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NRCC: Gas Tax Gray Has Some Nerve
WASHINGTON, July 21 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news:
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Gas Tax Gray Has Some Nerve
Lazy Adam Gray took to X to complain that families are "paying twice" because of high gas prices. If anyone knows about making families pay at the pump, it is Adam Gray.
Gray voted for California's 2017 gas tax and later bragged he was "proud" to help pass it. That tax increased again on July 1, climbing to 63.4 cents per gallon.
When gas prices reached historic highs in 2022, Gray repeatedly skipped votes that could have suspended the gas tax and delivered relief.
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 21 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news:
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Gas Tax Gray Has Some Nerve
Lazy Adam Gray took to X to complain that families are "paying twice" because of high gas prices. If anyone knows about making families pay at the pump, it is Adam Gray.
Gray voted for California's 2017 gas tax and later bragged he was "proud" to help pass it. That tax increased again on July 1, climbing to 63.4 cents per gallon.
When gas prices reached historic highs in 2022, Gray repeatedly skipped votes that could have suspended the gas tax and delivered relief.That was business as usual for Gray, who missed 157 votes while collecting more than $1 million in taxpayer-funded salary.
"Gas Tax Gray has some nerve pretending to care about pain at the pump after spending years picking Central Valley families' pockets. He voted to raise their gas taxes, repeatedly went missing when they needed relief, and collected his taxpayer-funded paycheck anyway. Gray did not fight high gas prices, he helped make them worse." - NRCC Spokesman Christian Martinez
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Original text here: https://www.nrcc.org/2026/07/20/gas-tax-gray-has-some-nerve/
NEW FROM WUNC: DC Insider Michael Whatley Rakes in Campaign Cash from Chemours While Dodging Questions About PFAS
RALEIGH, North Carolina, July 20 -- The North Carolina Democratic Party posted the following news:
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NEW FROM WUNC: DC Insider Michael Whatley Rakes in Campaign Cash from Chemours While Dodging Questions About PFAS
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WUNC: "DJ Griffin, a Whatley campaign spokesman, did not reply to either an email or a text message asking about the GOP candidate's stance on Chemours."
New reporting from WUNC is exposing DC insider Michael Whatley for taking thousands of dollars from the Chemours Company PAC while refusing to answer questions about the federal government's recent settlement with Chemours
... Show Full Article
RALEIGH, North Carolina, July 20 -- The North Carolina Democratic Party posted the following news:
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NEW FROM WUNC: DC Insider Michael Whatley Rakes in Campaign Cash from Chemours While Dodging Questions About PFAS
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WUNC: "DJ Griffin, a Whatley campaign spokesman, did not reply to either an email or a text message asking about the GOP candidate's stance on Chemours."
New reporting from WUNC is exposing DC insider Michael Whatley for taking thousands of dollars from the Chemours Company PAC while refusing to answer questions about the federal government's recent settlement with Chemoursor the EPA's decision to roll back regulations limiting PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, in drinking water.
For decades, Chemours dumped forever chemicals into the Cape Fear River in Eastern North Carolina. Earlier this year, researchers found high levels of PFAS in blood samples of Wilmington residents.
WUNC: "Questions Griffin did not address included whether Whatley believes Chemours has adequately addressed the contamination allegedly caused by it and DuPont; about the GOP candidate's stance on the settlement agreement; and about the Trump EPA's decision to rescind Biden-era health limits for GenX and three other PFAS."
This comes after Whatley championed spending cuts that delayed PFAS clean up at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base by five years.
As Eastern North Carolina continues to live with the impacts of forever chemicals in their communities, Whatley is continuing to sell out North Carolina to his political benefit.
Read More:
WUNC: What role could PFAS play in North Carolina's closely watched U.S. Senate race?
Adam Wagner | July 17, 2026
* Now, Chemours is weighing in on North Carolina's closely watched U.S. Senate race, with its corporate political action committee contributing $5,000 to GOP candidate Michael Whatley's campaign.
* DJ Griffin, a Whatley campaign spokesman, did not reply to either an email or a text message asking about the GOP candidate's stance on Chemours.
* Questions Griffin did not address included whether Whatley believes Chemours has adequately addressed the contamination allegedly caused by it and DuPont; about the GOP candidate's stance on the settlement agreement; and about the Trump EPA's decision to rescind Biden-era health limits for GenX and three other PFAS.
* Erin Carey, the director of the Sierra Club's North Carolina chapter, said it is disappointing that Whatley has not discussed PFAS contamination and more so that he is accepting campaign contributions from the company that is linked with that contamination.
* "It's as baffling as it is disgraceful," said Carey, who lives in Wilmington and drank contaminated water for two decades.
* Scientists have linked exposure to some PFAS with a number of health effects, including certain cancers, decreased fertility and development delays in children.
* Notably, Chemours made the $5,000 contribution to Whatley's campaign on March 3, technically during the primary. That means the PAC could make another contribution of up to $5,000 for the general election.
* During this election cycle, the Chemours PAC also made a maximum $15,000 contribution to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which is Senate Republicans' official campaign arm.
* "It's very disheartening as someone who drank poisoned drinking water for 20 years to know that the company that did it is essentially buying their way out of it as those of us who were left behind are paying to clean up the mess," Carey said.
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Original text here: https://www.ncdp.org/media/new-from-wunc-dc-insider-michael-whatley-rakes-in-campaign-cash-from-chemours-while-dodging-questions-about-pfas/
Marni von Wilpert Outlines Her Plans to Put Southern Californians First [The Contrarian]
WASHINGTON, July 20 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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Marni von Wilpert Outlines Her Plans to Put Southern Californians First [The Contrarian]
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"When gas prices spiked in California because of this reckless war in Iran, Jim Desmond told the people of this district...'no pain, no gain'...Is that who you want representing you?"
In a new interview with The Contrarian, Marni von Wilpert highlighted how her record as a former member of the Peace Corps, civil rights attorney, and public servant has informed her fight back against skyrocketing
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 20 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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Marni von Wilpert Outlines Her Plans to Put Southern Californians First [The Contrarian]
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"When gas prices spiked in California because of this reckless war in Iran, Jim Desmond told the people of this district...'no pain, no gain'...Is that who you want representing you?"
In a new interview with The Contrarian, Marni von Wilpert highlighted how her record as a former member of the Peace Corps, civil rights attorney, and public servant has informed her fight back against skyrocketingcosts, health care cuts, and voting rights being ripped away by D.C. Republicans and MAGA rubber-stamps like Jim Desmond.
"The person who wins this congressional seat will have the power to decide who gets access to health care and who does not in this country. And I'm gonna fight for access to health care...I'm going to stand up, fight against Donald Trump, and take our nation back." - Marni von Wilpert
WATCH on The Contrarian
* "I've beaten Republicans before. I...flipped the most conservative city council district in San Diego from red to blue... And now I'm going to flip this district red to blue and take back Congress... We need Democrats to be in control so we can stand up to Donald Trump and take our country back."
* "I've spent my entire career in public service. Honestly, helping people is my north star. I...joined the Peace Corps in Sub Saharan Africa helping take care of children... I then became an attorney and decided to start my career as a civil rights lawyer...So I understood exactly what was going to happen when the Supreme Court...crushed...the Voting Rights Act."
*... I want to bring back the Voting Rights Act. I want the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to be amended, the Freedom to Vote Act. We need to make sure we protect our rights..."
* "We need to undo the horrible things that the Big Ugly Bill...is doing to everyday Americans. We're already seeing Planned Parenthoods closing because the Big Ugly Bill defunded them...the Big Ugly Bill [will] kick 32,000 residents in my congressional district alone off of health care."
* "The person who wins this congressional seat will have the power to decide who gets access to health care and who does not in this country. And I'm gonna fight for access to health care."
* "In the middle of my campaign,... I went in for a routine mammogram [and was] diagnosed with early stage breast cancer...I went through surgery 3 weeks ago, it was very successful..."
* As I was sitting in the doctor's offices and waiting for test results, I kept thinking how lucky I was that I could afford my mammogram, my biopsies, and my surgery without ever wondering if it was going to bankrupt me just to save my life. But there are millions of Americans who are not [going to] have that same security because of what Donald Trump's administration is doing to health care in this country...I am running to fight back to restore affordable health care."
* "Instead of giving tax breaks to the wealthy, how about everyone in this country gets to afford health care?"
* "My opponent, Jim Desmond, has been endorsed by Donald Trump. He is a MAGA Republican. And when gas prices spiked in California because of [the] reckless war in Iran, Jim Desmond told the people of this district... no pain, no gain, right? Is that who you want representing you?... I'm going to stand up, fight against Donald Trump, and take our nation back."
* "I am running for office because I believe that we need to have a democracy where everyone can afford access to health care and a roof over their head and good education and good jobs... And I'm running because I believe that no matter who you are, who you love, where you're from...what religion you believe in, you deserve to be treated with dignity and respect in our country, and you deserve a government that promotes that."
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Original text here: https://dccc.org/watch-marni-von-wilpert-outlines-her-plans-to-put-southern-californians-first-the-contrarian/
ICYMI: Sandra Jauregui Rolls Out Public Safety Agenda
LAS VEGAS, Nevada, July 20 -- The Nevada Democratic Party posted the following news release:
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ICYMI: Sandra Jauregui Rolls Out Public Safety Agenda
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This weekend, Democratic Lieutenant Governor nominee Sandra Jauregui rolled out a comprehensive public safety agenda focused on stopping criminals, domestic abusers, and terrorists from accessing firearms while protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Nevadans.
As a survivor of the October 1 mass shooting, Jauregui has spent her career turning tragedy into action. She helped pass landmark gun safety legislation in Nevada, including
... Show Full Article
LAS VEGAS, Nevada, July 20 -- The Nevada Democratic Party posted the following news release:
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ICYMI: Sandra Jauregui Rolls Out Public Safety Agenda
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This weekend, Democratic Lieutenant Governor nominee Sandra Jauregui rolled out a comprehensive public safety agenda focused on stopping criminals, domestic abusers, and terrorists from accessing firearms while protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Nevadans.
As a survivor of the October 1 mass shooting, Jauregui has spent her career turning tragedy into action. She helped pass landmark gun safety legislation in Nevada, includingbanning bump stocks and strengthening laws to keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals. Now, as Stavros Anthony stands with the Trump administration's moves to dismantle public safety protections, Jauregui is putting forward a plan to keep Nevada communities safe.
Jauregui's public safety agenda includes:
* Creating the Preventing Abuse, Crime, and Terrorism (PACT) Office to partner with law enforcement, enforce existing laws, educate the public, and stop criminals, domestic abusers, and terrorists from obtaining firearms.
* Establishing state firearm dealer licensing and accountability standards to ensure gun dealers follow commonsense safety and compliance requirements and revoke licenses from repeat offenders.
* Requiring responsible state procurement practices so Nevada taxpayer dollars are only spent with firearm dealers that maintain strong compliance records and follow the law.
The Nevadan : Sandra Jauregui's plan to close Nevada's gun loophole
* When Sandra Jauregui was first elected into the Nevada Legislature, little did she know she would lead major gun safety reform bills. Her path changed when she fell victim to the largest mass shooting in modern American history -the Route 91 shooting in 2017-that killed 58 people and injured more than 800.
* Jauregui, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, has since championed bills during multiple legislative sessions to address gun violence in the Silver State-and she hopes to continue to do so if elected come November.
* While Stavros has been embroiled in a slew of ethics complaints-and was fined $3,000 after the Nevada Ethics Commission found he used government resources, including his official social media accounts to promote a task force he created to bar transgender girls from girl sports-Jauregui has another goal in mind: to protect Nevadans from more mass shootings.
* On Saturday, July 18, Jauregui rolled out her public safety plan to continue addressing gun violence.
* "I do not accept the Trump-Stavros Anthony agenda that allows the rich to profit off the murder of Americans, while they throw up their hands and say there is nothing we can do," Jauregui said.
* Former congresswoman Gabby Giffords joined Jauregui in her public safety rollout. Like Jauregui, Giffords is a gun violence survivor after an attempted assassination attempt in 2011 and has become a leading advocate on the matter.
* "As a survivor of the devastating 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, Majority Leader Jauregui knows exactly how urgent this issue is to Nevadans," Giffords said. "In the Assembly, she has been on the frontlines of passing commonsense gun safety laws that will save lives across the state and I look forward to her building on that progress as the next Lieutenant Governor of Nevada."
* Jauregui has three pillars in her plan.
* First, she hopes to form the Preventing Abuse, Crime and Terrorism Office, which she dubbed as the "PACT Office," where she will work with law enforcement to educate the public, and to stop criminals, abusers and terrorists from buying firearms.
* After the press conference, Jauregui told The Nevadan she hasn't spoken with law enforcement yet about this initiative, but has already worked with law enforcement with prior bills she spearheaded.
* The following session after the Route 91 shooting, Jauregui sponsored a law known as the "1 October Bill" that enacted the red flag law in Nevada. This law allows police and family members to petition a court to temporarily remove a person's firearm if they're deemed a threat to themselves or others.
* Jauregui hopes the PACT Office can help further educate Nevadans on the red flag law.
* "We have been bringing resources to our state... to help bring education on how red flag laws and extreme high risk protection orders can be used, so that people can start using them and we can start making sure that people who should not have firearms, because they pose a danger to themselves or others, have those firearms temporarily removed," Jauregui said.
* Jauregui's second pillar is to reform firearm dealer licensing. Before someone is hired at a firearm dealer, she hopes to implement background checks and age requirements. Jauregui also wants the products locked up after closing, and will revoke licenses if the dealer breaks the law.
* "We can model it after a licensing and regulatory framework that already exists for other industries that are far less deadly, like marijuana dispensaries," Jauregui said.
* Third, if elected, Jauregui will enforce how state dollars are spent. This means Nevadans tax dollars will be used to buy equipment and firearms from gun dealers with clean compliance records.
* "I will work with anyone, Democrat, Republican or Independent, with the same mission: creating a Nevada where people feel safe and free to go to concerts, or church or their school without the fear of being gunned down," Jauregui said. "We can protect both the second amendment and second graders. That is what I intend to do as your next Lieutenant Governor."
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Original text here: https://nvdems.com/icymi-sandra-jauregui-rolls-out-public-safety-agenda/
Doormat for Donald: Lombardo Refuses to Stand Up to Trump's "Endless Election Lies"
LAS VEGAS, Nevada, July 20 -- The Nevada Democratic Party posted the following news release:
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Doormat for Donald: Lombardo Refuses to Stand Up to Trump's "Endless Election Lies"
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After Joe Lombardo was caught on camera abusing his position to get out of a ticket, a new column in the Nevada Independent unpacks the governor's history of thinking the rules don't apply to him beyond his viral traffic stop. As Donald Trump continues to spread lies and rig our election system solely for his own political gain, Lombardo remains his doormat and "still wears [Trump's] endorsement with apparent
... Show Full Article
LAS VEGAS, Nevada, July 20 -- The Nevada Democratic Party posted the following news release:
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Doormat for Donald: Lombardo Refuses to Stand Up to Trump's "Endless Election Lies"
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After Joe Lombardo was caught on camera abusing his position to get out of a ticket, a new column in the Nevada Independent unpacks the governor's history of thinking the rules don't apply to him beyond his viral traffic stop. As Donald Trump continues to spread lies and rig our election system solely for his own political gain, Lombardo remains his doormat and "still wears [Trump's] endorsement with apparentpride."
Instead of standing up to Trump, Lombardo continues to cast doubt on the integrity of our election system without evidence of widespread fraud. In fact, Trump said that Lombardo was a " big advantage " to him politically after he vetoed legislation twice that would have established felony criminal penalties for fake electors who attempt to steal Nevada's electoral votes. Lombardo also endorsed multiple election deniers for elected office, including Trump.
Nevada Independent : OPINION: The real red light: Lombardo must take a stand on Trump's endless election lies
* He's Joe Lombardo, governor of Nevada.
* Two months ago, he allegedly didn't come to a full stop on a red light but didn't receive a citation. He interrupted a police sergeant's explanation for the stop by blurting out, "I'm Joe Lombardo," as if somehow the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department veteran might not have recognized the former two-term Clark County sheriff.
* When the working cop was allowed to finish his sentence, Lombardo responded, "Come on, man." With that, the officer expressed his appreciation for Lombardo and bid him a good day.
* Bolstered by recent police bodycam footage, the news of nominal importance has ricocheted across the social media stratosphere and the mainstream press. "I'm Joe Lombardo" and "Come on, man" have popped up everywhere from The Associated Press to TMZ.
* Not that Lombardo is likely to admit it to a reporter, but he could have played it smarter. Rather than interrupting the traffic cop in midsentence, the state's chief executive could have exercised his right to remain silent or, better yet, replied, "You're right, officer. Cite me if you feel it's necessary." It would have made him look more like a common man than the "Come on, man."
* But Lombardo didn't. Instead, he started whining. It was the working cop who remained unflappable. "I'm aware," the officer replies after being told the obvious by his former boss.
* Of far greater importance for Nevadans is where Lombardo stands on the continued promotion of voter fraud fallacies and 2020 election conspiracy theories once again being broadcast in prime time by an increasingly authoritarian President Donald Trump. His claims have been repeatedly debunked, including in a declassified 2021 federal intelligence report. If anyone has been trying to rig an election, it's the man in Trump's mirror.
* America's mad king is a danger at home and abroad, but the governor still wears his endorsement with apparent pride. Lombardo has been careful not to look like a MAGA fanboy, but given Trump's addled assault on our elections, there's something wrong with that picture. Come on, man. It's time to step up.
* Joe Lombardo knows Nevada's elections are safe and run with integrity. To remain silent in the face of Trump's continued election lies says far more about Joe Lombardo's character than a silly traffic stop.
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Original text here: https://nvdems.com/doormat-for-donald-lombardo-refuses-to-stand-up-to-trumps-endless-election-lies/
700+ Casa Grande Jobs Lost After Juan Ciscomani Voted to Gut Clean Energy Tax Credits
WASHINGTON, July 20 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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700+ Casa Grande Jobs Lost After Juan Ciscomani Voted to Gut Clean Energy Tax Credits
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Ciscomani previously admitted his cuts could "jeopardize" Southern Arizona jobs, now says he is "very proud" of vote
Roughly one year after Juan Ciscomani voted to gut tax credits that incentivize clean energy projects, more than 700 Arizonans are being laid off from an electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Casa Grande.
When confronted about the recent job losses, Ciscomani said he's " very
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 20 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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700+ Casa Grande Jobs Lost After Juan Ciscomani Voted to Gut Clean Energy Tax Credits
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Ciscomani previously admitted his cuts could "jeopardize" Southern Arizona jobs, now says he is "very proud" of vote
Roughly one year after Juan Ciscomani voted to gut tax credits that incentivize clean energy projects, more than 700 Arizonans are being laid off from an electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Casa Grande.
When confronted about the recent job losses, Ciscomani said he's " veryproud of that whole bill " - a slap in the face to hundreds of his own constituents.
REMINDER: Ciscomani ADMITTED last year that his clean energy cuts "jeopardiz[e] ongoing development, discourag[e] long-term investment, and could significantly delay or cancel energy infrastructure projects across the country" - but he voted for the legislation anyway.
Now, hundreds of " life-changing " jobs in Ciscomani's district are on the chopping block. Electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid Motors, which had " quadrupled " its presence in Casa Grande after the initial creation of the tax credits, recently announced they are laying off 18% of their workforce, slashing 705 jobs, and cutting a shift at their plant in AZ-06. Lucid Motors told investors in February that Ciscomani's cuts hurt their "business, prospects, results of operations, and financial condition."
Ciscomani's job losses are expected to cause a ripple effect across Southern Arizona, with one local cafe owner warning that he relies on Lucid Motor employees for roughly 15% of his business.
DCCC Spokesperson Lindsay Reilly:
"Juan Ciscomani is a spineless fraud who screwed over Southern Arizona families to please D.C. party leaders. Hundreds of Arizonans just got laid off, and Ciscomani's best response is that he's 'very proud.' Ciscomani has proven he's too weak to stand up for Arizonans, and they'll fire him for it in November."
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Original text here: https://dccc.org/700-casa-grande-jobs-lost-after-juan-ciscomani-voted-to-gut-clean-energy-tax-credits/
NEW: Anna Paulina Luna Under Investigation for Insider Political Betting Scheme [Wall Street Journal]
WASHINGTON, July 20 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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NEW: Anna Paulina Luna Under Investigation for Insider Political Betting Scheme [Wall Street Journal]
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A bombshell new report from the Wall Street Journal exposes Anna Paulina Luna for using inside knowledge of Donald Trump's vice presidential pick to tip off a MAGA influencer, teeing up a winning bet on Polymarket.
The tip "allegedly inspired an investigation by federal regulators amid growing concern over..." a pattern of "insider political betting sweeping Washington."
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... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 20 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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NEW: Anna Paulina Luna Under Investigation for Insider Political Betting Scheme [Wall Street Journal]
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A bombshell new report from the Wall Street Journal exposes Anna Paulina Luna for using inside knowledge of Donald Trump's vice presidential pick to tip off a MAGA influencer, teeing up a winning bet on Polymarket.
The tip "allegedly inspired an investigation by federal regulators amid growing concern over..." a pattern of "insider political betting sweeping Washington."
*"Over lunch at the Stovall House, a popular members-only social club in Tampa...Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida told associates in the summer of 2024 that she knew Trump would choose Vance to be his vice president...
* She said she had tipped off...a popular MAGA influencer... about Trump's pending decision so that he could use the information to place a winning bet on Polymarket...
* The congresswoman teased O'Handley... for not placing a bigger wager."
These allegations paint an all-too familiar picture of the Washington culture Luna promised to clean up, but instead has embraced: powerful insiders exploiting access and information to make a profit, while working families get left behind.
Luna has already faced scrutiny over a potential conflict of interest in her own financial dealings, including being caught investing in a donor's oil and gas private equity firm, despite touting stock trading legislation.
DCCC Spokesperson Anna Elsasser:
"While Florida families are working harder than ever just to keep up with rising costs, Anna Paulina Luna is helping herself and her Washington insider allies cash in. It's the same out-of-touch, self-serving politics Floridians are tired of from Luna. Floridians deserve a representative who works for them - not one who treats public office like a personal opportunity."
Read more:
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Original text here: https://dccc.org/%f0%9f%9a%a8-new-anna-paulina-luna-under-investigation-for-insider-political-betting-scheme-wall-street-journal%f0%9f%9a%a8/
