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NRCC: Day Four - Randy Villegas Still Hiding
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news:
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DAY FOUR: Randy Villegas still hiding
Four days. No explanation. No accountability. No shame from socialist Randy Villegas.
Villegas and his fellow board members refused to explain why Visalia Unified rehired DeJaun Jones despite prior allegations that he sent inappropriate messages to students.
Once back on campus, Jones sexually abused two students, pleaded guilty to 11 felony counts and was sentenced to five years in state prison.
"Socialist Randy Villegas is a gutless fraud who wants
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news:
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DAY FOUR: Randy Villegas still hiding
Four days. No explanation. No accountability. No shame from socialist Randy Villegas.
Villegas and his fellow board members refused to explain why Visalia Unified rehired DeJaun Jones despite prior allegations that he sent inappropriate messages to students.
Once back on campus, Jones sexually abused two students, pleaded guilty to 11 felony counts and was sentenced to five years in state prison.
"Socialist Randy Villegas is a gutless fraud who wantspower without scrutiny and a promotion without accountability. Four days of hiding have exposed a coward who will betray parents to save his pathetic career." - NRCC Spokesman Christian Martinez
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Original text here: https://www.nrcc.org/2026/08/02/day-four-randy-villegas-still-hiding/
NRCC: Day 5 - Gutless Randy Villegas Still Cowering From Accountability
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news:
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DAY 5: Gutless Randy Villegas Still Cowering From Accountability
Five days after a bombshell report exposed a horrifying failure on Socialist Randy Villegas' watch, he is refusing to answer a single question, desperate to save his pathetic congressional campaign.
Villegas and his fellow board members refused to explain why Visalia Unified rehired DeJaun Jones despite prior allegations that he sent inappropriate messages to students. Once back on campus, Jones sexually abused two students,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news:
* * *
DAY 5: Gutless Randy Villegas Still Cowering From Accountability
Five days after a bombshell report exposed a horrifying failure on Socialist Randy Villegas' watch, he is refusing to answer a single question, desperate to save his pathetic congressional campaign.
Villegas and his fellow board members refused to explain why Visalia Unified rehired DeJaun Jones despite prior allegations that he sent inappropriate messages to students. Once back on campus, Jones sexually abused two students,pleaded guilty to 11 felony counts and was sentenced to five years in state prison.
"Socialist Randy Villegas is a coward, a fraud and a disgrace. Every day he hides further proves he lacks the spine, judgment and decency to hold public office." - NRCC Spokesman Christian Martinez
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Original text here: https://www.nrcc.org/2026/08/02/day-5-gutless-randy-villegas-still-cowering-from-accountability/
DFL Party Statement on Iran's Cyberattack on Minnesota Water Systems
ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Aug. 2 -- Minnesota's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party issued the following statement on July 31, 2026:
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DFL Party Chair Richard Carlbom released the following statement following President Donald Trump insinuating that Minnesotans were to blame for malicious cyber attacks on at least 30 community water systems:
"Minnesotans were targeted in a malicious cyberattack on several community water systems. Thanks to the quick work on the state and local level -- including Minnesota cybersecurity experts who identified the problem -- our communities responded quickly and kept
... Show Full Article
ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Aug. 2 -- Minnesota's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party issued the following statement on July 31, 2026:
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DFL Party Chair Richard Carlbom released the following statement following President Donald Trump insinuating that Minnesotans were to blame for malicious cyber attacks on at least 30 community water systems:
"Minnesotans were targeted in a malicious cyberattack on several community water systems. Thanks to the quick work on the state and local level -- including Minnesota cybersecurity experts who identified the problem -- our communities responded quickly and keptMinnesotans safe.
"While the Republican federal government continues to cut critical public services, Minnesota remains committed to protecting the health and well-being of our neighbors. Cybersecurity is public safety. This is what modern warfare looks like.
"Donald Trump refused to denounce the foreign attacks and instead stood with our enemies. Where has Minnesota's Republican Party been during this attack on our state? The silence and inaction of Republicans Brad Finstad, Tom Emmer, Michelle Fischbach, and Pete Stauber puts Minnesotans at danger when our essential infrastructure is threatened.
"Republicans have failed to stand with Minnesota against this attack. We deserve leaders who will take foreign aggression seriously and protect Minnesotans -- full stop. While our communities work hard to keep us safe around the clock, Trump continues to try and distract us from a flailing economy and a never-ending war."
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Original text here: https://dfl.org/dfl-party-statement-on-irans-cyberattack-on-minnesota-water-systems/
Civil Eats: Zach Lahn Doesn't Have a Plan to Address Iowa's Water Quality Crisis
DES MOINES, Iowa, Aug. 2 -- The Iowa Democratic Party issued the following news release:
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Civil Eats: Zach Lahn Doesn't Have a Plan to Address Iowa's Water Quality Crisis
New reporting from Civil Eats details how only one candidate in the governor's race has a real plan to address Iowa's rising cancer rates and water quality crisis -- and it's not Kansas carpetbagger and career political operative Zach Lahn.
Instead of "issu[ing] an official water quality plan," Lahn is facing growing scrutiny for having close "ties to Big Ag" and a long career working for "political advocacy groups [that]
... Show Full Article
DES MOINES, Iowa, Aug. 2 -- The Iowa Democratic Party issued the following news release:
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Civil Eats: Zach Lahn Doesn't Have a Plan to Address Iowa's Water Quality Crisis
New reporting from Civil Eats details how only one candidate in the governor's race has a real plan to address Iowa's rising cancer rates and water quality crisis -- and it's not Kansas carpetbagger and career political operative Zach Lahn.
Instead of "issu[ing] an official water quality plan," Lahn is facing growing scrutiny for having close "ties to Big Ag" and a long career working for "political advocacy groups [that]have long backed agribusiness interests in Iowa." Despite the last decade of one-party rule that "downplayed the [water quality] problem over the years and offered a lackluster response," Lahn fully embraced Kim Reynolds' failed status quo. Lahn has "cast himself as the heir to" Reynolds' deeply unpopular legacy, including her decision to defund real-time water quality monitors.
Lahn even chose State Rep. Derek Wulf as his running mate -- a political insider with close ties to big pesticide companies and special interests. Wulf wrote a bill aimed at "protecting polluters by limiting lawsuits against agriculture operations based on greenhouse gas emissions," has a cozy relationship with the pesticide lobby, and voted for the worst of Reynolds' agenda.
From Iowa Democratic Party spokesperson Terra Hernandez:
"Iowans deserve a governor who will stand up to special interests, not do their bidding. Kansas carpetbagger and career political operative Zach Lahn has no plan to clean up Iowa's water, just the same agenda that helped create the cancer crisis: siding with corporate polluters and promising more of Kim Reynolds' failed status quo. It's just more proof that a Lahn-Wulf administration would protect polluters instead of fixing Iowa's water quality crisis."
Read more from Civil Eats here, or key points below:
* For the first time in 15 years, a Democrat running for governor has a shot at winning. It's not a coincidence that the nominee, current State Auditor Rob Sand, is also the only gubernatorial candidate to ever issue an official water quality plan.
* Up until 2023, the state of Iowa funded real-time water quality monitors, called the Iowa Water Quality Information System (IWQIS), at a price tag of $500,000 annually.
* Iowa lawmakers have downplayed the problem over the years and offered a lackluster response. In her Condition of the State speech in January, for example, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds referenced the state's cancer rate at length but did not mention the water-quality crisis a single time.
* Republicans introduced their own legislation in February, aimed not at solving any aspects of farming pollution, but instead at protecting polluters by limiting lawsuits against agriculture operations based on greenhouse gas emissions. That bill was introduced in the House by State Rep. Derek Wulf, whom Lahn has chosen as his running mate in the governor's race. It was signed into law in April.
* However, critics have been quick to point out Lahn's ties to Big Ag, particularly ... political advocacy groups [that] have long backed agribusiness interests in Iowa.
* The difference between him and his opponent, [Sand] said, is that although Lahn has some ideas, he has a fully formed plan.
* Stephani Kilbride lives in the Des Moines suburb of Ankeny, and last summer bought a countertop reverse osmosis system because she was concerned about the water her family was drinking, and that she was using in her fish tanks, too. She grew up on a farm in Iowa, moved out of state, and then returned in 2001--but questions whether that was the right move. Come November, Rob Sand's water quality plan and how he addresses problems make him the best choice for governor, she said.
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Original text here: https://iowademocrats.org/2026/07/31/civil-eats-zach-lahn-doesnt-have-a-plan-to-address-iowas-water-quality-crisis/
Message from Idaho Democratic Party Chair: Trump betrays Americans with move to increase medication costs
BOISE, Idaho, Aug. 1 -- The Idaho Democratic Party issued the following statement on July 31, 2026, by Chair Lauren Necochea:
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A Message from the Chair: Trump betrays Americans with move to increase medication costs
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No one should have to choose between buying food and filling a prescription their doctor prescribed. We would not want that decision forced on ourselves, our parents, or our neighbors.
Democrats act on that belief. We capped insulin at $35 per month for people on Medicare, limited annual out-of-pocket prescription costs, and gave Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug
... Show Full Article
BOISE, Idaho, Aug. 1 -- The Idaho Democratic Party issued the following statement on July 31, 2026, by Chair Lauren Necochea:
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A Message from the Chair: Trump betrays Americans with move to increase medication costs
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No one should have to choose between buying food and filling a prescription their doctor prescribed. We would not want that decision forced on ourselves, our parents, or our neighbors.
Democrats act on that belief. We capped insulin at $35 per month for people on Medicare, limited annual out-of-pocket prescription costs, and gave Medicare the power to negotiate lower drugprices. These policies save seniors money and are supported across party lines.
The Trump regime just announced it will end the support that keeps Medicare Part D premiums down for more than 11 million Americans, including 125,000 Idahoans enrolled in stand-alone prescription drug plans. Part D helps older Americans and people with disabilities afford medications that control diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other serious conditions.
It is the governing model Republican leaders use again and again: cut the programs that keep healthcare within reach, use the money to give wealthy donors tax cuts, and leave everyone else to pay more or go without treatment.
Idahoans have seen the damage.
More than 100,000 people in our state relied on enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits to buy insurance. Republicans let those credits expire. Reps. Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher voted against restoring them. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have not secured an extension.
Average monthly premiums rose by 114%. About 5,000 Idahoans did not renew coverage during open enrollment. Nearly 25,000 more dropped their plans afterward. Many who stayed insured moved into bronze plans with higher deductibles and larger bills when they needed care.
Republicans also cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid through Trump's so-called Big Beautiful Bill. Nearly dollar for dollar, that money financed tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans.
Those cuts threaten coverage for 37,000 Idahoans and put three rural hospitals at risk of closure. At the Statehouse, Republican lawmakers piled on by cutting provider rates, limiting physical, occupational, and speech therapy, reducing disability services, and eliminating mental health services.
As we mark 61 years of Medicare and Medicaid, we should recognize what these programs have made possible. Seniors can fill prescriptions and see a doctor. People with disabilities can receive services that help them live independently. Children can get preventive care. Rural hospitals can keep their doors open.
Republicans in power are dismantling this progress piece by piece. Higher premiums force families off insurance. Medicaid cuts push providers out of reach. Rising prescription costs make seniors ration the medicine they need.
November is our chance to stop the damage. Electing Democrats means restoring the ACA tax credits, protecting Medicare prescription coverage, and reversing Medicaid cuts before more Idahoans lose access to care. With lives on the line, changing course could not be more urgent.
Onward,
Lauren Necochea
Idaho Democratic Party Chair
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Original text here: https://idahodems.org/a-message-from-the-chair-trump-betrays-americans-with-move-to-increase-medication-costs/
Democratic Governors Association: Congressman Tom Tiffany Backed National Abortion Ban Without Exceptions
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- The Democratic Governors Association posted the following news on July 31, 2026:
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Congressman Tom Tiffany Backed National Abortion Ban Without Exceptions
New reporting from American Journal News reveals that Congressman Tom Tiffany backed an extreme abortion ban beginning at conception "with no exceptions for rape, incest, or the life of the mother," that "could make getting an abortion legally tantamount to committing murder."The legislation "would also override any state laws governing abortion access," and may even " jeopardize access to in vitro fertilization and
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- The Democratic Governors Association posted the following news on July 31, 2026:
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Congressman Tom Tiffany Backed National Abortion Ban Without Exceptions
New reporting from American Journal News reveals that Congressman Tom Tiffany backed an extreme abortion ban beginning at conception "with no exceptions for rape, incest, or the life of the mother," that "could make getting an abortion legally tantamount to committing murder."The legislation "would also override any state laws governing abortion access," and may even " jeopardize access to in vitro fertilization andother fertility treatments."
Congressman Tiffany has a long record of attacking reproductive freedom. He voted against a bipartisan bill to protect Wisconsin women's ability to cross state lines to obtain legal abortions, and even opposed bipartisan legislation that would have ensured a women's right to access birth control.
"Congressman Tom Tiffany's support for a dangerous bill to ban abortion -- even for survivors of rape or incest, or to protect the life of the mother -- is simply too extreme for Wisconsin," said DGA spokesperson Izzi Levy. "Wisconsinites want a governor who will stand up to Trump and Washington Republicans' attacks on their most personal freedoms, not one who has been leading the the charge to claw away reproductive rights."
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Original text here: https://democraticgovernors.org/updates/congressman-tom-tiffany-backed-national-abortion-ban-without-exceptions/
DGA Statement on Republicans' Devastating Medicaid and Medicare Cuts
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- The Democratic Governors Association posted the following statement on July 30, 2026:
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DGA Statement on Republicans' Devastating Medicaid and Medicare Cuts
On the 61st anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, DGA Executive Director Meghan Meehan-Draper released the following statement:
"This anniversary of Medicaid and Medicare being signed into law is another key reminder that health care is a top issue on voters' minds heading into governors' races this fall. This is especially true as Republicans' deep cuts to Medicaid and Medicare and refusal to expand Medicaid have
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- The Democratic Governors Association posted the following statement on July 30, 2026:
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DGA Statement on Republicans' Devastating Medicaid and Medicare Cuts
On the 61st anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, DGA Executive Director Meghan Meehan-Draper released the following statement:
"This anniversary of Medicaid and Medicare being signed into law is another key reminder that health care is a top issue on voters' minds heading into governors' races this fall. This is especially true as Republicans' deep cuts to Medicaid and Medicare and refusal to expand Medicaid havedenied working families health care, raised prices, and shut down rural hospitals. If they didn't vote for historically devastating cuts in Congress themselves, many GOP candidates for governor are campaigning on promises to make even more ruthless cuts -- worsening a crisis their party created. Democratic governors have proven that we can win in deep red and battleground states by outlining a vision to protect and expand health care, and this issue is going to be another major advantage for our candidates in November."
See below for key examples on how Republicans running for governor are backing a devastating agenda to slash health care:
* There are over 56 million Americans on Medicaid in the 36 states with a race for governor in 2026.
* House Republicans and gubernatorial candidates Andy Biggs (AZ), Byron Donalds (FL), John James (MI), and Tom Tiffany (WI) voted to slash Medicaid and jack up health care costs.
* In Georgia, Rick Jackson wants to stop the state from expanding Medicaid, even though Trump's budget law has already closed a maternal health care unit and caused half a million Georgians to lose their health care.
* In Iowa, Zach Lahn opposes Medicaid expansion entirely and has spent his career as a political operative fighting against it.
* In Ohio, Vivek Ramasway said Medicaid and Medicare were "mistakes" despite over 25% of Ohio's population relying on Medicaid, 20% on relying on Medicare.
* In Oregon, Christine Drazan has consistently opposed efforts to expand access to health care and address health care costs for Oregonians - including voting to cut Medicaid.
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Original text here: https://democraticgovernors.org/updates/dga-statement-on-republicans-devastating-medicaid-and-medicare-cuts/