Politics, Parties, Candidates
Here's a look at documents from politicians, candidates and interested parties
Featured Stories
N.C. Democratic Party: High Point Mayor Slams Michael Whatley For Backing Furniture Industry-Crushing Tariffs
RALEIGH, North Carolina, Nov. 25 -- The North Carolina Democratic Party issued the following news:
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High Point Mayor Slams Michael Whatley For Backing Furniture Industry-Crushing Tariffs
High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson blasted DC insider Michael Whatley for championing tariffs that are hurting North Carolina's legendary furniture industry.
As tariffs drive up costs and threaten jobs, Whatley called them "record setting in terms of [...] effectiveness" and said he "wholeheartedly" supports them.
Mayor Cyril Jefferson: "As we see those rising costs, demand goes down, because consumers
... Show Full Article
RALEIGH, North Carolina, Nov. 25 -- The North Carolina Democratic Party issued the following news:
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High Point Mayor Slams Michael Whatley For Backing Furniture Industry-Crushing Tariffs
High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson blasted DC insider Michael Whatley for championing tariffs that are hurting North Carolina's legendary furniture industry.
As tariffs drive up costs and threaten jobs, Whatley called them "record setting in terms of [...] effectiveness" and said he "wholeheartedly" supports them.
Mayor Cyril Jefferson: "As we see those rising costs, demand goes down, because consumersfeel like they have choices to make. They're competing with rising costs across the board [...] The leadership of folks like Michael Whatley, who have 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."
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Original text here: https://www.ncdp.org/media/new-high-point-mayor-slams-michael-whatley-for-backing-furniture-industry-crushing-tariffs/
Trump Lapdog Mike Lawler Falls in Line, Endorses "Ultra MAGA" Elise Stefanik for Governor
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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Trump Lapdog Mike Lawler Falls in Line, Endorses "Ultra MAGA" Elise Stefanik for Governor
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Today, notorious Trump lapdog Mike Lawler rolled over on command and endorsed Elise Stefanik for New York Governor - a full circle embarrassment for the guy who spent more than a year desperately teasing a statewide run and who still fundamentally believes he is "best positioned to take on Kathy Hochul."
Before chickening out of a statewide loss, Lawler himself admitted that Stefanik was
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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Trump Lapdog Mike Lawler Falls in Line, Endorses "Ultra MAGA" Elise Stefanik for Governor
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Today, notorious Trump lapdog Mike Lawler rolled over on command and endorsed Elise Stefanik for New York Governor - a full circle embarrassment for the guy who spent more than a year desperately teasing a statewide run and who still fundamentally believes he is "best positioned to take on Kathy Hochul."
Before chickening out of a statewide loss, Lawler himself admitted that Stefanik wastoo extreme to win in New York, telling Sid Rosenberg that "you can't win a statewide election in New York just by pounding your chest and saying that you're the most MAGA candidate."
But Lawler's embrace of Elise Stefanik isn't just embarrassing - it's dangerous. Stefanik's record is as extreme as they come, and by endorsing her, Lawler is selling out New Yorkers and supporting her toxic record of:
* Supporting a lawsuit to overturn the 2020 election, voting against certifying Biden's electoral votes, and promoting baseless election lies.
* Downplaying Trump's role in the January 6 insurrection, calling the insurrectionists "hostages," and refusing to commit to certifying the 2024 election results.
* Backing a national abortion ban, voting against access to IVF, and saying she does not support birth control.
* Supporting the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and calling for ending Social Security and Medicare as we know them.
DCCC Spokesperson Riya Vashi :
"Mike Lawler will toss New Yorkers aside in a heartbeat if it keeps him in Donald Trump's good graces. From enabling Trump's extreme agenda to backing his dangerous 'Ultra MAGA' ally in New York for Governor, Mike Lawler keeps reminding Hudson Valley voters exactly who he works for and it's certainly not them."
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Original text here: https://dccc.org/trump-lapdog-mike-lawler-falls-in-line-endorses-ultra-maga-elise-stefanik-for-governor/
DGA Statement on the Florida Republican Gubernatorial Primary
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 -- The Democratic Governors Association posted the following news:
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DGA Statement on the Florida Republican Gubernatorial Primary
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Today, Democratic Governors Association spokesperson Kevin Donohoe released the following statement on Florida's Republican gubernatorial primary:
"Florida's GOP primary is set to be a nasty and chaotic civil war that will damage whoever is the Republican nominee. Republicans have turned Florida into the 49th least affordable state in the country and now all they are offering voters is infighting and a nasty race to the right."
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Original
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 -- The Democratic Governors Association posted the following news:
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DGA Statement on the Florida Republican Gubernatorial Primary
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Today, Democratic Governors Association spokesperson Kevin Donohoe released the following statement on Florida's Republican gubernatorial primary:
"Florida's GOP primary is set to be a nasty and chaotic civil war that will damage whoever is the Republican nominee. Republicans have turned Florida into the 49th least affordable state in the country and now all they are offering voters is infighting and a nasty race to the right."
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Originaltext here: https://democraticgovernors.org/updates/dga-statement-on-the-florida-republican-gubernatorial-primary/
BREAKING: Complaint Filed Against Tano Tijerina for Allegedly Violating Campaign Law
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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BREAKING: Complaint Filed Against Tano Tijerina for Allegedly Violating Campaign Law
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Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina is in the hot seat with new allegations that he violated federal campaign law.
New reporting from Laredo Morning Times reveals a complaint was filed against Tijerina last Friday alleging that he is lying about the status of his candidacy. Rather than following the law and stepping down from his judicial position to run for higher office, Tijerina is hiding under
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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BREAKING: Complaint Filed Against Tano Tijerina for Allegedly Violating Campaign Law
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Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina is in the hot seat with new allegations that he violated federal campaign law.
New reporting from Laredo Morning Times reveals a complaint was filed against Tijerina last Friday alleging that he is lying about the status of his candidacy. Rather than following the law and stepping down from his judicial position to run for higher office, Tijerina is hiding underthe guise of an "exploratory committee" in order to keep his job - and his cushy $126,000 salary.
As the complaint filer aptly notes: "If Judge Tijerina is willing to disregard federal election law requirements before even announcing his candidacy, it raises serious concerns about how he would conduct himself if elected to federal office."
DCCC Spokesperson Madison Andrus :
"The last thing South Texans need in Congress is another shameless politician who refuses to follow the rules. Voters deserve a representative who is committed to public service -not someone who games the system for their own benefit."
Read more:
Laredo Morning Times: Complaint filed accusing Judge Tijerina of violating federal campaign law
* A federal complaint was filed with the Federal Election Commission, alleging Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina violated federal campaign law.
* The complaint alleges Tijerina has attempted to avoid the state's resign-to-run law by falsely operating under an "exploratory committee" while running for Congress.
* "As someone who has taught ethics and decision making at Northern Kentucky University and worked as a journalist, I strongly believe transparency is a non-negotiable," Martinez said. "A candidate who is evading that transparency obligation now undermines public trust and suggests a troubling pattern of behavior that may continue once in office.
* "If Judge Tijerina is willing to disregard federal election law requirements before even announcing his candidacy, it raises serious concerns about how he would conduct himself if elected to federal office."
* The resign-to-run law in Texas requires local officeholders to automatically resign their post if they become a candidate for another office with more than one year and 30 days remaining in their current term.
* The complaint alleges Tijerina has already decided to run and provides evidence intended to support the claim. The complaint states, "Judge Tijerina's congressional campaign remains under the guise of an exploratory committee not because he is legitimately testing the waters, but because he does not want to face the state-law consequences of declaring his candidacy."
* The complaint cites an interview with a Houston radio station during which Tijerina said, "the reason why I have an exploratory committee [is] because there's a resign to run clause in the state of Texas, which I wish there wasn't one... so December 1st I will be able to publicly come out and without the exploratory."
* It also cited a post on X on July 30, when Tijerina responded to a post featuring an image of Texas' proposed new congressional map with a series of eyeball emojis and an image of himself coming out of a corral. On Oct. 30, he reposted an Instagram story from Daisy Campos that said, "As hard as it is to let him go as a Boss! It's exciting to witness the greater things he will do in Congress."
* If the $5,000 threshold was reached by or before the Oct. 29 fundraiser, then the filing deadline would have been Nov. 13.
* Based on these factors, the complaint is requesting the FEC investigate whether Tijerina violated the resign-to-run law and determine the exact date his candidacy began. It also requests that, if a violation occurred, the FEC issue a fine up to the maximum amount allowable by law.
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Original text here: https://dccc.org/breaking-complaint-filed-against-tano-tijerina-for-allegedly-violating-campaign-law/
Amir Hassan Won't Stand Up to Criminals
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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Amir Hassan Won't Stand Up to Criminals
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"American Journal News asked Republican House candidates in Michigan, Iowa, and Ohio if they would have supported the [Epstein files release] measure. None provided on-the-record responses."
Even after his party bosses " reversed course," Amir Hassan is staying silent rather than tell Michiganders where he stands on the Epstein file release.
Hassan was asked if he would have supported the measure to release the Epstein files, but he is
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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Amir Hassan Won't Stand Up to Criminals
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"American Journal News asked Republican House candidates in Michigan, Iowa, and Ohio if they would have supported the [Epstein files release] measure. None provided on-the-record responses."
Even after his party bosses " reversed course," Amir Hassan is staying silent rather than tell Michiganders where he stands on the Epstein file release.
Hassan was asked if he would have supported the measure to release the Epstein files, but he is" staying mum " and did not " provid[e] on the record responses " to questions.
DCCC Spokesperson Katie Smith :
"Amir Hassan's silence tells Michiganders all they need to know: he can't bring himself to speak out against criminals, much less push for transparency and accountability. Hassan won't stand up to his party bosses."
American Journal: House GOP candidates stay silent on releasing Epstein files
* The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to release Justice Department files related to the investigation of sex predator Jeffrey Epstein, but some Republicans who want to join Congress are staying mum on whether they would have voted the same way.
* American Journal News asked Republican House candidates in Michigan, Iowa, and Ohio if they would have supported the measure. None provided on-the-record responses.
* Inquiries were sent to MI-8 candidates Amir Hassan, MI-10 candidates Mike Bouchard Jr. and Robert Lulgjuraj, IA-2 candidates Joe Mitchell and Charlie McClintock, OH-9 candidates Josh Williams, Derek Merrin, and Alea Nadeem, and OH-1 candidate Eric Conroy.
* President Donald Trump fought against releasing the files, but abruptly reversed course on Sunday night...
* It is widely speculated that Trump, who was a close friend of Epstein, is somehow implicated in the investigation. Reporter Michael Wolff claims Epstein kept photos of Trump cavorting with young, bikini-clad girls in his personal safe. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel refused to say if such photos exist when questioned by Senate Democrats.
* Trump has been accused of sexual misconduct by at least 28 women. Last year, a court found him liable for sexual abuse in a civil suit brought by writer E. Jean Carroll, who says Trump raped her in a department store dressing room in 1996.
* A PBS/Marist survey from last month found that 61% of voters want all of the Epstein files released. Another 13% say the files should be partially released.
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Original text here: https://dccc.org/amir-hassan-wont-stand-up-to-criminals/
"The 1st District is in Play" - Reporting Highlights How Congressman Rob Wittman is More Vulnerable Than Ever
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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"The 1st District is in Play" - Reporting Highlights How Congressman Rob Wittman is More Vulnerable Than Ever
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Virginian-Pilot : "For the first time in recent memory, Virginia's 1st Congressional District may be 'in play' for Democrats"
New reporting from The Virginian-Pilot highlights how after nearly two decades in Washington, vulnerable Congressman Rob Wittman is facing the toughest race of his career.
VCU political science professor Alex Keena tells the Pilot that "the 1st
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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"The 1st District is in Play" - Reporting Highlights How Congressman Rob Wittman is More Vulnerable Than Ever
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Virginian-Pilot : "For the first time in recent memory, Virginia's 1st Congressional District may be 'in play' for Democrats"
New reporting from The Virginian-Pilot highlights how after nearly two decades in Washington, vulnerable Congressman Rob Wittman is facing the toughest race of his career.
VCU political science professor Alex Keena tells the Pilot that "the 1stDistrict is in play," citing Governor-elect Spanberger's victory within the boundaries of Wittman's district and growing support for Democrats in the Richmond suburbs.
Read key details from the Pilot for yourself:
* Virginia's 1st Congressional District could be in play for Democrats for the first time in recent history headed into the 2026 midterm elections.
* Represented by Republican Rob Wittman, the district saw a surge of Democratic support Nov. 4. Across the board, Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger performed better than Leslie Mehta, Wittman's 2024 Democratic challenger.
* Of note, Spanberger flipped James City County, which had narrowly gone for Wittman in 2024. She won with 55.3% of the vote there. Spanberger also eked out a 50.1% victory in York County, which Wittman won handily, and performed well in the Richmond suburbs, winning Chesterfield County with 58.7% of the vote. Four years ago, Gov. Glenn Youngkin won the county with 51.8%.
* Even in deep-red Poquoson, Spanberger picked up seven percentage points over Mehta, gaining 29.7% of the vote there.
* "It says that the 1st District is in play," Alex Keena, an associate professor of political science at Virginia Commonwealth University, said of the recent election results...
* That's not a fluke, Keena said. Democrats have been performing better in Virginia over the past decade and a half. Part of that has to do with population growth in areas like the suburbs around Richmond, which generally favors Democrats.
* The 1st District currently stretches from the Richmond suburbs, encompassing parts of Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover, down toward the Middle Peninsula, including Williamsburg, James City County and York. It includes all or part of 18 counties in total.
* Wittman is now serving his 10th term [...]
* A spokesperson for Wittman did not respond to multiple requests for comment [...]
* Last week, the Cook Political Report moved its rating of the 1st District to "lean Republican" from "likely Republican." It also changed its rating of the 2nd District, which includes much of Hampton Roads, from "lean Republican" to "toss up."
* Nationally, Democrats are projecting confidence about Virginia's 1st and 2nd districts.
* "With the exception of Winsome Earle-Sears, nobody had a worse night than Jen Kiggans and Rob Wittman," Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Eli Cousin said in a statement. "The writing is on the wall: They will lose next November."
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Original text here: https://dccc.org/the-1st-district-is-in-play-reporting-highlights-how-congressman-rob-wittman-is-more-vulnerable-than-ever/
"It Will Be Tight": ACA Premiums Skyrocket for Valley Families Thanks to Valadao
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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"It Will Be Tight": ACA Premiums Skyrocket for Valley Families Thanks to Valadao
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As Republicans' health care crisis worsens, Central Valley families are set to see their health insurance premiums skyrocket next year, with the average Californian expected to pay 97% more without enhanced tax credits.
While David Valadao sits back and lets Affordable Care Act tax credits expire next month, over 1.5 million Californians are being forced to pay the price.
Central Valley residents
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
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"It Will Be Tight": ACA Premiums Skyrocket for Valley Families Thanks to Valadao
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As Republicans' health care crisis worsens, Central Valley families are set to see their health insurance premiums skyrocket next year, with the average Californian expected to pay 97% more without enhanced tax credits.
While David Valadao sits back and lets Affordable Care Act tax credits expire next month, over 1.5 million Californians are being forced to pay the price.
Central Valley residentsand medical professionals are the ones feeling the pain. A barber in Fresno explained that his insurance will more than triple: "It was $44 per month before, and now I'm going to pay $140...it will be tight."
The head of Covered California said she's already heard from retirees, young adults, and small business owners "uncertain if they can continue to make it on their own with the higher cost of coverage."
DCCC Spokesperson Anna Elsasser:
"Yet another example of David Valadao putting Central Valley families last. Rather than making life more affordable, Republicans are committed to draining the pockets of working families."
Read more:
The Merced Focus: Covered California enrollment's open. But without a tax credits extension, will thousands in the Valley be unable to pay?
* Fresno barber Juan Gonzalez expects to pay more than three times more for health insurance coverage through Covered California than he did in 2025 because federal tax credits that help subsidize the cost of his monthly premiums are set to expire at the end of December.
* "It was $44 per month before, and now I'm going to pay $140," Gonzalez [said]...at a Clinica Sierra Vista health clinic in south Fresno.
* "It will depend on the income I earn every month...it will be tight."
* Gonzalez is among about almost 185,000 lower-income San Joaquin Valley residents - and nearly 2 million statewide - who, with the aid of the tax credits, purchase health insurance through Covered California.
* "I have already heard from retirees facing the highest premium increases in the state, from parents who are juggling medical bills and other bills in their life, from young adults considering going without insurance, and small business owners uncertain if they can continue to make it on their own with the higher cost of coverage " [Covered California Executive Director Jessica] Altman said.
* Democrats in Congress have been pushing throughout 2025 for the credits to be extended, but President Donald Trump and Republicans in the Senate and House of Representatives have resisted those efforts. The struggle over the credits was one of the key points of contention in a shutdown of the federal government that lasted for more than 40 days.
* In San Joaquin Valley counties, from Stockton in the north to Bakersfield in the south, about 202,000 people were enrolled as members of Covered California as of July. Of those, about 91% have their costs at least partially subsidized by tax credits.
* "My biggest concern is that patients are not going to be able to afford Covered California. They're not going to be able to qualify for Medi-Cal, so they're going to be in limbo in between those options. They're not going to get the coverage that they need, and they're going to delay their care." - Dr. Olga Meave, CEO of Clinica Sierra Vista health clinics in Fresno and Kern counties
* "It makes no sense to increase the cost of access to care, because we - I mean taxpayers - are going to pay a lot more," she added. "What could have cost $100 is going to cost thousands of dollars, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. One night in the hospital is probably more than the whole premium for a year."
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Original text here: https://dccc.org/it-will-be-tight-aca-premiums-skyrocket-for-valley-families-thanks-to-valadao/
