Politics, Parties, Candidates
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The Case Against Jim Desmond
WASHINGTON, June 3 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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The Case Against Jim Desmond
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"Marni von Wilpert is a proven fighter for San Diego and the Inland Empire. From strengthening workers' rights to prosecuting price-gouging corporations and opioid manufacturers, she has taken on tough fights and won for working people again and again. Marni is exactly the kind of battle-tested leader Democrats need to take on Jim Desmond, who has dismissed higher costs for families, aligned himself with Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans, and offers no
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 3 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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The Case Against Jim Desmond
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"Marni von Wilpert is a proven fighter for San Diego and the Inland Empire. From strengthening workers' rights to prosecuting price-gouging corporations and opioid manufacturers, she has taken on tough fights and won for working people again and again. Marni is exactly the kind of battle-tested leader Democrats need to take on Jim Desmond, who has dismissed higher costs for families, aligned himself with Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans, and offers nosolutions for Southern California families," said DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene.
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To: Interested Parties
From: Anna Elsasser, Regional Press Secretary
Date: June 3, 2026
Subject:
On the heels of Darrell Issa's retirement and the overwhelming passage of Proposition 50, California's 48th Congressional District became one of Democrats' top pickup opportunities in the country, and key to taking back the House Majority.
Upon his entry to the race, San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond was crowned at the eleventh hour by Issa, right before the filing deadline - and tried to sell himself as a " common sense " conservative. But even just a quick skim of his record exposes a different story. Time and time again, Desmond has aligned himself with Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans pushing an extreme agenda that raises costs, threatens health care, and puts extreme partisan politics ahead of Southern California families. From backing Trump's costly forever war of choice in Iran, to supporting cuts that take away Medi-Cal and food assistance, Desmond has made clear he thinks rising costs for California families are ' no pain, no gain ' and would be another reliable vote for Trump and Washington Republicans - not an independent voice for CA-48.
Marni von Wilpert is the clear choice in this race. Raised in North San Diego County as the daughter of a U.S. Army veteran, Marni built her career around public service and delivering results for working people - from serving in the Peace Corps during the AIDS epidemic, to founding a legal clinic combating discrimination, to helping write the PRO Act in Congress - one of the most important bills to strengthen workers' rights.
As a San Diego City Councilmember, Deputy City Attorney, and civil prosecutor, Marni has taken on opioid manufacturers, price-gouging corporations, and polluters harming local communities. She flipped one of San Diego's most conservative council seats and got to work building coalitions to deliver results on affordability and public safety, bringing competent leadership as the Public Safety Chair - the same kind of coalition Democrats are building to flip CA-48.
In a new Democratic-leaning district that voted for Kamala Harris in 2024, this race presents voters with a straightforward choice: pragmatic leadership focused on lowering costs and making government work for working people again, or more Trump-style chaos and extremism.
Jim Desmond Has Fully Aligned Himself with Trump and MAGA Extremism
Jim Desmond initially tried to distance himself from Trump. That lasted about two seconds. On the campaign trail, Desmond quickly changed his tune and began praising Trump repeatedly, saying " President Trump is right " about his reckless, cost-raising war in Iran and refusing to "[shy] away from his support for Trump," even endorsing "some of Trump's more controversial efforts - including ending birthright citizenship." He has stood with ICE's unlawful actions, acting as the sole vote against restricting the agency's access to county facilities without a warrant and suggested opposition to ICE's dangerous actions in Minnesota amounted to "ideology." Desmond has made one thing clear: he would be another dependable vote for Trump and Republicans' agenda in Congress.
With such a swift pattern of acquiescing to whatever decision Trump and Washington Republicans make that day to hurt Southern California families, it's no surprise Desmond has dodged interviews and refused to answer questions from local press about where his positions really lie.
Marni has taken the opposite approach - standing up to defend San Diegans from Trump and national Republicans' failures in Washington at every turn. During repeated federal shutdown threats, she proposed a shutdown fund to support TSA workers and protect operations at San Diego International Airport, ensuring working people didn't go without pay because of dysfunction in Washington. And as Trump escalated aggressive immigration crackdowns, Marni pushed back against unlawful ICE tactics and led efforts to oppose allowing ICE weapons training at a city-owned facility in Escondido. She has never been afraid to hold government accountable and stand up to abuses of power when her community is at risk - and that's exactly the kind of fighter CA-48 voters are looking for in Washington.
Jim "No Pain, No Gain" Desmond Supports Cost-Raising Policies Crushing Working Families
As families across Southern California struggle with rising costs on utilities, groceries, gas, and health care, Desmond has repeatedly backed policies that make life more expensive for Southern California families. When Republicans' passed their Big, Ugly Bill that's ripping health care away from more than 32,000 people and food assistance for more than 25,000 households in CA-48, Desmond voted against using county reserve funds to stop service cuts and voted against a plan to respond to federal cuts to Medi-Cal and CalFresh - refusing to protect his constituents when he had the power to help. When given the opportunity to disavow reckless tariffs estimated to raise costs for San Diegans by $2,400 more per year and threatening key Southern California industries and small businesses, Desmond voted against his own housing proposal, proving how far he'll go to protect his party's toxic policy instead of his own constituents.
And in what is becoming a clear " warning sign " for Republicans: as California gas prices skyrocket to $6 per gallon due to Trump's reckless war of choice in Iran, Desmond dismissed the financial burden on working families, declaring it " no pain, no gain." He defended the war and claimed " President Trump is right " and " I support " it. Only after backlash mounted did Desmond try to walk back his comments, conceding that rising gas prices and inflation " cannot be dismissed " - after dismissing them himself in the first place. But the damage was already done. Desmond revealed what we already know: he is more interested in defending Trump's agenda than lowering costs for Southern California families.
Meanwhile, Marni has focused on real solutions to bring down costs. On the City Council, she has led first-time efforts to secure affordable housing support for local teachers, and worked to make food prices more affordable and accessible for seniors. While Desmond downplays the affordability crisis, Marni has focused on practical solutions that put money back in working families' pockets.
Jim Desmond Has Prioritized Himself Over Taxpayers
Desmond's record reveals a clear and disqualifying pattern of self-interest and political ambition. As a County Supervisor, Desmond voted to raise pay for elected officials like himself, while already collecting a taxpayer-funded six-figure salary. He also spent roughly $250,000 taxpayer dollars on lavish office upgrades for his personal comfort, " invit[ing] cynicism " on his purported "fiscal conservat[ivism]." He also made sure to protect his own interests by being the sole vote against capping airport travel expenses for himself as mayor, arguing in favor of taxpayer dollars funding business class travel for elected officials. In addition, he has repeatedly drawn criticism for appearing to be swayed following campaign contributions or correspondence from interested parties. The City of San Marcos even appointed outside counsel to investigate Desmond for allegations that those contributions violated campaign finance laws.
It's no surprise, then, that Desmond openly said he wants to " follow in [the] footsteps " of retiring Darrell Issa - the fourth richest Member of Congress. Once worth $768 million and in the top.01% of Americans, Issa built a career leveraging his seat in Congress to expand his personal business empire, while voting to raise costs for working people and cut taxes for the wealthy. Birds of a feather. Desmond is running on the same playbook: putting political ambition and wealth ahead of the people he's supposed to represent.
Marni has built the opposite record: prosecuting corporations that price-gouged consumers, taking on opioid manufacturers fueling addiction, and fighting for workers and families over powerful special interests. She has consistently taken on those powerful interests and won, and will be a Member of Congress that actually answers to the people.
Jim Desmond's Extreme Record Is Out of Step with Southern California
Desmond has consistently aligned himself with the far-right positions driving voters away from Republicans across suburban California. Desmond has long supported Trump's attacks on immigrants. He sided with Trump on a lawsuit targeting California's immigrant protections, and earned direct praise from Trump for doing so. He also drew fire for spreading lies parroting Trump's rhetoric on local migrant centers. The criticism grew so loud Desmond was forced to admit he wasn't telling the truth.
Desmond has repeatedly sided against working people - opposing higher wages, transparency for safe working conditions, and measures to strengthen workers' rights on the job. Desmond has also aligned himself with the extreme gun lobby and opposed commonsense gun safety measures - disqualifying as San Diegans are left reeling from a deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego and a deadly attack at the Chabad of Poway synagogue still recalled by the community years later.
In direct contrast with Desmond, Marni has built her career standing with labor and fighting for public safety. She helped write the PRO Act in Congress while serving as a labor counsel for the House Education and Labor Committee, landmark legislation to restore workers' ability to organize, bargain collectively, and hold corporations accountable. She also authored California's first ban on untraceable ghost guns, partnered with law enforcement as Chair of the Public Safety Committee to reduce senseless violence, expanded opioid treatment programs, strengthened wildfire preparedness, and secured resources for first responders that helped cut down ambulance response times. In this race, Marni is the clear labor candidate fighting to put working families first.
On reproductive freedom and LGBTQ rights, the contrast is equally stark. While Republicans continue advancing abortion bans and threats to gay marriage nationwide, and Desmond adopts right-wing talking points, von Wilpert has been a vocal defender of reproductive freedom and LGBTQ rights as a proud LGBTQ woman herself.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
ABC10: San Diego explores emergency loan program to support TSA workers during federal shutdowns [ABC 10 San Diego, 4/13/26 ]
"San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert says the program is designed to fill a gap left by federal inaction."If the federal government isn't going to do its job and actually pay the paychecks of federal workers, we here in San Diego are going to pay the price," von Wilpert said."
San Diego Union Tribune: Von Wilpert aims to deter violence with ghost gun ban in San Diego [San Diego Union Tribune, 9/8/21 ]
Cook Political Report: CA-48 Shift in Democrats' Direction [Cook Political Report, 3/12/26 ]
"Issa's trepidation about running in this redrawn seat was clear from the start. The new district, which cuts across San Diego and Riverside Counties, now includes liberal enclaves like Palm Springs, transforming it from a safe Republican seat into one that Kamala Harris carried by three points......San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, switched from a run in the neighboring 49th District to the 48th shortly before Issa's retirement announcement...it remains to be seen if he'll be able to maintain [a] moderate profile...
Right now, it's clear Democrats have a slight edge in the district, given its underlying partisanship and the national political environment."
San Diego Union Tribune: President Trump backs Jim Desmond in key North County congressional race [San Diego Union Tribune, 4/14/26 ]
"von Wilpert said that 'a vote for Jim Desmond is a vote for more of Trump's chaos, corruption and rising costs.'"
CNN: High gas prices become another midterm warning sign for Republicans [CNN, 4/18/26 ]
"In a midterm election that will likely be decided by how voters feel about the economy, Republicans are grappling with how to discuss the war in Iran and its impact on fuel costs....Jim Desmond defended the war effort days after he launched his campaign..."No pain, no gain," Desmond said during an interview on Real America News. 'It's unfortunate that oil prices are going up, but I do believe...President Trump is right...'"
San Diego Union Tribune: Could Democrats win all San Diego County's seats in Congress? That all depends on one North County race [San Diego Union Tribune, 4/5/26 ]
"Democrats are in reach of holding every congressional seat in San Diego County. But it all depends on North County...
Despite the district's newly Democratic tilt, Desmond isn't shying away from his support for Trump. In an interview...he endorsed some of Trump's more controversial efforts -including ending birthright citizenship.
Desmond... [has] said higher gas prices are necessary costs of the war the U.S. began with Iran five weeks ago. In a TV interview last month, Desmond said high gas prices boiled down to 'no pain, no gain.'"
Times of San Diego Opinion: Barbara Boxer: We must flip the 48th District, and Marni von Wilpert can do it [Times of San Diego, 4/29/26 ]
Times of San Diego : Without Issa to run against, leading Dems in CA-48 race find themselves in a new race [Times of San Diego, 4/3/26 ]
"Von Wilpert also said the cost-of-living is the defining issue in the race.
'What I've been hearing from everyone in this district is about the skyrocketing cost of living,' Von Wilpert said. 'One of the things I'm going to work hard on when I get to congress is undoing the damage of Trump's 'Big Ugly Bill.'"
LA Times: Congressional District 48 race: A battleground that could reshape Congress [LA Times, 5/1/26 ]
"The district, which spans parts of San Diego and Riverside counties, had long been considered firmly Republican territory. But a new map adopted under Proposition 50 dramatically changed the political calculus, turning what had been a GOP stronghold into a district that now slightly favors Democrats. With Republicans hanging on to an extremely slim majority in Congress, a win in District 48 could be just what Democrats need to regain control over the U.S. House of Representatives.
That outcome would spell trouble for President Trump, who already has gotten involved in the race...
Von Wilpert...promis[es] to 'make Washington work for working families again -not the wealthy few.'"
PATH TO VICTORY
Proposition 50 shifted CA-48 against Republicans, making this one of Democrats' best pick-up opportunities in the country. The district now leans Democratic, seeing an uptick of non-white and under 40 voters, as well as Independent voters disillusioned with MAGA extremism and rising costs. The numbers underscore just how competitive - and winnable - this seat has become for Democrats. The new district lines made CA-48 a district Kamala Harris carried in 2024, and one that the House Democratic candidate would have earned 51.3% in.
Marni enters the race with a uniquely strong profile for the district. Her City Council position gives her built-in name ID for the general election. She has successfully flipped a tough Republican-held seat, delivered results locally, and built the same coalition Democrats need to win in November: working families, independents, labor, Latino voters, and pragmatic suburban voters focused on affordability and stability.
This race presents voters with a clear choice. Jim Desmond is a Trump-aligned career politician backing an extreme agenda that raises costs, threatens health care, and puts partisan politics first. Marni von Wilpert is a proven fighter for working families who has lowered costs, protected rights, strengthened public safety, and delivered real results. In a district increasingly rejecting MAGA extremism, Marni is strongly positioned to flip CA-48 in November.
***
Original text here: https://dccc.org/the-case-against-jim-desmond/
STATEMENT: Ahead of Duke Energy Rate Hike Hearing, Reminder That Duke Lobbyist & Investor Michael Whatley Refuses to Denounce Rate Hike
RALEIGH, North Carolina, June 3 -- The North Carolina Democratic Party posted the following news:
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STATEMENT: Ahead of Duke Energy Rate Hike Hearing, Reminder That Duke Lobbyist & Investor Michael Whatley Refuses to Denounce Rate Hike
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Ahead of the Duke Energy hearing in Durham tonight to consider additional rate hikes on North Carolinians, NCDP senior communications advisor Mallory Payne released the following statement:
"Duke Energy lobbyist and investor Michael Whatley helped Duke raise rates on working families, watched his stocks spike, and is now refusing to denounce their latest
... Show Full Article
RALEIGH, North Carolina, June 3 -- The North Carolina Democratic Party posted the following news:
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STATEMENT: Ahead of Duke Energy Rate Hike Hearing, Reminder That Duke Lobbyist & Investor Michael Whatley Refuses to Denounce Rate Hike
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Ahead of the Duke Energy hearing in Durham tonight to consider additional rate hikes on North Carolinians, NCDP senior communications advisor Mallory Payne released the following statement:
"Duke Energy lobbyist and investor Michael Whatley helped Duke raise rates on working families, watched his stocks spike, and is now refusing to denounce their latestrate hike that will boost his personal profits even more. Whatley only cares about enriching himself, even when North Carolina families have to pay more. If Whatley goes to the U.S. Senate, he'll be laser focused on lining his own pockets at the expense of working families. North Carolinians deserve better."
Michael Whatley is refusing to denounce Duke Energy's rate hike as he stands to profit and North Carolina families face higher prices:
* As Duke Energy threatens rate hikes on North Carolina families, Whatley has refused to "give a stance."
* It's no wonder why - Whatley holds up to $445,000 in Duke Energy stock and stands to see "boost[ed] profits" if Duke's rate hike goes into effect and drives up costs for North Carolina families.
* In addition to being a shareholder, Whatley spent more than a decade lobbying for utility companies including Duke Energy and " argu[ing] in favor of rate increases."
***
Original text here: https://www.ncdp.org/media/statement-ahead-of-duke-energy-rate-hike-hearing-reminder-that-duke-lobbyist-investor-michael-whatley-refuses-to-denounce-rate-hike/
Mich. Democratic Party: John James Fakes Endorsement Quote From Extreme Anti-Choice Group
LANSING, Michigan, June 3 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release on June 2, 2026:
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John James Fakes Endorsement Quote from Extreme Anti-Choice Group
Two-time statewide loser John James, who has compared abortion to "genocide" and said that he is "100% pro-life," was so eager to roll out an endorsement from the extreme, anti-choice group Right to Life Michigan that his campaign sent out a press release with a fake quote from the group's leader, according to new reporting from Gongwer News Service.
On Friday, Right to Life Michigan endorsed the four Republican
... Show Full Article
LANSING, Michigan, June 3 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release on June 2, 2026:
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John James Fakes Endorsement Quote from Extreme Anti-Choice Group
Two-time statewide loser John James, who has compared abortion to "genocide" and said that he is "100% pro-life," was so eager to roll out an endorsement from the extreme, anti-choice group Right to Life Michigan that his campaign sent out a press release with a fake quote from the group's leader, according to new reporting from Gongwer News Service.
On Friday, Right to Life Michigan endorsed the four Republicancandidates for governor. Minutes later, the James campaign sent out a press release with a quote from Amber Roseboom, President of Right to Life Michigan, trumpeting James' anti-choice record. However, later that day, Right to Life Michigan reached out to Gongwer News Service and asked for the quote to be removed from their story, with a spokesperson writing, "We have not seen this and while we stand with all our candidates, we have not offered comment."
SEE THE FAKE QUOTE IN THE JAMES RELEASE HERE (https://press.mirs.news/08c5ae8c.pdf)
The James campaign pointed to a letter it received from the group--but Gongwer reports that the letter did not include the quote from Rosenboom.
James supported Roe v. Wade being overturned and has received an A+ rating in Congress from SBA Pro-Life America. In November, James attended a Right to Life of Michigan dinner. The fake quote scandal comes as James faces an increasingly competitive primary and is sinking in straw polls.
"John James was so eager to trumpet an endorsement from an extreme, anti-choice group that his campaign even faked a quote and got caught doing it," said Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson Derrick Honeyman. "Throughout his career, James has supported rolling back reproductive rights and compared abortion to 'genocide.' It's clear that John James is too extreme for Michigan."
Read more below.
Gongwer News Service (https://pro.stateaffairs.com/mi/elections/right-to-life-michigan-endorsements?ref=AAAAAAADyr0AAFWnAA): James' camp sent a Right to Life endorsement release with a quote the organization didn't provide
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Original text here: https://michigandems.com/new-john-james-fakes-endorsement-quote-from-extreme-anti-choice-group/
Mich. Democratic Party Issues Statement on Business of the Appeals Committee
LANSING, Michigan, June 3 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following statement on June 2, 2026:
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MDP Statement on Business of the Appeals Committee
Today, the Michigan Democratic Party's Appeals Committee unanimously dismissed a candidate appeal to the results of the Michigan State University Board of Trustees race. Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson Leah Leszczynski released the following statement:
"The appeal regarding this year's endorsement convention was dismissed in accordance with the Committee's appeals process. We thank every candidate who ran for our endorsement.
... Show Full Article
LANSING, Michigan, June 3 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following statement on June 2, 2026:
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MDP Statement on Business of the Appeals Committee
Today, the Michigan Democratic Party's Appeals Committee unanimously dismissed a candidate appeal to the results of the Michigan State University Board of Trustees race. Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson Leah Leszczynski released the following statement:
"The appeal regarding this year's endorsement convention was dismissed in accordance with the Committee's appeals process. We thank every candidate who ran for our endorsement.We look forward to coming together to elect Democrats up and down the ballot this November."
The Michigan Democratic Party shares the final endorsement vote results from the 2026 Endorsement Convention:
* Secretary of State: Garlin Gilchrist II (58.69%), Barb Byrum (21.39%), Suzanna Shkreli (19.91%)
* Attorney General: Eli Savit (58.51%), Karen McDonald (41.49%)
* State Board of Education: Judith Pritchett, Tiffany Tilley (uncontested)
* University of Michigan Board of Regents: Paul Brown (43.17%), Amir Makled (39.31%), Jordan Acker (17.51%)
* Michigan State University Board of Trustees: Brianna Scott (38.21%), Kelly Tebay Zemke (31.01%), Sylvia Santana (30.78%)
* Wayne State University Board of Governors: Richard Mack (37.15%), Shereef Akeel (35.73%), Jeremiah H.W. Wheeler (13.90%), Naz Hassan (13.23%)
* State Supreme Court: Megan Kathleen Cavanagh, Noah P. Hood (uncontested)
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Original text here: https://michigandems.com/mdp-statement-on-business-of-the-appeals-committee/
MEMO: DCCC Polling Shows Rural America is Souring on Republicans and Democrats Have the Opportunity to Make Inroads
WASHINGTON, June 3 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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MEMO: DCCC Polling Shows Rural America is Souring on Republicans and Democrats Have the Opportunity to Make Inroads
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DCCC MEMORANDUM
To: Interested Parties
From: Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Date: June 3, 2026
Subject: DCCC Polling Shows Rural America is Souring on Republicans and Democrats Have the Opportunity to Make Inroads
New DCCC polling shows that rural America is souring on Republicans and their disastrous agenda. For years, the GOP has relied
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 3 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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MEMO: DCCC Polling Shows Rural America is Souring on Republicans and Democrats Have the Opportunity to Make Inroads
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DCCC MEMORANDUM
To: Interested Parties
From: Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Date: June 3, 2026
Subject: DCCC Polling Shows Rural America is Souring on Republicans and Democrats Have the Opportunity to Make Inroads
New DCCC polling shows that rural America is souring on Republicans and their disastrous agenda. For years, the GOP has reliedon strong margins in rural communities to keep an electoral advantage while actively voting for policies that decimate rural America. Since taking total power in Washington, Republicans have gutted rural health care systems, slashed funding for SNAP and other essential services, championed the blatant corruption of a "slush fund" for criminals and $1 billion ballroom, and supported chaotic price-hiking tariffs that have drastically hit rural communities.
The DCCC's First Rural Engagement Program
Last year, the DCCC launched Our Power, Our Country to persuade and engage voters who are an essential part of Democrats' path to victory in the midterm elections. For the first time ever, the program is also reaching rural voters through rapid response, in-depth research and polling, paid media, in-district organizing, and grassroots cohorts.
Rural Voters' Top Issues
The GOP foundation in rural America is starting to crumble. DCCC rural battleground polling shows that rural voters prioritize the same issues that all battleground voters do, and are increasingly dissatisfied with Republicans in Congress.
* The shift is driven by three top issues: the rising cost of living, the burden of health care expenses, and government corruption.
* Rural Americans are also very concerned about the economic impacts of the war in Iran and strongly oppose policies that only work for billionaires while leaving working families behind -the cornerstones of the Trump Republican administration.
* When it comes to the top two issues that rural voters want Congress to prioritize, they cite government corruption (33%) and inflation and the cost of living (29%).
* Independent, Black, and Hispanic rural voters especially want Congress to prioritize health care costs and access (57% of Independents rating "extremely important"), public education (75% of Black voters rating "extremely important"), and water quality and access (69% of Hispanic voters rating "extremely important").
The Reality of Republican Policies on Rural Communities
* Nearly 6 in 10 farmers are reporting worsening finances due to the increase in fertilizer and fuel costs -since February, diesel prices are up about 46% and 70% of farmers cannot afford all the fertilizer they need.
* There are about 2,000 rural hospitals and 40% of them already were running on fumes. After Republicans voted for the largest Medicaid cuts in history, essential medical centers in rural communities have started to reduce services and close their doors.
* Republican tariffs have caused American farmers to face the widest gap between production costs and earnings in a decade.
* At the end of 2025, over 15,000 farms had closed across the country and farm bankruptcies increased by 46%.
Bottom line: It's clear that rural communities are rejecting the harmful Republican agenda, and the data shows that Democrats have a clear path to make inroads with these voters. That's why the DCCC is committed to persuading and winning back rural voters by addressing the issues that they care about most.
***
Original text here: https://dccc.org/memo-dccc-polling-shows-rural-america-is-souring-on-republicans-and-democrats-have-the-opportunity-to-make-inroads/
DNC: Breaking - Trump Appoints Loyalist Bill Pulte as Acting Director of National Intelligence
WASHINGTON, June 3 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on June 2, 2026:
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BREAKING: Trump Appoints Loyalist Bill Pulte as Acting Director of National Intelligence
Despite the DNI being legally required to have "extensive national security expertise," Pulte has no national security experience.
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Donald Trump announced today that he is appointing Bill Pulte, the current Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as acting Director of National Intelligence. Pulte has been one of Trump's most loyal henchmen, and has used his tenure in the administration
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 3 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on June 2, 2026:
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BREAKING: Trump Appoints Loyalist Bill Pulte as Acting Director of National Intelligence
Despite the DNI being legally required to have "extensive national security expertise," Pulte has no national security experience.
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Donald Trump announced today that he is appointing Bill Pulte, the current Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as acting Director of National Intelligence. Pulte has been one of Trump's most loyal henchmen, and has used his tenure in the administrationto advance Trump's extreme agenda.
Pulte was reportedly the driving force behind various criminal investigations into Trump's perceived political enemies. If confirmed, his new role will give him even more opportunity to weaponize the government for Trump's retribution tour.
In response, DNC Rapid Response Director Kendall Witmer released the following statement:
"Donald Trump is continuing to install his loyalists to do his personal and political bidding, and now Bill Pulte will now have even more power to go after Trump's perceived political enemies. Pulte has no experience in national security, and is now tasked with leading one of the top intelligence agencies as Trump continues to sow chaos at home. With Pulte's appointment, Trump is once again filling his administration with loyal foot soldiers at the expense of Americans' safety and security."
REMINDER: Pulte's stint as director of the FHFA has been marked by disastrous policies that would drive housing prices up -- including a proposed 50-year mortgage plan that Pulte called "a complete game changer," despite housing experts warning the proposal would raise housing costs even more.
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Original text here: https://democrats.org/news/breaking-trump-appoints-loyalist-bill-pulte-as-acting-director-of-national-intelligence/
DC Insider Michael Whatley Is A Fake Hurricanes Fan; Invents Nonexistent Canes Players in AI Graphic
RALEIGH, North Carolina, June 3 -- The North Carolina Democratic Party posted the following news:
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DC Insider Michael Whatley Is A Fake Hurricanes Fan; Invents Nonexistent Canes Players in AI Graphic
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As North Carolina rallies around the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Finals, real fans are showing up - and fake fans are named Michael Whatley.
Whatley posted an AI graphic that features a Canes player that does not appear to actually exist, prompting Canes fans to tell Whatley " Hey dawg I'll vote for you if you can tell me this player's name and number " and ask " who the f*ck
... Show Full Article
RALEIGH, North Carolina, June 3 -- The North Carolina Democratic Party posted the following news:
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DC Insider Michael Whatley Is A Fake Hurricanes Fan; Invents Nonexistent Canes Players in AI Graphic
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As North Carolina rallies around the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Finals, real fans are showing up - and fake fans are named Michael Whatley.
Whatley posted an AI graphic that features a Canes player that does not appear to actually exist, prompting Canes fans to tell Whatley " Hey dawg I'll vote for you if you can tell me this player's name and number " and ask " who the f*ckis that."
One thing is clear: Michael Whatley has " nothing on Roy Coopers elite puck knowledge."
***
Original text here: https://www.ncdp.org/media/dc-insider-michael-whatley-is-a-fake-hurricanes-fan-invents-nonexistent-canes-players-in-ai-graphic/
