Politics, Parties, Candidates
Here's a look at documents from politicians, candidates and interested parties
Featured Stories
Mike Lawler Used Gas Prices as a Political Talking Point -- Now, He's Not Saying Much
WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
Mike Lawler Used Gas Prices as a Political Talking Point -- Now, He's Not Saying Much
*
After campaigning for years on lowering gas prices, vulnerable Republican Mike Lawler has no answer for his constituents paying over $4.50/gallon at the gas pump and is quite eager to deflect the blame.
Mike Lawler has promised for years to lower gas prices, but now he's breaking that vow by falling in line to support Donald Trump's reckless war of choice. As MSNOW writes:
In an Oct. 8, 2024,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
Mike Lawler Used Gas Prices as a Political Talking Point -- Now, He's Not Saying Much
*
After campaigning for years on lowering gas prices, vulnerable Republican Mike Lawler has no answer for his constituents paying over $4.50/gallon at the gas pump and is quite eager to deflect the blame.
Mike Lawler has promised for years to lower gas prices, but now he's breaking that vow by falling in line to support Donald Trump's reckless war of choice. As MSNOW writes:
In an Oct. 8, 2024,campaign ad, when the latest average was $3.19, Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., said gas prices had "gone through the roof." On March 7, 2026, when asked about gas prices at $3.41, Lawler told CNN, "Eliminating the threat from Iran is absolutely worth it."
Lawler seems to be endorsing Trump's reckless war every chance he gets, recently arguing it was a " righteous decision " and standing by as Donald Trump's Treasury secretary dismissed the pain Hudson Valley families are feeling at the pump as a " blip. "
DCCC Spokesperson Riya Vashi:
"Mike Lawler's constant lies and complacency are going to cost him his job in November. Skyrocketing gas prices are a regular reminder for everyday New Yorkers that Lawler broke his promise to lower prices and continues to put Donald Trump over his own constituents at every turn."
***
Original text here: https://dccc.org/mike-lawler-used-gas-prices-as-a-political-talking-point-now-hes-not-saying-much/
Jen Kiggans - Who Has Voted With Trump 100% - Refuses to Oppose His Taxpayer-Funded Billion Dollar Ballroom
WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
Jen Kiggans - Who Has Voted With Trump 100% - Refuses to Oppose His Taxpayer-Funded Billion Dollar Ballroom
*
Trump asks Kiggans to jump, Kiggans asks: 'how high'?
Vulnerable Congresswoman Jen Kiggans' priorities are all out of whack.
When it comes to lowering Virginians' health care costs, Kiggans was a no.
But when it comes to Trump's billion dollar taxpayer-funded ballroom? Kiggans looks forward to taking a look at it.
Reminder: Kiggans has voted with Trump 100% of the
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
Jen Kiggans - Who Has Voted With Trump 100% - Refuses to Oppose His Taxpayer-Funded Billion Dollar Ballroom
*
Trump asks Kiggans to jump, Kiggans asks: 'how high'?
Vulnerable Congresswoman Jen Kiggans' priorities are all out of whack.
When it comes to lowering Virginians' health care costs, Kiggans was a no.
But when it comes to Trump's billion dollar taxpayer-funded ballroom? Kiggans looks forward to taking a look at it.
Reminder: Kiggans has voted with Trump 100% of thetime this Congress. Trump even gave Kiggans a special shoutout, calling her one of his "Congress warriors."
DCCC Spokesperson Eli Cousin :
"Jen Kiggans puts her D.C. party bosses first and Virginians last. She has completely betrayed her own community."
***
Original text here: https://dccc.org/jen-kiggans-who-has-voted-with-trump-100-refuses-to-oppose-his-taxpayer-funded-billion-dollar-ballroom/
ICYMI: "Ohio is Back," "Democrats in Ohio may have more reason to hope than they've had in years"
COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 11 -- The Ohio Democratic Party posted the following news:
* * *
ICYMI: "Ohio is Back," "Democrats in Ohio may have more reason to hope than they've had in years"
*
COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio Democrats marked the start of the general election with incredible energy and turnout for the Democratic ticket, and Ohioans are hearing about it all around the state - and the country too. Democrats saw the highest turnout in a governor's race year since 2006 and huge increases in urban and suburban counties. While raw Democratic vote totals were higher in most counties when compared to 2022,
... Show Full Article
COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 11 -- The Ohio Democratic Party posted the following news:
* * *
ICYMI: "Ohio is Back," "Democrats in Ohio may have more reason to hope than they've had in years"
*
COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio Democrats marked the start of the general election with incredible energy and turnout for the Democratic ticket, and Ohioans are hearing about it all around the state - and the country too. Democrats saw the highest turnout in a governor's race year since 2006 and huge increases in urban and suburban counties. While raw Democratic vote totals were higher in most counties when compared to 2022,raw Republican vote totals were lower in most counties when compared to 2022.
In a cycle where, as Ohio Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Clyde made clear, "it just feels like Ohio is back," read more about how "Ohio Democrats are going to be successful because we have a positive vision to unite Ohioans from all walks of life and all political backgrounds and we have a playbook for success."
NBC News: 'Ohio is back': Both parties navigate competitive midterm races in a forgotten battleground
It has been 20 years since the state last elected a Democrat as governor. And it has been even longer since a Democrat not named Sherrod Brown has won a second election to any nonjudicial statewide office.
But party leaders are daring to be optimistic in 2026, encouraged by polls that show their candidate for governor, physician Amy Acton, running close with newly official Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy. They also scored a recruiting win when Brown launched a comeback Senate bid. Brown won the Democratic nomination Tuesday to face Sen. Jon Husted, the Republican appointed to succeed Vice President JD Vance. Early polls foreshadow a close race in that contest, too.
"It just feels like Ohio is back," said state Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Clyde, referring to years in wilderness when, except when Brown was on the ballot, both national parties retreated from what was once a fiercely contested battleground.
Alex Triantafilou, the Ohio GOP chair, acknowledged a tough political climate for Republicans this year. President Donald Trump's job approval ratings have fallen to new lows as he takes the rap for an unpopular war in Iran and rising gas prices that have accelerated frustrations with the economy.
[...]
Just like when Ohio regularly decided presidential elections in past years, its 2026 races have national importance. While the Husted-Brown race could play a role in deciding who controls the Senate next year, several battleground House races could do the same in that tightly divided chamber. And the governorship is a huge prize drawing attention, too.
[...]
Spectrum News: Ohio Democrats respond to May primary results
In low turnout primaries it's hard to gauge which party has the advantage for November.
But Democrats in Ohio may have more reason to hope than they've had in years. Mid-term elections are a referendum on the party and the President in power.
President Trump's aggregate approval rating is below 40%, according to Cook Political Report. Gas prices are near record levels and inflation remains entrenched, but the Democrats have a popularity problem of their own. A recent survey shows they have a 39% approval rating.
Capital This Week host Curtis Jackson sits down with the Chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, Kathleen Clyde, to learn more about her plan for Democrats to return to the governor's office.
Signal: Ohio Democrats nearly matched GOP primary turnout. Does it matter for November?
Democratic primary turnout rebounds
Democratic turnout in Ohio's 2026 primary rebounded sharply on Tuesday, nearly matching Republican participation after trailing badly just four years earlier.
791,355 Ohioans requested Democratic ballots for the election, and 817,159 requested Republican ballots. That's compared to 2022, when more than 1 million Ohioans requested Republican ballots against 540,000 Democratic ones.
The improved Democratic turnout occurred despite the top of the ticket - governor and U.S. Senate - lacking competitive races this year for both parties. Ohio Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Clyde said that, overall, state Democrats saw their highest turnout in a primary midterm election since 2006 - a year that was a high-water mark for the party.
"I look at the similarities in the cycles. We're in the second term of an unpopular Republican president," Clyde said.
Looking at the numbers, Republicans saw ballot requests drop in most counties - with some of the biggest percentage drops happening in large urban counties and western Ohio.
The largest Democratic increases happened in the Columbus and Cincinnati areas - general areas of growth for the party - including in Butler County, where Democratic ballot requests doubled to around 15,000. Democratic requests were down in some areas where the party has struggled, like eastern and western Ohio.
[...]
Statehouse News Bureau: Primary voters have spoken. Now the chairs of Ohio's major parties are looking to November
With the primary over, the chairs of Ohio's two major parties know who will be on the ballot in November. The major party leaders are now focusing their messaging on those choices made by primary voters.
Ohio Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Clyde said she's excited about the party's candidates going into November.
"Ohio Democrats are going to be successful because we have a positive vision to unite Ohioans from all walks of life and all political backgrounds and we have a playbook for success," Clyde said in an interview.
Clyde said voters are rejecting the current economic climate and are focused on affordability. That, she said, shapes the message of her candidates: "Ohio Democrats are focused on lowering the costs that keep Ohioans up at night, like for housing, healthcare, groceries, utilities, childcare, and more."
[...]
***
Original text here: https://ohiodems.org/icymi-ohio-is-back-democrats-in-ohio-may-have-more-reason-to-hope-than-theyve-had-in-years/
Dem Candidates Point Out Hypocrisy On Trump's $1 Billion Taxpayer-Funded Ballroom
WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
Dem Candidates Point Out Hypocrisy On Trump's $1 Billion Taxpayer-Funded Ballroom
*
Vulnerable House Republicans are poised to greenlight the project
Vulnerable House Republicans have failed to deliver on their core campaign promise to lower the high cost of living. Instead, they are preparing to give Donald Trump $1 billion of taxpayer dollars for a ballroom that no one but Trump asked for.
Echoing the public's anger at House Republicans, MS NOW reports that Democratic candidates
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
Dem Candidates Point Out Hypocrisy On Trump's $1 Billion Taxpayer-Funded Ballroom
*
Vulnerable House Republicans are poised to greenlight the project
Vulnerable House Republicans have failed to deliver on their core campaign promise to lower the high cost of living. Instead, they are preparing to give Donald Trump $1 billion of taxpayer dollars for a ballroom that no one but Trump asked for.
Echoing the public's anger at House Republicans, MS NOW reports that Democratic candidatesin swing districts see the "$1 billion proposal as just another data point they can invoke to accuse the president and Republican Party writ large of being out of step with the needs of the American public."
Here is what these candidates told MS NOW:
* Marlene Galan-Woods (AZ-01): "While D.C. is dreaming up floor plans for a gala hall, Arizonans here are staring at $6 gallon of gas and wondering how to cover rent, how to pay for groceries, how to buy their kids shoes."
* Brian Poindexter (OH-07): "We know what the ballroom is for; it's for an audience of one. It's for Trump, it's for himself, and it's at the expense of everybody else."
* Bob Harvie (PA-01): Voters would "much rather have affordable health care. I think they'd much rather have fully funded schools. I think they'd much rather have job training programs."
A dismally low 28% of voters approve of Trump's new ballroom - yet House Republicans want to use taxpayers dollars to give the White House $1 billion for construction.
DCCC Spokesperson Justin Chermol:
"Extreme House Republicans in some of the most competitive races in the nation are poised to rubber stamp a billion dollars in taxpayer money for a ballroom when everyday Americans can't afford to put gas in their car or get health care for their families. Shameful."
***
Original text here: https://dccc.org/dem-candidates-point-out-hypocrisy-on-trumps-1-billion-taxpayer-funded-ballroom/
DCCC Statement on Jen Kiggans Agreeing With Racist Comments During Interview
WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
DCCC Statement on Jen Kiggans Agreeing With Racist Comments During Interview
*
Kiggans on racist remarks: "That's right. Ditto. Yes, yes to that."
Today, Virginia Congresswoman Jen Kiggans endorsed racist remarks made by an interview host who called on House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to get his "cotton-picking hands" out of Virginia. Kiggans responded: "That's right. Ditto. Yes, yes to that."
Now, Kiggans has chosen to double down on her comments by refusing to apologize
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
DCCC Statement on Jen Kiggans Agreeing With Racist Comments During Interview
*
Kiggans on racist remarks: "That's right. Ditto. Yes, yes to that."
Today, Virginia Congresswoman Jen Kiggans endorsed racist remarks made by an interview host who called on House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to get his "cotton-picking hands" out of Virginia. Kiggans responded: "That's right. Ditto. Yes, yes to that."
Now, Kiggans has chosen to double down on her comments by refusing to apologizeand forcefully condemn the racist remarks. Black voters make up roughly 1 out of every 4 voters in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District.
DCCC Spokesperson Eli Cousin:
"Jen Kiggans must immediately apologize for agreeing with openly racist and vile remarks. By refusing to unequivocally apologize for her comments, Kiggans is demonstrating that she is unfit to represent Virginia's 2nd Congressional District."
***
Original text here: https://dccc.org/dccc-statement-on-jen-kiggans-agreeing-with-racist-comments-during-interview/
DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene on Redistricting: "Republicans have been trying to rig the system because they know they are losing."
WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene on Redistricting: "Republicans have been trying to rig the system because they know they are losing."
*
As Republicans across the country gerrymander congressional maps in a desperate power grab to rig the midterms, DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene joined "On NOTUS" with Daniella Diaz to discuss the stakes of the redistricting fight and how Democrats are handling the rapidly changing environment.
See highlights from Chair DelBene's conversation below:
On NOTUS:
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene on Redistricting: "Republicans have been trying to rig the system because they know they are losing."
*
As Republicans across the country gerrymander congressional maps in a desperate power grab to rig the midterms, DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene joined "On NOTUS" with Daniella Diaz to discuss the stakes of the redistricting fight and how Democrats are handling the rapidly changing environment.
See highlights from Chair DelBene's conversation below:
On NOTUS:Rep. Suzan DelBene: Republicans are trying "to break the system, and we are fighting back."
"We know that this was a terrible decision by the Supreme Court, undermining the Voting Rights Act, taking away opportunities for fair representation across the country. And the American people see that Republicans have been trying to rig the system because they know they are losing across the country. They're not winning in the hearts and minds of the American people. And instead of listening and actually sitting down with people across the country and understanding the struggles they're facing with skyrocketing costs of housing, food, health care, childcare, energy costs, gas prices, all because of actions from this administration or Republicans in Congress -instead of actually listening and focusing on that, they decided the only way that they can stay in power is to break the system, and we are fighting back.
[...]
"This started with Trump calling Republicans in Texas and saying, 'give me five seats.' And the people of Texas didn't like this. They didn't get a say. And so they drew the maps. And we have opportunities to pick up seats in Texas, but the American people know that this impacts their representation too. And the people of California saw that and responded, and they responded with a vote of the people.
[...]
"Republicans continue to be on this bent to redraw the lines. And we absolutely are going to respond. We're going to use every tool we have to respond across the country. We are not going to let them unilaterally just change lines. We should have consistent laws across the country so that this can't happen, and we will fight for that too. But right now, we're responding to these ongoing attempts by Republicans to break the system.
[...]
"And so you've seen that in people's votes already in special elections, Democrats are running ahead in special elections across the country by almost 13 points. In congressional special elections, 17 points. Big swings, including that state legislative seat where Mar-a-Lago is located, a swing over thirteen points, all because people have seen the broken promises.
[...]
"We have veterans, small business owners, we have a sheriff, journalists, mayors, just folks who are connected to their communities, a minister, even a Grammy Award winning musician -diverse candidates running all across the country, but who are uniquely connected to their communities and give us a great opportunity to flip districts."
***
Original text here: https://dccc.org/dccc-chair-suzan-delbene-on-redistricting-republicans-have-been-trying-to-rig-the-system-because-they-know-they-are-losing/
DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene on MSNOW: "The American People Are Angry About What They See Happening Across the Country."
WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene on MSNOW: "The American People Are Angry About What They See Happening Across the Country."
*
On Republicans attempting to gerrymander away Democratic-held seats in the South, DelBene says: "Don't count out someone like Jim Clyburn."
DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene joined Rev. Al Sharpton's show over the weekend to discuss how the Republican push to rig the midterms will backfire on them in November. Chair DelBene pushed back on the rapid, undemocratic efforts by
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene on MSNOW: "The American People Are Angry About What They See Happening Across the Country."
*
On Republicans attempting to gerrymander away Democratic-held seats in the South, DelBene says: "Don't count out someone like Jim Clyburn."
DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene joined Rev. Al Sharpton's show over the weekend to discuss how the Republican push to rig the midterms will backfire on them in November. Chair DelBene pushed back on the rapid, undemocratic efforts byRepublicans across the South to target and dilute the voices of Black voters in states from Louisiana to South Carolina.
See highlights from Chair DelBene's conversation below:
PoliticsNation w/Al Sharpton: DCCC Chair DelBene on the redistricting battles unfolding across the country and what they mean for the future of voting rights in America
"We knew that Republicans were doing everything they could to rig the system because they don't want to lose, and they don't want to listen to the American people. The American people are angry about what they see happening across the country. They're struggling with costs skyrocketing, and no effort by the White House or Republicans in Congress to do anything about it.
[...]
"We will take back the House in November. People all across the country are angry and are standing up, and they're going to stand up with their vote. We are fighting back everywhere - and even in places where [Republicans] redistricted, where they thought that they were going to pick up seats - they've given us opportunities.
[...]
"We have opportunities to pick up seats in Texas. So they [Republicans] thought they drew a map - Trump said, 'give me five seats' - I don't think they'll get five seats. I think we'll have the opportunity to pick up seats in Texas with great candidates that are running. And don't count out great incumbents who are running in these districts, even if they try to make their districts tougher. [...] Don't count out someone like Jim Clyburn, who has been an incredible leader in South Carolina and across the country. Voters are angry, and Republicans underestimate what's going to happen in November.
[...]
"We have 44 districts across the country where we're on offense, 44 opportunities to flip seats all across the country - from Arizona to Iowa to Pennsylvania and Michigan to Texas [...]. We're on offense. And the reason we have such opportunities is because we have great candidates on the ground, connected to their communities, talking about the issues that matter. And people have soured on the Republican agenda. We have seen swings in Democrats' direction since November of 2024. We've been ahead in special elections -kind of across the board - in special elections, by about 12 points, by 17 points in congressional special elections. Democrats are running ahead because people see the broken promises from Republicans and Trump, and they want folks who are going to stand up for them. That gives us incredible opportunities everywhere."
***
Original text here: https://dccc.org/dccc-chair-suzan-delbene-on-msnow-the-american-people-are-angry-about-what-they-see-happening-across-the-country/
NBC News: "[Arizona] Families Going Hungry Because of Trump's Food Stamp Cuts"
WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
NBC News: "[Arizona] Families Going Hungry Because of Trump's Food Stamp Cuts"
*
"No state has seen a more dramatic drop [in SNAP enrollment] than Arizona."
A devastating new report from NBC News is shedding light on the hunger crisis that Eli Crane and Juan Ciscomani have unleashed on Arizona families.
Last summer, Crane and Ciscomani cast key votes to pass House Republicans' Big, Ugly Law - which gutted food assistance from low-income families to pay for tax breaks to the rich.
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
NBC News: "[Arizona] Families Going Hungry Because of Trump's Food Stamp Cuts"
*
"No state has seen a more dramatic drop [in SNAP enrollment] than Arizona."
A devastating new report from NBC News is shedding light on the hunger crisis that Eli Crane and Juan Ciscomani have unleashed on Arizona families.
Last summer, Crane and Ciscomani cast key votes to pass House Republicans' Big, Ugly Law - which gutted food assistance from low-income families to pay for tax breaks to the rich.
Arizona's SNAP enrollment has been halved since last year - a figure that includes roughly 200,000 children. And the Arizona Department of Economic Security has acknowledged that even some Arizonans "who should be getting [SNAP]" have been cut off from the program thanks to Crane and Ciscomani's cuts.
"My boys are telling me nonstop, 'I'm hungry, I'm hungry,'" one mother said.
DCCC Spokesperson Lindsay Reilly :
"Eli Crane and Juan Ciscomani voted to allow hundreds of thousands of Arizona kids to go hungry so they could hand out tax breaks to their billionaire buddies. Their record is shameful and disqualifying, and voters will hold them accountable in November."
Read for yourself:
NBC News: The families going hungry because of Trump's food stamp cuts
* PHOENIX -The line outside a suburban office building was already 15 people long when Tiffany Hudson showed up with her 7-year-old son cradling his blanket. It was 7 a.m. At the front of the line was a woman hooked up to an oxygen tank who had arrived 90 minutes before the building opened.
* Hudson and her children have been swept up in a wave of new restrictions and bureaucratic hurdles that have begun to ripple across the country as a result of Trump's marquee legislation.
* The law extends tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations while cutting $187 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, often referred to as food stamps, over the next decade.
* Since the law was enacted last summer, about 3.5 million people have fallen off the SNAP rolls nationwide as of January, according to federal data. No state has seen a more dramatic drop than Arizona.
* These changes are going beyond their stated aims and have made it harder for many more people in Arizona to receive food assistance, even if they should be eligible, according to policy analysts, service providers and more than two dozen people who said they believed they were wrongly cut off from the program.
* The number of people receiving food stamps in the state has fallen by around 50% as of March compared to a year earlier, including about 200,000 children who have lost their benefits, according to state data.
* As a mother caring for two young children, [Hudson] should be exempt from the law's expanded work requirements... She described being caught in a monthslong paperwork back-and-forth with state employees since February... Unable to reach anyone by phone, she finally decided to show up in person... But after waiting for four hours to speak with someone, she was told she needed more documentation.
* Among those who showed up that morning were a woman who had come with her elderly father, a young Native American couple, a man in an addiction recovery program and a mother with a toddler clinging to her leg... Native Americans and people participating in drug or alcohol rehabilitation programs are among those who are exempt.
***
Original text here: https://dccc.org/nbc-news-arizona-families-going-hungry-because-of-trumps-food-stamp-cuts/
