Politics, Parties, Candidates
Here's a look at documents from politicians, candidates and interested parties
Featured Stories
Mich. Democratic Party: Oh, I Guess It Can Get Worse: Trump Gives Himself Immunity From IRS Through Sweetheart Deal
LANSING, Michigan, May 21 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following statement on May 20, 2026:
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Oh, I Guess It Can Get Worse: Trump Gives Himself Immunity from IRS Through Sweetheart Deal
In response to news that Donald Trump's sweetheart deal with the Department of Justice grants him, his family, and his businesses permanent immunity from tax claims and audits by the IRS, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel released the following statement:
"I thought Donald Trump's tax cuts for billionaires, self-enrichment, and self-dealing to create a political slush fund for
... Show Full Article
LANSING, Michigan, May 21 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following statement on May 20, 2026:
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Oh, I Guess It Can Get Worse: Trump Gives Himself Immunity from IRS Through Sweetheart Deal
In response to news that Donald Trump's sweetheart deal with the Department of Justice grants him, his family, and his businesses permanent immunity from tax claims and audits by the IRS, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel released the following statement:
"I thought Donald Trump's tax cuts for billionaires, self-enrichment, and self-dealing to create a political slush fund forhis henchmen might've been it. I guess it can get worse. Instead of paying his taxes--which records show he could owe more than $100 million--Trump is bending the government to serve himself. While Americans are struggling to put food on the table, he is taking every cent possible from the American taxpayer to enrich himself, his family, and his billionaire buddies. How much is enough for him?"
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Original text here: https://michigandems.com/oh-i-guess-it-can-get-worse-trump-gives-himself-immunity-from-irs-through-sweetheart-deal/
Mich. Democratic Party: Michigan Republicans Scramble to Protect Pedophiles
LANSING, Michigan, May 21 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following statement on May 20, 2026:
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Michigan Republicans Scramble to Protect Pedophiles
MAGA Matt Hall and Michigan House Republicans have removed Democratic Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou from her committee assignments one day after she called for an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's ties in Michigan.
In response, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel released the following statement:
"Speaker Matt Hall and Michigan Republicans are putting the protection of pedophiles over justice, accountability, and transparency.
... Show Full Article
LANSING, Michigan, May 21 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following statement on May 20, 2026:
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Michigan Republicans Scramble to Protect Pedophiles
MAGA Matt Hall and Michigan House Republicans have removed Democratic Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou from her committee assignments one day after she called for an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's ties in Michigan.
In response, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel released the following statement:
"Speaker Matt Hall and Michigan Republicans are putting the protection of pedophiles over justice, accountability, and transparency.Michigan Democrats stand behind Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou and her pursuit of an investigation. We call for her immediate reinstatement on committees."
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Original text here: https://michigandems.com/michigan-republicans-scramble-to-protect-pedophiles/
Karl Rove: "Gerrymandering Isn't Enough for the GOP"
WASHINGTON, May 21 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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Karl Rove: "Gerrymandering Isn't Enough for the GOP"
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GOP strategist blasts Trump and House Republicans' blind loyalty in scathing Wall Street Journal op-ed
Mike Johnson and James Blair are desperately hoping to artificially gerrymander Republicans into the majority, but Karl Rove warns their strategy will fail.
Rove writes recent actions by Southern states to redraw lines in the wake of the Supreme Court's disgusting opinion gutting the Voting Rights Act will NOT save House
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 21 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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Karl Rove: "Gerrymandering Isn't Enough for the GOP"
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GOP strategist blasts Trump and House Republicans' blind loyalty in scathing Wall Street Journal op-ed
Mike Johnson and James Blair are desperately hoping to artificially gerrymander Republicans into the majority, but Karl Rove warns their strategy will fail.
Rove writes recent actions by Southern states to redraw lines in the wake of the Supreme Court's disgusting opinion gutting the Voting Rights Act will NOT save HouseRepublicans from the American people who are angry with the disastrous GOP trifecta.
Recent polling from the New York Times and Siena poll found Democrats with an 11-point lead on the generic ballot, and up 18 points among independents. A new poll from Fox News found Trump is at his second term worst on job approval - 52 points underwater among independents - and wildly underwater on the economy and inflation.
Rove writes: "The more undisciplined the White House messages on war and the economy, the more at risk GOP candidates will be. The more Mr. Trump thrusts himself into the campaign, the more damage he'll do to Republicans and his own cause."
DCCC Spokesperson Justin Chermol :
"Vulnerable House Republicans are nothing more than a rubber stamp to Donald Trump's out of control administration, greenlighting the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, supporting his war of choice in Iran and backing his cost-increasing tariffs. These phonies are going down in November - and no amount of cheating will save these hopeless frauds."
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Original text here: https://dccc.org/karl-rove-gerrymandering-isnt-enough-for-the-gop/
ICYMI: Barrett's Mileage Reimbursements From Campaign Raises Questions
LANSING, Michigan, May 21 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release on May 20, 2026:
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ICYMI: Barrett's Mileage Reimbursements from Campaign Raises Questions
New reporting finds that Tom Barrett's campaign paid himself close to $22,000 in mileage reimbursements, "notable because they far exceed the mileage payments reported by his recent opponents and most members of Michigan's congressional delegation." In response, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel released the following statement:
"Tom Barrett seems to be driving everywhere -- besides to meet with
... Show Full Article
LANSING, Michigan, May 21 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release on May 20, 2026:
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ICYMI: Barrett's Mileage Reimbursements from Campaign Raises Questions
New reporting finds that Tom Barrett's campaign paid himself close to $22,000 in mileage reimbursements, "notable because they far exceed the mileage payments reported by his recent opponents and most members of Michigan's congressional delegation." In response, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel released the following statement:
"Tom Barrett seems to be driving everywhere -- besides to meet withhis constituents who he ignores to rubberstamp the Washington policies making everything more expensive. Barrett has some questions to answer about this abnormally high reimbursement amount. In the meantime, I suggest he use some of his mileage to drive to the hospitals that are at risk of closing, or the homes of people at risk of losing their healthcare as a result of his votes for Trump's pro-billionaire budget."
Read more from the Detroit Metro Times' (https://www.metrotimes.com/news/politics-elections/rep-barrett-claimed-enough-campaign-driving-to-circle-earth-once-and-then-some/) report:
* From January 2024 through March 2026, Barrett's campaign reimbursed him $21,908.83 for mileage, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings reviewed by Metro Times.
* Barrett's reimbursements are notable because they far exceed the mileage payments reported by his recent opponents and most members of Michigan's congressional delegation. In 2024, Barrett reimbursed himself $17,142.05 for mileage, equal to about 25,585 miles using the IRS rate of 67 cents per mile. In 2025, he reimbursed himself another $3,900.81, equal to about 5,572 miles at 70 cents per mile. Through the first quarter of 2026, he reimbursed himself $865.64, equal to about 1,193 miles at 72.5 cents per mile.
* The reimbursements also stand out among Michigan Republicans in Congress. Barrett's average annual mileage reimbursements were nearly $9,800 from 2024 through the first quarter of 2026. By comparison, U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga averaged about $3,327 a year in self-mileage reimbursements from 2009 to 2022, U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg averaged about $2,372 from 2008 to 2019, and U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar averaged about $1,075 from 2014 to 2023, according to FEC records.
* Other Michigan Republicans in Congress, including U.S. Reps. Lisa McClain, John James and Jack Bergman, reported no self-mileage reimbursements to their campaigns.
* Barrett also collected nearly $2,600 for "private auto mileage" through his Members' Representational Allowance, a taxpayer-funded account used to cover official congressional expenses.
* The mileage reimbursements come amid serious questions about Barrett's ethics and campaign spending, which are presenting Democrats with an opportunity to win back the seat.
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Original text here: https://michigandems.com/icymi-barretts-mileage-reimbursements-from-campaign-raises-questions/
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee: GOP Faces "Nightmare Scenario" as Trump Endorses Paxton- "Almost Certain to Make Republicans' Midterm Campaign Harder"
WASHINGTON, May 21 -- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee posted the following news release on May 20, 2026:
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GOP Faces "Nightmare Scenario" as Trump Endorses Paxton: "Almost Certain to Make Republicans' Midterm Campaign Harder"
Punchbowl News' Anna Palmer: "Ken Paxton, a lot of Republicans believe, can not win statewide"
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Senate Republicans are reeling from Trump's endorsement of "scandal magnet of the highest order" Ken Paxton, which "is almost certain to make [their] midterm campaign harder" and has the GOP worried that "keeping the seat will now be a more expensive and potentially
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 21 -- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee posted the following news release on May 20, 2026:
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GOP Faces "Nightmare Scenario" as Trump Endorses Paxton: "Almost Certain to Make Republicans' Midterm Campaign Harder"
Punchbowl News' Anna Palmer: "Ken Paxton, a lot of Republicans believe, can not win statewide"
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Senate Republicans are reeling from Trump's endorsement of "scandal magnet of the highest order" Ken Paxton, which "is almost certain to make [their] midterm campaign harder" and has the GOP worried that "keeping the seat will now be a more expensive and potentiallyfutile endeavor."
The race has become a "Texas Chainsaw death match" for the GOP, with Republicans bemoaning the fact that Trump "may have just cost himself a winnable Senate seat" as polls show James Talarico with a lead and party operatives estimate they'll "have to spend an additional $250 million in Texas."
See for yourself:
Punchbowl News: Does Trump care about the GOP majorities? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFyVnR_jH64)
Punchbowl News' JAKE SHERMAN: This is going to force Republicans to spend a ton of money in Texas. Like this could be a billion-dollar race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton [...] Look at the polls right now. Talarico is beating Paxton. Talarico hasn't even spent any money yet in a general election.
CNN: Trump Endorses Paxton, Upending Senate GOP Plans in TX Race (https://youtu.be/_-xOW8xEOUg)
CNN's KAITLAN COLLINS: If you're wondering how this could complicate the fight for control of the Senate in this year's midterms, look no further than the reaction from John Cornyn's fellow Senate Republicans, after it came out that the president was endorsing Ken Paxton, [...] Lindsey Graham warned that the race will be "three times more expensive if Paxton wins." And Lisa Murkowski asked, "How does that help strengthen the president's hand when we lose a state like Texas?" [...]
CNN's HARRY ENTEN: Look toward the general election because it is a completely different world, because you can see it right here - Choice for Texas Senate: you got Talarico here at 44%, and then look at here, Ken Paxton, a Republican, a Republican in Texas. The best he can do at this point is averaging 40% of the vote. I mean, I was looking at all the polling I could find. This is the best that a Democrat for Senate has been polling since like 2002 [...]
Republican Operative DAVID URBAN: I think Lindsey Graham summed it up best, right? It's going to cost three times as much now. That's what's really underpinning all this. [...] You know, I've seen some numbers where it's estimated the NRSC is going to have to spend an additional $250 million in Texas. That's not pocket change, okay?
POLITICO: Senate Republicans angry and alarmed over Trump's Paxton endorsement (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/19/with-trump-behind-paxton-republicans-fret-about-texas-senate-seat-00928897)
* President Donald Trump's last-minute endorsement of Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate primary set off panic among Republicans who worry that keeping the seat will now be a more expensive and potentially futile endeavor.
* By endorsing Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn, Trump rejected the pleas of GOP leaders in Congress [...] Now with Trump in his corner, Paxton is well situated to win the primary runoff next week and face Democratic nominee James Talarico in the general election -- a matchup Democrats have dreamed of for months.
* Trump's long-awaited announcement was met with shock and dismay among Republicans on Capitol Hill.
* Meanwhile, Democrats quickly seized on Paxton's likely nomination to say the party has a chance to win a Texas Senate race for the first time since 1988.
* "I think we are going to win Texas," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters Tuesday on Capitol Hill.
* "I think gas prices might be $9 a gallon in Texas in the fall, so Mother Teresa would have a hard time winning as a Republican if this war continues for another six months," said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), referring to the conflict with Iran.
* Talarico, in a statement, said "it doesn't matter who wins this runoff," and blamed both Cornyn and Paxton for enriching "wealthy donors while costs skyrocket for the rest of us."
* Trump's decision ignited some outrage in his broader political orbit. One senior Senate Republican operative, granted anonymity to speak freely, expressed frustration at the White House.
* "He's fucked us in the sense that now we're going to have to spend money to keep this seat," said the operative, estimating it may cost the party $100 million more to maintain GOP control.
* [...] some Republicans concede that nominating Paxton gives an edge to Democrats, who have been salivating for months at the prospect of going toe-to-toe with an attorney general who has long been dogged by controversy.
* "Democrats now have a better chance to get the matchup they want," said Vinny Minchillo, a Texas Republican consultant.
* In South Texas, where a stagnant economy and tough immigration enforcement has soured many Latino voters on Trump, Paxton's reputation as an immigration hardliner could spell trouble.
* "Nobody trusts him down here," said Mario Guerrero, a three-time Trump voter who heads the South Texas Builders Association. "I haven't heard one positive thing [about Paxton]."
* Should Paxton win the nomination, the Republicans who decried the attorney general as morally unfit for the Senate will have to turn around and defend him as the right choice for Texas. In Talarico, he's facing a fundraising juggernaut and rising star within the Democratic Party.
Washington Examiner: Senate GOP fumes after Trump snubs Cornyn with Ken Paxton endorsement (https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/congressional/4575122/senate-gop-fumes-trump-endorses-ken-paxton-texas/#google_vignette)
* Senate Republicans made little effort to hide their disappointment Tuesday with President Donald Trump's decision to endorse Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).
* GOP lawmakers were quick to relitigate Paxton's political baggage and warned that the president may have just cost himself a winnable Senate seat by snubbing Cornyn. The two are locked in a bitter fight for the GOP nomination that will be decided in a May 26 runoff.
* Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), who survived a Trump-backed challenger in her 2022 reelection campaign, called the Paxton endorsement "supremely disappointing" and predicted that Republicans could lose Texas, a red state, as a result.
* [...] Thune was visibly frustrated by Trump's decision after months spent trying to convince him to support Cornyn's reelection. National Republicans also invested heavily to help Cornyn advance to the May runoff.
Semafor: Republicans 'saddened' as Cornyn falls to an uneven Trump loyalty test (https://www.semafor.com/article/05/19/2026/republicans-saddened-after-cornyn-falls-to-an-uneven-trump-loyalty-test?utm_medium=washington+dc+pm&utm_campaign=flagshipnumbered1&utm_source=newsletterlink)
* There isn't a lot that sitting Republicans can do about that harsh reality, other than mourn Cornyn's likely defeat.
* "It saddened me," Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., told Semafor of Trump's decision.
* Trump's decision to back Paxton, [...] is almost certain to make Republicans' midterm campaign harder.
* Without Texas, [Republicans'] path to keeping the Senate majority shrinks substantially -- and they still think they can hold the seat, albeit at a much higher price.
* Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said that, "based on the numbers that I've seen," the seat is far more at risk with Paxton running against James Talarico.
MS NOW: A rare point of disagreement emerges between Trump and Senate Republicans: Ken Paxton (https://www.ms.now/news/disagreement-trump-senate-republicans-ken-paxton)
* Senate Republicans rarely break with President Donald Trump, typically skirting any daily controversies by keeping silent or reserving judgment.
* But when Trump announced Tuesday afternoon that he was endorsing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn, Senate Republicans were quick to express their dissatisfaction.
* During a Senate GOP lunch on Tuesday, Punchbowl News reported that Murkowski told her Republican colleagues Trump was "not making it easy for us," as he has withheld support from various incumbents and endorsed "ethically challenged" candidates like Paxton, who has faced a series of high-profile ethical, legal and political challenges throughout his tenure as Texas attorney general.
* Meanwhile, Democrats see the endorsement as yet another sign that they can flip this Senate seat.
* "Look, Texas is a huge mess for the Republicans, and I believe that we're in much better shape taking back Texas than we were a few days ago," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Tuesday.
The Hill: Trump's endorsement of Ken Paxton over John Cornyn roils Texas Senate race (https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5885919-trump-endorses-paxton-texas-runoff/)
* President Trump's decision to endorse Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn, who was widely seen as the stronger general election pick, is roiling the Lone Star State's bitter primary battle days one week before the run-off election.
* GOP senators just getting over that shock are now seeing another colleague, who had voiced past criticisms of Trump, get rejected by the president in favor of Paxton, who has endured a series of scandals, including an impeachment and charges of adultery.
* The decision gives a huge boost to Paxton ahead of the run-off election, one that may end with his success given Trump's solid record in picking GOP primary winners. The president remains his party's Kingmaker in primaries, something underscored by Cassidy's disastrous Saturday.
* But if Paxton is the GOP nominee, it's possible it could give Democrats an opening.
* "I guess the president figured he doesn't need a GOP senate majority for the remainder of 2026 because he really no longer has one," one Republican strategist told The Hill.
* "Texas politics is a contact sport," [University of Texas at San Antonio political science professor Jon] Taylor said. "Lately... this race is turned has turned into a Texas Chainsaw death match."
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Original text here: https://www.dscc.org/article/gop-faces-nightmare-scenario-as-trump-endorses-paxton-almost-certain-to-make-republicans-midterm-campaign-harder/
DNC Congratulates Democratic Nominee Bob Harvie on His Victory in the Pennsylvania Democratic Congressional District 1 Primary
WASHINGTON, May 21 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on May 20, 2026:
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DNC Congratulates Democratic Nominee Bob Harvie on His Victory in the Pennsylvania Democratic Congressional District 1 Primary
The DNC congratulates Bob Harvie for winning the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District. Across Pennsylvania, Democratic voters backed candidates like Harvie who are focused on lowering costs, protecting healthcare, and fighting for Pennsylvania's working families. This year, Democrats are seizing the opportunity to flip Pennsylvania's
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 21 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on May 20, 2026:
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DNC Congratulates Democratic Nominee Bob Harvie on His Victory in the Pennsylvania Democratic Congressional District 1 Primary
The DNC congratulates Bob Harvie for winning the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District. Across Pennsylvania, Democratic voters backed candidates like Harvie who are focused on lowering costs, protecting healthcare, and fighting for Pennsylvania's working families. This year, Democrats are seizing the opportunity to flip Pennsylvania's1st Congressional District blue and take back the majority in the House of Representatives.
In response to Harvie's victory, DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement:
"Bob Harvie is a twice-elected Bucks County commissioner and card-carrying union member who has always delivered for his community. While Brian Fitzpatrick has supported Trump's agenda that is raising costs and ripping away healthcare from millions, Harvie will be a champion for Pennsylvania's working families in Congress. Across the country and across the Commonwealth, Democrats have the momentum we need to flip this seat blue and retake the House. The DNC is ready to help organize and mobilize voters until Election Day to elect a real fighter for Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District and send Harvie to Congress."
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Original text here: https://democrats.org/news/dnc-congratulates-democratic-nominee-bob-harvie-on-his-victory-in-the-pennsylvania-democratic-congressional-district-1-primary/
Congressman Tom Kean Jr. Set to Miss 100th Vote
WASHINGTON, May 21 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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Congressman Tom Kean Jr. Set to Miss 100th Vote
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Kean Jr. has not voted or been seen on camera since March 5th
Breaking: Congressman Tom Kean Jr. today will miss his 100th vote since the start of his mysterious, unexplained absence.
Since Kean Jr. was last seen publicly:
* Drake dropped three albums
* Four astronauts traveled to the moon for the first time in 50+ years
* An entire March Madness happened (congrats, Michigan)
* Kean Jr. bought and sold multiple stocks
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 21 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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Congressman Tom Kean Jr. Set to Miss 100th Vote
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Kean Jr. has not voted or been seen on camera since March 5th
Breaking: Congressman Tom Kean Jr. today will miss his 100th vote since the start of his mysterious, unexplained absence.
Since Kean Jr. was last seen publicly:
* Drake dropped three albums
* Four astronauts traveled to the moon for the first time in 50+ years
* An entire March Madness happened (congrats, Michigan)
* Kean Jr. bought and sold multiple stockswhile missing votes
* Kean Sr. (his dad) told NJ.com " I think " when asked if his son is running for reelection
* Multiple local Republicans have been floated as replacements for Kean Jr., including state Sen. Doug Steinhardt, state Assemblyman Erik Peterson, and state Sen. John Bramnick
A statewide editorial board yesterday called on Kean Jr. to provide answers to his constituents, slamming his "troubling lack of transparency" and saying he has handled the situation "about as poorly as possible."
And NBC News reports today that "some of Kean's constituents believe Kean has a duty to be more transparent about his condition and when he expects to be back." They add that "Republicans are growing anxious about whether he's up to the task of running" for reelection.
DCCC Spokesperson Eli Cousin :
"Where in the world is Tom Kean Jr.? His lack of transparency, disrespect for his constituents, and refusal to do the job he was elected to do is disqualifying. Democrats will flip this seat in November and ensure New Jersey families have a representative who will actually fight for them."
***
Original text here: https://dccc.org/congressman-tom-kean-jr-set-to-miss-100th-vote/
