Politics, Parties, Candidates
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POLL: Kim Reynolds Remains the Most Unpopular Governor in America for Sixth Consecutive Quarter
DES MOINES, Iowa, July 18 -- The Iowa Democratic Party issued the following news:
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NEW POLL: Kim Reynolds Remains the Most Unpopular Governor in America for Sixth Consecutive Quarter
Iowa Republicans continue to carry out her unpopular agenda
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Des Moines - A new poll from Morning Consult shows Governor Kim Reynolds is once again ranked the most unpopular governor in the United States -- a title she has held for six straight quarters.
Reynolds holds the only net negative approval rating of any U.S. governor, with 42% approval and 49% disapproval. In the past three months, her approval
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DES MOINES, Iowa, July 18 -- The Iowa Democratic Party issued the following news:
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NEW POLL: Kim Reynolds Remains the Most Unpopular Governor in America for Sixth Consecutive Quarter
Iowa Republicans continue to carry out her unpopular agenda
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Des Moines - A new poll from Morning Consult shows Governor Kim Reynolds is once again ranked the most unpopular governor in the United States -- a title she has held for six straight quarters.
Reynolds holds the only net negative approval rating of any U.S. governor, with 42% approval and 49% disapproval. In the past three months, her approvalhas dropped another two points, falling from -5 in April to a dismal -7 in July.
"Iowa keeps landing some of the worst-in-the-nation ratings -- worst economy in the country, worst cancer growth rate, and one of the worst for hourly pay. After years of one-party rule and failed leadership, it's only fitting for Governor Kim Reynolds to keep her crown as the worst governor in the country," said IDP Chair Rita Hart. "Fortunately, Iowans have a real opportunity to change course and elect new leadership up and down the ballot, especially in the governor's office."
Reynolds' ranking comes after recent reports showing that Iowa has slipped to 49th in the nation for overall economic performance and 48th for personal income growth, according to the Trump administration. Iowa's once first-class public school system is now middle of the pack, and Iowa is ranked number one for cancer growth in the nation, thanks to Iowa Republicans.
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Original text here: https://iowademocrats.org/new-poll-kim-reynolds-remains-unpopular-governor-america-sixth-consecutive-quarter/
N.C. Republican Party: Washington Post - "Democratic Fissure Over Israel Hits a Moderate Swing State"
RALEIGH, North Carolina, July 18 -- The North Carolina Republican Party issued the following news release:
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Washington Post: "Democratic fissure over Israel hits a moderate swing state"
The North Carolina Democratic Party's constituency of antisemitism gets featured in The Washington Post this week, including a failure to comment from former Gov. Roy Cooper.
WaPo: "Democratic fissure over Israel hits a moderate swing state"
Democrats in North Carolina are engaged in a bitter fight after the state party condemned Israel for "apartheid rule," exposing an internal rift in a moderate swing
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RALEIGH, North Carolina, July 18 -- The North Carolina Republican Party issued the following news release:
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Washington Post: "Democratic fissure over Israel hits a moderate swing state"
The North Carolina Democratic Party's constituency of antisemitism gets featured in The Washington Post this week, including a failure to comment from former Gov. Roy Cooper.
WaPo: "Democratic fissure over Israel hits a moderate swing state"
Democrats in North Carolina are engaged in a bitter fight after the state party condemned Israel for "apartheid rule," exposing an internal rift in a moderate swingstate that is festering nationally and could complicate the party's plans for the 2026 midterm elections.
Democrats' differences over Israel have continued to smolder. They ignited last month as some Democrats expressed dismay that their party nominated Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York. Mamdani, who is Muslim, declined to condemnthe slogan "globalize the intifada," which some Jews view as a call to violence against them and many Palestinians see as support for their struggle for a homeland. Critics have called such language particularly troubling after Jews were attacked in D.C., Boulder and elsewhere.
At least two other state parties have passed resolutions similar to North Carolina's, though in more measured tones. The Wisconsin Democratic Party adopted one last month that said its base is "overwhelmingly supportive of restricting weapons to Israel." The Washington State Democratic Party approved one last year that called on the state's congressional delegation to demand that military assistance to Israel fully comply with a law that bars aid to countries that violate human rights.
The resolution in North Carolina said the state party supports "an immediate embargo on all military aid, weapons shipments and military logistical support to Israel" that should remain in place until Amnesty International and other rights groups "certify that Israel is no longer engaged in apartheid rule."
BOTTOM LINE: Refusal of North Carolina Democratic leaders to condemn and distance themselves from extreme, anti-Jewish actions shows either they agree it or are too afraid of their own radical base to do the right thing.
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Original text here: https://www.nc.gop/washington_post_democratic_fissure_over_israel_hits_a_moderate_swing_state
ICYMI: State House Republicans Hold Budget Process Hostage
LANSING, Michigan, July 18 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release:
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ICYMI: State House Republicans Hold Budget Process Hostage
With Senate Dems' general and education budgets in limbo since May, House Republicans are refusing to come to the table in good faith
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LANSING -- In case you missed it, Matt Hall has led the state House Republican caucus into a stalemate with the Senate as he refuses to engage in the budget process. The Senate passed a full general fund and education budget in May, but House Republicans have not come to the table in good faith to
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LANSING, Michigan, July 18 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release:
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ICYMI: State House Republicans Hold Budget Process Hostage
With Senate Dems' general and education budgets in limbo since May, House Republicans are refusing to come to the table in good faith
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LANSING -- In case you missed it, Matt Hall has led the state House Republican caucus into a stalemate with the Senate as he refuses to engage in the budget process. The Senate passed a full general fund and education budget in May, but House Republicans have not come to the table in good faith tonegotiate a budget and avoid a government shutdown.
For all their bluster, Matt Hall and state House Republicans do not have any real budget on the table -- they're all talk as usual. They clearly don't care about truly getting it done; as state Senator Sarah Anthony noted, "The most frustrating part about this year has been not having a willing and serious partner in the House Republicans."
Read more about the stalled budget process below:
Michigan Advance: 'I can't punch air': budget chasm continues as Michigan Legislature fails to hold session
* For the state Senate's part, the chamber passed a full budget funding the government, as well as its K-12 and higher education budgets, in May, teeing up the House to do the same. However, the Senate has not issued a full funding plan for fixing Michigan roads...
* In an interview with Michigan Advance on Friday, state Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said that although the federal budget has passed, the House has still not been communicative about its plans to fund the rest of state government.
* "They have thrown out very, very expensive tax proposals. Income tax relief, an over $100 million Public Safety Trust Fund proposal, very expensive proposals. But yet, you've got to show the whole picture," Anthony said. "It has been frustrating to wait while they contemplate this federal budget. Well, you know what? Now we're here. We are now at a place where the clock is ticking and it's time for us to start having real conversations."
* As to the holes created by the federal government's tax and spending cut plan, which was signed into law by Trump on July 4, Anthony said 40% of the state's budget comes from federal funding, including Michigan's Medicaid program, which provides one in four Michigan residents with vital health care.
* Approximately 1.5 million people in Michigan rely on SNAP food assistance benefits, Anthony added, and those two components in the federal budget combined would set Michigan up for a $2 billion deficit.
* "It is critical for us to look at this year's budget in a way that we've never looked at any budget before in recent history because of the impact on social services," Anthony said. "Things that provide food and health care to people... Budgets are moral documents, and so, if we're looking at this moment as a way to invest in children and senior citizens and our low income families, and what they need to survive, our budget would in no way be able to fill every single gap that this federal bill has created in our state..."
* In contrast, Anthony said the Senate passed what it considered a fiscally responsible and balanced budget, which included things like universal school meals and community college guarantees, and grant programs for small businesses and farmers so they have some relief from Trump's tariff moves.
* "We put it all on the table," Anthony said. "We take the criticism and the praise, but we built a budget ... contemplating what we assumed would be the impact of some of these pretty dangerous federal cuts. The most frustrating part about this year has been not having a willing and serious partner in the House Republicans..."
* "This isn't anything new," Anthony said. "We need more reasonable actors at the table."
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Original text here: https://michigandems.com/icymi-state-house-republicans-hold-budget-process-hostage/
ICYMI: DNC Announces Initial $1.5 Million Investment Into the Virginia Democratic Coordinated Campaign to Help Elect Democrats Across the Commonwealth
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Democratic National Committee issued the following news release on July 16, 2025:
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ICYMI: DNC Announces Initial $1.5 Million Investment Into the Virginia Democratic Coordinated Campaign to Help Elect Democrats Across the Commonwealth
Yesterday, the DNC announced a new, seven-figure investment into the Virginia Democratic Coordinated Campaign to support Virginia Democratic victories up and down the ballot in 2025 and beyond. The DNC's latest $1.5 million investment comes on the heels of the DNC's historic investments into Democratic state parties -- including Virginia
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WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Democratic National Committee issued the following news release on July 16, 2025:
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ICYMI: DNC Announces Initial $1.5 Million Investment Into the Virginia Democratic Coordinated Campaign to Help Elect Democrats Across the Commonwealth
Yesterday, the DNC announced a new, seven-figure investment into the Virginia Democratic Coordinated Campaign to support Virginia Democratic victories up and down the ballot in 2025 and beyond. The DNC's latest $1.5 million investment comes on the heels of the DNC's historic investments into Democratic state parties -- including Virginia-- and during Democrats' "Organizing Summer" campaign to turbocharge organizing efforts and meet voters everywhere.
As Virginia heads into a high-stakes election, the DNC's investment helps lay the groundwork to build strong Democratic power across the commonwealth, organize and empower voters ready to reject Republicans' extreme agenda, and elect strong Democratic candidates -- from the school board to the governorship.
Take a look at some of the coverage below:
Washington Post: DNC pours large donation into Virginia's high-stakes elections
[Gregory S. Schneider, 7/15/25]
"The Democratic National Committee will contribute $1.5 million to help elect Democrats in Virginia this year, highlighting the national significance of the state's contests for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates ahead of next year's congressional midterms. ...
"DNC officials said their donation is unusually large and early for an off-year state campaign. Virginia's 'high-stakes' elections are an important laboratory for the party in 'building Democratic infrastructure that will help support Democratic victories all across the ballot,' DNC Chairman Ken Martin said in a news release provided to The Washington Post under embargo until the Tuesday morning announcement.
"The investment will be used to hire more organizers to reach voters around the state, get the party's message out and 'test new tactics and tools to ensure our message is resonating,' the DNC said in the news release."
The Hill: DNC launches $1.5M investment in Virginia
[Julia Manchester, 7/15/25]
"The Democratic National Committee announced an initial $1.5 million investment in Virginia on Tuesday in an effort to help candidates up and down the ballot in November's off-year elections.
"The investment in the state is one of the largest and earliest investments the committee has made to the Virginia Democratic Coordinated Campaign during an off election year, according to the DNC.
"The committee said the investment will allow the coordinated campaign to continue to hire organizers and staff, fund persuasion programs, test new messaging tactics, and expand its reach to constituencies Democrats lost ground with in 2024.
"'Now, Democrats are giving Virginians an alternative to extreme Republican candidates with real Democratic leadership to make the state more affordable for working families,' DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement. 'This investment will aid strong Democratic leaders like Abigail Spanberger, Ghazala Hashmi, and Jay Jones and turbocharge organizing efforts while building Democratic infrastructure that will help support Democratic victories all across the ballot.' ...
"'Donald Trump and Virginia Republicans have betrayed the commonwealth. From Elon Musk destroying the livelihoods of thousands of Virginians through DOGE, to Donald Trump and Virginia Republicans kicking 323,000 Virginians off their health insurance, to Glenn Youngkin and state Republicans leading Virginia to fall in the rankings of the top states for business, Republicans have utterly failed the commonwealth,' Martin said."
NBC News: DNC makes initial $1.5 million investment in Virginia races this November
[Adam Edelman, 7/15/25]
"The Democratic National Committee announced it is investing an initial $1.5 million in Virginia to help flip the state's governorship and to maintain control of the state Legislature this November. ...
"Specifically, the DNC said the money would be used for Virginia Democrats' coordinated campaign to hire organizers and staff and fund voter outreach programs. The party said the investment is part of its previously announced 'Organizing Summer' effort. ...
"'From Elon Musk destroying the livelihoods of thousands of Virginians through DOGE, to Donald Trump and Virginia Republicans kicking 323,000 Virginians off their health insurance, to Glenn Youngkin and state Republicans leading Virginia to fall in the rankings of the top states for business, Republicans have utterly failed the commonwealth,' Martin said. 'Now, Democrats are giving Virginians an alternative to extreme Republican candidates with real Democratic leadership to make the state more affordable for working families.'
"Martin added that the investment would 'turbocharge organizing efforts while building Democratic infrastructure that will help support Democratic victories all across the ballot.'"
Richmond Times-Dispatch: National Democrats to send $1.5 million for Virginia races
[Michael Martz, 7/15/25]
"The Democratic National Committee is pledging $1.5 million to the party in Virginia to boost Democratic candidates in elections this year -- from races for statewide offices to every seat in the House of Delegates.
"The national committee called the pledge 'one of the largest and earliest initial investments the DNC has ever made to the Virginia Democratic Coordinated Campaign in an off-year election cycle.' ...
"The DNC said its contribution to the state coordinated campaign would help pay for political organizers and staff; educate voters about the stakes and candidates in the elections; test new 'tactics and tools' for delivering the party's message; and expand work with 'key constituencies that we lost ground with' in the presidential and congressional races last fall.
"DNC Chair Ken Martin said the national investment would focus voters on how President Donald Trump and Virginia Republicans 'have betrayed the commonwealth' through cuts to the federal workforce and spending, the threat of hundreds of thousands of Virginians losing health coverage under the budget bill the GOP-controlled Congress passed and the state's fall from first place to fourth in the annual CNBC ranking for best states to do business."
Washington Examiner: DNC pours $1.5 million into Virginia ahead of 2025 election
[Ross O'Keefe, 7/15/25]
"The Democratic National Committee announced it is unloading $1.5 million into its Virginia operation Tuesday. ...
"The DNC said the investment 'is one of the largest and earliest initial investments the DNC has ever made to the Virginia Democratic Coordinated Campaign in an off-year election cycle.'
"'Donald Trump and Virginia Republicans have betrayed the commonwealth,' DNC chairman Ken Martin said in a statement.
"'From Elon Musk destroying the livelihoods of thousands of Virginians through DOGE, to Donald Trump and Virginia Republicans kicking 323,000 Virginians off their health insurance, to Glenn Youngkin and state Republicans leading Virginia to fall in the rankings of the top states for business, Republicans have utterly failed the commonwealth,' he added. 'This investment will aid strong Democratic leaders like Abigail Spanberger, Ghazala Hashmi, and Jay Jones and turbocharge organizing efforts while building Democratic infrastructure that will help support Democratic victories all across the ballot.'
"The money will go toward helping to hire organizers and other staff, funding 'early persuasion' programs designed to shift voters, and to test 'new tactics and tools to ensure our message is resonating with voters across the commonwealth.'"
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Original text here: https://democrats.org/news/icymi-dnc-announces-initial-1-5-million-investment-into-the-virginia-democratic-coordinated-campaign-to-help-elect-democrats-across-the-commonwealth/
DNC: WATCH - Trump Keeps Protecting Epstein, and the American People Are Demanding Answers
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Democratic National Committee issued the following news release:
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WATCH: Trump Keeps Protecting Epstein, and the American People Are Demanding Answers
Donald Trump is in full-blown panic, as Americans demand answers on his close friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Now, Trump is lashing out against his own supporters and lying to cover up his longtime association with this infamous sex trafficker. DNC Researcher Jacob Horowitz breaks down Trump's long relationship with Epstein, the Trump administration's lack of transparency around the files, and why the American
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WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Democratic National Committee issued the following news release:
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WATCH: Trump Keeps Protecting Epstein, and the American People Are Demanding Answers
Donald Trump is in full-blown panic, as Americans demand answers on his close friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Now, Trump is lashing out against his own supporters and lying to cover up his longtime association with this infamous sex trafficker. DNC Researcher Jacob Horowitz breaks down Trump's long relationship with Epstein, the Trump administration's lack of transparency around the files, and why the Americanpeople deserve to know the truth.
WATCH: The Epstein Files are tearing the Trump administration apart, and the American people are fed up with Donald Trump's flip-flopping and lack of transparency.
Transcript of DNC Researcher Jacob Horowitz: "It can be hard to keep track of the corrupt mess that is Trump's White House. But we are paying attention to the Epstein issue because it's something all Americans care about. It's cutting across party lines, with Democrats and Republicans alike frustrated by the lack of transparency. Remember: Trump administration officials are either running a cover-up and keeping the Epstein files hidden, or they never intended to release the files in the first place and lied about this faux transparency agenda, all to get elected. But we can't let Trump sweep this all under the rug. That's why I'm asking -- demanding -- release the Epstein files."
POLLING: As Trump scrambles to change the narrative, Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of his handling of the Epstein files.
Rasmussen Poll: "Roughly two-thirds of every political category - 68% of Democrats, 66% of Republicans and 69% of unaffiliated voters - reject the idea that the Epstein case is closed and instead believe that there are dozens of powerful and wealthy offenders who need to face justice."
CNN Poll: "Americans are broadly dissatisfied with how much Epstein info the government has released. ...
"Very conservative Republicans and Republican-leaning independents are far more likely to be dissatisfied than are those who consider themselves somewhat conservative (48% vs. 40%)."
Quinnipiac Poll: "17 percent of voters say they approve of the way the Trump Administration is handling the Jeffrey Epstein files, while 63 percent of voters disapprove..."
Reuters: "Most Americans think President Donald Trump's administration is hiding information about accused sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and give it poor marks on the issue after pledging to make public documents in the case, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found. ...
"...69% of respondents thought the federal government was hiding details about Epstein's clients, compared to 6% who disagreed and about one in four who said they weren't sure."
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Original text here: https://democrats.org/news/watch-trump-keeps-protecting-epstein-and-the-american-people-are-demanding-answers/
DNC: Trump's Billionaire-First Agenda is Tanking The Economy and "Paralyzing Businesses"
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Democratic National Committee issued the following news release on July 17, 2025:
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Trump's Billionaire-First Agenda is Tanking The Economy and "Paralyzing Businesses"
Today, JD Vance spewed lies in Pennsylvania about the Trump administration's economic record. In reality, Donald Trump's billionaire-first agenda is already skyrocketing costs and hurting small businesses. Because of Trump's chaotic trade war, the manufacturing sector lost 14,000 jobs in the last two months. The bottom line: Trump is tanking job growth and setting back working families all to fund
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WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Democratic National Committee issued the following news release on July 17, 2025:
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Trump's Billionaire-First Agenda is Tanking The Economy and "Paralyzing Businesses"
Today, JD Vance spewed lies in Pennsylvania about the Trump administration's economic record. In reality, Donald Trump's billionaire-first agenda is already skyrocketing costs and hurting small businesses. Because of Trump's chaotic trade war, the manufacturing sector lost 14,000 jobs in the last two months. The bottom line: Trump is tanking job growth and setting back working families all to fundanother round of tax giveaways for his billionaire backers.
Thanks to Donald Trump's erratic trade agenda, manufacturing is contracting nationally for the fourth month in a row.
Bloomberg: "US factory activity contracted in June for a fourth consecutive month as orders and employment shrank at a faster pace, extending the malaise in manufacturing.
"The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index edged up 0.5 point last month to 49, according to data released Tuesday. Readings below 50 indicate contraction. A measure of prices paid for raw materials showed slightly faster inflation.
"Bookings contracted by the most in three months and have been shrinking for the past five months, likely a reflection of higher tariffs and a general slowdown in the economy. An index of order backlogs fell 2.8 points, the most in a year, to 44.3. Backlogs have contracted a record 33 straight months."
CNN: "President Donald Trump's shock-and-awe tariff campaign is off to a slow start when it comes to reviving American manufacturing jobs.
"While it will take time for the full impact to play out, the early results suggest that not only have tariffs failed to inspire a hiring boom, but the chaotic policy rollout is paralyzing businesses. ...
"Even as Trump spiked tariffs to levels unseen in nearly a century, the manufacturing sector lost a combined 14,000 net jobs in May and June, according to federal data."
Trump's billionaire-first agenda will make his tax scam permanent and fund another round of tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy on the backs of working families.
Washington Post: "The boost to the national debt from President Donald Trump's sweeping tax bill could add fresh fuel to inflation just as his tariff policies are already pushing prices up, mainstream economists are warning. ...
"A spike in the national debt can be enough to boost inflation on its own, economists say. Every 1 percent increase in the national deficit as a share of GDP translates to price increases of roughly $300 to $1,250 per household over five years, according to estimates from the Budget Lab at Yale University."
USA Today: "Low-income families would lose, wealthier ones would gain under GOP tax proposals"
"In comparison, families with higher incomes would benefit from the extension of the 2017 tax cuts."
NBC News: "Senate Republicans released a new budget blueprint Wednesday that would pave the way for ... making President Donald Trump's 2017 tax cuts permanent."
REMINDER: Trump's first term tax law left workers in the dust while filling the pockets of corporate executives.
Washington Post: "U.S. manufacturing was in a mild recession for all of 2019, according to data released Friday by the Federal Reserve. The downturn is a sore spot in an otherwise healthy U.S. economy and a potential weakness for President Trump, who promised to bring back blue-collar jobs.
"In contrast with steady growth in the larger economy, U.S. factory production shrank by 1.3 percent in the past year, the Federal Reserve reported."
Yahoo Finance: "[A]s the impacts of the corporate tax cut passed late last year by the Trump administration begin to be seen across the economy, it is clear that the shareholder class will be the largest beneficiary of this overhaul to the tax code. This continues a theme we've seen since the election -- shareholders winning."
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: "The 2017 tax law's tilt to the top reflects several costly provisions that primarily benefit the most well-off...
"The centerpiece of the law was a deep, permanent cut in the corporate tax rate -- from 35 percent to 21 percent -- and a shift toward a territorial tax system, which exempts certain foreign income of multinational corporations from tax."
The Hill: "President Trump's promises to revive the struggling American manufacturing industry faces new headwinds as the automotive sector, the largest driver of manufacturing jobs, announces thousands of new layoffs."
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Original text here: https://democrats.org/news/trumps-billionaire-first-agenda-is-tanking-the-economy-and-paralyzing-businesses/
DGA Statement on Scott Jensen Running for Governor in Minnesota
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Democratic Governors Association posted the following statement on July 17, 2025:
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DGA Statement on Scott Jensen Running for Governor in Minnesota
DGA spokesperson Izzi Levy released the following statement in response to Scott Jensen running for governor in Minnesota:
"Minnesota's GOP gubernatorial primary is shaping up to be yet another messy and divisive affair, and failed candidate Scott Jensen is just the latest underwhelming, out-of-touch candidate to throw his hat in the ring. Jensen brings to this race a disastrous and disqualifying record of supporting
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Democratic Governors Association posted the following statement on July 17, 2025:
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DGA Statement on Scott Jensen Running for Governor in Minnesota
DGA spokesperson Izzi Levy released the following statement in response to Scott Jensen running for governor in Minnesota:
"Minnesota's GOP gubernatorial primary is shaping up to be yet another messy and divisive affair, and failed candidate Scott Jensen is just the latest underwhelming, out-of-touch candidate to throw his hat in the ring. Jensen brings to this race a disastrous and disqualifying record of supportinga massive tax hike on working families, pushing extreme conspiracy theories, and supporting a dangerous abortion ban without exceptions for rape or incest.
"Meanwhile, Governor Tim Walz has taken on the biggest issues facing working families: cutting taxes, lowering costs, and making historic investments in public education and infrastructure. That's exactly the type of leadership Minnesotans will want to stick with, not an extremist who wants to drag the state backwards."
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Original text here: https://democraticgovernors.org/updates/dga-statement-on-scott-jensen-running-for-governor-in-minnesota/