We are 27 days out from Election Day, and the president of the United States is musing about letting Iran wipe out Los Angeles and San Diego.
So yeah, things are going great. Trump’s remarks, made during a campaign speech in Nebraska on Monday night, drew condemnation from members of both parties, including a Republican running in a toss-up district in the San Diego area.
It’s just the latest example of the risk that comes with Republicans campaigning with Trump, who is historically unpopular and continues to defend his war and promote AI data centers while on the campaign stump.
Republicans find themselves in an unenviable dilemma. Trump is toxic among an overwhelming majority of voters, but they cannot completely ditch him, lest they alienate the hardcore MAGA base. The result is what we saw on Monday in Nebraska: cheers from the crowd in the room and somewhere between a facepalm and outright revulsion from most everyone else across the country.
This bind is why Republicans and their allied PACs and special interests are relying on hundreds of millions of dollars in ads and some deceptive tactics to try and prevent a potential drubbing in November.
So far, it doesn’t appear to be working. Polls show Democrats well ahead in Senate races in red states like Alaska, Ohio, and Texas, with states like Kansas, Nebraska, and South Carolina also in toss-up territory.
And based on our local reporting in some of those states and others across the country, their headaches aren’t going away anytime soon.
Turning Point USA caught behind fake ‘Democrats for Biggs’ AI ads
By Sahara Sajjadi, The Copper Courier
“Democrats for Biggs” yard signs across the Phoenix area use an AI-generated photo of a progressive lawmaker who never posed for it, and new reporting shows they’re funded by a group that isn’t Democratic.
This Central Valley candidate took cash from an insurer accused of denying care
By Michelle Zacarias, Courier California
Democratic candidate Randy Villegas is challenging Rep. David Valadao over his corporate donors, including UnitedHealth, which was sued for allegedly using AI to deny seniors’ claims.
The second biggest political ad spender isn’t a PAC. It’s one man in Georgia
By Colleen Hamilton, Courier Georgia
Republican candidate for governor Rick Jackson has spent more on advertising than almost anyone else in the country this midterm cycle.
Weaponizing Faith: Christian Nationalism at the Supreme Court
What’s really happening at the Supreme Court?
Join COURIER and Americans United on October 20 for Weaponizing Faith: Christian Nationalism at the Supreme Court. Featuring Rachel Laser, Stasha M. Rhodes, Michael Podhorzer, and moderator Lisa Graves, this panel uncovers how political allies are reshaping our legal system, and what we must do to reclaim it.
Attend in person at The Milton Theatre in D.C. or watch the live stream online. RSVP today!
The Mike Rogers story no one is telling you
By Kyle Kaminski, The ‘Gander
One of the two people running for US Senate in Michigan spent a decade in Congress as the opioid industry’s favorite lawmaker. We followed the paper trail on Mike Rogers.
Dan Osborn apologizes to Red Cloud after audio leaked remark
By Chase Porter, Courier Nebraska
The Independent candidate for US Senate suggested that lives in Red Cloud, Nebraska “suck so f—king bad” because of Trump in a leaked recording. He hosted a town hall in the community to apologize.
Sununu’s board seat at a shadowy offshore company that went dark draws scrutiny
By Colin Booth, Granite Post
John E. Sununu sat on BlueRiver Acquisition Corp.’s board as the company stopped reporting its finances to the federal government. His campaign’s story about when he left can’t be confirmed.
The one issue uniting Democrats and Republicans in Boulder City
By Lizzie Ramirez, The Nevadan News
An unlikely bipartisan fight is brewing in Boulder City. Attorney General Aaron Ford met with with local residents on Oct. 4 to address growing pushback against proposed data centers.
Bresnahan campaigned against higher costs in 2024. Then he voted for the Iran war 6 times
By Sean Kitchen, The Keystone
Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-Luzerne) warned about affordability, rising gas prices, and foreign intervention before the 2024 election, and then voted six times for the Iran war.
Ken Paxton campaigns with Republican who called women ‘fat bi*ches’ and children ‘c*m trophies’
By Brian McManus, Courier Texas
Brandon Herrera has described women as “fat bitches,” children as “cum trophies,” and mocked the epidemic of veteran suicide. Last week, he shared a stage with Ken Paxton.
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Sigh.