CO) and Steve Bullock (MT). The former state chief executives are Terry McAuliffe (VA), and Deval Patrick (MA).

Ex-Gov. Patrick:  Though 30 individuals are still expressing interest in entering the 2020 presidential campaign, one Democrat who won't be joining them is Massachusetts former two-term Gov. Deval Patrick. Earlier this week, Mr. Patrick made public his intentions not to become a candidate. The decision surprised many observers as most believed the former Bay State chief executive was making moves to enter the race.

Sen. Merkley:  Attempting to follow Sen. Cory Booker's (D-NJ) lead in changing state law to allow an individual to run simultaneously for different offices, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) is not finding the same reception among Oregon political leaders as Mr. Booker did in New Jersey. Asked whether the state legislature will move on legislation to, in this case, allow Mr. Merkley to run for President as he seeks re-election to the Senate, the state Senate President and House Speaker, according to local publication Willamette Week, respectively did not respond to inquiries and said that she doesn't currently have a position on the issue.

But, Gov. Kate Brown's (D) spokesperson was a bit more definitive when she said, "Gov. Brown's current focus is on helping Oregon families thrive and working with legislators, stakeholders, and community members on her budget and policy agenda, which does not include a proposal for legislation on this topic."

Arizona:  Grand Canyon State Gov. Doug Ducey (R), fresh from winning a landslide election to a second term, stated yesterday that he will not be a US Senate candidate in 2020, and that he intends on serving his entire second term.

Appointed Sen. Jon Kyl (R) is likely to soon leave his interim post, since he committed only to serving to the end of 2018 when accepting Gov. Ducey's short-term appointment after incumbent Sen. John McCain (R) passed away in late August. Once Mr. Kyl departs, Gov. Ducey will name a replacement who could presumably run in the 2020 special election to serve the balance of the McCain term. The seat next comes before the voters for a full term in 2022. Some believed that the Governor would appoint another caretaker officeholder at which point he would run himself. But, such will not be the case.

Georgia:  Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson (D) is confirming that she is considering challenging Sen. David Purdue (R) when her term expires in January. Ms. Tomlinson was first elected to lead the city of approximately 195,000 people in 2010, becoming the first female Mayor in Columbus' history. She was re-elected in 2014, but is ineligible to seek a third term in this election year.

Ms. Tomlinson qualified her Senate consideration, however, indicating she would yield to gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams if the latter woman chooses to run. For her part, Ms. Abrams, while confirming she wants to run for office again, says she wants to spend next year as a "private citizen." In 2014, Mr. Purdue scored a 53-45% win over Michelle Nunn (D), the daughter of former Sen. Sam Nunn (D).

Mississippi:  Former US Agriculture Secretary and ex-Mississippi Congressman Mike Espy's 54-46% loss to Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R) is not yet two weeks old, but he has already made a political decision for 2020. Mr. Espy just formed a campaign committee for the next election cycle, meaning we will likely see a re-match of the contest just ended.

CA-21:  Though California Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford/ Bakersfield) had been projected as the winner, the state's marathon post-election day counting process has produced a different outcome. Now falling behind by 862 votes with still some more provisional ballots to count, Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford/Bakersfield) conceded defeat to Democrat T.J. Cox, finally closing a race that had been left undecided since election night.

The Cox victory now makes the final pre-commencement count, 235 Democrats, 199 Republicans, with one seat, NC-9, very possibly headed to a new election because of a certification deadlock. Republicans have now been decimated in the 53-member California delegation, trailing the Democrats 46-7.

CA-52:  Political rumors are surfacing in San Diego that four-term US Rep. Scott Peters (D) may decide not to seek re-election in 2020 so he can enter the open Mayor's race. Republican incumbent Kevin Falconer is ineligible to seek a third term, so the Mayor's position is guaranteed to be open. Before coming to Congress, Mr. Peters served as president of the City Council.

The 52nd District began the decade as a swing seat that saw Mr. Peters winning by very close margins. Over the succeeding elections, however, the Congressman has secured the seat and it remains to be seen if Republicans can again become competitive here before the next redistricting should the district open.

NC-9:  The North Carolina Board of Elections, on a 7-2 vote last Friday, again refused to certify Republican Mark Harris' 905 vote victory over Democrat Dan McCready postponing a further review until December 21st. The problem revolves around what some Board members are claiming "irregularities" in one county.

Much of the controversy concerns a large number of absentee ballots requested but not returned, and other unexplained issues. The problem is that a state court has already ruled the composition of this Board to be unconstitutional and is scheduled to dissolve on December 12th. Therefore, it appears that finding a solution to this situation will likely require a great deal of time through what will likely be several legal venues. It appears very possible that no one will be sworn in from this district on January 3rd and holding a new election could become the ultimate solution.