Democracy Docket: “A federal appeals court blocked North Carolina from beginning ballot curing as part of Republican candidate Jefferson Griffin’s effort to overturn the results of the state’s 2024 Supreme Court race. A three-judge panel of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals voted Tuesday 2-1 to order the state not to mail any notices to the roughly 1,400 voters whose ballots…
“David Jolly registers as a Democrat, making moves toward Florida governor bid”
Politico: “Democrats may get a second shot at running a party convert for Florida governor in their ongoing effort to claw back the state’s battleground status. Former Republican Rep. David Jolly, who has made a national name for himself as a vocal opponent of President Donald Trump, took a step Thursday toward a possible run…
“Tommy Tuberville to Run for Governor”
Political Wire: “Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) is running for governor of Alabama in 2026, Yellowhammer News reports. “Back in state while Congress is in recess, Tuberville told a group of donors at a private event on Wednesday night that his mind is officially made up.””
“Florida Democratic Party Is ‘Dead,’ State Senator Says as He Leaves It”
NY Times: “The highest-ranking Democrat in the Florida Senate announced in dramatic fashion on Thursday that he was leaving the party, the latest setback for Democrats whose influence in the state has rapidly diminished. State Senator Jason W.B. Pizzo, whose district includes parts of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties in South Florida, said in a speech on…
“Yellowhammer Fund reopens abortion access hotline [in AL]”
AL Political Reporter: “A lawsuit between Attorney General Steve Marshall and Yellowhammer Fund, an Alabama-based abortion fund, came to an end on March 31. Marshall attempted to hold that the State of Alabama could prosecute groups or individuals who help Alabama women travel to get a legal abortion out of state. Kelsea McLain, Healthcare Access…
“National Dems to deliver more than $1M a month to state parties”
NC Newsline: “The Democratic National Committee will transfer more than $1 million per month to its state and territorial parties over the next four years in an effort to build state-level infrastructure and operations, the DNC announced Thursday. The agreement marks the DNC’s largest total investment in Democratic state parties to date and comes as…
“A Bold Move to Help Fix the Housing Crisis Just Happened in an Unexpected Place”
Slate: “How about redoing the building code to make it possible to construct small apartment buildings like single-family homes—that is, quickly and cheaply? That’s what the Dallas City Council passed on Wednesday afternoon, making Dallas the first city in the country with a special set of rules for small apartment buildings—those that are smaller than 7,500 square…
“Senate Dems are getting bullish about prized recruit Roy Cooper”
Axios: “Senior Democrats are increasingly convinced the party will land former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper to run for Senate next year, a potential coup for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). Why it matters: Both parties acknowledge their Senate success next year will largely rest upon their recruitment efforts this year. Zoom in: Cooper is unlikely to make a decision until…
“Andy Barr starts Senate campaign, announces he will run for Mitch McConnell’s seat in 2026”
USA Today: “The field of candidates in the upcoming race to replace outgoing U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell is growing. U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, a Republican who’s represented the Lexington area for a dozen years, announced he will be running for McConnell’s Senate seat next year. He launched his campaign April 22 with a video posted…
“Fighting Louisiana Floodwaters With Patches of Green”
NY Times: “A bioswale was installed alongside Ms. Chalk’s driveway, native species were planted, and clay in her backyard was replaced with absorbent soil. During the next heavy downpour, Ms. Chalk looked outside. Storm water that previously had nowhere to go was seeping into the ground. She took photos and shared them with friends. “What…