Good morning, it’s Thursday, July 23, 2026. In today’s edition, Massachusetts to ban cancer-linked chemical; DOJ sues New Jersey over voter rolls; rating the top gubernatorial races of the year:
Top Stories
GOVERNORS: In our final set of gubernatorial race ratings, we take a look at the nine most competitive contests of the year. Our list includes the two most endangered incumbents seeking re-election — Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) and Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) — as well as the most talented candidates of the year, Iowa Auditor Rob Sand (D) and former Ohio public health director Amy Acton (D), and the state that has the potential to turn into the biggest disaster for Democrats, Wisconsin. Check it out here.
PUBLIC HEALTH: The Massachusetts legislature has approved a measure banning the chemical DEHP, commonly used to soften plastics that can leach into IV fluids. The chemical is linked to breast, liver, lung and testicular cancer. Massachusetts will join North Carolina and California in banning the chemical’s use in IV bags, while similar legislation was introduced in four other states this year. (Pluribus News)
ELECTIONS: The U.S. Justice Department has sued New Jersey for access to its voter rolls after revelations that a software failure that registered about 6,600 noncitizens to vote. The department used the disclosure to demand access to the rolls to look for other noncitizens who are registered. The state said only about 400 noncitizens cast ballots. (New Jersey Globe)
ABORTION: The Massachusetts House has approved legislation allowing doctors to use their professional judgement in performing abortions after 24 weeks of gestation. The bill eliminates four types of exemptions outlined for life-threatening situations, instead deferring to doctors. (State Affairs)
HEALTHCARE: The Massachusetts Division of Insurance has approved an average health insurance premium increase of 10.4% next year, lower than the 12.9% increase insurers proposed in May. The state’s largest insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield, will hike rates 13.2%, down from the 15.3% the company proposed. (State Affairs)
HOUSING: Home foreclosures are on the rise across the country, jumping to the highest point since 2019. Florida, South Carolina, Indiana, Delaware and Illinois have the highest foreclosure rates in the nation. Experts said rising foreclosure starts, increased foreclosure completions and shorter timelines equate to a normalizing foreclosure process. (Florida Politics)
ENERGY: Virginia lawmakers are asking Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) to call a special session to extend the time limit for the state Corporation Commission to review a proposed merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra. Sen. David Suetterlein (R) and Del. Joe McNamara (R) said Virginia has the shortest timeline of any of the five agencies that must approve the merger, putting Virginia in a bad negotiating position. (Cardinal News)
In Politics & Business
WISCONSIN: A new Marquette Law School poll finds state Rep. Francesca Hong (D) leading the Democratic field with 26% of the vote, followed by former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes (D) at 15% and Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez at 11%. A big caveat, the poll was taken last week, the chaotic period when Rodriguez dropped out and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley jumped back in. The poll shows Hong trailing U.S. Rep Tom Tiffany (R) by a 43%-40% margin, while Barnes leads Tiffany 44%-40%. (Marquette)
Charles Franklin, who runs the Marquette Law School poll, said he’ll conduct another survey to be released next week. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
COLORADO: Attorney General Phil Weiser (D), the Democratic nominee for governor, has chosen Jefferson County Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper (D) as his lieutenant governor running mate. The two worked together to distribute opioid settlement money. (Denver Post)
2028: Democrats are considering Nevada and South Carolina to kick off the party’s 2028 presidential nominating contest. The DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee is meeting in Washington, D.C., this week to select up to five states for its early primary window. Michigan, New Hampshire, Virginia and New Mexico are among the contenders for an early slot in the nominating process. (CNN)
CRIME BLOTTER: A guilty verdict against former Montana Senate President Jason Ellsworth (R) has been thrown out after revelations that jurors were exposed to sealed exhibits concerning communications with a potential witness. The judge in the case said court staff mistakenly gave jurors exhibits they weren’t supposed to have seen. (Montana Free Press)
By The Numbers
$29 million: The extra revenue North Dakota collected in May as a result of a rare pricing anomaly in which the state’s crude oil sold for more per barrel than the West Texas Intermediate oil price. It’s the first time since 2004 that North Dakota crude has sold at a premium. (North Dakota Monitor)
11%: The decline in SNAP enrollment in Pennsylvania in the last year, since the Republican reconciliation bill was passed. Enrollment has declined by about 220,000 over the last year, while the number of children enrolled has dropped 9%. (State Affairs)
Off The Wall
Mount Dora, Fla., is warning residents to stay away from wild monkeys after multiple sightings over the last month. Residents have spotted wild rhesus macaques near an inn and at a shopping plaza. Mount Dora is near Silver Springs, where a wild monkey population has lived since 1938. (UPI)
Rotterdam Mayor Carola Schouten rappelled down a 185-meter tower, honoring a bet she had made with city residents that she would take on her fear of heights if voter turnout was higher than it had been four years ago. Turnout in the March municipal elections was 40.7%, above the 38.9% recorded in 2022. Schouten said she’d undergone a training session with Dutch marines before the jump. (AFP)
Quote of the Day
“I know I can go through maybe a handful of people off the top of my head who I know hit the fun quotient every night. But beyond that, I don’t know if we get to 81.”
— Massachusetts House Speaker Ron Mariano (D), on the state Senate’s “fun agenda,” which includes happy hour, public alcohol consumption districts and extended last call for bars and clubs. (State Affairs)