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☆ Begich Defeats Peltola in Alaska, Flipping House Seat for Republicans
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Maya C. Miller | More About Maya C. Miller | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Nick Begich III, the Republican son of a prominent liberal political family in Alaska, has defeated Representative Mary Peltola to win the state’s sole House seat, according to The Associated Press, ousting one of the nation’s most vulnerable Democrats and adding to Republicans’ slim House majority. This time, Mr. Begich benefited from a G.O.P. Ms. Peltola, the first Alaska Native elected to Congress, staked her campaign on her working-class appeal and presented herself as a solutions-focused pragmatist fighting for the state’s future. Before Ms. Peltola, the last Democrat to represent Alaska in the House was Nick Begich Sr., Mr. Begich’s grandfather. Former Young aides called Mr. Begich deceitful and disloyal to their boss and chose to back Ms. Peltola instead.

Persons: Nick Begich III, Mary Peltola, Begich, Peltola, Sarah Palin, Don Young, Nick Begich, Begich’s, Young, Young’s Organizations: Associated Press, ’, Caucus, Republicans, Alaska, Republican, Congress, Mr Locations: Republican, Alaska, Anchorage

What makes the retirements particularly noteworthy is that none of the chairs were at risk of losing their position due to the term limits that House Republicans impose on their committee leaders. “They would clearly rather be home with their family than in Washington with a dysfunctional Congress,” said Republican strategist Doug Heye. Photos You Should See View All 33 ImagesThe second retirement announcement came from the new chair of a special committee focused on China. Lucas, who chairs the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, said he's not considering stepping down any time soon. Heye, the Republican strategist, said the retirements of McMorris Rodgers, Green and Gallagher wouldn't make sense in normal times.

Persons: ”, Doug Heye, “, ” McMorris Rodgers, Billy Tauzin, Henry Waxman, Gallagher, Alejandro Mayorkas, Green, ” Green, McMorris Rodgers, she's, I've, ” Gallagher, Frank Lucas, ” Lucas, “ It's, there's, they're, Lucas, he's, Don Young, ‘ Lucas, Byron Donalds, “ We're, ” Donalds, Pete Aguilar, Gallagher “, ” Aguilar, Richard Hudson, ” “ I'm, ” Hudson, Heye, ” Heye Organizations: WASHINGTON, GOP, Energy, Commerce, impeaching, Fox, Electoral, Wednesday, Homeland Security Committee, Science, Technology, Rep, House Democratic Caucus, Republicans, Republican, House Republican, Democratic, “ Locations: Washington, China, Wisconsin, Alaska

☆ 'We're not here to talk about fights': Drama in Congress is starting to spill over
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Mike Rogers is restrained by Richard Hudson after getting into an argument with Matt Gaetz as House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy walks away. AdvertisementWhat happened: Greene called Boebert a "little bitch" on the House floor, according to The Daily Beast. When asked about it, Boebert told CNN, "I'm not in middle school." After his vote, Burchett told CNN that McCarthy had mocked his faith when he told then-speaker that he was praying over his decision. The aftermath: McCarthy told CNN that he did not purposefully run into Burchett.

Persons: —, Rock, Bill, John Boehner, Don Young, Donald Trump's, Joanne Freeman, Matt Gatez, flexes, Win McNamee, Mike Rogers lunges, Matt Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy, Mike Rogers, Richard Hudson, Anna Moneymaker, McCarthy, Rogers, Gatez, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, Greene, Boebert, Joe Biden, Semafor, I'm, Georgia Lauren Boebert, Jabin, Tim Burchett, Sen, Markwayne Mullin, Mullin, Sean M, O'Brien, Elon Musk, Sean O’Brien, Bernie Sanders, ”, Sanders, banged, Burchett, McCarthy elbowed, — Claudia Grisales, NPR's Claudia Grisales, Grisales, Kevin ?, Kevin Organizations: Service, Capitol, Lawmakers, Yale, Politico, Florida Republican, GOP, Republican, House Armed Services, Rep, North Carolina Republican, Georgia Republican, Colorado Republican, Daily, CNN, Washington, Getty, Tennessee Republican, Caucus, Teamsters, Oklahoma Republican, MMA, United, Republicans Locations: Alaska, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Colorado, Tennessee, Boebert, Oklahoma, United States, Burchett

Authorities on Friday identified those missing or killed in a southeast Alaska landslide this week as five family members and their neighbor, a commercial fisherman who made a longshot bid for the state's lone seat in the U.S. House last year. Timothy Heller, 44, and Beth Heller, 36 — plus their children Mara, 16; Derek, 12; and Kara, 11 — were at home Monday night when the landslide struck near the island community of Wrangell. Political Cartoons View All 1265 Images“As a 42-year commercial fisherman I have worn many hats,” he said. The Hellers ran a construction company called Heller High Water, said Tyla Nelson, who described herself as Beth Heller's best friend since high school. “The loss of even one child is a very difficult time, and having an entire family with three students is devastating,” Burr wrote.

Persons: Timothy Heller, Beth Heller, Mara, Derek, Kara, Otto Florschutz, Florschutz's, Don Young, Florschutz, ”, ” Beth Heller, Tyla Nelson, Beth Heller's, Beth, Timothy, Nelson, Nelson sobbed, “, Bill Burr, ” Burr, Aaron Jacobs, Mason Villarma, ” Villarma, ___ Sinco Kelleher, Gene Johnson Organizations: U.S . House, Wrangell ., Alaska Department of Public Safety, Republican, U.S, Rep, Anchorage Daily, Wrangell School, Heller, National Weather Service Locations: Alaska, U.S, Wrangell, Wrangell's Port, Anchorage, Juneau . One, Juneau ., Honolulu, Bellisle, Seattle

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska Republican Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom is joining the race for the state's only U.S. House seat, which is currently held by Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola, . Dahlstrom, who announced her campaign Tuesday, joins Republican Nick Begich III in seeking to challenge Peltola next year. Peltola won a special election and a regular election last year for the seat, becoming the first Alaska Native to serve in Congress. The seat had been held for 49 years by Republican Don Young, who died in March 2022.

Persons: Nancy Dahlstrom, Mary Peltola, Dahlstrom, Nick Begich III, Peltola, Republican Don Young, Begich, Sarah Palin, Mike Dunleavy, Joe Biden Organizations: Alaska Republican, Gov, Democratic Rep, Republican, Voters, Republican Gov, Washington Locations: JUNEAU, Alaska

☆ C-SPAN gave us ‘America’s Hottest TV Drama’ as McCarthy struggled to become House speaker. Lawmakers aren’t so sure that’s a good thing.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

But she's also wary of the cost that could come with giving C-SPAN cameras free reign to film lawmakers on the House floor, particularly given the lightning-rod role she's come to occupy within American politics. GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz talks to Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar in the House Chamber on January 5, 2023. Rep. Nancy Pelosi reading a New Yorker article about Kevin McCarthy on the House floor on January 4, 2023. "The original argument was, if you insert cameras, the behavior of the members changed," said Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California. But Lofgren said she was supportive of permanently allowing C-SPAN cameras into the chamber, arguing in essence that the cat's already out of the bag.

☆ Final farewell: From Sidney Poitier to Pope Emeritus Benedict a look back at the influential figures who died in 2022
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-01 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +55 min

Other world leaders who died in 2022 include former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who died in August. The final days of 2022 saw the loss of some exceptionally notable figures, including Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Here is a roll call of some influential figures who died in 2022 (cause of death cited for younger people, if available):___JANUARY___Dan Reeves, 77. A Cuban-born artist whose radiant color palette and geometric paintings were overlooked for decades before the art world took notice. A prolific character actor best known for playing villains and tough guys in “The Manchurian Candidate,” “Ocean’s Eleven” and other films.

WASHINGTON — The 2022 midterm elections were full of surprises. Republicans began the year favored to notch big victories, yet they fell short and barely captured control of the House. Lake was widely seen as the election-denying candidate with the best chance to win a statewide race in a key battleground in the 2022 elections. Secretary of state contenders who echoed Trump’s fabricated claims of a stolen election lost, including Mark Finchem in Arizona, Kristina Karamo in Michigan and Jim Marchant in Nevada. Their wins led Democrats to win every competitive House race and gain control of the state House for the first time in more than a decade — although recent vacancies have called that majority into question.

☆ Oath Keepers founder found guilty of seditious conspiracy in Jan. 6 case
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Ryan J. Reilly | Daniel Barnes | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

WASHINGTON — A federal jury in Washington found Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes guilty of seditious conspiracy in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. All five defendants faced felony counts of seditious conspiracy, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting, and conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging their duties. Three of the defendants — Rhodes, Caldwell and Watkins — took the stand in their own defense, with Rhodes telling jurors it was "stupid" for Oath Keepers to go inside the Capitol. While three other Oath Keepers pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy, none of them testified during the trial. Four other Oath Keepers charged in conjunction with Rhodes — Roberto Minuta, Joseph Hackett, David Moerschel and Ed Vallejo —are set to go to trial in early December.

☆ Democrat Peltola re-elected to U.S. House in Alaska
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Nov 23 (Reuters) - U.S. Representative Mary Peltola of Alaska, a Democrat first elected in August, was reelected to a full two-year term on Wednesday, beating two Republicans, former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and businessman Nick Begich. Peltola came out on top after Alaska finished tabulating all ballots in a publicly broadcast session using its new "ranked choice" system, which allows voters to list candidates in order of preference. Peltola would have won even under the old system, as she had a significant plurality against Palin and Begich from the first count. Tea Party era of politics and helped pave the way for Donald Trump to win the White House. Peltola, the first Alaska Native elected to Congress, was endorsed by the state's longtime U.S. senator, Lisa Murkowski, a moderate Republican, as well as the staff of Republican former U.S. Representative Don Young, Peltola's predecessor.

Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola has won a full two-year term representing Alaska in the House, NBC News projected Wednesday, defeating former governor and GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin. Shortly after news broke that she had won a full term on Wednesday night, Peltola tweeted "WE DID IT!!!" The outcome of the Nov. 8 election for the state's at-large House seat — as well as other contests, including for Senate — had been delayed for weeks because of Alaska’s new ranked-choice voting system where voters rank the candidates in order of preference. After the first round of voting, Peltola led Palin by more than 20 percentage points, with Republican Nick Begich, a scion of one of Alaska’s most well-known political families, in third. It means that a Democrat will hold the at-large House seat for the next two years, after Young and the GOP had controlled it for nearly five decades.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski has won re-election in Alaska, NBC News projected Wednesday, dealing former President Donald Trump another loss in what has largely been a miserable midterm cycle for his hand-picked candidates in competitive Senate races. Murkowski, one of only seven Republicans who voted to convict Trump at his second impeachment trial, survived a challenge from Trump-endorsed Kelly Tshibaka, a former Alaska Department of Administration commissioner. Murkowski, Tshibaka, Democrat Patricia Chesbro and Republican Buzz Kelley all advanced from a nonpartisan August primary. The Alaska Republican Party censured her and Trump began calling her the “disaster from Alaska,” ultimately backing Tshibaka to challenge her. Murkowski also is known for her moderate profile in the Senate and for her willingness to work with Democrats.

☆ Sarah Palin loses election for Alaska House seat to Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola, ending comeback, NBC News projects
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives Sarah Palin talks with reporters near the corner of Seward Highway and Northern Lights Boulevard on U.S. election night, in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. November 8, 2022. Sarah Palin, the only Republican woman ever to be nominated for vice president, was defeated in her political comeback bid to represent the state in the U.S. House of Representatives, NBC News projected Wednesday night. Palin's loss to Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat, was her second defeat in an election for Alaska's at-large House seat in less than three months. In late August, Peltola beat Palin and another Republican, Nick Begich, in a special election for the seat. But she immediately faced a rematch against Palin and Begich in the election for a full two-year term.

☆ Live Results: Mary Peltola defeats Sarah Palin and others: Alaska's at-large district US House election
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Hanna Kang | Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola won against three others — including Sarah Palin — in Alaska's at-large congressional district. Alaska has only one congressional district and therefore does not go through a redistricting process. Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola of Alaska has defeated three challengers in Alaska's at-large congressional district general election — most notably former Gov. Palin, the former governor of Alaska, has known Peltola for years and served alongside her in the Alaska state house. Although Alaska's 2022 general election, much like the special election, will largely be centered around Peltola and Palin, Alaska's ranked choice voting system makes this a four-way race.

☆ Jury to begin deliberating in Oath Keepers' Jan. 6 seditious conspiracy trial
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Ryan J. Reilly | Ryan J. Reilly Is A Justice Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

Oath Keepers founder Elmer Stewart Rhodes III is facing trial alongside four other defendants: Jessica Watkins, Kelly Meggs, Kenneth Harrelson and Thomas Caldwell. Watkins, Meggs and Harrelson went inside the Capitol during the attack, while Rhodes and Caldwell were present on restricted Capitol grounds on Jan. 6. Federal prosecutors have not proven that the Oath Keepers had an organized plan to storm the Capitol before Jan. 6. Three defendants — Rhodes, Caldwell and Watkins — took the stand in their own defense during the trial, which began with opening arguments on Oct. 3. In 1995, a jury convicted "Blind Sheikh" Omar Abdel-Rahman and others on seditious conspiracy charges in connection with the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

“For these defendants, the attack on the Capitol was a means to an end,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Rakoczy told jurors. Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP fileBright told jurors there was not evidence of a "meeting of the minds" on seditious conspiracy. “We’ve had 50 witnesses in this case, not one person has testified to you there was a plan,” Bright said. Oath Keepers were upset about the results of the 2020 election, but them venting their frustrations to each other doesn’t constitute a conspiracy, Bright argued. Rhodes told you in his own words he was prepared to start a rebellion the day that president Biden took office,” Rakoczy said, referring back to Rhodes’ testimony in his own defense.

Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola is running against three others — including Sarah Palin — in Alaska's at-large congressional district. Alaska has only one congressional district and therefore does not go through a redistricting process. Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola of Alaska faces off against three challengers in Alaska's at-large congressional district general election. Palin, the former governor of Alaska, has known Peltola for years and served alongside her in the Alaska state house. Although Alaska's 2022 general election, much like the special election, will largely be centered around Peltola and Palin, Alaska's ranked choice voting system makes this a four-way race.

☆ Live Results: Alaska votes in congressional and state elections
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Walt Hickey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Alaska is host to a number of compelling races this election cycle, including a competitive race to determine control of the state legislature. There's also a gubernatorial race to watch, as well as Sen. Lisa Murkowski's re-election bid. Alaskans will also be voting on a constitutional convention question. Polls close in the state at 8 p.m. local time. Given the state has multiple timezones, the first polls close at 12 a.m. EST and the last polls close at 1 a.m. EST.

☆ DOJ rests in Oath Keepers trial without calling witnesses who pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Ryan J. Reilly | Ryan J. Reilly Is A Justice Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors rested their case against Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and four other members of the far-right organization on Wednesday without calling three cooperating defendants who pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy. But the government did not call for three members of the group who pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy — Joshua James, Brian Ulrich and William Todd Wilson — before resting their case. Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, speaks during a rally outside the White House in Washington on Jun. Susan Walsh / AP fileProsecutors may have decided that presenting any of the three defendants who pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy would be too much of a risk on cross examination. Prosecutors also can't explicitly argue that because a witness pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy that the defendants are guilty of the same charge, which limits the value of their testimony.

☆ Stewart Rhodes wrote message to Trump after Jan. 6 calling on him to 'save the Republic,' arrest members of Congress
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Ryan J. Reilly | Daniel Barnes | Ryan J. Reilly Is A Justice Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

Alpers testified that he was not working on behalf of a federal law enforcement agency when he made the recording. Alpers testified on the stand that he had connections to Trump's inner circle and said he could get a message to Trump "indirectly." When he met with Rhodes on Jan. 10, he had Rhodes type a message intended for Trump on his phone. Oath Keepers members Joshua James, Brian Ulrich and William Todd Wilson all pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy. Several other Oath Keepers have pleaded guilty to other charges, including two Oath Keepers — Jason Dolan and Graydon Young — who testified in the trial.

“I felt it was like a Bastille-type moment in history," Graydon Young told jurors in the seditious conspiracy trial of Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and four other members of the organization. “Unfortunately, I was spending way too much time on YouTube and Facebook,” Young testified. "I thought protests were a waste of time, and they don’t achieve anything,” Young testified. On Jan. 6, Young testified, he was with his sister Laura Steele, who has also been charged in connection with the Jan. 6 attack but has pleaded not guilty. He later joined a group that rushed to the Capitol after hearing it was breached, Young said in court.

☆ Oath Keeper saw Jan. 6 storming of U.S. Capitol as 'Bastille' moment
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Sarah N. Lynch | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

On Jan. 6, 2021, Young said he entered the U.S. Capitol with a group of fellow Oath Keepers with the aim of trying to disrupt proceedings to certify Biden's win. Young's testimony was the latest evidence presented by federal prosecutors in the criminal trial against Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and his four co-defendants - Jessica Watkins, Thomas Caldwell, Kenneth Harrelson and Kelly Meggs. Young is the second Oath Keeper member so far to testify for the government after pleading guilty, in the hopes of winning a reduced prison sentence. I haven’t heard you articulate an actual agreement with anybody to commit a crime,” Rhodes' attorney, James Lee Bright, said. Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Ross Colvin and Howard GollerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ A former Oath Keeper testified he was in 'freakout mode and scared' after January 6. 'I'm going to have to tell my mom.'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( C. Ryan Barber | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A former Oath Keepers member testified at the first seditious conspiracy trial linked to January 6. Graydon Young said he was "regalvanized" by Oath Keepers founder Elmer Stewart Rhodes. Prosecutors showed text messages in which Oath Keepers planned for a revolution-like event. Within weeks of joining the Oath Keepers, in late 2020, he joined a security detail for longtime Trump ally Roger Stone. Inside the Capitol, Young testified Monday, "It was pandemonium."

☆ Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola faces off against former Republican Gov. Sarah Palin and others in Alaska's at-large congressional district election
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Hanna Kang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola is running against three others — including Sarah Palin — in Alaska's at-large congressional district. Alaska has only one congressional district and therefore does not go through a redistricting process. Alaska's at-large congressional district candidatesPeltola, who won the at-large seat for Alaska in the US House special election, is the first Alaskan Native to be elected to the House of Representatives. Palin, the former governor of Alaska, has known Peltola for years and served alongside her in the Alaska state house. Voting history for Alaska's at-large congressional districtAlaska's at-large district, where former President Donald Trump had a 10 percentage point margin of victory over Biden in 2020, is the only congressional district in the state and therefore does not go through a redistricting process.

☆ Alaska GOP censures Mitch McConnell for supporting incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski over Trump-backed challenger Kelly Tshibaka
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Warren Rojas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Alaska GOP has rebuked Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for supporting Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Donald Trump and state officials want Murkowski gone for supporting his second impeachment. State officials censured Murkowski for the same thing last summer. "The Alaska Republican Party has just told him to butt out of our state," Tshibaka, who got the Alaska GOP's endorsement in July 2021, told the Post. She added that "the millions of dollars Mitch McConnell is spending on lies about me" could be put to better use elsewhere.

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