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Brian Kemp to become the state’s first Black governor — she’d also be the first Black woman in the country’s history to hold a governor seat. In Maryland, Rep. Anthony Brown could be the state’s first Black attorney general if he defeats Republican Michael Peroutka. Smaller historic races include Rep. Karen Bass’ bid to become Los Angeles’ first Black woman mayor. Flowers would be the first Black woman to hold the office in Alabama, and she’s already made history as the first Black woman from either major party to win the nomination for governor. If successful, she would be the first Black woman elected to the chamber in the state’s history.

☆ Crist to DeSantis: Will you run for president? Florida governor refuses to say in caustic debate
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Marc Caputo | Marc Caputo Is A Senior National Political Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +9 min

“You’re running for governor,” Crist said, looking at DeSantis as the governor looked forward. “It’s not a tough question,” Crist said, filling the dead air. When Crist blamed DeSantis for rising utility bills and the skyrocketing cost of hurricane insurance, DeSantis faulted Crist for supporting Biden’s policies amid rising inflation. Time and again Monday night, Crist returned to the issue of DeSantis’ looming decision about whether he would run for president in 2024. It wasn’t the only question DeSantis wouldn’t answer.

☆ Former Trump aide Mark Meadows asks South Carolina judge to block Georgia grand jury subpoena in election-meddling probe
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows asked a South Carolina judge to block a subpoena demanding his testimony before a Georgia grand jury investigating possible criminal interference in the 2020 presidential election. Meadows' request Monday afternoon came hours after U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas temporarily delayed a similar subpoena that the same grand jury issued to Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. Meadows, a former Republican congressman, resides in South Carolina. Bannister said the subpoena was moot because it had required Meadows' appearance before the grand jury on Sept. 27. The grand jury in this case does not have the power to criminally charge individuals but can recommend charges.

☆ Prospective jurors in the case against Trump's business say 'I don't like him,' and call Trump a 'criminal' who's done 'irreparable harm'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Laura Italiano | Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Trump Organization — not Trump himself — is on trial for tax evasion in New York Supreme Court. I mean I can't deny it, I really, really don't like Trump at all," the woman, a native of Ireland, told Trump Organization lawyer William Brennan. The Trump Organization — not Trump himself — is on trial. "We all have an opinion about Donald Trump, but I don't have an opinion about his company," a marketing company CEO said. Steinglass continued, "You'll notice that Donald Trump is not sitting here … because Donald Trump is not personally charged. "

Here are five races where long-shot contenders could shock the nation on Nov. 8; we've also included how the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, which analyzes elections and campaigns, rates the odds. Or skip that race on the ballot?”Cook Political Report rating: “Lean Democratic”North CarolinaRepublicans are favored to win North Carolina, but only slightly. Cook Political Report rating: “Lean Republican”IowaAt 89 years old, Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley is running for another six-year term. Cook Political Report rating: “Likely Republican”WashingtonSen. Patty Murray, the third-ranked Democrat and chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, is the GOP’s white whale this cycle. Cook Political Report rating: “Likely Democratic”

☆ Some potential jurors gasped in court as a judge revealed they might serve on the Trump Org criminal trial
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Laura Italiano | Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Trump Organization — a real-estate and golf-resort empire — is on trial for alleged tax evasion. Some potential jurors reacted audibly when learning the case involved the former president. Trump himself is not on trial in the case and has ripped the charges against his company as a "political witch hunt." The Trump Organization, which has pleaded not guilty, could face harsh tax penalties and be fined more than $1 million if convicted. Conviction could hamper the company's business dealings and even prompt the government to bar the Trump Organization from doing business as a federal contractor, as Insider has previously reported.

☆ A prospective juror excused from Trump Organization tax evasion trial said 'there is no chance in hell' she could have been impartial
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Laura Italiano | Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Trump is not on trial, but his real estate and golf resort empire — the Trump Organization — is. The woman, who lives in the Midtown East neighborhood, made the remarks as jury selection was underway in the tax evasion trial of Trump's business, the Trump Organization. Last year, the Trump Organization and Weisselberg were indicted on 15 felony counts, including criminal tax fraud, falsifying business records, scheming to defraud, and conspiracy. Prosecutors have accused the Trump Organization of running a 15-year scheme to defraud federal, New York state, and New York City tax authorities. The Trump Organization, which has pleaded not guilty, could face harsh tax penalties and be fined more than $1 million if convicted.

☆ Republicans are spending millions to boost Gov. Kevin Stitt's reelection bid in deep-red Oklahoma: report
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The RGA is investing in a "seven figure" ad buy to boost Kevin Stitt's reelection bid, per Politico. Stitt has faced a barrage of ads criticizing his record, which has made the race competitive. The governor will face Republican-turned-Democrat Joy Hofmeister in the November general election. "This year's Oklahoma gubernatorial election is the most important in generations for all Oklahomans, and that's why leaders of the Five Tribes are endorsing Joy Hofmeister to be Oklahoma's 29th Governor." And the governor has eagerly pointed to the tribes as the source of the advertisement campaign.

Associate Justice Elena Kagan poses during a group photo of the Justices at the Supreme Court in Washington, U.S., April 23, 2021. Erin Schaff/Pool via REUTERS/File PhotoOct 21 (Reuters) - Liberal Justice Elena Kagan on Friday expressed hope that her colleagues on the conservative-dominated U.S. Supreme Court could get back to finding "common ground," saying it risked looking political by continuing to overturn legal precedents. Speaking at an event at the University of Pennsylvania, Kagan did not explicitly reference the Supreme Court's decision in June to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. Cases on the court's docket this term present opportunities for the court's conservative justices to flex their mussels further by weakening the landmark Voting Rights Act and barring the consideration of race in college admissions. "Time will tell whether this is a court that can get back to finding common ground, to ratcheting down the level of decision making so we can reach compromises," Kagan said.

☆ Rep. Angie Craig is running against Republican Tyler Kistner in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Nicole Gaudiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Rep. Angie Craig is running against Republican Tyler Kistner in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District. Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District candidatesCraig is a member of House committees on Agriculture, Energy and Commerce, and Small Business. Voting history for Minnesota's 2nd Congressional DistrictMinnesota's 2nd District includes rural and suburban counties south of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Craig flipped the seat from red to blue in 2018 after a rematch campaign against former Republican Rep. Jason Lewis. Her opponent, Kistner, has raised $2.8 million, spent $2.3 million, and has $499,003 left to spend, as of September 30.

☆ With GOP Ukraine skeptics poised to gain in Congress, lawmakers look to lock in billions in military aid
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Dan De Luce | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Julie-Tsirkin-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

Congress last month approved $12 billion in military and economic aid to Ukraine, but the package being contemplated would be dramatically larger, the sources said. The amount would be enough “to make sure [Ukraine] can get through the year,” a Republican senator with knowledge of the matter told NBC News. Congress has allocated a total of $65 billion in funding to Ukraine since Russia attacked the country in February. “They don’t want to deal with it next year,” said Vajdich, a former Republican congressional staffer. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a staunch supporter of military aid to Ukraine, said last month that he had discussed the issue with McCarthy and that he agreed other countries need to do more to assist Ukraine.

Oct 19 (Reuters) - A federal appeals court ruled on Wednesday that the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's funding apparatus is unconstitutional, faulting a system Democrats designed to insulate the agency from requiring congressional appropriations. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the CFPB's independent funding through the Federal Reserve rather than budgets passed by Congress violated the separation of powers principles in the U.S. Constitution. "The Bureau's perpetual self-directed, double-insulated funding structure goes a significant step further than that enjoyed by the other agencies on offer." It could ask the full 5th Circuit to reconsider the case or appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Supreme Court in 2020 ruled in another case that the protection Congress originally afforded the CFPB director, who could only be fired for cause, was unconstitutional.

☆ Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler worried she would 'get booed off the stage' at a rally if Trump didn't retweet a statement announcing her objection to the 2020 election results, texts show
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

New texts shed light on former Sen. Kelly Loeffler's thinking during the Georgia runoffs and Jan 6. She told aides to make sure Trump retweeted a statement announcing her objection to the 2020 results. But after the violence, an aide warned her to back off from objecting due to "reputational risk." "I believe you can't afford to not be on it," wrote Loeffler aide Wes Coopersmith in a January 2 text. But the senator appeared concerned that word wouldn't get out before a rally with Trump that evening, according to the texts.

☆ Mike Lee tries to distance himself from Trump in Utah debate
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

OREM, Utah — Fending off attacks from his independent challenger, Sen. Mike Lee of Utah worked to distinguish himself from former President Donald Trump in a contentious debate Monday evening. Lee faces a challenge from Evan McMullin, a former Republican known most for his long-shot bid for president six years ago, when as an independent he won 21.5% of voters in Utah, including Lee. Lee’s attempts to draw a distinction with Trump reflect the peculiar dynamics emerging in Utah this election cycle. What I think he’s trying to do is draw that contrast,’” Utah Republican Party Chair Carson Jorgensen said. Trump failed to win support from a majority of Utah voters in 2016 and Joe Biden performed better with Utah voters in 2020 than any Democrat since 1964.

ATLANTA — Democratic candidates in the two marquee Georgia races are blitzing the airwaves with television ads — and making two markedly different pitches to voters. Another features testimonials from GOP-leaning voters who say they’re supporting Warnock this fall. Abrams is relying heavily on mobilizing the base, aiming to inspire and register disaffected Georgians and turbocharge progressive turnout. “They are running two very different campaigns,” said an adviser to Kemp, who was granted anonymity to candidly assess Democratic strategy. “There are some voters — many voters — that are already pretty much fixed in their opinions.

☆ GOP Sen. Mike Lee wrote an op-ed in the third person endorsing himself amid an unexpectedly tough re-election race
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Salt Lake Tribune appears to have asked candidates to write op-eds explaining why they should be elected. GOP Sen. Mike Lee submitted an op-ed written in the third person that was less than 300 words. —The Salt Lake Tribune (@sltrib) October 16, 2022While Lee was initially listed as the author of the op-ed, the senator's byline was later removed. "The Salt Lake Tribune solicited an essay from the campaign for inclusion in their voter guide. "I'm Evan McMullin," wrote McMullin.

☆ Ted Cruz reimbursed himself $555,000 after successfully challenging a political spending law at the Supreme Court
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ted Cruz's campaign paid him $555,000 to cover old personal loans to his Senate committee. Ethics advocates and some Supreme Court justices warned that the decision could lead to corruption. And the one-time presidential candidate and two-term senator has the US Supreme Court to thank for it. That allowed Cruz to initiate a lawsuit against the Federal Election Commission, which eventually made its way up to the Supreme Court. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan echoed that same argument in her dissenting opinion.

☆ Paul Ryan says Donald Trump won't be the GOP presidential nominee in 2024: 'We all know that he will lose'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( Nicole Gaudiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Former House Speaker Paul Ryan predicted Donald Trump will not be the 2024 GOP presidential nominee. Trump is "so much more likely to lose" than any other GOP presidential contender, Ryan said. "We all know that he will lose," Ryan said. Ryan, the GOP's former 2012 vice presidential nominee, said the only reason he stays relevant is because "everybody's afraid of him" going after them. He's not going to be the nominee," Ryan went on.

☆ Aide tells FBI Trump ordered boxes moved at Mar-a-Lago - report
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Former U.S. President Donald Trump holds a rally ahead of the midterm elections, in Mesa, Arizona, U.S., October 9, 2022. The testimony of the key witness, coupled with surveillance footage the Justice Department also obtained, represent some of the strongest known evidence to date of possible obstruction of justice by the former Republican president. The New York Times separately reported on Wednesday that Trump aide Walt Nauta was captured on security camera footage from Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach moving boxes out of a storage area at the center of the investigation. The employee who was working at Mar-a-Lago was cooperating with the Justice Department and has been interviewed multiple times by federal agents, the Post reported. The Justice Department declined to comment on the Washington Post's report, and could not immediately be reached for comment on the New York Times article.

☆ Supreme Court denies Trump bid to void ruling in Mar-a-Lago raid documents case
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Supreme Court on Thursday denied a request by former President Donald Trump to vacate a lower appeals court ruling in a case related to the FBI raid and seizure of documents from his Florida residence last month. Circuit of Appeals barred that watchdog, who was appointed by a federal judge, from examining the classified documents. Trump's lawyers last week asked the Supreme Court to reverse that decision, arguing that it "impairs substantially the ongoing, time-sensitive work of the special master." On Tuesday, the DOJ urged the Supreme Court to deny Trump's appeal. Even if he had prevailed, the DOJ would have continued its review of the classified documents.

Still, these six Black Republicans seem unmoved, even if Black voters overall appear to present more of an uphill challenge. Herschel Walker and Former ambassador Nikki Haley speak with the press during Herschel's Unite Georgia Bus Stop rally at the Global Mall in Norcross, Ga., on Sept. 9, 2022. It’s a bigger picture.”The Black vote was critical in turning Georgia blue in the 2020 presidential election and pushing Biden to the presidency and ultimately Warnock into the Senate. “I know Herschel Walker votes more conservative. Even with the recent allegations, these voters point out that between Warnock and Walker’s policies, they prefer Walker’s because he is anti-abortion.

The witness initially denied handling sensitive documents and in subsequent conversations with agents admitted to moving boxes at Trump’s request, the newspaper reported. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Budowich accused the Justice Department of leaking "misleading and false information" to the media. The Trump Organization also is set to go on trial on Oct. 24 on New York state criminal tax fraud charges. Separately in Georgia, a grand jury in the Fulton County is probing efforts by Trump to overturn the former president's 2020 election defeat.

A small group of Los Angeles city leaders faced shame and castigation after an audio recording of racist remarks at a private meeting surfaced Sunday. The most egregious remarks were uttered by City Council President Nury Martinez, who seemed to verify the 2021 recording by apologizing to constituents. Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin de León and City Council President Nury Martinez confer at council meeting on Oct. 4. Martinez and de León and other Latino council members apologized Sunday after The Los Angeles Times reported that they had been taped making racist comments in a private meeting. The three issued a joint statement Sunday night that called past City Council support for Black Lives Matter "a facade."

☆ Showtime’s ‘Lincoln Project’ doc, like the super PAC, is noisy but not all that effective
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-09 | by ( Michael Arceneaux | Michael Arceneaux Is The Author Of | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

Showtime’s five-part docuseries about The Lincoln Project, the super PAC founded by multiple well-known Republican strategists and operatives with a shared contempt for Donald Trump, reminds me a lot of the organization’s work in 2020: noisy but not necessarily all that effective in realizing its stated goals. It’s not that The Lincoln Project founders shouldn’t be proud of the house they built. We also definitely didn’t need so much footage of various fans — including celebrities — and Lincoln Project members talking about how cool, popular and great the organization is. At the time of that revelation, not even The Lincoln Project disputed it. And while I won’t deny the coverage The Lincoln Project garnered during and after the 2020 election, is it all that hard to troll someone like Trump?

☆ Factbox: Twelve U.S. House races to watch in the midterm election
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-04 | by ( Moira Warburton | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

CALIFORNIA'S 22ND DISTRICTRepublican Representative David Valadao was one of only 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump in his second trial. He is now facing a tough challenge from Democratic state representative Rudy Salas in a Central Valley district that has been redrawn substantially since the last election. She will face Amanda Adkins, a former chair of the state Republican Party. McLeod-Skinner faces Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a former mayor of Happy Valley, a Portland suburb. Fung has heavily focused his campaign on inflation, while Magaziner argues that Fung would enable the far right House Republicans' agenda.

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