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NRCC: Socialist Felon William Lawrence Called Fatal Bridge Collapse a "Climate Activist's Dream"
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news:
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Socialist Felon William Lawrence Called Fatal Bridge Collapse a "Climate Activist's Dream"
Socialist felon William Lawrence, who co-founded a radical climate group, "called the fatal collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge a 'climate activist's dream,' citing the catastrophe's impact on coal exports from one of the nation's busiest ports."
"Socialist felon William Lawrence is a radical far-left liberal who called the death of six individuals a dream. Lawrence's record and rhetoric
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news:
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Socialist Felon William Lawrence Called Fatal Bridge Collapse a "Climate Activist's Dream"
Socialist felon William Lawrence, who co-founded a radical climate group, "called the fatal collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge a 'climate activist's dream,' citing the catastrophe's impact on coal exports from one of the nation's busiest ports."
"Socialist felon William Lawrence is a radical far-left liberal who called the death of six individuals a dream. Lawrence's record and rhetoricare disgusting and disqualifying." - NRCC Spokesman Zach Bannon
Read more from The Washington Free Beacon here or (https://freebeacon.com/democrats/michigan-democratic-house-candidate-called-fatal-baltimore-bridge-collapse-a-climate-activist-dream-and-praised-the-houthis-in-bizarre-podcast/) see excerpts below:
Michigan Democratic House Candidate Called Fatal Baltimore Bridge Collapse a 'Climate Activist's Dream' (and Praised the Houthis) in Bizarre Podcast
The Washington Free Beacon
Chuck Ross
August 26, 2026
A Democratic House candidate and Hasan Piker fanboy running for a competitive seat in Michigan called the fatal collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge a "climate activist's dream," citing the catastrophe's impact on coal exports from one of the nation's busiest ports. Six construction workers were killed in the March 2024 disaster.
William Lawrence, a former Democratic Socialist and cofounder of the activist environmental group the Sunrise Movement, made the comments during an August 2024 episode of his podcast, Hegemonicon, hosted by Convergence, a "magazine for radical insights."
In an episode titled "Flows and Chokepoints," Lawrence discussed what it would look like "to really shut down" a fossil fuel port for an extended period of time as an "economic protest against fossil power."
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed after being struck by the 984-foot container ship Dali, offered an example, according to Lawrence.
"I mean, this would be a climate activist's dream, right? To be able to block 2.5 million tons of coal exports for weeks and weeks and weeks on end," Lawrence said, chuckling.
The collapse, however, was far more than an interruption to fossil fuel exports. Six construction workers, all immigrants from Central America and Mexico, plunged to their deaths while filling potholes on the bridge. The disaster also paralyzed the Port of Baltimore for weeks, idling thousands of dockworkers, longshoremen, and truckers. A replacement bridge is expected to cost $5 billion and will not be complete until late 2030.
Lawrence's comments could become an issue in his campaign for Michigan's Seventh Congressional District, currently held by Republican Tom Barrett. The race is considered a toss-up, but Republicans are likely to highlight Lawrence's ties to the Sunrise Movement and the Democratic Socialists of America as evidence that he is too radical for the district, which has voted for Trump in two out of the past three elections. The Sunrise Movement, which Lawrence cofounded in 2017, calls for an end to new drilling for fossil fuels and a complete transition away from them by 2030. The activist group has ventured beyond its initial mission in recent years, embracing the movements to defund police and abolish ICE. In 2021, the group faced allegations of antisemitism after it pulled out of a rally for Washington, D.C., statehood because of the involvement of three Jewish groups.
Lawrence has also faced criticism, or outright mockery, for fawning over Hasan Piker, a left-wing influencer who has said that America deserved 9/11, at a campaign event earlier this year. "You're the man," Lawrence told Piker backstage at the event. "I'd love to get on the stream sometime."
Lawrence also founded the Lansing chapter of the DSA in his living room and remained a member of the organization until last month.
[...]
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Original text here: https://www.nrcc.org/2026/08/27/socialist-felon-william-lawrence-called-fatal-bridge-collapse-a-climate-activists-dream/
NRCC: Greg Landsman Silent as Dem Flees Caucus Led by Subject of Sexual Misconduct Investigation
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news:
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Greg Landsman Silent as Dem Flees Caucus Led by Subject of Sexual Misconduct Investigation
The Chair of the Congressional Dads Caucus, Democrat Jimmy Gomez, is under investigation for sexual harassment and assault. Hakeem Jeffries called the allegations "serious and disturbing" and another Democrat resigned from the caucus. Who has remained silent?
You guessed it: Democrat Greg Landsman.
Liberal Landsman must be asked:
* Why have you remained silent while fellow Democrats have called for
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news:
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Greg Landsman Silent as Dem Flees Caucus Led by Subject of Sexual Misconduct Investigation
The Chair of the Congressional Dads Caucus, Democrat Jimmy Gomez, is under investigation for sexual harassment and assault. Hakeem Jeffries called the allegations "serious and disturbing" and another Democrat resigned from the caucus. Who has remained silent?
You guessed it: Democrat Greg Landsman.
Liberal Landsman must be asked:
* Why have you remained silent while fellow Democrats have called fora swift investigation and one Democrat has resigned from the Dads Caucus?
* Will you resign from the Congressional Dads Caucus?
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Original text here: https://www.nrcc.org/2026/08/27/greg-landsman-silent-as-dem-flees-caucus-led-by-subject-of-sexual-misconduct-investigation/
NRCC: Dirty Money Gray - Adam Gray Banks Cash From Scandal-Plagued Democrats
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news:
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DIRTY MONEY GRAY: Adam Gray Banks Cash From Scandal-Plagued Democrats
Out of touch Adam Gray's campaign account has become a safe-deposit box for scandal-plagued Democrats.
A new report revealed Gray banked $4,000 through four separate donations from Jimmy Gomez's leadership PAC and refused to say whether he would return the money.
This is not Gray's first trip to the scandal-cash window. Gray served as co-chair of Eric Swalwell's failed gubernatorial campaign and accepted $6,500 from Swalwell,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news:
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DIRTY MONEY GRAY: Adam Gray Banks Cash From Scandal-Plagued Democrats
Out of touch Adam Gray's campaign account has become a safe-deposit box for scandal-plagued Democrats.
A new report revealed Gray banked $4,000 through four separate donations from Jimmy Gomez's leadership PAC and refused to say whether he would return the money.
This is not Gray's first trip to the scandal-cash window. Gray served as co-chair of Eric Swalwell's failed gubernatorial campaign and accepted $6,500 from Swalwell,money he still has not returned following the sexual assault allegations despite promising to do so 131 days ago.
"Out of touch Adam Gray is a morally bankrupt political parasite, stuffing his campaign account with cash from disgraced Democrat creeps accused of sexual misconduct. Gray has no principles, no spine, and not an ounce of shame." - NRCC Spokesman Christian Martinez
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Original text here: https://www.nrcc.org/2026/08/28/dirty-money-gray-adam-gray-banks-cash-from-scandal-plagued-democrats/
NRCC: Creep Show - Pulido Can't Stop Parading a Sex Offender Around Children
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news:
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Creep Show: Pulido Can't Stop Parading a Sex Offender Around Children
Creepy Bobby Pulido's campaign has a predator problem.
A new report revealed that Pulido performed alongside a registered sex offender at a 2018 "Family Fiesta" after his longtime bandmate had served four years in prison for indecent sexual contact with an eight-year-old girl.
Three weeks later, Pulido performed with him again at a middle school fundraiser.
"Creepy Bobby Pulido repeatedly paraded a convicted child sex
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news:
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Creep Show: Pulido Can't Stop Parading a Sex Offender Around Children
Creepy Bobby Pulido's campaign has a predator problem.
A new report revealed that Pulido performed alongside a registered sex offender at a 2018 "Family Fiesta" after his longtime bandmate had served four years in prison for indecent sexual contact with an eight-year-old girl.
Three weeks later, Pulido performed with him again at a middle school fundraiser.
"Creepy Bobby Pulido repeatedly paraded a convicted child sexoffender onstage around children, then insulted South Texans' intelligence with pathetic excuses after he was exposed. A depraved pig who brings predators into family spaces has no business anywhere near Congress." - NRCC Spokesman Christian Martinez
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Report link: https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-dem-performed-with-convicted-child-sex-offender-at-family-fiesta
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Original text here: https://www.nrcc.org/2026/08/28/creep-show-pulido-cant-stop-parading-a-sex-offender-around-children/
Mich. Democratic Party: John James Silent on Tariffs, Trade War, and Renaming Lake
LANSING, Michigan, Aug. 28 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release on Aug. 27, 2026:
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John James Silent on Tariffs, Trade War, and Renaming Lake
"A spokesperson for GOP gubernatorial nominee U.S. Rep. John James of Shelby Township did not immediately respond to a request for comment."
James instead focused on circumcisions.
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Two-time statewide loser John James has remained silent this week on Donald Trump's trade war with Canada, the 50% tariffs that are raising prices on Michiganders, and Trump even trying to rename Lake Ontario--but James did spend today
... Show Full Article
LANSING, Michigan, Aug. 28 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release on Aug. 27, 2026:
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John James Silent on Tariffs, Trade War, and Renaming Lake
"A spokesperson for GOP gubernatorial nominee U.S. Rep. John James of Shelby Township did not immediately respond to a request for comment."
James instead focused on circumcisions.
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Two-time statewide loser John James has remained silent this week on Donald Trump's trade war with Canada, the 50% tariffs that are raising prices on Michiganders, and Trump even trying to rename Lake Ontario--but James did spend todaytalking about circumcisions.
James has backed Trump's trade war, and in February, he voted in support of Trump's chaotic tariffs on Canada. James has been quiet this week and not spoken out against Trump's latest escalations in the trade war. Rather than talk about lowering prices or whether he'll stand up against Trump, James spent today discussing circumcisions with Benny Johnson.
Meanwhile, Jocelyn Benson and Winnie Brinks have been calling out the Trump-James price hikes--with Benson labeling it the "John James Tax" on working families and small businesses.
See more below on the split-screen in the race for governor today.
Detroit Free Press (https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2026/08/27/lake-ontario-renamed-lake-america-trump-order-canada/91493064007/): Trump renames Lake Ontario to Lake America in executive order
* Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson - Michigan Democrats' pick to be the state's next governor - blasted Trump's order. "Canada is our closest ally and our biggest customer. Treating them like an enemy is a gift to China, and Michigan pays for it," she said in a statement. A spokesperson for GOP gubernatorial nominee U.S. Rep. John James of Shelby Township did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Detroit News (https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/nation/2026/08/27/lake-ontario-to-become-lake-america-after-trump-order/91492687007/): Trump order renames Lake Ontario to Lake America
* Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who is the Democratic nominee for Michigan governor, said renaming a lake won't lower a grocery bill, put more money in people's pockets or bring back supplier contracts that Michigan companies just lost.
Detroit Metro Times (https://www.metrotimes.com/news/you-wont-believe-what-john-james-said-about-submitting-penises-to-the-lord/): You won't believe what John James said about submitting penises to the Lord
* Republican gubernatorial nominee John James has weighed in on one of the more pressing issues facing Michigan voters: Should men submit "a piece" of their penises to the Lord?
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Original text here: https://michigandems.com/john-james-silent-on-tariffs-trade-war-and-renaming-lake/
Mich. Democratic Party Chair: Trump Brings SHAME to the Great Lakes Amid His Cost-Raising Trade War
LANSING, Michigan, Aug. 28 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following statement on Aug. 27, 2026:
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MDP Chair: Trump Brings SHAME to the Great Lakes Amid His Cost-Raising Trade War
Today, in response to news that Donald Trump has ordered the renaming of Lake Ontario as Lake America amid his reckless trade war with Canada, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel released the following statement:
"As Trump renames Lake Ontario and changes the Great Lakes' acronym from HOMES to SHAME, what's actually shameful is Trump's reckless trade war with Canada that's throwing our state's
... Show Full Article
LANSING, Michigan, Aug. 28 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following statement on Aug. 27, 2026:
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MDP Chair: Trump Brings SHAME to the Great Lakes Amid His Cost-Raising Trade War
Today, in response to news that Donald Trump has ordered the renaming of Lake Ontario as Lake America amid his reckless trade war with Canada, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel released the following statement:
"As Trump renames Lake Ontario and changes the Great Lakes' acronym from HOMES to SHAME, what's actually shameful is Trump's reckless trade war with Canada that's throwing our state'seconomy into chaos and causing costs to skyrocket even higher. Michiganders need relief, not a rebrand -- and we're ready to hold every Michigan Republican accountable for standing with Trump, this stupid stunt, and their cost-raising agenda."
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Original text here: https://michigandems.com/mdp-chair-trump-brings-shame-to-the-great-lakes-amid-his-cost-raising-trade-war/
"Rep. Ashley Hinson's Husband 'Arranged' a Meeting Between Lobbyists and Iowa Lawmakers - Including His Wife" [NOTUS]
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 -- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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"Rep. Ashley Hinson's Husband 'Arranged' a Meeting Between Lobbyists and Iowa Lawmakers -- Including His Wife" [NOTUS]
NOTUS: "Officials at the insurance industry group credited [Ashley Hinson's husband Matt] Arenholz for helping them gain access to Hinson and other Iowa lawmakers"
Watchdog: "Right off the bat that's not normal"
NOTUS: "Over the years, the [Insurance industry] PAC contributed a total of more than $67,000 to Hinson's campaign and PACs affiliated with the Iowa Republican,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 -- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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"Rep. Ashley Hinson's Husband 'Arranged' a Meeting Between Lobbyists and Iowa Lawmakers -- Including His Wife" [NOTUS]
NOTUS: "Officials at the insurance industry group credited [Ashley Hinson's husband Matt] Arenholz for helping them gain access to Hinson and other Iowa lawmakers"
Watchdog: "Right off the bat that's not normal"
NOTUS: "Over the years, the [Insurance industry] PAC contributed a total of more than $67,000 to Hinson's campaign and PACs affiliated with the Iowa Republican,according to data from the Federal Election Commission"
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Ashley Hinson's husband helped his insurance industry lobbying group "arrange meetings with Hinson and other Iowa congressional delegation members," according to breaking new reporting from NOTUS. Per the report, a top insurance lobby executive even "credited [Hinson's husband] for helping them gain access to Hinson and other Iowa lawmakers."
Reporting notes that Hinson and her husband have "deep ties to the insurance industry" given his history as a "longtime insurance executive" who owns "millions worth of interest in a private equity-backed brokerage."
The arrangement is raising serious ethics concerns, with independent watchdog observers saying that his position "blurs the line" between business interests and public office - while the insurance lobbying group's PAC has poured nearly $70,000 to Hinson's campaign and affiliated PACs.
See for yourself:
NOTUS: Rep. Ashley Hinson's Husband 'Arranged' a Meeting Between Lobbyists and Iowa Lawmakers -- Including His Wife
* Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ashley Hinson, a congresswoman pitching herself as a warrior against special interests in Iowa, and her husband, Matt Arenholz, have deep ties to the insurance industry, with Arenholz owning millions worth of interest in a private equity-backed brokerage.
* Documents reviewed by NOTUS reveal Arenholz also held a government affairs post at a leading insurance industry lobbying group, which has not been previously reported. He helped arrange meetings with Hinson and other Iowa congressional delegation members, the documents indicate.
* Arenholz, a longtime insurance executive, chaired the government affairs committee for an Iowa branch of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, an expansive national insurance trade association and lobbying group. Magazines published by the organization and reviewed by NOTUS reveal that officials at the insurance industry group credited Arenholz for helping them gain access to Hinson and other Iowa lawmakers.
* "In fact, Matt was able to arrange a meeting with all four of our congressional members in one large conference room," Tom O'Meara, the group's chief executive officer, wrote in the message in the magazine. "This not only saved us a lot of time but prevented us from having to bounce around from building to building in D.C."
* O'Meara also acknowledged Hinson and Arenholz's marriage in a fall 2023 edition of the group's magazine. Archived material from the Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa's website shows Arenholz took on the government affairs role with the group in 2019, and that he still held the post in 2023.
* The Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa did not respond to a request for comment or questions about Arenholz's role at the organization.
* In a copy of the organization's online magazine, O'Meara wrote that while in Washington for a conference, he was asked how many members of Iowa's congressional delegation met with his organization.
* "I was given several strange looks when I responded that we met with all six of ours from Iowa," O'Meara wrote. "Several replied to me that they were not talking about congressional staff members rather the actual elected officials themselves. My answer remained the same, ALL SIX!"
* Jeff Hauser, executive director of the Revolving Door Project, a watchdog organization that tracks lobbying and political influence trends, told NOTUS that Arenholz's position "blurs the line."
* "No one's saying that if your significant other gets elected to Congress, you have got to stop being in insurance," Hauser said. "Then you tell me he's involved in government affairs, right off the bat that's not normal. Most people don't do government affairs work."
* Hauser argued that national organizations such as the Independent Insurance Agent Brokers, the parent group of the Iowa-based branch, use a network of state-level offshoots to more effectively lobby lawmakers.
* "Part of the power that, like, a Chamber of Commerce builds over time is that they can, instead of having their D.C-based official lobby someone from Iowa, they give talking points through their Iowa affiliate, and then the lobbying occurs from a constituent," Hauser said.
* InsurePAC, the political action committee of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, has supported Hinson throughout her congressional career.
* Over the years, the PAC contributed a total of more than $67,000 to Hinson's campaign and PACs affiliated with the Iowa Republican, according to data from the Federal Election Commission.
* Separately, the national group has spent more than $5 million lobbying the federal government since Hinson was elected in 2020, according to Lobbying Disclosure Act reports.
* Hinson's annual personal financial disclosures reveal Arenholz retains a significant stake in the insurance sector. Hinson reported in 2025 that Arenholz held between $1 million and $5 million in High Street Insurance Partners, a large private equity-backed insurance brokerage. In 2021, Hinson reported that Arenholz sold interest in a private insurance company for over $1 million.
* Hinson has pitched herself in Iowa as a candidate who will take on powerful special interests.
* The race for Senate in Iowa, with Hinson facing off against Democrat Josh Turek, has unexpectedly become one of the most important political contests in the 2026 midterms.
* Hinson holds a polling advantage of less than 1 percentage point, according to polling averages from RealClearPolitics, meaning the race is a statistical dead heat, at present.
* Last week, the Cook Political Report rated the Iowa Senate race a toss-up, shifting its rating toward Democrats. Senate Democrats must hold all of their seats and defeat at least four Republicans to retake the chamber.
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Original text here: https://www.dscc.org/article/new-rep-ashley-hinsons-husband-arranged-a-meeting-between-lobbyists-and-iowa-lawmakers-including-his-wife-notus/