Politics - Parties, Candidates
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from politicians, candidates and interested parties - covering the U.S. political arena including state and national political parties.
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Wis. Democratic Party: Eric Toney's NRA Questionnaire
MADISON, Wisconsin, Sept. 30 -- The Wisconsin Democratic Party issued the following news:
GOP Attorney General nominee Eric Toney is proud to be endorsed by the NRA with an "AQ" rating, the highest grade the group bestows on a politician without a voting record.
But how did Eric Toney get his sky-high AQ rating? It's a question worth asking.
Several months back, after Tim Michels got caught lying on a piece of direct mail about being endorsed in his primary by the NRA, a few details emerged about Michels' true status with the NRA: he was AQ-rated, the same as Eric Toney:
"Michels' campaign
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MADISON, Wisconsin, Sept. 30 -- The Wisconsin Democratic Party issued the following news:
GOP Attorney General nominee Eric Toney is proud to be endorsed by the NRA with an "AQ" rating, the highest grade the group bestows on a politician without a voting record.
But how did Eric Toney get his sky-high AQ rating? It's a question worth asking.
Several months back, after Tim Michels got caught lying on a piece of direct mail about being endorsed in his primary by the NRA, a few details emerged about Michels' true status with the NRA: he was AQ-rated, the same as Eric Toney:
"Michels' campaignspokesperson Chris Walker said in an email to The Associated Press on Monday that the claim was an 'unintentional error' and has been immediately corrected with a new mailer that says Michels received an 'AQ' grade on an NRA questionnaire about his stances on gun rights." [Associated Press, 7/18/22]
Did Eric Toney fill out a similar questionnaire to win his AQ rating? If so, what was on it? What extreme positions did Eric Toney commit to in secret with the NRA?
In 2018, an NRA endorsement questionnaire leaked by a candidate for the Florida Legislature revealed extraordinarily specific questions on legislation and policy views, including whether a candidate voted for a gun control law the NRA viewed as "unconstitutional" and whether they supported the NRA's push to allow guns in places of worship.
Here in Wisconsin, the NRA has lobbied for a variety of extreme bills that would flood our streets with more guns, including legislation to legalize possession of guns on school grounds and in church, and to allow anyone to carry a concealed weapon, with no license or safety training.
"As Wisconsinites prepare to go to the polls this November, they deserve to know which of the NRA's extreme positions Eric Toney committed to in order to score his prized AQ rating," said Democratic Party of Wisconsin Rapid Response Director Marnie O'Malley. "Eric Toney has campaigned as a proud lifelong member of the NRA, and now he appears to have won their endorsement based on answers to a questionnaire voters haven't seen. Absent answers from Eric Toney, we can only assume he fully backs the NRA's extreme mission to flood our streets, schools and places of worship with guns."
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Original text here: https://wisdems.org/news/eric-toneys-nra-questionnaire/
Statement From Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman Jim Lyons On The AG Campaign Of Andrea Campbell
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Sept. 30 -- The Massachusetts Republican Party issued the following news release:
Attorney General Maura Healey's preferred successor, Democrat Andrea Campbell, has finally agreed to a single debate with Republican AG candidate Jay McMahon, a development Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman Jim Lyons said will show voters "just how radically far-left" Campbell is.
"Andrea Campbell led the charge in Boston for defunding the police, choosing politics over public safety, and that should immediately disqualify her for the job as the state's top law enforcement officer,"
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BOSTON, Massachusetts, Sept. 30 -- The Massachusetts Republican Party issued the following news release:
Attorney General Maura Healey's preferred successor, Democrat Andrea Campbell, has finally agreed to a single debate with Republican AG candidate Jay McMahon, a development Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman Jim Lyons said will show voters "just how radically far-left" Campbell is.
"Andrea Campbell led the charge in Boston for defunding the police, choosing politics over public safety, and that should immediately disqualify her for the job as the state's top law enforcement officer,"Lyons said. "She would usher in an era of lawlessness never seen before in Massachusetts."
Lyons also pointed to Campbell's support for granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants and her previous pitches to gut the prison system and bar police from public schools.
"These are dangerous policy positions that put the public's safety at risk all in the name of politics," Lyons said. "Andrea Campbell's radical progressive agenda would lead to disastrous results in Massachusetts, just like other states have already experienced whenever someone devoted to that dangerous ideology assumes a top law enforcement post."
Lyons added that Campbell's brother, an alleged serial rapist currently on trial after being accused of posing as a rideshare driver to target intoxicated women leaving bars and clubs in downtown Boston, would likely qualify for release under his sister's proposal to end "mass incarceration" and "eliminate cash bail."
"If Andrea Campbell's radical policy agenda was enacted today, her brother would be back on the streets and resuming his actions as a serial sexual predator," Lyons said. "There is an opportunity here for Republican Jay McMahon to expose this, and that is exactly why Andrea Campbell kept refusing to debate him."
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Original text here: https://massgop.com/statement-from-massachusetts-republican-party-chairman-jim-lyons-on-the-ag-campaign-of-andrea-campbell/
National Republican Congressional Committee: Nickel's Plan Of Lies
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee issued the following news on Sept. 29, 2022:
Wiley Nickel is getting desperate. Today, he released a plan that he claims will help reduce high costs for North Carolinians.
But Nickel supports Democrats' disastrous agenda that has fueled inflation and will hike taxes on the middle-class.
That's not the solution North Carolinians need.
NRCC Comment: "If elected, Wiley Nickel will go to Washington and support Democrats' agenda that has only made the inflation crisis worse for North Carolinian families." -NRCC Spokeswoman Camille
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee issued the following news on Sept. 29, 2022:
Wiley Nickel is getting desperate. Today, he released a plan that he claims will help reduce high costs for North Carolinians.
But Nickel supports Democrats' disastrous agenda that has fueled inflation and will hike taxes on the middle-class.
That's not the solution North Carolinians need.
NRCC Comment: "If elected, Wiley Nickel will go to Washington and support Democrats' agenda that has only made the inflation crisis worse for North Carolinian families." -NRCC Spokeswoman CamilleGallo
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Original text here: https://www.nrcc.org/2022/09/29/nickels-plan-of-lies/
NCGOP Pursues Court Order To Verify Absentee Ballots.
RALEIGH, North Carolina, Sept. 30 -- The North Carolina Republican Party issued the following news:
This week, the NCGOP continued its fight to ensure Absentee By-Mail Signatures are only approved in accordance with the law. The NCGOP filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and a motion for a preliminary injunction in Wake County Superior Court against the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
Specifically, the NCGOP is asking the court to enjoin the State Board of Elections from enforcing its prohibition of county boards of elections from comparing and verifying signatures on absentee
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RALEIGH, North Carolina, Sept. 30 -- The North Carolina Republican Party issued the following news:
This week, the NCGOP continued its fight to ensure Absentee By-Mail Signatures are only approved in accordance with the law. The NCGOP filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and a motion for a preliminary injunction in Wake County Superior Court against the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
Specifically, the NCGOP is asking the court to enjoin the State Board of Elections from enforcing its prohibition of county boards of elections from comparing and verifying signatures on absenteeballot containers in the November 2022 General Election.
Stepping up to defend the State Board's nonsensical position is the Elias Law Group, founded by Marc Elias, the former Hillary Clinton campaign lawyer of Steele Dossier fame. Elias has been ridiculed in federal court for attempting to undermine elections and has been sanctioned in another federal court for a "lack of candor." His firm's involvement is a harbinger of weakened election security for the voters of North Carolina.
It's long past time that someone put a stop to the State Board's continual efforts to undermine the security of our elections in the Tar Heel State--the NCGOP is working to do just that.
With county boards of elections set to begin reviewing absentee by-mail ballots next week, allowing the State Board to continue enforcing these unlawful measures will cause irreparable harm unless stopped by a judge.
"Security in the electoral process is critical; why the Board of Elections continues to undermine the integrity of our elections is inexplicable," said NCGOP Chairman Michael Whatley. "The NCGOP is pursuing this lawsuit to ensure our elections remain secure and free from doubt."
It is the mission of the NCGOP to ensure this and every election conducted in this state is done so in accordance with the law. This is one of many actions initiated by the North Carolina Republican Party this cycle in an effort to restore voter confidence and ensure election integrity.
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Original text here: https://www.nc.gop/signature_verification_tro
Democratic Governors Association: Report - Republican Joe Lombardo Oversaw A Record Spike In Murders As Clark County Sheriff
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The Democratic Governors Association issued the following news:
A new report highlights how, under Joe Lombardo's leadership as sheriff, Clark County saw a record spike in homicides.
The report indicates Lombardo's actions had a direct and devastating impact on violent crime. After Lombardo implemented a major restructuring of the police department, Clark County saw a record 67 percent spike in homicides.
Lombardo's changes "hindered law enforcement by decentralizing detectives and taking officers off of critical investigative and gang units," and law enforcement experts,
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The Democratic Governors Association issued the following news:
A new report highlights how, under Joe Lombardo's leadership as sheriff, Clark County saw a record spike in homicides.
The report indicates Lombardo's actions had a direct and devastating impact on violent crime. After Lombardo implemented a major restructuring of the police department, Clark County saw a record 67 percent spike in homicides.
Lombardo's changes "hindered law enforcement by decentralizing detectives and taking officers off of critical investigative and gang units," and law enforcement experts,including the head of the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, blamed Lombardo's actions as sheriff for the dramatic crime surge. This isn't the first time Lombardo has been called out for breaking up LVMPD's gang unit, with the Las Vegas Review-Journal reporting in 2016 that the change saw a "violent crime wave, with marked increases in rapes, robberies, assaults and homicides."
The report notes that, "from 2020 to 2021, Clark County experienced a 49 percent increase in homicides, with the majority of them inflicted by gunshot. During the same time period, statewide rates of violent crime decreased by more than 9 percent as other counties across the state either maintained the same levels or saw decreases in homicide rates."
The data follows recent reporting from the Nevada Current showing Joe Lombardo only showed up to his sheriff's office roughly three times per week and missed work days to campaign for a promotion. In fact, Lombardo's entire tenure as sheriff has been riddled with corruption and political maneuvering.
Gov. Sisolak, in contrast, has taken bold steps to support law enforcement. His gun safety reforms have driven Nevada crime rates to their lowest levels since 1985.
"Joe Lombardo loves to tout his 'law-and-order' agenda, but the fact is, crime soared as a result of his failed leadership," said DGA Senior Communications Advisor Christina Amestoy. "Just like when he was sheriff, his policies as governor would make it harder for law enforcement officers to do their jobs and easier for criminals to get guns. Nevadans can't trust Joe Lombardo to keep them safe."
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Original text here: https://democraticgovernors.org/updates/report-republican-joe-lombardo-oversaw-a-record-spike-in-murders-as-clark-county-sheriff/
Dem Govs Get It Done: Gov. Janet Mills Announces New Conservation Projects, Including Historic Protection Of Deer Wintering Habitat
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The Democratic Governors Association issued the following news on Sept. 29, 2022:
Gov. Janet Mills announced twelve new Land for Maine's Future conservation projects to expand public access to the outdoors and protect working lands and wildlife habitat, including the state's largest ever conservation project to protect deer wintering habitat.
"As an avid sportswoman myself, I always look forward to announcing new Land for Maine's Future Projects that conserve our lands for the public, but today is a special day," said Gov. Mills. "Today, we mark the state's largest conservation
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The Democratic Governors Association issued the following news on Sept. 29, 2022:
Gov. Janet Mills announced twelve new Land for Maine's Future conservation projects to expand public access to the outdoors and protect working lands and wildlife habitat, including the state's largest ever conservation project to protect deer wintering habitat.
"As an avid sportswoman myself, I always look forward to announcing new Land for Maine's Future Projects that conserve our lands for the public, but today is a special day," said Gov. Mills. "Today, we mark the state's largest conservationproject to protect deer wintering habitat, which will help restore this once iconic species in Northern Maine and renew the hope of sportsmen and women across our state."
The Land for Maine's Future board has approved 37 new projects since Gov. Mills proposed reinvigorating the program.
Meanwhile, Paul LePage has picked a fight with the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine and accused them of being corrupt. The organization gave LePage an incomplete grade in its election guide after he decided to withdraw his questionnaire, while the group gave Gov. Mills an A rating and a thumbs up.
"Gov. Janet Mills has been a champion for conserving Maine's land for its natural, working, and recreational value," said DGA Senior Communications Advisor Christina Amestoy. "While Paul LePage plays politics, Gov. Mills is delivering historic projects that will make a difference for generations to come."
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Original text here: https://democraticgovernors.org/updates/dem-govs-get-it-done-gov-janet-mills-announces-new-conservation-projects-including-historic-protection-of-deer-wintering-habitat/
DSCC: Laxalt "Refuses To Back Fbi" & "Took Donation From Accused Arms Smuggler"
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee issued the following news release:
Reports are highlighting how Adam Laxalt is attacking law enforcement - telling NBC News he "refused to support the FBI" - while new reporting revealed he "took the legal maximum from Curtis Debord, who was indicted for illegal weapons trafficking."
See for yourself:
NBC News: Republican challenger in Nevada Senate race refuses to back FBI, calls it 'far too political'
By Natasha Korecki
September 28, 2022
* Laxalt, a Republican who was once Nevada's top law enforcement official, refused
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee issued the following news release:
Reports are highlighting how Adam Laxalt is attacking law enforcement - telling NBC News he "refused to support the FBI" - while new reporting revealed he "took the legal maximum from Curtis Debord, who was indicted for illegal weapons trafficking."
See for yourself:
NBC News: Republican challenger in Nevada Senate race refuses to back FBI, calls it 'far too political'
By Natasha Korecki
September 28, 2022
* Laxalt, a Republican who was once Nevada's top law enforcement official, refusedto support the FBI.
* Laxalt, the state's former attorney general, who is now locked in a margin-of-error race with Cortez Masto, tweeted last month that the FBI's actions in Florida were "just another example of the growing weaponization of our federal agencies by the Left."
* Cortez Masto's campaign spokesman, Josh Marcus-Blank, said in an emailed statement Wednesday that Laxalt has "attacked federal law enforcement" and "sided with insurrectionists who went after Capitol Police."
The American Independent: 'Tough on crime' Nevada GOP Senate nominee Laxalt took donation from accused arms smuggler
The Nevada Republican took the legal maximum from Curtis Debord, who was indicted for illegal weapons trafficking in the late 1990s.
By Josh Israel
September 29, 2022
* Nevada Republican Senate nominee Adam Laxalt, who is running as a tough-on-crime candidate, has taken tens of thousands of dollars in campaign cash from a donor who was once indicted for illegally importing and selling weapons.
* Debord, an executive at the Nevada-based defense contractor U.S. Ordnance, gave Laxalt the legal maximum contribution of $5,800 in September 2021, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
* State campaign finance records show that since 2018, Debord has given a total of $55,000 to Laxalt's state campaigns and to Morning in Nevada PAC, a conservative political action committee.
* In 1997, Debord and another individual were indicted in a federal court on charges of conspiracy to smuggle $5 million worth of illegal weapons and weapons parts from Vietnam into the United States. In 1998, the two were also charged with witness tampering and selling arms without a license.
MSNBC: The biggest problem with Nevada's Laxalt slamming the FBI
The biggest problem with Nevada's Adam Laxalt slamming the FBI is that he doesn't appear to have any idea what he's talking about.
By Steve Benen
September 29, 2022
* More than a few GOP lawmakers have been unsubtle in their criticisms of the FBI, falsely accusing the bureau of being politicized, peddling odd conspiracy theories and, in some instances, even calling for the agency to be defunded by Congress.
* Let's not overlook the Republican candidates who read from a similarly partisan script.
* Part of what makes rhetoric like Laxalt's so problematic is the irony... perhaps he should show greater caution before failing to show support for law enforcement.
* If Laxalt genuinely believes that "the Left" has politicized the FBI, then the Nevadan has no idea what he's talking about.
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Original text here: https://www.dscc.org/news/laxalt-refuses-to-back-fbi-took-donation-from-accused-arms-smuggler/
