Tag: Debbie Lesko

Nancy Pelosi has a simple message for Democrats running for Congress this fall: “Just win, baby.” The House minority leader said Democrats running in conservative House districts across the country should do what they must to win – including running against her. Sign up for the Guardian's US daily email Read more “I think if they have to do that to win the election, I’m all for winning,” Pelosi said in an interview with Politico Playbook on Tuesday. “I think many of them are saying we need new leadership. Republicans seized on her comments that corporate bonuses of $1,000 paid to workers from the $1.5tn GOP tax plan amounted to “crumbs” and have hammered Democratic candidates by accusing them of being Pelosi acolytes. But the poll also found just 17% of voters say a candidate’s views on the Democratic leader will be “extremely important” in their vote. In a recent Pennsylvania special election, Republican organizations spent millions of dollars on TV advertising and campaign material tying Democrat Conor Lamb to the House minority leader, derisively attacking him as “Pelosi’s little Lamb”. Like in Pennsylvania, Republicans cast the Democrat, Hiral Tipirneni, as Pelosi-style liberal. In my district, it’s a very popular issue. But it takes attention away from the connection we need to make to people about their economic security.” Pelosi said she had planned to step aside as leader after Hillary Clinton won the election. “That became very important to me, that there would be a woman at the table where these decisions are negotiated,” she said.

The Story: Voters in Arizona's 8th congressional district, in a special election Tuesday, April 24, kept that seat on the Republican side, voting for Debbie...

Today in 5 Lines President Trump defended his pick for veterans affairs secretary, Ronny Jackson, but hinted that Jackson might withdraw from consideration after a Senate panel postponed his confirmation hearing amid allegations of misconduct. Alek Minassian, the man accused of plowing a van into pedestrians in Toronto on Monday, was charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder and 13 counts of attempted murder. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that his country would likely abandon the Iran nuclear deal should the United States withdraw. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt proposed a controversial rule establishing new standards for the research that can be used to write agency regulations. The meal will consist of goat cheese gateau, rack of lamb, and jambalaya. The Race We’re Watching Voters in Arizona’s 8th congressional district are heading to the polls to choose a replacement for Republican Representative Trent Franks, who resigned in December amid reports of sexual misconduct. It’s not likely that Tipirneni will win here, but if she can come close, Democrats are planning to call it a victory. Polls close at 7 p.m. PT, 10 p.m. Today on The Atlantic The Most Expensive ACA Insurance in the U.S.: Charlottesville residents were forced to look for their own solutions when health-insurance premiums started to spike. But their homegrown fixes aren’t necessarily sustainable—especially for a problem that could happen anywhere.

Spring is coming. After Democrats notched wins over the winter in the special election for Alabama’s Senate seat and in Pennsylvania’s 18th congressional district, the change of the calendar means a change in the electoral landscape. These are five of the most contested races coming up in the next few months. Texas Where: Texas’s Democratic primary runoff for the 7th congressional district Who: attorney Lizzie Pannill Fletcher, journalist Laura Moser When: 22 May Why It Matters: the race has become a battleground in the fight between Washington Democrats and leftwing activists in a suburban Houston seat once thought to be safe Republican territory before Hillary Clinton won it in 2016. Instead, it backfired and rallied support from progressive activists to her campaign. The winner of the runoff will face incumbent the Republican John Culbertson in November. The Democratic party is now publicly attacking progressive candidates | Lawrence Douglas Read more California Where: California’s non-partisan primary for US Senate Who: state senate president pro tempore Kevin de León, Senator Dianne Feinstein When: 5 June Why It Matters: Feinstein, a Democrat who was first elected in 1992, is facing a challenge from the left from the top Democrat in the state senate. California’s unique top two primary system means that both are likely to advance to a general election in November. However, the first round of voting on 5 June will make clear whether the 84-year-old Feinstein will face a significant threat from progressives who have long been dissatisfied with her. Due to California’s top two primary and the traditional Republican lean of the district, it’s possible that no Democrat could make the ballot in November.