Morning Headlines
- Arizona Republican Governor Doug Ducey endorsed lawyer Karrin Taylor Robson over TV Anchor Kari Lake in the Arizona GOP Governor Primary. This sets up a proxy war between Ducey and Donald Trump, who endorsed Lake. Lake has run almost entirely on former President Donald Trump’s claim that the 2020 election was stolen, even calling it “disqualifying” for Robson not to believe the election was stolen. Although it recently looked like Lake would run away with the Republican Primary, just like Doug Mastriano did in Pennsylvania, Arizona Republicans have rallied around Robson in an effort to stop Lake. Former US GOP Congressman Matt Salmon also dropped out of the primary and endorsed Robson recently, hoping to consolidate their support against Lake. Given that Trump is still reeling after losses in the NE and GA Gov Primaries, he will closely be watching the AZ Gov results on August 2nd.
- Donald Trump also weighed in on the Missouri GOP Senate Primary, surprisingly telling voters to scorn Rep. Vicky Hartzler and “forget” about her. He claimed that Hartzler does not have what it takes to become a GOP Senator from Missouri and take on the radical left but did not endorse either of Hartzler’s top competitors, Attorney General Eric Schmitt or former Governor Eric Greitens. Greitens is an extremely controversial candidate, given he was previously forced to resign as Governor of Missouri after allegations of sexual assault and domestic abuse by multiple women. Greitens has faced serious resistance from Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, who has said that Greitens “belongs in handcuffs, not in the US Senate” and worried that if the GOP nominated Greitens, they could hand the seat over to Democrats. But some in Trump’s inner circle have backed Greitens, who they see as the “most MAGA” candidate, including former Trump advisor Kimberley Guilfoyle.
- Two Democratic Senators tested positive for COVID as Democrats scramble to pass legislation in what could be their last 7 months boasting a federal trifecta for decades. Senators Chuck Schumer (NY) and Richard Blumenthal (CT) tested positive, reducing the Democrats’ working majority in the Senate to 48. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) is also recovering from hip surgery, reducing Democratic day-to-day ranks. Democrats hope to pass a reconciliation package, specifically targeting reducing prescription drug prices. This reconciliation bill would include a slight tax increase, which Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) has previously opposed.
- Former Democratic member of Congress, Dan Lipinski, will announce whether he is running today (as an independent) in the IL-06 general election. This would complicate the race, which is currently just between incumbent Democrat Sean Casten and Republican Challenger Keith Pekau. Elections Daily rates IL-06 as Lean D, but Lipinski’s entry could shake things up. Lipinski was one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress, serving as a member of the Blue Dog Caucus and publically identifying as pro-life. In 2020, he was defeated by progressive Marie Newman in a Democratic Primary. Newman was defeated by Casten last month after they were double-bunked through the creation of a new Hispanic opportunity district by Illinois Democrats. Although Lipinski is a former Democrat, his criticism of the far-left could mean that he could draw more support from Pekau than Casten.
Upcoming Elections
| Tues July 19 | Maryland Primary |
| MS State House 119 Special General | |
| Tues July 26 | Charlotte, NC mayoral general (rescheduled from 2021) |
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| Tues Aug 2 | Arizona Primary |
| Kansas Primary | |
| KS No Right to Abortion in Constitutional Amendment | |
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| Thurs Aug 4 | Tennessee Primary |