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☆ Election Updates: Trump has rapidly eroded Biden’s edge in the 2024 cash battle.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( Shane Goldmacher | Theodore Schleifer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +10 min

Overall, Mr. Trump was a daunting $100 million behind Mr. Biden at the start of April. And for the first time, Mr. Trump’s principal campaign committee had more cash than Mr. Biden’s: $116.5 million to $91.6 million. report does not translate to boots on the ground tomorrow,” Dan Kanninen, Mr. Biden’s battleground states director, said in an interview. So far, Mr. Biden has enjoyed a tremendous advertising advantage over Mr. Trump. Hopefully that changes as we get even closer.”For now, Mr. Biden is racing to replenish his coffers in June.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Biden, outpacing, Trump’s, ”, Brian Derrick, ” Mr, Timothy Mellon, “ What’s, Dan Kanninen, Donald Trump, ” Steven Cheung, Mr, Joe, President Trump, Cheung, Jimmy Kimmel, Barack Obama, Erin Schaff, Nikki Haley, Haley’s, John Paulson, Stephen A, MAGA, Rufus Gifford, Mitt Romney, Barack Obama’s, Jon Reinish, He’s, Obama, Terry McAuliffe, Bill Clinton, — Andy Beshear, JB Pritzker, Gretchen Whitmer Organizations: Mr, Democratic National Committee, Republican National Committee, Trump, Biden, Democratic, Republican, The New York Times, Blackstone, Make, Inc, MAGA Inc, Hollywood, Illinois Locations: New York, Los Angeles, Trump’s Florida, Mar, AdImpact, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan, Atlanta

☆ Democrats wanted an agreement on using artificial intelligence. It went nowhere
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

The Democratic National Committee was watching earlier this year as campaigns nationwide were experimenting with artificial intelligence. It asked campaigns to check work by AI tools, protect against biases and avoid using AI to create misleading content. It sent the proposal in March to the five Democratic campaign committees that seek to elect House, Senate, gubernatorial, state legislative and state attorneys general candidates to office, according to the draft agreement. The Democratic committee had hoped the statement would be signed by Chair Jaime Harrison and the leaders of the other organizations. Spokesmen from the Democratic Governors Association and Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee declined to comment.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hannah Muldavin, Muldavin, Jaime Harrison, Sam Altman, Eric Schmidt, Altman, Biden, Dustin Moskovitz, Reid Hoffman, – Organizations: White, Democratic National Committee, The Associated Press, Democratic, DNC, Republican National Committee, Google, Federal, Commission, Facebook, LinkedIn, Democratic Congressional Campaign, General, Associated Press, Democratic Governors Association, Democratic Legislative Locations: Washington , DC

☆ Who’s coming to the White House’s Japan state dinner: the Clintons, De Niro, Bezos
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Betsy Klein | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The guest list also includes Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield and White House chief of staff Jeff Zients. NBC News White House correspondent Kelly O’Donnell, who is the president of the White House Correspondents Association, will attend, as well as Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin. First lady Jill Biden chose Simon to perform at the state dinner because Kishida also “shares an appreciation” for his work, a White House official said. The state dinner for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol featured a Broadway star’s performance of Don McLean’s “American Pie” – a personal favorite of Yoon. It led to one of the iconic state dinner moments of the Biden presidency – Yoon picking up a microphone to serenade guests with a few lines from the song.

Persons: Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Robert De Niro, Jeff Bezos, Fumio Kishida, Joe Biden, Kristi Yamaguchi, Tim Cook, Laurence Fink, Jamie Dimon, Brad Smith, Shawn Fain, Cecile Richards, Antony Blinken, Janet Yellen, Alejandro Mayorkas, Jennifer Granholm, Gina Raimondo, National Intelligence Avril Haines, Katherine Tai, United Nations Linda Thomas, Jeff Zients, CQ, Jerome Powell, Bill Nelson, Biden, Donald Trump, De Niro, Nelson, ” Nelson, Sen, Bill Hagerty, Trump, Rahm Emanuel, Kelly O’Donnell, Josh Rogin, Kamala Harris, Doug Emhoff, Kathy Hochul, Josh Shapiro, Tony Evers, Roy Cooper of, Mazie, Jeff Merkley, Ashley Biden, Howard Krein, Finnegan Biden, Naomi Biden Neal, Peter Neal, Paul Simon, Jill Biden, Simon, Kishida, ”, It’s, Yoon Suk, Don McLean’s, Yoon, – Yoon, CNN’s Arlette Saenz Organizations: CNN, Amazon, White, Japan’s, Apple, BlackRock, JPMorgan, Microsoft, United Auto Workers, Planned, Biden, Homeland, Senate, Energy, National Intelligence, US, United Nations, White House, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Federal, NASA, Tennessee Republican, NBC, White House Correspondents Association, Washington, Democratic, Gov, Pennsylvania, South Korean Locations: Japanese American, Greenfield, Cleveland , Ohio, Japan, New York, Tony Evers of Wisconsin, Roy Cooper of North Carolina, Hawaii, Oregon

☆ Voting rule changes: Republicans push ballot measures in key battleground states
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Fredreka Schouten | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —Republican lawmakers and activists in several presidential battlegrounds are pushing ballot measures to change how elections are run in their states. And in Arizona, a so-called ballot referral moving through the Republican-controlled Legislature would upend the state’s widely used, no-excuse vote-by-mail system. Constitutional amendments in Wisconsin and ballot referenda in Arizona are not subject to the approval of governors in those states. “Wisconsin’s status as a swing state makes election integrity measures important locally, nationally and internationally.”If approved, the Wisconsin measures would be in effect for this year’s elections. Katie Hobbs has vetoed a raft of legislation – ranging from efforts to get rid of red-light cameras to prohibiting ranked-choice voting in the state’s elections.

Persons: ”, Jay Heck, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Sen, Eric Wimberger, Mark Zuckerberg, Priscilla Chan, Zuckerberg, Tony Evers, Will Flanders, –, who’s, Debra Cronmiller, Katie Hobbs, Hobbs ’, Alex Gulotta, “, Wendy Rogers, Rogers, Wisconsin’s, noncitizens Organizations: CNN, Republican, GOP, Silver State, Tuesday ., White House, Center for Tech, Republicans, Democratic, National Conference of State Legislatures, Wisconsin Institute of Law and Liberty, Badger State, League of Women Voters of, Phoenix New Times, Phoenix, Clark County Republican Party, Wisconsin, New, New York City Locations: Wisconsin, Nevada, Silver, Arizona, Tuesday . Arizona, League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, Maricopa County, ” Arizona, Clark, New York City, York, New York

North Carolina voters Tuesday set up a historic – and likely combative and extremely expensive – race for governor, nominating Democrat Josh Stein and Republican Mark Robinson for what is shaping up as the most closely watched gubernatorial race of the year. With 8% of ballots counted, Stein had won 72% of the Democratic primary vote, while Robinson captured 63% of the Republican primary vote. North Carolina is a nominally red state that is nonetheless politically competitive. Robinson has called public school teachers "wicked people" and has referred to survivors of school shootings as "prosti-tots." Robinson, Cooper says, is very much like Trump, who recently called Robinson "Martin Luther King on steroids."

Persons: Josh Stein, Republican Mark Robinson, General Stein, Robinson, Stein, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Trump, Biden, Ashley Judd, Judd, Oscar, It's, Christopher Cooper, Cooper, Martin Luther King Organizations: North, North Carolina voters, Republican, Associated Press, Democratic, GOP, Trump, CIA, Facebook, Haire Institute for Public, Institute, Western Carolina University Locations: North Carolina, Carolina, Georgia, China

☆ Opinion: On the border, voters want action, not photo ops
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Opinion Jon Gabriel | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Upholding that proud tradition, President Joe Biden is headed to the border on Thursday — and so is former President Donald Trump. I’m a lifelong resident of Arizona, and border-state voters have heard a lot of talk, but haven’t seen much action. The president’s only other visit to the border was a year ago, briefly stopping in El Paso before racing back home. This would at least mitigate Biden’s polling drop while also giving border states and blue cities a respite from the migrant influx. They’re done with photo-ops next to broken border walls and other campaign stunts.

Persons: Jon Gabriel, CNN — It’s, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Jon Gabriel Unfortunately, Biden, Bob Dole, Bill Clinton, Sen, John McCain, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, I’m, haven’t, Greg Abbott, Eric Adams, JB Pritzker, Abbott, “, Trump, ”, Alejandro Mayorkas, They’re Organizations: The Arizona, Twitter, CNN, Trump, Texas Gov, Texas National Guard, Gallup, Democratic, New York City, Immigration, Customs, Illinois Gov, New York City Police Department, Republicans, U.S . Border Patrol, Senate, GOP, Homeland Locations: The Arizona Republic, Texas, Arizona, Douglas, Yuma, Tucson, El Paso, Brownsville , Texas, Gulf of Mexico, Eagle Pass , Texas, Del Rio, America, New York, Illinois, New, Georgia, Brownsville

☆ The Quiet Way Democrats Hope to Expand Their Power at the State Level
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Nick Corasaniti | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Locked out of power on the Supreme Court and still playing catch-up against Republicans in the federal judiciary, Democrats are hoping to gain a political advantage on a less visible but still important playing field: the state courts. After flipping the Arizona governor’s seat from Republican to Democratic last year, Gov. In five years leading deeply red Kansas, the Democratic governor, Laura Kelly, has named two justices to the Court of Appeals and one to the State Supreme Court. Governors have the power to appoint judges in nearly every state. These responsibilities are set to take center stage in political campaigns this year, as the Democratic Governors Association begins a multimillion-dollar effort, called the Power to Appoint Fund, aimed at key governor’s races.

Persons: Katie Hobbs, Laura Kelly Organizations: Supreme, Republicans, Arizona, Republican, Democratic, Gov, Supreme Court, Governors, Democratic Governors Association Locations: Kansas, New Hampshire, North Carolina

CNN —While the 2024 presidential race seems set in stone as a rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, it’s also true that things happen. Back in November 1872, for instance, the newspaper publisher and Democratic presidential candidate Horace Greeley died after Election Day but before the casting of Electoral College votes. No one knows for sure what would happen if a candidate died or for some reason needed to withdraw from the race. The process of replacing a presidential candidate very much depends on when the vacancy occurs – during the primary process and before the party convention; during the convention or after the convention; or before or after people vote in November. When he dropped out of the presidential race, it set off a chaotic dash to replace him.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, it’s, Horace Greeley, Ulysses S, Grant, – Greeley’s, Greeley, Biden, Trump, Elaine Kamarck, Nikki Haley, Kamala Harris, ”, Lyndon B, Johnson, Sen, Robert F, Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey, Republicans –, Thomas Eagleton, Sargent Shriver, George McGovern’s Organizations: CNN, Democratic, Electoral College, Electoral, New York Tribune, MPI, Trump, Republicans, Democrats, Republican, Democratic National Committee, Brookings Institution, South Carolina Gov, California, Democrats – The Democratic National Committee, Republican National Committee, Service, CRS, Democrat, DNC, Congress Locations: Milwaukee, Chicago, New, Los Angeles

☆ How using the 14th Amendment against Trump went from a ‘pipe-dream fantasy’ to the Supreme Court
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Marshall Cohen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

‘A sheer coincidence’The journey to the Supreme Court unknowingly began even before the insurrection itself. (In the Cawthorn case, the group partnered with a retired GOP state Supreme Court justice.) CREW appealed to the Colorado Supreme Court, whose members were all appointed by Democratic governors, though they originate from a pool of candidates recommended by a bipartisan panel. Trump appealed the Colorado ruling to the US Supreme Court in early January and oral arguments are set for Thursday. “It’s embarrassing, and it shows the imbalance on our state Supreme Court,” Buck told CNN.

Persons: Donald Trump, “, –, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Madison Cawthorn, coalescing, ”, Donald Sherman, Gerard Magliocca, ” Magliocca, United States …, Trump, Donald Trump’s, Jack Dempsey, Mitch McConnell, ” He’d, hadn’t, James Bopp, Greene, didn’t, Ron Fein, resoundingly, Bopp, ” Fein, Couy Griffin, ” Sherman, Griffin, ” Griffin, Trump’s, William Baude, Michael Stokes Paulsen, J, Michael Luttig, ‘, Sherman, Winston Pingeon, Pingeon, Sarah Wallace, ” Donald Sherman, State Jena Griswold, FDR, Norma Anderson, “ I’ve, Wallace, Magliocca, disqualifying Trump, Carlos Samour, vindicating, Ken Buck, Ken Buck of Colorado, denialism, Buck, ” Buck, …, ” CNN’s Scott Bronstein Organizations: Washington CNN, Trump, Liberal, Rep, Madison, Citizens, Indiana University, United, Capitol, AP Police, National Guard, Republican, Republicans, GOP, Amnesty, ”, Cowboys, Trump Republicans, Federalist Society, Colorado Supreme, US Capitol Police, Responsibility, Ethics, Abaca Press, Colorado, State, Colorado Legislature, Court, Democratic, Dissenting, US Supreme, Supreme, CNN Locations: Colorado’s, Colorado, Thursday’s, America, Washington, United States, DC, Colorado and Maine, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, North Carolina, Cawthorn, Georgia, New Mexico, Denver, “ Colorado, Israel, Michigan, Minnesota, Washington ,, Dissenting Colorado, Oregon, Illinois, Ken Buck of

Most details of the Democratic governor's budget plan for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which starts July 1, remain under wraps. But Shapiro has made it clear he will seek more money for higher education and public transit agencies and possibly underfunded public schools. He also wants to spend more money to attract major companies and seems ready to revisit the controversial item that helped sow a protracted budget fight last year: creating a new private school voucher program. Here’s what to watch for Tuesday:THE BUDGET BASICSShapiro will almost certainly propose an operating budget that spends above this year’s $45 billion approved plan. Those include nearly $300 million more for public transit agencies, a roughly 25% increase, and a substantial, but undisclosed, increase for state-owned universities.

Persons: Josh Shapiro, Shapiro, he's, ” Shapiro, hasn't, Pennsylvania's, Marc Levy Organizations: —, Democratic, Senate, Rotunda . Governors, Republican, Republicans Locations: HARRISBURG, Pa, Pennsylvania, , Pennsylvania, www.twitter.com

With the 2024 presidential campaign shaping up as a likely rematch between Biden and Trump, immigration has moved to the forefront as one of the president's biggest potential liabilities. “If that bill were the law today, I’d shut down the border right now and fix it quickly,” Biden said last weekend. That was due in part to a lack of cooperation from many cities and states whose leaders opposed Trump’s immigration policies. Wayne Bowens, a 72-year-old retired real estate agent in Scottsdale, Arizona, said he's disgusted by both Biden and Trump's recent border moves. Most Republicans, 55%, say the government needs to focus on immigration in 2024, while 22% of Democrats listed immigration as a priority.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Donald Trump, I’d, ” Biden, Katie Hobbs, ” Hobbs, Washington “, Trump, ”, Corey Lewandowski, Trump’s, ” Trump, “, “ Nobody, it’s, Pope Francis, Barack Obama, Angelo Fernandez Hernandez, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Biden’s, ” Fernandez Hernandez, Wayne Bowens, he's, ’ ”, Bowens, It’s, Mike Madrid, Jill Colvin, Erin Hooley, Anita Snow Organizations: Biden, Trump, Democratic, Arizona Gov, Democrat, National Guard, Nine, Republicans, U.S ., White, GOP, “, Border Patrol, Republican, Associated Press Locations: SCOTTSDALE, Ariz, United States, New York, Chicago, Denver, Washington, States, Arizona , California , Colorado , Illinois, Maryland , Massachusetts , New Jersey , New York, New Mexico, Mexico, Las Vegas, U.S, Scottsdale , Arizona, “ Ukraine, Israel, California, Madrid, ” Madrid, Manchester , New Hampshire, Phoenix

☆ 9 Democratic Governors Push Biden and Congress to Address Migrant Crisis
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Grace Ashford | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Nine Democratic governors have joined together to urge the Biden administration and congressional leaders to address what they call “a humanitarian crisis” created by the surge of migrants seeking refuge in the United States. The governors, led by Gov. “It is clear our national immigration system is outdated and unprepared to respond to this unprecedented global migration,” reads the letter, which is signed by Ms. Hochul and the governors of Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, New Mexico, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Maryland. Last year, President Biden proposed a $106 billion package that included aid to states and localities as well as more funding for border security and deportations, along with aid to Ukraine. But like so many other immigration-related proposals of the past, his effort failed to garner the bipartisan support necessary to pass a divided Congress.

Persons: Biden, Kathy Hochul, Hochul Organizations: Gov, White House Locations: United States, New York, Arizona , California , Colorado , Illinois, New Mexico , Massachusetts , New Jersey, Maryland, Ukraine

☆ New York and California make retail theft a 2024 priority: 'We mean business'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-11 | by ( Gabrielle Fonrouge | In Gabrielle-Fonrouge | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Since 2022, at least nine states — including six in 2023 — passed laws to impose harsher penalties for organized retail crime offenses, and New York and California could join that list. It's tough to determine whether theft offenses are up nationally, as it's a crime that often goes unreported and undetected. Experts previously told CNBC that laws that increase penalties for retail crime offenses may not actually reduce theft offenses, and could disproportionately harm marginalized groups. "Across our nation and our state, retail theft has surged, creating fear among customers and workers. Newsom this week also called for new legislation that would address organized retail crime.

Persons: Kathy Hochul, Gavin Newsom, —, It's, Hochul, Newsom, sheriff's, — CNBC's Christina Wilkie Organizations: Democratic, Republicans, CNBC, Owners, CNBC PRO Locations: New York, California

He touted on the 2016 campaign trail that the wall along the U.S. Mexico border would be 1,000 miles long. The Trump administration ended up building 453 miles of border wall, the bulk of which went towards reinforcing or rebuilding existing portions of the wall. Trump also said the border wall would cost between $8 billion and $12 billion, costs Mexico would cover. And the survey showed Republicans with an 18-point lead on immigration — a number that’s higher than at any point during the Trump administration. Encounters at the southern border have steadily increased since June, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Joe Biden, “, ”, Angie Garcia, Garcia, it’s, Denise Eason, ” Eason, That’s, Biden, Myra Banks, I’m, ’ ”, Banks, “ We’re, we’ve, ” Trump Organizations: Republican Party —, Trump, Republican, NBC, Democrat, U.S . Customs, Border Locations: EDINBURG , Texas, U.S, Mexico, Edinburg , Texas, McAllen , Texas

☆ Biden December fundraising blitz to star James Taylor, Spielberg
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Jarrett Renshaw | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a reception at the White House ahead of the 46th Kennedy Center Honors gala, in Washington, U.S. December 3, 2023. "We're putting in the work across our fundraising program and look forward to again outperforming the MAGA field," Biden campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz said. Next week, Biden will raise money in Pennsylvania and Maryland with the states' Democratic governors Josh Shapiro and Wes Moore. Recent polling has shown the GOP frontrunner leading Biden in hypothetical matchups in key swing states and on the national level. Hollywood and the entertainment industry overall lean Democratic, at least when it comes to fundraising, according to OpenSecrets, which tracks campaign contributions.

Persons: Joe Biden, Nathan Howard, Biden, James Taylor, Stephen Spielberg, Rob Reiner, Michael Smith, James Costos, Barack Obama's, Lenny Kravitz, Wendy Schmidt, Eric Schmidt, Rick Caruso, Robert Tuttle, outperforming, MAGA, Kevin Munoz, Josh Shapiro, Wes Moore, Kamala Harris, Gretchen Whitmer, Alex Padilla, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Donald Trump, Charles Koch's, Nikki Haley, Miriam Adelson, ouptaced Trump, Jarrett Renshaw, Heather Timmons, Bill Berkrot Organizations: White, 46th Kennedy Center, REUTERS, Democratic, Reuters, HBO, Los, Biden, Super, Trump, Democratic Party, Republican, Democratic National Committee, Hollywood, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Boston, California, Los Angeles, Spain, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Michigan, Alex Padilla of California

☆ Lots of governors think that Biden needs to be attending way more groundbreakings on infrastructure law projects to push back on the idea he's too old to govern
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

As the 2024 election heats up, President Biden remains weighed down by low approval ratings. But Democratic governors think Biden can raise his numbers by boosting his visibility, per The NYT. The governors believe the president should attend more ribbon-cuttings to further sell the infrastructure law. AdvertisementWhile a swath of Democratic governors across the country enjoy positive approval ratings in their states, President Joe Biden remains in a political rut. Advertisement"The problem is going to be, it's going to take us 20 years to build all this infrastructure out," Walz said.

Persons: Biden, —, Joe Biden, Phil Murphy, Biden's, Laura Kelly, Tim Walz, " Walz Organizations: Service, Biden, Democratic, The New York Times, New, New Jersey Gov, The, Kansas Gov, Times, Minnesota Gov Locations: Arizona, New Jersey, Kansas

☆ Talk About Abortion, Don’t Talk About Trump: Governors Give Biden Advice
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Reid J. Epstein | More About Reid J. Epstein | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

America’s Democratic governors brag about booming local economies, preside over ribbon-cuttings of projects paid for with new federal legislation and have successfully framed themselves as defenders of abortion rights and democracy. Almost all of them are far more popular in their home states than the Democratic president they hope to re-elect next year. While President Biden is mired in the political doldrums of low approval ratings and a national economy that voters are sour on, Democratic governors are riding high, having won re-election in red-state Kentucky last month and holding office in five of the seven most important presidential battleground states. The governors, like nearly all prominent Democrats, are publicly projecting confidence: In interviews and conversations with eight governors at their annual winter gathering at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix over the weekend, they expressed on-the-record optimism that Mr. Biden would win re-election.

Persons: Biden Organizations: Democratic, Arizona Biltmore Locations: Kentucky, Phoenix

Pledged and bound delegates can be further divided into at-large delegates and district delegates. At-large delegates represent the entire state, while district delegates represent specific districts within the state, usually congressional districts but sometimes state legislative districts. How does a candidate ‘win’ delegates? Others allocate just their statewide delegates according to the statewide vote and their district delegates according to the vote in each district. Congressional district delegates would be awarded the same way, based on results in each individual district.

Persons: isn’t, it’s, — Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republican National Committee, Electoral College, White, Delegates, Democratic, Republican, of Columbia, Democrats, U.S . Senate, Democratic National Committee, RNC, Congressional, Republicans, New, South Carolina, DNC Locations: Guam , Montana , New Mexico, South Dakota, Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina, Michigan

☆ Democrats Plan to Spend Millions to Weaken Republican Supermajorities
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Nick Corasaniti | More About Nick Corasaniti | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Democrats are planning to spend millions of dollars next year on just a few state legislative elections in Kansas, North Carolina, Kentucky and Wisconsin — states where they have little to no chance of winning control of a chamber. Yet what might appear to be an aimless move is decidedly strategic: Democrats are pushing to break up Republican supermajorities in states with Democratic governors, effectively battling to win back the veto pen district by district. Such supermajorities result when a single political party has enough votes in both chambers of a legislature to override a governor’s veto, often, though not always, by controlling two-thirds of the chamber. As gerrymanders built by both parties for decades have tipped the scales to favor the party of the map-drawers, legislative chambers have proved resistant to shifting political winds at the state level. At times, those gerrymanders have locked in minority rule in legislatures while statewide offices, like the governor’s, adhere to the desires of a simple majority of voters.

Persons: gerrymanders Organizations: Democratic Locations: Kansas , North Carolina , Kentucky, Wisconsin

OHIO ABORTION RIGHTSOhioans voted to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, Edison Research projected, which will render moot a six-week abortion limit signed into law by Republican Governor Mike DeWine. The ban is currently on hold pending litigation at the conservative state Supreme Court. The success of Ohio's ballot measure initiative, which put the question of abortion rights to voters directly, adds to a string of ballot measure victories for abortion rights supporters since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURTThe race for a new state Supreme Court justice will not alter the liberal tilt of Pennsylvania's highest court but could have future implications for abortion rights and election laws in the state. Democrats have a 4-2 majority in the partisan state court, with one vacant seat to be filled in this election.

Persons: Andy Beshear, Jon Cherry, Daniel Cameron, Republican Donald Trump, Beshear, Tate Reeves, Democrat Brandon Presley, Reeves, Presley, Elvis Presley, Roe, Wade, Glenn Youngkin, Mike DeWine, Cherelle Parker, Republican David Oh, Jim Kenney, Sheila Jackson Lee, John Whitmire, Sylvester Turner, Daniel McCaffery, Carolyn Carluccio, Gabriella Borter, Colleen Jenkins, Lincoln Organizations: Democratic, Capitol, REUTERS, Republicans, KENTUCKY, Edison Research, Republican, MISSISSIPPI GOVERNOR Republican, Democrat, Democratic Governors Association, NEW, General, U.S, PENNSYLVANIA, New York Times, Democrats, Thomson Locations: Frankfort , Kentucky, U.S, Kentucky, Mississippi, Virginia, New Jersey, Ohio, COVID, MISSISSIPPI, Northern Mississippi, Southern, VIRGINIA, Virginia's Senate, U.S ., NEW JERSEY, Democratic New Jersey, OHIO, Philadelphia, Houston

Previously, Democratic governors who had backed school choice measures had done so in compromise deals with Republican-controlled legislatures. Vouchers have long been viewed in stark partisan terms: Democrats and public school allies say they drain critical resources from public schools. Republicans and school choice advocates say they give freedom to families who may not like their local public schools. That had motivated public school advocates and Democrats to demand billions more for the poorest public schools, a quest that Shapiro has said he supports. Those fluent in the history of school vouchers could think of no other Democratic governor who had embraced them.

Persons: Josh Shapiro —, Shapiro, ”, Robert Enlow, ’ ”, Matthew Brouillette, Christopher Borick, Jeffrey Yass, Jeff Yass, Charlie Gerow, ” Shapiro, Joshua Cowen, Peter Schweyer, —, recriminations, “ cowering, Shapiro shrugged, we've, Marc Levy Organizations: —, Republican, Pennsylvania, Democratic, Republicans, Roman Catholic, Muhlenberg College Institute of Public, GOP, Fox News, Michigan State University, Republican Party, Senate Republicans, Lehigh . Teachers, AFSCME, SEIU, AFL, House Democratic, Wall Street Locations: HARRISBURG, Pa, Indianapolis, Pennsylvania, statehouses, Yass, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, “, Philadelphia

☆ White House waives 26 federal laws to speed up U.S.-Mexico border wall construction
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Emma Kinery | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks with border patrol officers as he walks along the border fence during his visit to the U.S.-Mexico border to assess border enforcement operations, in El Paso, Texas, on Jan. 8, 2023. WASHINGTON — The Biden administration waived 26 federal laws in South Texas to greenlight the construction of approximately 20 additional miles of the U.S.-Mexico border wall in the Rio Grande Valley. The continuation of border wall construction, which was announced in late June, is a major policy pivot for the Biden administration. During his 2020 campaign, President Joe Biden promised not "another foot of wall" would be built under his administration. NBC News released a poll last week that found the majority of Americans say Republicans do a better job addressing border security.

Persons: Joe Biden, WASHINGTON —, Alejandro Mayorkas, Biden, J.B . Pritzker Organizations: WASHINGTON, Biden, Department of Homeland, Act, Democratic, Illinois, NBC, Republicans Locations: U.S, Mexico, El Paso , Texas, South Texas, Rio Grande, United States

☆ House Democrat says there's still time for someone to try to deny Joe Biden the party's nomination: 'The country is begging for alternatives'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Rep. Dean Phillips still hasn't ruled out launching a primary challenge against President Joe Biden. But he still says he's not the best candidate, and that there's still time for someone else to do it. "I recognize there'd be laughter, there'd be distaste, there would be disgust," he said of his own bid. "I do still think there's some time for somebody to enter," the Minnesota Democrat said in an interview with Steve Schmidt that was first shared with POLITICO on Monday. A spokesman for the Biden campaign did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Persons: Dean Phillips, hasn't, Joe Biden, he's, Steve Schmidt, I'm, Phillips, Gretchen Whitmer, Tim Walz, —, Biden, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton Organizations: Service, Democratic, Minnesota Democrat, POLITICO, Biden, GOP, Trump, Washington Post, ABC News Locations: Wall, Silicon, Michigan, Minnesota

All three states lean heavily Republican in federal elections, yet Democrats currently control the governorship in two out of the three. As usual, we are rating these races on the following scale: Safe Republican, Likely Republican, Lean Republican, Toss-Up, Lean Democratic, Likely Democratic and Safe Democratic. The race moving in the Republican direction is Louisiana, which we’re shifting from Likely Republican to Safe Republican. But for now, we’ll keep it at Likely Republican. That may be in tune with Kentucky voters, who, despite the state’s Republican lean, rejected a 2022 ballot measure that would have enhanced the state’s ability to outlaw abortion.

Persons: There’s, Andy Beshear, Democrat John Bel Edwards, Republican Tate Reeves, Edwards, Jeff Landry, Shawn Wilson, Edwards –, Landry, Donald Trump, Stephen Waguespack, John Schroder, Sen, Sharon Hewitt, Hunter Lundy, Lundy, he’s, polluters, Wilson, Mason, Dixon, that’s, Republican Reeves isn’t, Brandon Presley, Phil Bryant, Brett Favre, Favre, Reeves hasn’t, drumbeat, Reeves, Democrat hasn’t, Jim Hood, Presley, Elvis Presley, Beshear, Steve Beshear, Daniel Cameron, Mitch McConnell, Joe Biden, Kentuckians, Cameron, He’s, Trump Organizations: Republicans, Democrat, Republican, Lean Republican, Lean Democratic, Democratic, Safe Democratic, Safe Republican, Louisiana Safe Republican, Republican Party, Republican Governors Association, Mississippi, NFL, University of Southern, Public Service Commission, Kentucky Lean Democratic, Gov, Beshear, Kentucky, Democratic Governors Association Locations: Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, In Mississippi, Landry, Lundy, Brandon, Federal, University of Southern Mississippi, Cincinnati

Is there an election coming up by any chance?”While some individual schools and colleges have implemented temporary mask requirements, there is no sign that anyone in federal or state leadership is considering widespread COVID-19 restrictions, requirements or mask mandates. “No COVID-19 public health restrictions or mask requirements are being considered by the Murphy administration," said Christi Peace, spokesperson for New Jersey Gov. It was largely the same message from Democratic governors’ offices in several other states that responded to an inquiry about whether any COVID-19 mandates were under consideration. “Currently, COVID-19 lockdowns and mask mandates are not being discussed and the governor has no plans to institute these measures,” she said. Reinstated mask requirements across the country have so far been limited to a handful of local schools and businesses.

Persons: It's, Ron DeSantis, ”, Carolina Sen, Tim Scott, Donald Trump, Biden, ” Trump, Murphy, Phil Murphy, Jodi McGinnis Porter, Josh Shapiro, Kathy Hochul, Elisabeth Shephard, Tina Kotek, “, Alex Jones, Lauren Boebert, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Joe Biden’s, ” Biden, they’ve, Sen, J.D, Vance of, Democratic Sen, Ed Markey, Greene, Lisa Fazio, Tate Reeves, Nicky Forster, Joey Cappelletti, Mike Catalini, Jill Colvin, John Hanna, Maysoon Khan, Seung Min Kim, Steve LeBlanc, Morgan Lee, Marc Levy, Lisa Mascaro, Andrew Selsky Organizations: Florida Gov, Republicans, New Jersey Gov, New, New Mexico Department of Public Health, Oregon . Pennsylvania, Democrat, Democratic, New York Gov, TSA, Transportation Security, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, Republican, Morris Brown College, CDC, White House, Massachusetts, Vanderbilt University, Press, Associated Press, AP Locations: ”, Carolina, Rapid City , South Dakota, New Mexico, Kansas , Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon, California, New York, COVID, Colorado, Atlanta, Georgia, South Lake, Maryland, Vance of Ohio, Mississippi

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