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…
“Gov. Greg Abbott brags about his border initiative. The evidence doesn’t back him up”
TX Tribune: “Operation Lone Star has helped increase the state’s budget for border security to more than $3 billion through 2023 by deploying thousands of DPS troopers and National Guard members and allocating funding to build border barriers. As part of the operation, troopers are also arresting some immigrant men crossing into the U.S. on…
“A decline in polling places noted around Arkansas. Coincidentally or not, that makes it harder to vote”
AR Times: “A complete review isn’t readily available, but reports are increasing of Arkansas counties reducing the number of polling places in the May primary election. Fewer polling places mean affected voters will have to find new and perhaps farther distant places to vote. Is this a part of the national vote suppression effort of…