Newsweek: “Tennessee Republicans are moving forward with a bill that would eliminate age requirements for marriage in the state. The bill, HB 233, is scheduled to be heard in the House Civil Justice Committee on Wednesday and would establish common-law marriage between “one man” and “one woman,” but it does not include a minimum age requirement. Opponents…
“Stacey Abrams reaches millionaire status before 2nd campaign”
AP: “When Democrat Stacey Abrams first ran for Georgia governor in 2018, her lackluster personal finances and a hefty bill from the IRS gave Republicans fodder to question how she could manage a state budget when she struggled with her own debts. As she launches a second bid this year, that’s no longer an issue. Abrams now…
“Budd Opens Big Lead Over McCrory in North Carolina”
Political Wire: “A new Emerson College poll in North Carolina shows Rep. Ted Budd (R), who was endorsed by Donald Trump, has a double-digit lead in the Republican primary to replace retiring Sen. Richard Burr (R). Budd leads with 36%, followed by Pat McCrory (R) at 22% and Mark Walter (R) at 9%. Another 23% are still…
Text Messages Show How Former MS Gov Phil Bryant Tried to Cash In on his Office
MS Today: “Former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant used the authority of his office, the weight of his political influence and the power of his connections to help his friend and retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre boost a fledgling pharmaceutical venture. Then he tried to cash in on the project when he left office, text messages…
“A Jan. 6 pastor divides his Tennessee community with increasingly extremist views”
WaPo: “The pastor promised his followers that this church service would be like no other, and the event on a cold Sunday in March did not disappoint. “Devil, your foot soldiers are coming out tonight, they’re coming all the way out. We will expel them,” Pastor Greg Locke howled from the stage in a crowded…
“Judge Rules Parts of Florida Voting Law Are Unconstitutional”
NY Times: “A federal judge in Florida ruled on Thursday that sections of the state’s year-old election law were unconstitutional and racially motivated, and barred the state from making similar changes to its laws in the next decade without the approval of the federal government. The sharply worded 288-page order, issued by Judge Mark E. Walker of the…
“Georgia Legislature Approves Process for Banning Books”
Political Wire: “Georgia lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to legislation that would change the process for removing books from schools due to parent complaints about obscenity,” the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.”
Desperately Seeking to Stay on Gov Payroll, David Perdue Approves Locking Up His Political Opponent, Says Election Stolen from Him
Forbes: “Former Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) riled a crowd of former President Donald Trump’s supporters into “lock him up!” chants at a rally Saturday night after falsely accusing Gov. Brian Kemp (R) of enabling voter fraud and suggesting he’d somehow jail “those people responsible for that fraud,” as polls show Perdue well behind the incumbent…
“After Crossing Trump, Cassidy Weighs Governor Bid [in LA]”
Politico: “There’s no Senate Republican quite like Bill Cassidy: He voted to convict Donald Trump of inciting an insurrection after getting reelected by 40 points, while helping cut big deals on Covid relief and infrastructure. Now he’s eyeing the governor’s office in Baton Rouge. The Louisianan confirmed in an interview that he’s considering running for…
“[Bipartisan Group of] Local Election Officials in Georgia Oppose G.O.P. Election Bill”
NY Times: “A year ago, when Georgia Republicans passed a mammoth law of election measures and voting restrictions, many local election officials felt frustrated and sidelined, as their concerns about resources, ballot access and implementation went largely ignored. This year, Republicans have returned with a new bill — and the election officials are pushing back. A bipartisan coalition of…