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Midterm elections: early voting swells in several key states – live updates Midterm elections: early voting swells in several key states – live updates
(35 minutes later)
Republicans in Congressional races are short on cash, at least compared to the massive fundraising Democrats have achieved this year, the Los Angeles Times reports.
In districts across the country, Republicans find themselves in an unusual position this year — unable to match Democratic spending. The energy of the left has given many Democratic challengers a crushing fundraising advantage, putting Republicans on the defensive in an unexpectedly large share of the political map.
With their resources stretched, conservative political groups in many races have turned up the temperature on their attacks, gambling that will give their ad dollars more impact.
Sen. Lindsey Graham says that any Republican who isn’t excited to vote must be “legally dead.”
Graham, a South Carolina Republican, cited two issues that Republicans have used to whip up their base: a caravan of Central American migrants, and the fight over the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
“Kavanaugh and the caravan: if you’re a Republican and you’re not excited about voting, you’re legally dead,” he told Fox News.
Two conservative Democrats in tight Senate fights are up with new ads emphasizing their moderation. One, Phil Bredesen in Tennessee, touts his decision as governor to send members of the National Guard to the border.
Meanwhile, Phil Bredesen -- another Democratic Senate candidate -- is up with a new ad touting his decision to send members of the Tennessee national guard to the border in 2006 https://t.co/SL7F7Svac4 https://t.co/einXjxeKiq
Texas Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke accused Donald Trump of extending an “invitation to hate openly,” saying the president’s rhetoric has contributed to an atmosphere of hate in the country.
“The invitation to hate openly, unapologetically, to call Mexican immigrants rapists and criminals, to call asylum seekers animals, an infestation, to describe white nationalists, Klansmen, neo-Nazis as very fine people - that has certainly contributed to the environment that we see in this country at this moment,” O’Rourke said on MSNBC.
In the interview at the University of Houston, O’Rourke was asked about Trump’s culpability for the national atmosphere after an antisemitic gunman killed 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue, and a Trump supporter sent pipe bombs to a host of prominent Democrats.
“The challenge, though, is not to assess blame, but to try to lead by example,” O’Rourke said. “We’re going to shine through right now, at this moment of polarization, this moment of smallness and pettiness and meanness. We’re going to come through with our courage and our confidence and our strength.”
He called out Trump for quickly returning to attacking the press and his opponents rather than taking a moment to unify the country after the Pittsburgh tragedy.
“I don’t think he’s capable of it,” he said of promoting unity. “But that doesn’t have to limit who we are as a people. We are more than the president of the United States.”
“It’s up to us, the people, to decide if it is a winning strategy to blame the press, to blame migrants and refugees,” O’Rourke added. “It’s up to us to decide who we are.”
Donald Trump hit back at House Speaker Paul Ryan, who said the president “obviously” can’t end birthright citizenship with an executive order.Donald Trump hit back at House Speaker Paul Ryan, who said the president “obviously” can’t end birthright citizenship with an executive order.
“Paul Ryan should be focusing on holding the Majority rather than giving his opinions on Birthright Citizenship, something he knows nothing about!” Trump said in a tweet.“Paul Ryan should be focusing on holding the Majority rather than giving his opinions on Birthright Citizenship, something he knows nothing about!” Trump said in a tweet.
Paul Ryan should be focusing on holding the Majority rather than giving his opinions on Birthright Citizenship, something he knows nothing about! Our new Republican Majority will work on this, Closing the Immigration Loopholes and Securing our Border!Paul Ryan should be focusing on holding the Majority rather than giving his opinions on Birthright Citizenship, something he knows nothing about! Our new Republican Majority will work on this, Closing the Immigration Loopholes and Securing our Border!
“Well you obviously cannot do that,” Ryan told Lexington, Kentucky, radio station WVLK-AM Wednesday. “You cannot end birthright citizenship with an executive order.”“Well you obviously cannot do that,” Ryan told Lexington, Kentucky, radio station WVLK-AM Wednesday. “You cannot end birthright citizenship with an executive order.”
The 14th amendment to the Constitution says that people born in the United States are citizens, but Trump and some legal scholars have argued that does not guarantee birthright citizenship.The 14th amendment to the Constitution says that people born in the United States are citizens, but Trump and some legal scholars have argued that does not guarantee birthright citizenship.
That razor thin Georgia governor’s race may not have a winner on election night, because there is a third party candidate in the race and state law requires a candidate to win an outright majority or else face a runoff. The Associated Press reports:That razor thin Georgia governor’s race may not have a winner on election night, because there is a third party candidate in the race and state law requires a candidate to win an outright majority or else face a runoff. The Associated Press reports:
Ted Metz may not get many votes in the Georgia governor’s race, but the Libertarian candidate is on the ballot, raising the possibility that no one else will get to declare victory on Election Day either.Ted Metz may not get many votes in the Georgia governor’s race, but the Libertarian candidate is on the ballot, raising the possibility that no one else will get to declare victory on Election Day either.
Republican Brian Kemp and Democrat Stacey Abrams are in the home stretch of a closely watched race to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Nathan Deal, and polls have consistently shown the rivals running neck and neck.Republican Brian Kemp and Democrat Stacey Abrams are in the home stretch of a closely watched race to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Nathan Deal, and polls have consistently shown the rivals running neck and neck.
Metz’s third-party campaign has attracted scant attention, but he could still play a defining role in Tuesday’s outcome. If the vote margin between Kemp and Abrams is close enough, even a small percentage of votes for Metz could force the two major party contenders into a month of overtime culminating in a runoff election Dec. 4.Metz’s third-party campaign has attracted scant attention, but he could still play a defining role in Tuesday’s outcome. If the vote margin between Kemp and Abrams is close enough, even a small percentage of votes for Metz could force the two major party contenders into a month of overtime culminating in a runoff election Dec. 4.
That’s because Georgia requires candidates to get more than 50 percent of the vote to win an election.That’s because Georgia requires candidates to get more than 50 percent of the vote to win an election.
“The reason why you have to take it seriously is we expect the margin is going to be so close between Kemp and Abrams,” said Andra Gillespie, a political science professor at Emory University in Atlanta. “It’s probably going to be the closest we’ve seen in a long while.”“The reason why you have to take it seriously is we expect the margin is going to be so close between Kemp and Abrams,” said Andra Gillespie, a political science professor at Emory University in Atlanta. “It’s probably going to be the closest we’ve seen in a long while.”
New York Rep. Joe Crowley famously lost September’s primary to upstart Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, but flyers are circulating urging voters to vote for Crowley anyway.New York Rep. Joe Crowley famously lost September’s primary to upstart Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, but flyers are circulating urging voters to vote for Crowley anyway.
The flyer, whose source is unclear, points out that “many of us did not turn out on primary day” and calls Crowley, the powerful chair of the Queens Democratic party, “an accomplished leader with a well-documented progressive voting record, Gerson Borrero reports.The flyer, whose source is unclear, points out that “many of us did not turn out on primary day” and calls Crowley, the powerful chair of the Queens Democratic party, “an accomplished leader with a well-documented progressive voting record, Gerson Borrero reports.
Crowley will still be on the ballot as the nominee of the liberal Working Families Party as well as the Women’s Equality Party, a line created by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.Crowley will still be on the ballot as the nominee of the liberal Working Families Party as well as the Women’s Equality Party, a line created by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Crowley’s camp said they had nothing to do with the mailer and called is a “distraction” from Democrats’ effort to win back the House, according to NY1.Crowley’s camp said they had nothing to do with the mailer and called is a “distraction” from Democrats’ effort to win back the House, according to NY1.
Maine will be the first state in a federal general election to use instant runoff voting, the Washington Post reported.Maine will be the first state in a federal general election to use instant runoff voting, the Washington Post reported.
The system, also known as ranked choice voting, allows voters to rank multiple candidates in order of preference instead of voting for just one candidate.The system, also known as ranked choice voting, allows voters to rank multiple candidates in order of preference instead of voting for just one candidate.
If a candidate gets a majority of first choice votes, they win the election. But if no candidate gets a majority, the candidate with the fewest first choice votes is eliminated, and those votes are assigned to the voter’s second choice candidate. The process continues until someone gets a majority.If a candidate gets a majority of first choice votes, they win the election. But if no candidate gets a majority, the candidate with the fewest first choice votes is eliminated, and those votes are assigned to the voter’s second choice candidate. The process continues until someone gets a majority.
Next week Maine voters will choose a new governor, Sen. Angus King, an independent, is up for re-election, and there are elections in the state’s two House districts.Next week Maine voters will choose a new governor, Sen. Angus King, an independent, is up for re-election, and there are elections in the state’s two House districts.
A new poll shows Texas Sen. Ted Cruz ahead by just 3.6 percentage points among likely voters over his Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke.A new poll shows Texas Sen. Ted Cruz ahead by just 3.6 percentage points among likely voters over his Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke.
The University of Texas at Tyler poll released late Wednesday found 47% of likely voters back Cruz, and 43.4% back O’Rourke, the Texas Tribune reported.The University of Texas at Tyler poll released late Wednesday found 47% of likely voters back Cruz, and 43.4% back O’Rourke, the Texas Tribune reported.
Other recent polls have shown the Republican opponent with a larger, but shrinking, lead over the Democrat.Other recent polls have shown the Republican opponent with a larger, but shrinking, lead over the Democrat.
A Democratic dark money group called the Hub Project has set up at least 14 affiliate groups around the country to go after Republicans on their health care and economic policies, the New York times reports.A Democratic dark money group called the Hub Project has set up at least 14 affiliate groups around the country to go after Republicans on their health care and economic policies, the New York times reports.
All of the groups are funded and coordinated out of a single office in Washington.All of the groups are funded and coordinated out of a single office in Washington.
The organization is on track to spend nearly $30 million since 2017, most of it from donors who are not required to disclose their identities.The organization is on track to spend nearly $30 million since 2017, most of it from donors who are not required to disclose their identities.
The affiliate groups include Floridians for a Fair Shake, Keep Iowa Healthy, New Jersey for a Better Future and North Carolinians for a Fair Economy, and they have targeted some of the country’s most imperiled Republican incumbents.The affiliate groups include Floridians for a Fair Shake, Keep Iowa Healthy, New Jersey for a Better Future and North Carolinians for a Fair Economy, and they have targeted some of the country’s most imperiled Republican incumbents.
The Anti-Defamation League has sent the House speaker, Paul Ryan, a letter requesting that Steve King, the controversial Iowa Republican, be stripped of committee assignments and formally censured , our Tom McCarthy and Ben Jacobs report.The Anti-Defamation League has sent the House speaker, Paul Ryan, a letter requesting that Steve King, the controversial Iowa Republican, be stripped of committee assignments and formally censured , our Tom McCarthy and Ben Jacobs report.
The ADL cited a “disturbing series of involvements and statements … that are antisemitic and offensive not just to the Jewish community, but to all Americans.”The ADL cited a “disturbing series of involvements and statements … that are antisemitic and offensive not just to the Jewish community, but to all Americans.”
The letter was the latest in a series of extraordinary setbacks for King, an eight-term congressman who has regularly been re-elected in Iowa’s fourth congressional district by double-digit margins.The letter was the latest in a series of extraordinary setbacks for King, an eight-term congressman who has regularly been re-elected in Iowa’s fourth congressional district by double-digit margins.
The national Republican party withdrew support from King on Tuesday, with a tweet from Representative Steve Stivers of Ohio, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, which is in charge of defending the Republican House majority.The national Republican party withdrew support from King on Tuesday, with a tweet from Representative Steve Stivers of Ohio, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, which is in charge of defending the Republican House majority.
“Congressman Steve King’s recent comments, actions, and retweets are completely inappropriate,” Stivers tweeted. “We must stand up against white supremacy and hate in all forms, and I strongly condemn this behavior.”“Congressman Steve King’s recent comments, actions, and retweets are completely inappropriate,” Stivers tweeted. “We must stand up against white supremacy and hate in all forms, and I strongly condemn this behavior.”
Things have changed dramatically from just a few days ago, when Tom filed this story reporting that King’s history of controversial comments had done little to dampen his support.Things have changed dramatically from just a few days ago, when Tom filed this story reporting that King’s history of controversial comments had done little to dampen his support.
Democrats are accusing Georgia gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp - who doubles as the Republican candidate for governor and the incumbent Secretary of State overseeing elections - of showing disregard for election security, the Washington Post reports.Democrats are accusing Georgia gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp - who doubles as the Republican candidate for governor and the incumbent Secretary of State overseeing elections - of showing disregard for election security, the Washington Post reports.
At issue is the state’s electronic voting machines, which lack a backup paper record.At issue is the state’s electronic voting machines, which lack a backup paper record.
Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) called the machines a “disaster.”Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) called the machines a “disaster.”
“Secretary of State Kemp has shown a total disregard for election security,” Wyden told the Post. “He seems to see a personal benefit to ignoring the urgent warnings from experts and intelligence agencies about the threats to Georgia’s election system.”“Secretary of State Kemp has shown a total disregard for election security,” Wyden told the Post. “He seems to see a personal benefit to ignoring the urgent warnings from experts and intelligence agencies about the threats to Georgia’s election system.”
Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly gave a backhanded compliment to non-white members of his staff during a debate this week, the Washington Post reports.Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly gave a backhanded compliment to non-white members of his staff during a debate this week, the Washington Post reports.
Donnelly is a conservative Democrat in tight re-election fight.Donnelly is a conservative Democrat in tight re-election fight.
“Our state director is Indian American, but he does an amazing job. Our director of all constituent services, she’s African American, but she does an even more incredible job than you could ever imagine,” he said.“Our state director is Indian American, but he does an amazing job. Our director of all constituent services, she’s African American, but she does an even more incredible job than you could ever imagine,” he said.
A Twitter commenter compared the inartful wording unfavorably to the hapless Michael Scott.A Twitter commenter compared the inartful wording unfavorably to the hapless Michael Scott.
(via DM) "Donnelly is like Michael Scott in the Diversity Day episode" pic.twitter.com/TpFvUSQHaz(via DM) "Donnelly is like Michael Scott in the Diversity Day episode" pic.twitter.com/TpFvUSQHaz
A new poll Wednesday found challenger Mike Braun narrowly ahead of Donnelly, 49% to 46%.A new poll Wednesday found challenger Mike Braun narrowly ahead of Donnelly, 49% to 46%.
Former Republican Virginia Sen. John Warner has endorsed a Democrat in a House race in the state, the Fauquier Times reported.Former Republican Virginia Sen. John Warner has endorsed a Democrat in a House race in the state, the Fauquier Times reported.
Warner endorsed Leslie Cockburn, a former investigative journalist running in the state’s 5th district. She’s up against Denver Riggleman, who got Donald Trump’s endorsement this week.Warner endorsed Leslie Cockburn, a former investigative journalist running in the state’s 5th district. She’s up against Denver Riggleman, who got Donald Trump’s endorsement this week.
“I’m still a Republican. I’m going to tell this gang, I’m still a Republican,” Warner told the Fauquier Times. “You can’t take that away from me. But you’ve got to have the courage to do what’s right for the country and what’s right for your state.”“I’m still a Republican. I’m going to tell this gang, I’m still a Republican,” Warner told the Fauquier Times. “You can’t take that away from me. But you’ve got to have the courage to do what’s right for the country and what’s right for your state.”
A political mailer in a Connecticut state Senate race is drawing charges of antisemitism.A political mailer in a Connecticut state Senate race is drawing charges of antisemitism.
The postcard, sent by Republican Senate candidate Ed Charamut, arrived in mailboxes on Monday, the Hartford Courant reports - two days after an anti-Jewish shooter killed 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue.The postcard, sent by Republican Senate candidate Ed Charamut, arrived in mailboxes on Monday, the Hartford Courant reports - two days after an anti-Jewish shooter killed 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue.
The mailer features an image of the Democrat in the race, Matt Lesser, who is Jewish, clutching a handful of hundred dollar bills with an eager grin on his face.The mailer features an image of the Democrat in the race, Matt Lesser, who is Jewish, clutching a handful of hundred dollar bills with an eager grin on his face.
“The juxtaposition of a Jewish candidate for office and money in this manner suggests an age-old anti-Semitic trope,” Steve Ginsburg, regional director of ADL Connecticut, told the Courant.“The juxtaposition of a Jewish candidate for office and money in this manner suggests an age-old anti-Semitic trope,” Steve Ginsburg, regional director of ADL Connecticut, told the Courant.