Politics, Parties, Candidates
Here's a look at documents from politicians, candidates and interested parties
Featured Stories
N.C. Democratic Party: High Point Mayor, NC Furniture Industry Leaders Blast Michael Whatley-Backed Tariffs That Drive Up Prices
RALEIGH, North Carolina, Nov. 22 -- The North Carolina Democratic Party issued the following news on Nov. 21, 2025:
* * *
High Point Mayor, NC Furniture Industry Leaders Blast Michael Whatley-Backed Tariffs That Drive Up Prices
Today, High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson and business leaders from North Carolina's legendary furniture industry slammed the reckless furniture tariffs that have sent costs soaring, threatened jobs, and hurt North Carolina's iconic furniture industry, all backed by DC insider Michael Whatley.
As the trade war drives up costs, Whatley has called it "record setting in terms
... Show Full Article
RALEIGH, North Carolina, Nov. 22 -- The North Carolina Democratic Party issued the following news on Nov. 21, 2025:
* * *
High Point Mayor, NC Furniture Industry Leaders Blast Michael Whatley-Backed Tariffs That Drive Up Prices
Today, High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson and business leaders from North Carolina's legendary furniture industry slammed the reckless furniture tariffs that have sent costs soaring, threatened jobs, and hurt North Carolina's iconic furniture industry, all backed by DC insider Michael Whatley.
As the trade war drives up costs, Whatley has called it "record setting in termsof [...] effectiveness" and said he supports it "wholeheartedly."
"The leadership of folks like Michael Whatley, who has encouraged these tariffs and said that he wholeheartedly stands behind them and finds them to be effective, is not the kind of leadership that we want," said High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson. "As we see those rising costs, demand goes down, because consumers feel like they have choices to make. They're competing with rising costs across the board."
"When tariffs raise the cost of key materials, these costs work their way into our pricing. [...] It creates challenges for manufacturers and for the customers we serve," said Mark Phillips, Chairman of the Phillips Collection. "Who we elect matters. Vote for someone that will stand up to the tariffs that are driving up costs and hurting our businesses."
"Tariffs have added steep, unexpected costs to our business. We've done everything we can to request our supply chain partners to absorb these increases, but the reality is that they've become too large to sustain and ultimately, we have passed cost increase flow to our consumers--raising prices, therefore reducing demand," said Jeff Arditti, CEO of Aria Designs.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.ncdp.org/media/high-point-mayor-nc-furniture-industry-leaders-blast-michael-whatley-backed-tariffs-that-drive-up-prices/
N.C. Democratic Party: Breaking - Whatley Calls for "Elimination" of the ACA
RALEIGH, North Carolina, Nov. 22 -- The North Carolina Democratic Party issued the following news on Nov. 21, 2025:
* * *
BREAKING: Whatley Calls for "Elimination" of the ACA
New reporting from American Journal News reveals DC insider Michael Whatley called to eliminate the ACA, a move that would drive up health care costs even higher.
The nearly one million North Carolinians who rely on the ACA for care are seeing their health care premiums double or more on average, thanks to Whatley cheering on DC Republicans as they refuse to extend the ACA tax credits.
American Journal News: Whatley calls
... Show Full Article
RALEIGH, North Carolina, Nov. 22 -- The North Carolina Democratic Party issued the following news on Nov. 21, 2025:
* * *
BREAKING: Whatley Calls for "Elimination" of the ACA
New reporting from American Journal News reveals DC insider Michael Whatley called to eliminate the ACA, a move that would drive up health care costs even higher.
The nearly one million North Carolinians who rely on the ACA for care are seeing their health care premiums double or more on average, thanks to Whatley cheering on DC Republicans as they refuse to extend the ACA tax credits.
American Journal News: Whatley callsfor replacing Obamacare with 'market-driven solutions'
November 21, 2025 | Jesse Valentine
* Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley appeared to call for the elimination of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which provides health insurance to nearly 1 million North Carolinians.
* Whatley's language was similar to that used in A Plan to Repeal and Replace Obamacare, a report from the far-right Heritage Foundation that called for replacing the health care program in favor of a "market-based approach." The Heritage Foundation also authored Project 2025.
* Whatley also applauded Senate Republicans for blocking an extension of tax subsidies that help Americans afford Obamacare. The blockade led to a 44-day government shutdown that briefly disrupted SNAP benefits.
* As governor, Cooper successfully implemented Medicaid expansion in North Carolina, helping 600,000 people secure low- to no-cost health insurance. Whatley, meanwhile, has praised the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is expected to kick 700,000 North Carolinians off Medicaid.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.ncdp.org/media/breaking-whatley-calls-for-elimination-of-the-aca/
Mich. Democratic Party: GOP Candidates Blast John James For Hiding From Campaign Trail
LANSING, Michigan, Nov. 22 -- The Michigan Democratic Party posted the following news release:
* * *
GOP Candidates Blast John James For Hiding From Campaign Trail
John James' continued absence remained a central topic, drawing criticism from every candidate..."
*
John James' floundering primary campaign is continuing to tear the Michigan Republican Party apart at the seams after he skipped his third straight debate after last night's primary debate in Traverse City.
His absence from the campaign trail has become a "central topic," and comes as he refuses to answer for his extreme votes
... Show Full Article
LANSING, Michigan, Nov. 22 -- The Michigan Democratic Party posted the following news release:
* * *
GOP Candidates Blast John James For Hiding From Campaign Trail
John James' continued absence remained a central topic, drawing criticism from every candidate..."
*
John James' floundering primary campaign is continuing to tear the Michigan Republican Party apart at the seams after he skipped his third straight debate after last night's primary debate in Traverse City.
His absence from the campaign trail has become a "central topic," and comes as he refuses to answer for his extreme votesto cut health care and jack up costs for Michiganders.
Signs made by Republicans in the debate hall even read "John James: 0/3 on debates, 0/2 on statewide elections." During the first debate, milk cartons featuring James as a missing person were handed out, and during the second debate, Aric Nesbitt's campaign paid for a video truck plastered with a missing poster of James.
James' primary opponents each went on the attack:
* Aric Nesbitt tore into James during his opening remarks, saying that "people want to see you when you're running for office. They want to be able to engage you."
* Mike Cox accused James of "abandoning the Republican Party like he's abandoning President Trump's majority. Ultimately he's got to show up, and I'm looking for that day."
* Anthony Hudson called for James to "drop out" and said "John 'Job-Jumping' James is afraid to tackle these questions. He thinks he's got it in the bag. You don't have this in the bag, John."
The vicious infighting comes after Tim Skubick reported for WLNS this week how James' campaign for governor has "split" the Michigan Republican Party.
Prominent Republicans have come out against James running for governor--including his colleague Lisa McClain, the No. 4 House Republican, who said that James running for governor is "100% not ideal" and "stings." State Rep. Matt Maddock, a staunch ally of Trump, previously said that Trump will not be endorsing James--and that Trump and JD Vance are "not happy with [James] right now."
"Michigan Republicans are in complete and total disarray as John James is nowhere to be seen or heard from on the campaign trail," said Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson Derrick Honeyman. "This vicious and protracted primary is only getting worse--and Republicans have a long, bumpy road until next August."
* * *
Original text here: https://michigandems.com/gop-candidates-blast-john-james-for-hiding-from-campaign-trail/
In First Week of Organizing Blitz, the DNC Organizing Team Contacted Over 40,000 TN-07 Voters
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on Nov. 21, 2025:
* * *
In First Week of Organizing Blitz, the DNC Organizing Team Contacted Over 40,000 TN-07 Voters
Today, the DNC announced that our volunteers have now contacted over 40,000 voters in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District in just the first week of the DNC's organizing blitz to support Aftyn Behn ahead of the December 2nd special election. The DNC will continue to ramp up our organizing campaign through Election Day to ensure no stone is left unturned in this critical race.
This week,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on Nov. 21, 2025:
* * *
In First Week of Organizing Blitz, the DNC Organizing Team Contacted Over 40,000 TN-07 Voters
Today, the DNC announced that our volunteers have now contacted over 40,000 voters in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District in just the first week of the DNC's organizing blitz to support Aftyn Behn ahead of the December 2nd special election. The DNC will continue to ramp up our organizing campaign through Election Day to ensure no stone is left unturned in this critical race.
This week,the RNC and other Trump-aligned PACs announced they are spending well over a million dollars in this Trump +22 district. Total Republican spending now surpasses $3 million.
Matt Van Epps and Republicans are worried because they know Tennessee voters are angry about Trump's Big Ugly Bill, which kicks 210,000 Tennessee families off their health insurance and puts nine rural hospitals on the brink of closure. In stark contrast, Aftyn Behn is fighting to roll back Trump's cuts to health care and lower costs for Tennessee families, including eliminating the state's grocery tax.
In response, DNC Organizing Director Lorenza Ramirez released the following statement:
"Aftyn Behn has the momentum because she's directly speaking to voters about what matters most to them: lowering costs. The DNC's distributed organizing team -- composed of thousands of volunteers across the country -- has contacted tens of thousands of voters in TN-07 in less than a week in support of her campaign, and we're only just getting started. While national Republicans are panicking and Matt Van Epps says there's 'no policy' of Donald Trump's that he disagrees with -- including Trump's Big Ugly Bill that is raising costs and kicking over 200,000 Tennessee families off their health insurance -- Aftyn Behn is fighting to lower costs and protect health care."
* * *
Original text here: https://democrats.org/news/in-first-week-of-organizing-blitz-the-dnc-organizing-team-contacted-over-40000-tn-07-voters/
Idaho Democratic Party: Republican rule is making Idaho less affordable
BOISE, Idaho, Nov. 22 -- The Idaho Democratic Party issued the following statement on Nov. 21, 2025, by Chair Lauren Necochea:
* * *
Republican rule is making Idaho less affordable
*
Families across Idaho know something isn't adding up. They're working hard, but the bills keep getting heavier. Groceries cost more. Rents and home prices are skyrocketing. Child care eats a bigger share of every paycheck. Schools need levies to maintain the basics, and rural hospitals are stretched to their limits. People feel squeezed, and the Republican supermajority keeps making things worse.
Over the past
... Show Full Article
BOISE, Idaho, Nov. 22 -- The Idaho Democratic Party issued the following statement on Nov. 21, 2025, by Chair Lauren Necochea:
* * *
Republican rule is making Idaho less affordable
*
Families across Idaho know something isn't adding up. They're working hard, but the bills keep getting heavier. Groceries cost more. Rents and home prices are skyrocketing. Child care eats a bigger share of every paycheck. Schools need levies to maintain the basics, and rural hospitals are stretched to their limits. People feel squeezed, and the Republican supermajority keeps making things worse.
Over the pastdecade, GOP lawmakers have rewritten our tax code for the wealthy, leaving working families with a higher tax burden and higher costs. Rather than eliminating the sales tax on food or raising homeowners' property tax exemption when home values rise, they flattened the income tax, a move that delivers big gains to the wealthiest people and out-of-state corporate shareholders. Idaho now has one of the most regressive tax structures in the region, meaning the less you earn, the larger the share of your income you pay.
This has only accelerated in recent years. Since 2021, these choices have cost Idahoans more than $4 billion. Beginning this year, the state loses another $1.3 billion annually, nearly a quarter of what Idaho once invested in schools, health care, and infrastructure. And the rewards are tilted sharply upward. The top 1% get an average kickback of $20,407, while a typical Idaho family sees $453.
Families feel the consequences every day. When school funding falls short, property taxes rise, and parents cover more classroom expenses. When Idaho fails to invest in workforce housing, it costs more to put a roof over your head, and workers drive farther to reach the jobs that need them. When child care support erodes, families pay more or leave the workforce entirely. When Medicaid, mental health services, and rural health care are strained, premiums climb, and hospitals and clinics face closure.
Idaho families have already paid an extra $864 this year to cover the same basic costs since Trump returned to office.
The pain does not stop there. The state is running a growing budget deficit, even after deep holdbacks, including gutting mental health services by up to 15%. Instead of restoring even a portion of the revenue they've taken off the table, Republican legislators are preparing to push Idaho off a financial cliff. If our state adopts the federal tax changes, Idaho could forfeit at least $435 million each year.
Some of that cost comes from corporations using new write-offs to deduct investments made outside Idaho. That would force our state to subsidize business activity elsewhere while our own budget falls further behind. Republican leaders should reject this.
Affordability for working families and small businesses should be the goal of every budget choice. Idaho deserves leadership that governs with that simple truth in mind.
***
Original text here: https://idahodems.org/republican-rule-is-making-idaho-less-affordable/
ICYMI: DNC Launches Bilingual Organizing Blitz Ahead of Miami Mayoral Election
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on Nov. 21, 2025:
* * *
ICYMI: DNC Launches Bilingual Organizing Blitz Ahead of Miami Mayoral Election
Yesterday, the DNC announced a new organizing blitz to support Miami mayoral candidate Eileen Higgins ahead of the runoff election on December 9. Under DNC Chair Ken Martin's mission to organize everywhere, the DNC is activating its national volunteer base to participate in GOTV efforts and turn out Miami voters. This is on top of the DNC's monthly investments into Florida's Democratic Party to help build
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on Nov. 21, 2025:
* * *
ICYMI: DNC Launches Bilingual Organizing Blitz Ahead of Miami Mayoral Election
Yesterday, the DNC announced a new organizing blitz to support Miami mayoral candidate Eileen Higgins ahead of the runoff election on December 9. Under DNC Chair Ken Martin's mission to organize everywhere, the DNC is activating its national volunteer base to participate in GOTV efforts and turn out Miami voters. This is on top of the DNC's monthly investments into Florida's Democratic Party to help buildDemocratic power across the state.
The DNC is all-in to elect Eileen Higgins and ensure Miami families have a champion fighting on their behalf, not Donald Trump.
Take a look at some of the coverage below:
Miami Herald: The Democratic National Committee is getting involved in the Miami mayor's race
[Claire Heddles, 11/20/25]
"The Democratic National Committee is 'all-in' on Eileen Higgins in the race for Miami mayor after Donald Trump endorsed her opponent, Emilio Gonzalez.
"The national arm of the Democratic Party -- which doesn't usually get involved in local mayoral races -- is planning to promote the race to its 'national distributed volunteer base' to help turn out voters. The DNC is actively recruiting bilingual volunteers in Miami and plans to host virtual phone banks in support of Higgins. ...
"'Between now and Election Day, the DNC is all-in to elect Eileen Higgins and ensure Miami families have a champion who is fighting for them, not Donald Trump,' DNC Chairman Ken Martin said. ...
"'When you organize everywhere, you can win anywhere -- including here in Florida, where Democrats are fighting to flip Miami's mayorship for the first time in nearly 30 years,' Martin said."
Politico: DNC 'all in' for Democrat in Miami mayor race against Trump-backed Republican
[Kimberly Leonard, 11/20/25]
"The Democratic National Committee is sending reinforcements to help elect a Democrat as Miami's mayor, further nationalizing the race after President Donald Trump endorsed a Republican ally for the job. ...
"'Between now and Election Day, the DNC is all-in to elect Eileen Higgins and ensure Miami families have a champion who is fighting for them, not Donald Trump,' DNC chair Ken Martin said in a statement.
"The DNC is activating its national volunteer base and hosting virtual phone banks in English and Spanish to help turn out voters for Higgins, as well as recruiting and training bilingual voters who'll be on the ground.
"The party didn't say how much it was spending on the effort, but noted Democrats have been investing $22,500 a month into states that are traditionally Republican and making a commitment to build up support in the South. Martin, in a statement, tied Gonzalez to Trump's 'toxic agenda,' citing how 1.5 million Floridians were expected to lose health insurance, most coming from lapsed Obamacare funding Trump opposes reinstating."
Florida Politics: DNC launches bilingual organizing blitz for Miami mayoral runoff as national stakes rise
[Jesse Scheckner, 11/20/25]
"The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is mounting a major push in Miami ahead of the city's Dec. 9 mayoral runoff, announcing a bilingual get-out-the-vote blitz to support former Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins. ...
"In a press note, the DNC outlined a multilayered organizing program to boost Higgins' chances against Emilio Gonzalez, a former Miami City Manager who was on President Donald Trump's 2016 transition team.
"It will include recruiting and training bilingual volunteers, activating the party's national distributed volunteer network, and hosting English- and Spanish-language virtual phone banks aimed at driving turnout among Miami's diverse electorate.
"'When you organize everywhere, you can win anywhere -- including here in Florida, where Democrats are fighting to flip Miami's mayorship for the first time in nearly 30 years,' DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a Thursday statement.
"'The DNC is all-in to elect Eileen Higgins and ensure Miami families have a champion who is fighting for them, not Donald Trump.'"
Politico: Florida Playbook: Stakes raised in Miami
[Kimberly Leonard, 11/20/25]
"The Democratic National Committee is descending on Miami to boost former Miami-Dade County Commissioner EILEEN HIGGINS' bid to be the city's next mayor. The party is activating its national volunteer base and hosting virtual phone banks in English and Spanish to help turn out voters for Higgins, as well as recruiting and training bilingual voters who'll be on the ground. ...
"'Between now and Election Day, the DNC is all-in to elect Eileen Higgins and ensure Miami families have a champion who is fighting for them, not Donald Trump,' DNC chair KEN MARTIN said in a statement."
* * *
Original text here: https://democrats.org/news/icymi-dnc-launches-bilingual-organizing-blitz-ahead-of-miami-mayoral-election/
DNC: Des Moines Register - With Falling Profits, Iowa Farmers Facing 'Extreme Financial Distress,' More Bankruptcies
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on Nov. 21, 2025:
* * *
Des Moines Register: With Falling Profits, Iowa Farmers Facing 'Extreme Financial Distress,' More Bankruptcies
New reporting in the Des Moines Register reveals that while millions of Iowans are struggling due to Trump's failed economic policies and trade wars, Iowa farmers are being hit hardest.
Farmers across the country are facing skyrocketing costs, including rising equipment and fertilizer costs. Farmers are also facing huge increases in health care costs as Republicans refuse
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on Nov. 21, 2025:
* * *
Des Moines Register: With Falling Profits, Iowa Farmers Facing 'Extreme Financial Distress,' More Bankruptcies
New reporting in the Des Moines Register reveals that while millions of Iowans are struggling due to Trump's failed economic policies and trade wars, Iowa farmers are being hit hardest.
Farmers across the country are facing skyrocketing costs, including rising equipment and fertilizer costs. Farmers are also facing huge increases in health care costs as Republicans refuseto extend ACA premium credits that many Iowa farmers rely on. Nationally, 27% of farmers rely on the ACA for health insurance.
In response, DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement:
"On the campaign trail, Donald Trump professed his love for farmers. Now in office, he is kicking aside Iowa's small farmers while rewarding billionaires who have never even set foot in rural America. Our rural agricultural economy is essential to the country, feeding the nation and driving economic output through high-paying jobs. Under Trump, Iowa farm bankruptcies are skyrocketing as small and family farms file for bankruptcy at the fastest rate in five years. While small farmers bear the brunt of Trump's chaotic tariffs, they are bracing for even worse as Trump's billionaire-first budget targets rural hospitals and decimates rural communities. Trump is single-handedly orchestrating a rural recession, with Iowa farmers and consumers paying the price."
Read more below:
Des Moines Register: With Falling Profits, Iowa Farmers Facing 'Extreme Financial Distress,' More Bankruptcies
By Donnelle Eller
* Iowa farmers filed the second-largest number of bankruptcies nationally in the first half of the year, already twice as many as last year and the most since 2021. And Iowa mediators and counselors say they are seeing a rush of farmers struggling with rising financial stress.
* Bankruptcies will likely grow as farmers talk with lenders in the weeks ahead about this year's returns and how to finance next year's crops, farm and bankruptcy experts say. Crop prices are projected to be below or at the costs to grow the crops.
* Total bankruptcies this year grew 18% to 3,140 compared to the same time last year.
* Nationally, 181 farmers have filed for bankruptcy protection in the first two quarters of 2025, nearly 60% more than this time last year, according to U.S. Bankruptcy Court filings. Arkansas led the U.S. with 19 farm bankruptcy filings, followed by Iowa at 16; Georgia, 15; California, 12; and Nebraska, 11.
* Farm groups and experts worry that this downturn could echo the Farm Crisis of the '80s, one of the worst recessions in Iowa's history. During the crisis, falling land values, reduced global markets and high interest rates forced hundreds of farmers into bankruptcy and cut 110,000 jobs across the state at its height. Those included jobs in Iowa's industrial sector, which remains heavily dependent on agriculture.
* In Trump's second term, he's again battling over trade with China, Mexico, Canada and other large buyers of U.S. farm goods, resulting in tit-for-tat tariffs.
* "Farmers are burning through their working capital, and margins are thin or below water, and it continues to chip away very seriously at the equity farmers have built up over the years," Lehman said. "For some farmers, that puts them on the brink."
* And farmers are getting hit with bigger expenses, like rising health-care costs, due in part to the expected expiration of tax credits through the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, Lehman said.
* "You can't just have a conversation about high fertilizer prices or where you project soybean prices will be because of trade uncertainty,' Lehman said. "You also have to look at your health-care insurance premiums that may be doubling in the coming year."
* * *
Original text here: https://democrats.org/news/des-moines-register-with-falling-profits-iowa-farmers-facing-extreme-financial-distress-more-bankruptcies/
