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☆ Casey DeSantis, Florida's 'co-governor': Rivals, friends, and former colleagues say she's the secret behind husband Ron DeSantis' meteoric rise
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Lyz Lenz | Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +29 min

Florida's first lady, Casey DeSantis, is a close confidant to her powerful husband, several people told Insider. He added, "We would not see Ron DeSantis outside of press conferences if he did not have a wife and kids." Ron DeSantis began clawing his way into the national spotlight in 2017 as a member of the US House of Representatives. She smiled wryly and said: "Everyone knows my husband, Ron DeSantis, is endorsed by President Trump, but he's also an amazing dad. "Ron DeSantis would be a very good candidate for the St. Johns county commission if he did not have Casey DeSantis in his life," Schorsch said.

☆ Milwaukee Election Official Who Sought Fraudulent Ballots Is Removed
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Ben Kesling | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Kimberly Zapata, deputy director of the Milwaukee Election Commission, pictured earlier this year, had her access to offices and computers revoked. Milwaukee officials dismissed the city’s deputy director of its elections commission, saying she fraudulently requested absentee military ballots and then passed them along to a state representative, Mayor Cavalier Johnson said Thursday. There was no attempt to vote illegally, Mr. Johnson said at a press conference. City officials said they didn’t know the reasons for the actions of Milwaukee Election Commission Deputy Director Kimberly Zapata.

☆ Missouri Amendment 3: Voters could legalize marijuana for personal use
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Taiyler Simone Mitchell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Missouri Amendment 3 would legalize marijuana use. Ballot measure detailsWhile the use of medical marijuana was legalized in the state in 2018, Amendment 3, the Marijuana Legalization Initiative, would legalize personal marijuana use for adults over the age of 21. Several groups support it, including the ACLU of Missouri, Empower Missouri, Missouri AFL-CIO, Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, MoCannTrade, NAACP St. Louis City, NORML KC, and Reale Justice Network, according to Ballotpedia. "Missouri shouldn't legalize marijuana without automatically expunging thousands of criminal records for marijuana offenses that will soon be legal," John Bowman, president of the St. Louis County NAACP, told the Missouri Times. Mike Parson, State Rep. Ashley Bland Manlove, Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Missouri Catholic Conference, Missouri Constitutional Conservatives PAC, and Missouri NAACP all oppose the measure, according to Ballotpedia.

☆ Amendment 2: Kentucky voters could establish that citizens don't have the right to abortion
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Kentucky's Amendment 3 will change the constitution to clarify that the right to abortion does not exist. Opponents argue that it will make it more difficult to pass future abortion rights legislation. Currently, there are three lawsuits challenging abortion law in Kentucky, all of which assert that the state's constitution provides a right to abortions. Those in support argue that the amendment is necessary to remove future legal challenges to the state's abortion law. Those opposed say the amendment will make it harder to pass abortion rights legislation in the state or argue that a person's right to abortion is protected.

☆ Prayers, the pledge of allegiance and culture wars: Inside a Doug Mastriano rally in the final days of his long-shot bid for governor of Pennsylvania
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Oma Seddiq | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

A Doug Mastriano rally in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, featured praying and wading into culture wars. National and state Republican donors and groups have offered little support to his candidacy. "He's just been there the whole time," a Mastriano voter in Bucks County who only identified himself as Jeremy, told Insider. "You can't get your message out one-on-one to voters," Josh Novotney, a Pennsylvania GOP strategist, told Insider. "It's a different tactic and I pray it works," Joe Vichot, chairman of Lehigh County's GOP, told Insider.

☆ Calls from Uvalde show pleas for help from inside school long before police confronted shooter
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Phil-Helsel-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Phil Helsel | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

The disturbing audio released by the Texas Tribune and ProPublica include 911 calls from a hiding teacher and a child who was trapped, calling with muffled voices. At 11:33 a.m., a man called 911 and yelled, “He’s inside the school shooting at the kids!” according to the audio released by the Texas Tribune and ProPublica. More coverage of the Uvalde school massacre Newly released Uvalde video shows officers discussing need to confront gunman, concerns about being shotBlistering report finds 'systemic failures' by authorities in the wake of Uvalde school shootingThe officer husband of slain Uvalde teacher tried to save her. Uvalde school district superintendent will resign after outrage over response to school massacreArredondo has testified that he thought of the situation as a “barricaded subject,” state legislators said in their report released in June. Last month, the school board approved the terms of district superintendent's retirement, the Texas Tribune reported.

☆ Democratic Rep. Sean Casten faces off against Republican Mayor Keith Pekau in Illinois' 6th Congressional District election
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Hanna Kang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Rep. Sean Casten is running against Republican Keith Pekau in Illinois' 6th Congressional District. Casten became the first Democrat to represent the 6th Congressional District in decades when he won in 2018. The 6th District race is one of many suburban races that could tip the balance of power in Washington. Casten became the first Democrat to represent the 6th Congressional District in decades when he unseated longtime Republican incumbent Peter Roskam in 2018. Voting history for Illinois' 6th Congressional DistrictIllinois' 6th Congressional District encompasses many of Chicago's southwestern suburbs and extends from Tinley Park to Lombard.

☆ Republican Nick LaLota faces off against Democratic state Rep. Bridget Fleming in New York's 1st Congressional District election
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Hanna Kang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Republican Nick LaLota is running against Democrat Bridget Fleming in New York's 1st Congressional District. The 1st District is located in the North Shore of Long Island. New York's 1st Congressional District candidatesLaLota is the chief of staff to the Suffolk County Legislature. Voting history for New York's 1st Congressional DistrictNew York's 1st Congressional District covers the North Shore of Suffolk County along with the Hamptons. His opponent, Fleming, has raised more than $2.4 million, spent $2.2 million, and has about $230,000 cash on hand.

☆ Jim Obergefell's Supreme Court case helped legalize same-sex marriage 7 years ago. Now, he could become the only openly gay member of Ohio's state House.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Now, Jim Obergefell — the man for which that case was named — is running for Ohio state House. "But you know, the nice thing is, everything I went through with the court case — a lot of that really prepared me for something like this." The "court case" in question was Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark 2015 civil rights case in which the Supreme Court ruled five to four that same-sex couples were guaranteed the right to marry. "I don't start with it, and I don't focus on it," he said of his association with the 2015 Supreme Court case. "Very, very few of them have a Supreme Court case that happened because of that relationship."

☆ Democratic Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney faces off against Republican Michael Lawler in New York's 17th Congressional District election
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Hanna Kang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney is running against Republican Michael Lawler in New York's 17th Congressional District. The 17th District is located in the lower Hudson Valley. New York's 17th Congressional District candidatesMaloney, who was first elected to the US House in 2012 after defeating Republican incumbent Nan Hayworth, serves on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Prior to his congressional career, Maloney served as senior advisor to former President Bill Clinton. Voting history for New York's 17th Congressional DistrictNew York's 17th Congressional District is located in the lower Hudson Valley and includes Rockland and Putnam counties, parts of Westchester, and three towns in southeast Dutchess County.

☆ Democratic Rep. Mike Levin faces off against Republican Brian Maryott in California's 49th Congressional District election
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Hanna Kang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Rep. Mike Levin is running against Republican Brian Maryott in California's 49th Congressional District. California's 49th Congressional District candidatesLevin is serving his second term in the House and sits on the Committee of Veterans Affairs, where he is vice chairman. This is his third time running for the 49th Congressional District seat. Voting history for California's 49th Congressional DistrictCalifornia's 49th Congressional District is located in northern San Diego County and includes the cities of Oceanside and Encinitas. Republican hybrid PAC Congressional Leadership Fund leads all spenders, with Democratic hybrid PAC House Majority PAC and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee so far placing second and third.

☆ GOP Senate nominee repeats hoax that children use litter boxes at school, weeks after John Oliver called Republicans 'heartbreakingly stupid' for perpetuating the debunked claim
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Isabella Zavarise | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

New Hampshire GOP Senate nominee Don Bolduc repeated a hoax about children using litter boxes. "They lick themselves, they're cats," Bolduc said to a crowd at an event on Thursday, as per CNN. "They're putting litter boxes, right? Litter boxes for this," he added. "If kids were using litter boxes in class, a state representative from Minnesota would not be the one breaking that news to you," Oliver said.

☆ Trump-backed Republican Geoff Diehl faces off against Democratic state Attorney General Maura Healey in Massachusetts' gubernatorial election
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Hanna Kang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Republican Geoff Diehl is running against Democrat Maura Healey in Massachusetts' gubernatorial race. The state has voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election cycle since 1988. Upon taking office, she became the first openly LGBTQ state attorney general in the nation. This race is also one of six Republican-held governorships up for election in a state carried by Biden in the 2020 presidential election. Unlike in the presidential election cycle, Massachusetts has voted for the Republican candidate in every gubernatorial election cycle since 1990, excluding 2006 and 2010.

☆ Democrat Katie Hobbs faces off against Trump-endorsed Republican Kari Lake in Arizona's gubernatorial election
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Hanna Kang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Democrat Katie Hobbs is running against Republican Kari Lake in Arizona's gubernatorial race. download the app Email address By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy PolicyDemocrat Katie Hobbs faces off against Republican Kari Lake in Arizona's gubernatorial election. Previously, she served as an Arizona state senator from 2013 to 2019 and as a state representative from 2011 to 2013. In recent history, Arizona has voted for the Republican candidate in every presidential election cycle, excluding 1996 and 2020. Her opponent, Hobbs, has raised $10.3 million, spent $8.6 million, and has $1.7 million of cash on hand, as of September 30.

☆ Officials condemn 'cowardly' and 'despicable' antisemitic messages displayed at University of Florida-Georgia football game supporting Ye
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( Julianne Mcshane | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

The same antisemitic message appears to have flashed across at least one other nearby building soon after appearing at the stadium, another video shows. An antisemitic message referencing Kanye West was projected on a building in Jacksonville, Fla. He was also locked out of his Twitter account and restricted from posting on Instagram earlier this month after he posted antisemitic messages on the platform. As of Sunday afternoon, he had not made any public comments on the antisemitic message that appeared at the game. Jacksonville City Council President Terrance Freeman and state Rep. Angie Nixon (D) also denounced Saturday's message in statements they posted on Twitter.

If election deniers in those races win, their ability to affect future elections could be made more robust by having cooperative election deniers in their state houses to help push legislation remaking certain election laws in those states. The group’s analysis found that election deniers were most prevalent in Arizona state legislative races, where they made up 87% of all Republican nominees in those races. In both Pennsylvania and Michigan, 62% of all Republican state legislative nominees in each state were election deniers, the group found. In Minnesota, 42% of all Republican nominees in state legislative races were election deniers, while in Nevada, 31% were. That included several incumbents and candidates in Minnesota who'd who had questioned or challenged the results of the 2020 election.

☆ Some felons who are allowed to vote are staying away from the polls because they're afraid of being arrested, Florida lawmaker says
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( Taiyler Simone Mitchell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

In 2018, Florida granted formerly incarcerated individuals the right to vote, with some exceptions. Some individuals who said they thought they were allowed to vote were arrested in August. The data aligns with a New York Times report that said people who are poor and Black are more likely to be jailed for voter fraud than retirees. Republicans frequently sound the alarm over concerns of voter fraud, including in Florida, where former President Donald Trump won and where three seniors in a pro-Trump elderly community were also charged with voter fraud last year. But in stark contrast to Trump's claims that the 2020 election was stolen, The Associated Press identified less than 500 instances of voter fraud during the 2020 election cycle.

☆ Fact Check-Pennsylvania Department of State says ballots were not sent to 240,000 unverified voters
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Social media users are saying that 240,000 ballots have been sent to “unverified” voters in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of State issued the statement that “there are not 240,000 ‘unverified ballots,’ as certain lawmakers are claiming” and calling the allegation “misinformation”. The claims originate in a letter sent by Pennsylvania state representatives to the acting secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Leigh Chapman (here). Note: Updated on Oct. 28, 2022 to update the headline and add that Reuters Fact Check was not able to independently confirm the number of unverified ballots mailed or unverified ballot applications. The Pennsylvania Department of State issued a statement saying that 240,000 unverified ballots were not sent to voters.

Here is a summary of significant cases filed ahead of the Nov. 8 election and where they stand. The case is now before the Nevada Supreme Court, which earlier this month blocked officials from livestreaming the count ahead of election day. And in North Carolina, Republicans lost a bid to shorten the deadline for election officials to receive mail ballots from Nov. 14 to Nov. 11. Another lawsuit in Illinois, challenging the counting of mail ballots up to two weeks after election day, is pending. In Texas, the Justice Department and civil-rights groups are challenging a wide-ranging 2021 state law that criminalizes many voter outreach efforts.

Here is a summary of significant cases filed ahead of the Nov. 8 election and where they stand. County election officials halted the hand count in response to a ruling by the Nevada Supreme Court late Thursday, the ACLU said. And in North Carolina, Republicans lost a bid to shorten the deadline for election officials to receive mail ballots from Nov. 14 to Nov. 11. Another lawsuit in Illinois, challenging the counting of mail ballots up to two weeks after election day, is pending. In Texas, the Justice Department and civil-rights groups are challenging a wide-ranging 2021 state law that criminalizes many voter outreach efforts.

☆ Former South Carolina deputies won't face federal charges in jail death of Black man who was pepper-sprayed and stunned
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Minyvonne Burke | Minyvonne Burke Is A Senior Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Two former South Carolina jail deputies will not face federal criminal civil rights charges for the in-custody death of a Black man who was pepper-sprayed and repeatedly shocked with a stun gun, the Department of Justice said Wednesday. The federal case involving Jamal Sutherland's Jan. 5, 2021, death at Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center in North Charleston is now closed. A use-of-force expert who reviewed the case for Wilson said that he didn't find that the deputies violated jail policies but noted that those policies are "indefensible." Houle and Fickett were fired by the department following Sutherland's death. Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano said the video of Sutherland’s death was "horrific."

Anyone on his team who agreed to a debate should be fired, or never work again, because that debate may have tanked his campaign,” said Chris Kofinis, a veteran Democratic campaign strategist. John Fetterman, the Democratic Senate nominee in Pennsylvania, debates Republican challenger Mehmet Oz on Tuesday. And Fetterman’s campaign, eager to project strength, said Wednesday that it had raised $2 million since the debate ended“There’s always second-guessing,” Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., said on MSNBC Wednesday. Fetterman’s debate performance took some Republicans by surprise, too. But another top Pennsylvania Democrat, who believes Fetterman’s debate performance was devastating and requested anonymity to offer candid thoughts on the party’s nominee, fears the race is over.

IllinoisIn Illinois, two candidates are looking to make history as the state's first Latina congresswoman: Democratic state Rep. Delia Ramirez in the state's 3rd Congressional District, and Republican newcomer Catalina Lauf in the 11th Congressional District. OregonIn Oregon, two candidates are looking to become the state’s first Latina congresswoman: Democratic state Rep. Andrea Salinas and Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the former mayor of Happy Valley. Flores is on the ballot again in November to defend her newly won seat representing Texas’ 34th Congressional District. Among them are Jenny Garcia Sharon in the 37th Congressional District and Carmen Maria Montiel in the 18th District. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images fileSen. Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democrat, made history as the first Latina elected to the U.S. Senate and the first woman elected to the Senate from Nevada.

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.

☆ These 10 LGBTQ candidates could make political history in November
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( Matt Lavietes | Matt Lavietes Is A Reporter For Nbc Out. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +11 min

More than 600 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer candidates will be on the ballot Nov. 8 — up from the 432 candidates in the previous midterm elections in 2018 — according to the political action committee LGBTQ Victory Fund. But even as an LGBTQ political leader, Balint, who is a lesbian, has faced pushback for her sexuality. He previously told NBC News that his Republican political affiliation was a result of his family's affection for former President Ronald Reagan. Jennie ArmstrongRunning for: Alaska House of Representatives, District 16Andrew GrayRunning for: Alaska House of Representatives, District 20If elected would be the first: LGBTQ state lawmaker(s) in Alaskan history. Alaska is one of four states with zero out LGBTQ state lawmakers, according to the LGBTQ Victory Fund.

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