Happy Friday and thank you for checking in with the DDHQ Morning News Spotlight. We here at DDHQ want to make sure to keep you informed, not fool you. So today we kindly remind you to beware of April Fools’ Day. Good luck, and have a great weekend everyone.
Morning Headlines
- A New York judge has struck down the state’s new congressional and state legislative maps calling them unconstitutional gerrymanders. The maps would have given Democrats a hefty advantage for the next decade, but now have to be redrawn and “receive sufficient bipartisan support” by April 11. If the state fails to do so, the court said it will retain a neutral party to draw the maps for the state.
- A federal judge has ruled that multiple parts of a Florida voting law passed last year are unconstitutional. The judge stated that the intent of the law was to discriminate against black voters and that the right to vote was under siege. The ruling also bars the state from passing any further voting laws without approval from the court for the next 10 years.
- Pennsylvania Democratic US Senate candidate John Fetterman announced yesterday that he will not be joining fellow candidates US Rep. Conor Lamb and state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta for their debate on Sunday. The Lt. Governor’s campaign has said he will participate in three other televised debates this year. A poll released yesterday showed Fetterman with a double-digit lead over Lamb, with most voters still undecided. Lamb took yesterday as an opportunity to escalate his attacks on the Lt. Governor.
- The Senate is nearing a deal on a $10 billion covid relief bill. Republican Senators Blunt, Burr, Graham, and Romney have all been key to the negotiation process. Many Democrats have expressed displeasure with the concessions that have been made, including the omission of funds for a global vaccination effort.
- Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he will be voting “no” on the confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. This does not come as a surprise to those who closely watched the confirmation hearings. Senator Graham did support her nomination to a lower court last year. This will be the first time he has voted “no” on a Supreme Court nominee. Currently, Senator Susan Collins is the only Republican who has indicated she will support the nomination.
- Top Senate Democrats are pushing back on the Biden Administration for plans to lift a pandemic order barring certain migrants from entering the country. Most notable among those pushing back is Senator Mark Kelly who faces a tough reelection campaign this year in Arizona. Other Democrats fear what this could mean for them in the midterms as well.
- The House Oversight Committee has reportedly expanded their investigation into the Washington Commanders football team to include their financial dealings. The committee was initially investigating the team for its handling of widespread sexual harassment in the workplace. A spokesman for the team says they are not aware of any investigation by the committee into financial matters.
- ICYMI: Check out the latest episode of Elections Weekly where they discuss the latest redistricting news and much more.
Upcoming Elections
| Tues April 5 | GA State House 45 Special General |
| PA State House 19 Special General | |
| PA State House 24 Special General | |
| PA State House 116 Special General | |
| Milwaukee, WI Mayoral Special General | |
| CA US House 22 Special Primary | |
| CA State Assembly 11 Special Primary | |
| CA State Assembly 62 Special Primary | |
| CA State Assembly 80 Special Primary | |
| Thurs April 7 | NY State Assembly 20 Special Election |
| Tues April 19 | CA State Assembly 17 Special General |