Democrats trying to unseat each other

[lpetrich]

Marianne Williamson on Twitter: "I have an announcement to make. Please watch. https://t.co/Khq4t4ViDk" / Twitter
Though she respects Nancy Pelosi's achievement of being a female politician who became the first female House Speaker, she nevertheless considers NP too corporatist, and for that reason, she endorses her challenger in the main election.
Shahid Buttar for Congress on Twitter: "I’m very grateful for @marwilliamson’s endorsement, as well as her inspiring voice on the national stage.
We need more compassion in our politics.
We express it by advocating for our communities’ needs—including universal healthcare, and climate, economic & racial justice." / Twitter

Seems like SB is getting more visibility.

In the primary, NP won 74.0%, SB was second at 13.0%, and the rest were at 7.7%, 2.0%, 1.8%, and 1.5%.

In 2018, NP won 68.5%, Republican Lisa Remmer was second at 9.1%, SB was third at 8.5%, and the rest 5.9%, 4.6%, 2.0%, and 1.4%.
Then NP won 86.8%, LR 13.2%

In 2016, NP won 78.1%, Independent Preston Picus 7.7%, and the rest 7.6% and 6.6%.
Then NP won 80.9%, PP 19.1%.

In 2014, NP won 73.6%, Republican John Dennis 11.9%, and the rest 5.7%, 3.5%, 1.9%, 1.4%, 1.2%, and 0.8%
Then NP won 83.3%, JD 16.7%.

In 2012, NP won 74.9%, JD 13.6%, and the rest 5.4%, 3.1%, 1.8%, and 1.3%.
Then NP won 85%, JD 14.9%.

The elections before that were before CA's adoption of a top-two runoff or two-ballot system. NP's vote fractions:

2010 80.1%, 2008 71.9%, 2006 80.4%, 2004 82.9%, 2002 79.6%, 2000 84.4%, 1998 85.8%, 1996 84.3%, 1994 81.8%, 1992 82.5%, 1990 77.2%, 1988 76.4%.

Sources: 2020 NYT, before that Ballotpedia.

 

[lpetrich]

NY Rep. Eliot Engel 'completely lost touch' amid coronavirus: challenger

Veteran New York Rep. Eliot Engel could be setting himself up to be the next Joe Crowley — who was toppled from out of nowhere by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in 2018 — by social distancing from his own coronavirus-stricken district.

Despite facing his fiercest primary challenge in some time and his Bronx-Westchester district being home to New York’s first coronavirus outbreak in New Rochelle, Engel hasn’t set foot in the Empire State since at least March 27, a report said Thursday.

That's Jamaal Bowman, and the district is NY-16.

Kwatra said that Engel’s straying from home left him vulnerable to a potential primary upset not unlike the stunner Ocasio-Cortez pulled off in 2018 over longtime incumbent Crowley — in the Bronx-Queens district that borders on Engel’s.

“She did a lot of things well and built a playbook for a lot of upstart progressive challengers,” said Kwatra of AOC. “This tactic of identifying your local longtime representative as being out of touch is Campaigning 101.”

JB on him:

“In the middle of the worst crisis to hit our community in generations, Eliot Engel is not even in the district,” said Bowman, who is running on a platform emphasizing education. “If that’s not taking us for granted, then I don’t know what is.

“After 31 years in Congress, Eliot Engel has completely lost touch, and it’s time for him to go.”

 

[lpetrich]

Johnny Verhovek on Twitter: ".@AOC statement on @karaforcongress’ win in #NE02 tonight: “A progressive can and will flip NE-2. I hope Democratic leaders across the country give the race the attention it deserves.” https://t.co/DgjeJj07vu" / Twitter

Jackson Heights, Queens - Today,
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) released the following statement congratulating Kara Eastman on winning the Democratic Primary for Nebraska's Second Congressional District.

"In 2018, Kara came within just 2 points of defeating the incumbent Republican. Tonight's resounding victory proves she's built a strong operation and has the momentum to win it all this year. A progressive can and will flip NE-2. I hope Democratic leaders across the country give the race the attention it deserves."

Kennedy holds 6-point lead over Markey in Massachusetts Senate primary: poll | TheHill - from March 1

Massachusetts Rep. Joe Kennedy (D) holds a six-point lead over longtime incumbent Sen. Ed Markey (D) in the Bay State's Democratic Senate primary, according to a Suffolk University/WBZ/Boston Globe survey released on Sunday.

Forty-two percent of voters said they supported Kennedy, while 36 percent backed Markey in the poll, which has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.

Around 28 percent of voters said they were "undecided" on if they believed Markey should be reelected, while 19 percent said they were "undecided" on the senator's job performance.

then
Ed Markey on Twitter: "When @AOC first entered Congress, she joined with @sunrisemvmt activists protesting in the Capitol. She was willing to stand up for what was right, no matter the risks. I knew then that I would have a powerful ally in this fight and I am forever grateful for her support." / Twitter
That's the Sunrise Movement

 

[lpetrich]

Ocasio-Cortez Takes Aim at Crowley and Kennedy For Challenge to Green New Deal Co-Champion Ed Markey | Common Dreams News - 2019 Oct 8

"While Ed Markey is fighting for the Green New Deal in the Senate, Joe Kennedy is getting campaign support from Crowley hosting a high-dollar fundraiser on October 15th," Ocasio-Cortez's team wrote in an appeal for donations that would be split between her and Markey.

"Joe Kennedy thinks that with the backing of the establishment and the old guard of the Democratic Party that he can beat a progressive champion for justice," Ocasio-Cortez added. "Let's show Kennedy that he's wrong."

That's Joe Crowley, the 10-term incumbent whom she defeated.

According to the invitation, hosts for the fund-raiser are asked to give $5,600 to Kennedy's campaign—the maximum amount an individual can give for the primary and general election, combined. The invitation asks "co-hosts" to pony up $2,800, "supporters" to give $1,000; and "friends" to contribute $500.

...
Crowley is not just the guy whom AOC beat; he is now senior policy advisor at Squire Patton Boggs, a powerful D.C. lobbying firm that represents large corporations such as oil company Royal Dutch Shell, Management and Training Corp.—the third largest private prison company in the U.S.—and insurer UnitedHealth Group.

So it's AOC's candidate vs. Joe Crowley's candidate.

 

[lpetrich]

Melanie D'Arrigo makes a nice statement her opponent's big-money connections.
Melanie D'Arrigo for Congress on Twitter: "I'm running for Congress to be a champion for the people ...

I'm running for Congress to be a champion for the people — that's why I'm corporate

Rep. Tom Suozzi is a champion for lobbyists — that's why he's been asked to inspire more of them... seriously.

<thread>

Rep. Suozzi will be a guest speaker at a day of action for the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. This lobbying group has spent over $3 mil this election cycle to "advocate for a positive legislative and regulatory environment."

It should come as no surprise that Rep. Suozzi ranks as a top recipient of NAIFA's lobbying efforts.

Since entering Congress in 2017, Rep. Tom Suozzi has taken $388,200 just from corporate PACs representing those industries (not including Super PACS)

Do you want to learn why the #COVID19 stimulus packages passed by Congress overwhelmingly benefit corporations instead of meeting the needs of American families?

There's a panel for that.

We’ve seen the response from a Congress beholden to lobbyists fail to meet the needs of Americans with one corporate bailout after another.

To be a guest speaker and promote the agenda of the same lobbyists fighting against our interests is not just tone-deaf, it's appalling.

Tom: "So I can win campaigns against the people you're supporting"

Tom doesn't take corporate to beat Republicans, but to beat #DownBallotProgressives fighting against corporate influence.

Corporate-funded politicians know they can't win without a rigged system.

Rep. Suozzi is a champion for lobbyists, speaking at their days of action.

I'm running for Congress to #putpeoplefirst and rejecting corporate money.

The only way to beat a corrupt system is to support #DownBallotProgressives and vote.

<end>

MDA linked to Natl Assn/Insurance & Financial Advisors: Recipients | OpenSecrets and inlined an image with this text:

LOBBYING FROM THE LIVING ROOM: ADAPTING ADVOCACY EFFORTS TO COVID-19

Hear from senior government relations professionals about how 2020 state and federal legislative priorities abruptly changed, and how the industry rallied to meet the short-term and long-term policy objectives created by the pandemic in a teleworking environment.

Corporate Leaders Panel

 

[lpetrich]

Ro Khanna Backs Nabilah Islam, Dubbed AOC of Atlanta, in Contested Georgia Primary - 2020 Feb 7

Georgia 7th: AOC backs Nabilah Islam’s bid for Congress
She

... was drawn to Islam’s campaign because her “working-class background provides her with unique insight into what Americans go through on a regular basis.”

“Nabilah is not afraid to fight against the status quo,” said Ocasio-Cortez. “We need more voices like Nabilah’s in Congress.”

...
In a statement, Islam credited Ocasio-Cortez within helping shape her decision to campaign for the seat by showing it was “possible to run for office and be unabashedly myself.”

The pandemic, she added, offers a reminder that different policies are needed for marginalized communities in the district, a once-solidly Republican territory that’s now home to fast growing numbers of black, Asian and Latino residents.

“We cannot afford a Congress that only fights for half measures during a full crisis,” she said

Georgia's primary elections are coming up in June 9. There is a big batch of them coming up on that date, and also on June 2.


Progressives thought they'd overtaken the Democratic Party. Now they're in despair. - POLITICO - "A string of losses this spring, highlighted by Bernie Sanders, has left the movement reeling."

 

[lpetrich]

Ocasio-Cortez endorses progressive Democrat in Georgia congressional primary | TheHill

Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Nabilah Islam in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, praising the candidate for petitioning the Federal Election Commission to let her use campaign funds to purchase health insurance.

“When I first heard Nabilah’s story it resonated with me deeply,” Ocasio-Cortez said in the endorsement. “Nabilah’s working-class background provides her with unique insight into what Americans go through on a regular basis.”

...
“Her commitment to lifting working people and communities of color is what inspired our Courage to Change PAC to support her,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “Nabilah is not afraid to fight against the status quo. We need more voices like Nabilah’s in Congress.”

AOC joins Ro Khanna and Ilhan Omar in endorsing her. AOC's Courage to Change PAC will be supporting her.

Islam said she is “beyond humbled” to receive the endorsement from the PAC and the congresswomen. She said Ocasio-Cortez, who unseated a longtime Democratic incumbent when she won in 2018, was a “huge influence” on her decision to run.

“She showed me it was possible to run for office and be unabashedly myself,” Islam said.

Islam said the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that the country needs “leaders who are prepared to fight for marginalized communities.”

“We cannot afford a Congress that only fights for half measures during a full crisis. I look forward to repairing our country with Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez,” Islam added.

 

[lpetrich]

A Trump-Friendly, Anti-AOC Democrat Is Poised to Win a New York House Seat—With Some Help From the Pandemic

New York's 15th congressional district, with Yankee Stadium at its heart, is home to some of the country's poorest and most diverse people, an Obama oasis bordering AOC's neighborhood—and yet it is on the verge of electing a Trump-loving Democrat for its open seat in the House.

That Democrat is Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr., a flamboyant, cowboy hat-wearing New York City councilman who immediately distinguished his views when he announced his run in 2019, saying "I am the opposite of AOC in the South Bronx."

And that has national Democrats, opponents and progressives like Planned Parenthood and LGBT groups in a panic because the 77-year-old minister has a history of making inflammatory statements about homosexuals and strongly opposes abortion because of his religious beliefs.

"He would instantly become Donald Trump's favorite New York congressman," strategist Eric Koch of anti-Diaz super PAC Bronx United told Newsweek, adding that Diaz Sr. would be an unreliable Democratic vote in the House caucus.
Ads by scrollerads.com

To complicate matters, he has a son, Ruben Diaz Jr., who is his namesake and a Bronx borough president many call the most popular politician in the borough. Diaz Jr. is regularly asked to comment on his father's actions, as he did disapprovingly when Diaz Sr. invited Senator Ted Cruz to visit the Bronx, but the consensus is that his son is a political plus for the reverend.

He compensates for that by having great constituent services and being very generous - well before the coronavirus arrived.

Among his opponents is Ritchie Torres, and he has raised 6 times as much money, and he has $800,000 more cash in hand, according to the latest FEC filing.

It's a crowded field, with these candidates:

Frangell Basora, Michael Blake, Ruben Diaz, Mark Escoffery-Bey, Samelys Lopez, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Chivona Newsome, Julio Pabon, Tomas Ramos, Ydanis Rodriguez, Marlene Tapper, Ritchie Torres

These candidates have dropped out of the Democratic race: David Philip Franks Jr. (Write-in), Eric Stevenson, Jonathan Ortiz, Marlene Cintron

These candidates had no primary challengers, and they will compete in the main election: Orlando Molina (Republican), Patrick Delices (Conservative Party), Kenneth Schaeffer (Working Families Party)


Of the Democratic candidates, my progressive-candidate spreadsheet has this count of endorsements: Samelys Lopez 5, Tomas Ramos 3, Melissa Mark-Viverito 1

From the FEC, I get these numbers: Ritchie Torres $1,273,372.70, Michael Blake $599,868.64, Melissa Mark-Viverito $270,353.27, Ruben Diaz $194,294.33, Ydanis Rodriguez $115,999.00, Samelys Lopez $80,328.48, Tomas Ramos $69,532.78, Chivona Newsome $32,590.13, Marlene Cintron $25,297.08, Frangell Basora $11,138.08, Jonathan Ortiz $9,475.55

 

[lpetrich]

I'm watching the Oregon primaries. All of the progressive challengers lost by sizable margins, though I won't have precise numbers until the counts are complete.

• OR-01: Suzanne Bonamici (inc, won) 3 - Heidi Briones 1, Amanda Siebe 2
• OR-03: Earl Blumenauer (inc, won) 3 - Albert Lee 5
• OR-04: Peter DeFazio (inc, won) 1 - Doyle Canning 4
• OR-05: Kurt Schrader (inc, won) 1 - Mike Gamba 7

Who endorsed who:

• Suzanne Bonamici: NOW, Planned Parenthood, Sierra Club
• Heidi Briones: American Progressives in STEM
• Amanda Siebe: Sunrise Movement, Local Berniecrats
• Earl Blumenauer: NOW, Planned Parenthood, Sierra Club
• Albert Lee: Brand New Congress, TYT's Progressive Pledge, Demand Universal Healthcare, American Progressives in STEM, Local Berniecrats
• Peter DeFazio: Planned Parenthood
• Doyle Canning: Brand New Congress, Common Defense, American Progressives in STEM, Sunrise Movement, Local Berniecrats
• Kurt Schrader: Planned Parenthood
• Mike Gamba: Brand New Congress, Blue America, Our Revolution, Demand Universal Healthcare, American Progressives in STEM, Sunrise Movement, Local Berniecrats

Incumbents / winners are bolded.

 

[lpetrich]

These fellow Oregonians conceded:

Doyle Canning for Congress OR-04 on Twitter: "After gathering with her supporters to say thank you, and calling to congratulate @RepPeterDeFazio on his win, Democratic Congressional primary challenger Doyle Canning issued the following statement to supporters and the press... https://t.co/4HCb5lexDr" / Twitter

Our campaign was historic. We mounted the first challenge in Oregon's 4th District in 33 years. We took a stand to protect our climate, for debt free education, a fair and humane immigration agenda, and healthcare as a human right. Our opponent outspent us by over one million dollars, by a 6-1 margin, and most of his money came from big corporations, lobbyists, and billionaires. We ran a vigorous challenge with no corporate PAC money, a lot of heart, and grassroots power - in one of the most terrible moments for our country, we held fast to our vision. Our movement energized the progressive base of the party, and sent a strong message that there is appetite for change here in Oregon, and we aren't going anywhere until we achieve it. We canvassed in neighborhoods that a Democratic Congressional candidate hadn't set foot in for decades, possibly ever, and had real conversations with Oregonains about what is important to them: solutions to the housing crisis, bringing renewable energy jobs to rural Oregon, stopping the Jordan Cove pipeline, student debt, and Medicare for All. We built a grassroots movement that will change Oregon politics forever.

Doyle Canning for Congress OR-04 on Twitter: "Canning made #climate the top issue in the race, believed to be a first for a US House contest. Her pledge to take no money from the fossil fuel industry set the tone for her bold climate platform, including ban on fracking and stopping the Jordan Cove pipeline. #TakeaStand" / Twitter


Albert Lee For Congress on Twitter: "I am proud of the campaign that we ran. We were 100% supported by the people. While we may have come up short this evening, we have pushed our rep to the left & the people are rising. The movement continues. We fight on. Thank you all for your support. #ChooseAFighter #WeMarchOn https://t.co/Jdf9ApcYbi" / Twitter

Mark Gamba for Congress on Twitter: "This is just the beginning. Fear not, we have only begun to fight. Thank you to all who have supported this movement and campaign. 2022 is just around the corner. #notmeus #FightOn" / Twitter

Heidi for Oregon on Twitter: "Looks like we will likely end in 2nd place. So far 5,300+ voters in OR-1 voted for our #UBI centered platform.
Thank you to all our volunteers, donors, and supporters! What we started 3 months ago has taken us this far and we're not stopping. This is only the beginning. https://t.co/8P4ml4re1X" / Twitter

#Siebe2020 for US House Oregon District 1 on Twitter: "I always said, win, lose, or draw, this is a win for me! I've been able to do more in 1yr to advance #DisabilityRights than in 4yrs of activism
Congrats to @RepBonamici &
I hope she knows she has a thorn in her shoe cuz I'm not going anywhere!
Thanks you guys for your support!" / Twitter
and
#Siebe2020 for US House Oregon District 1 on Twitter: "All I can say is, this is just the beginning!!
@BernieSanders didn't win his first race either. Now that we know how the game is played, be sure we're coming back next year stronger and ready for battle.
This year was a pipe dream. Next year is a war! #WeAreTheRevolution!" / Twitter

 

[lpetrich]

I've updated my progressive-candidates spreadsheet to include NARAL endorsements. That one endorses mostly incumbents, like Planned Parenthood and the National Organization for Women and the Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters. It's no Brand New Congress.

NARAL was originally the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws when it was founded in 1969. After the Roe vs. Wade decision in 1973, it was renamed the National Abortion Rights Action League. It is now NARAL Pro-Choice America.

 

[lpetrich]

Melanie D'Arrigo for Congress on Twitter: "Why do Democrats primary Democrats ..." / Twitter

I'm quoting the full Twitter thread to show her explanation of her being a Democrat who wants to unseat another Democrat. MDA, with "Elect Better Democrats", evidently agrees with AOC that "not all Democrats are the same" -- AOC is a Democrat who successfully unseated another Democrat, a big-money Democrat much like Tom Suozzi.

Why do Democrats primary Democrats

Short answer:
Because not every Democrat fights for Democratic values.

Long answer:
<thread>

The battle for the soul of the Democratic party happens in primaries. It comes down to which candidates put #PeopleOverProfits and which do not.

#DownBallotProgressives corporate and fight for people.

Centrist Dems vote to protect the profits of their corporate donors.

My opponent, @RepTomSuozzi is vice-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of Centrist Democrats & Republicans, funded by GOP billionaires and dark money groups like No Labels, that tout working across the aisle as a way to solve problems.

In theory, bipartisanship is great, in practice, the Problem Solvers Caucus has only come together to push legislation that helps the large corporations that fund their election campaigns, which almost always further a Trump or GOP agenda.

Activist groups, organizers and everyday people worked really hard in 2018 to flip the House so Democrats could put a check on Trump and the GOP’s hateful agenda.

We voted for action and accountability.

The first thing the Dems of the Problem Solvers Caucus did was withhold support for Pelosi’s speakership in exchange for a rules change that would weaken Democratic power and give more leverage to Republicans.

That's NOT what we worked so hard for.

.@RepTomSuozzi was reelected to hold Trump and a rogue GOP accountable. So why was he one of four Dems vacationing with @senatemajldr, @VP and members of the Trump admin for a lobbyist spa weekend getaway? —politico

It’s because they share the same corporate-first agenda.

Rep. Tom Suozzi has broken with the Democratic party in order to support corporations and the conservative lobbying groups looking to undermine Democrats, that financially support his campaign.

Whether it’s to deregulate banks, fight against #MedicareForAll or fund the expansion of detention centers at the border—there always seems to be a corporate donor that benefits when he and the Problem Solvers Caucus vote against Democratic values.

We voted for a check on the Trump agenda. What we got was a welcome mat.

His silence on Donald Trump and Brett Kavanaugh’s sexual assault accusations tell women he will not stand up for them.

.@RepTomSuozzi's refusal to sign onto the Stephen Miller resignation letter, breaking with the party, shows marginalized communities and immigrants that he will not stand up for them either.

.@RepTomSuozzi's reluctance to support impeachment in the face of clear evidence and adopting the GOP stance of a “short Senate trial without witnesses,” shows he will not stand up for Democracy.

.@RepTomSuozzi co-hosted the National Prayer Breakfast a day after impeachment where Trump was the guest speaker. After waving around newspapers with acquittal headlines and taunting Democrats, Rep. Suozzi shook his hand and clapped.

That is not holding Trump accountable.

#ElectBetterDemocrats isn’t a slogan, it’s a reminder that we have a responsibility to ensure the elected officials representing our party reflect our party’s values.

That accountability happens through primaries.

Please, support my campaign.

 

[lpetrich]

MDA's links:

Billionaire Republican Donors Helped Elect Rising Centrist Democrats - 2018 Nov 29

Just three years ago, hedge fund manager Louis Bacon was writing a $19,600 check to a committee called “Boehner for Speaker.”

Now, the billionaire GOP donor has pivoted to influence the future of the Democratic Party. Records show Bacon is one of several deep-pocketed donors that have shifted to financing recent Democratic campaigns. Though national media attention has focused largely on newly elected democratic socialists and progressive members, the House Democratic caucus has also swelled with pro-business moderates, such as the Blue Dogs, the Problem Solvers Caucus, and the New Democrats.

When Bipartisanship Is Just a Cover for Conservatives - 2018 Dec 4

Since 2010, a group called No Labels has embodied a particular approach to politics and policy in Washington, D.C.; it’s one that insists the real problems are partisanship, divisiveness, and incivility, and that if only sensible centrists from both parties could be brought together under the right conditions, the halcyon days of the past will return.

Yet curiously, the sensible solutions so often proposed by No Labels and its ilk have an uncanny likelihood of benefiting one particular element of our nation’s political economy: the superrich, or more precisely, the finance industry.

A new report on Monday from the Daily Beast adds a sweeping array of details to what many long knew or suspected about this movement, which allegedly wants to remain above the fray: It’s funded by the barons of hedge funds and private equity.

Far from remaining aloof from politics, No Labels has consistently been swooping down into the fray in recent years on behalf of Republicans and conservative Democrats. The House Problem Solvers Caucus, which was produced and is funded by No Labels, made headlines recently in its quest to hold up Nancy Pelosi’s speakership bid unless she supported their “Break the Gridlock” rule changes.

So this claim of neutrality is pure posturing.

 

[lpetrich]

House speaker’s race: Nancy Pelosi’s Problem Solvers Caucus problem, explained - Vox - 2018 Nov 26

Another group of Democrats is threatening to reject Nancy Pelosi’s bid for speaker during a party vote on Wednesday if she doesn’t concede to a set of demands.

House Democrats of all stripes have tried to extract promises from Pelosi in exchange for their support. Now, nine members of the bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus are doing the same.

Centrist Democrats Fundraise With U.S. Chamber of Commerce - 2019 Oct 28

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the largest lobbying group representing corporate interests in the world, has worked furiously to defeat Democratic policies, from playing a key role in battling the Affordable Care Act, to spreading climate change denial, to more recent efforts to block H.R. 1, Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s signature campaign reform and voting rights bill.

Now a group of centrist Democrats, led by Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., is scheduled to join with the Chamber in a bid to raise money.

More than 100 Democrats sign letter calling for Stephen Miller to resign | TheHill - 2019 Nov 21

More than 100 Democratic lawmakers on Thursday signed on to a letter calling for President Trump to fire senior adviser Stephen Miller as a civil rights group details hundreds of controversial emails he sent prior to his time in the administration.

"Given Mr. Miller’s role in shaping immigration policy for your administration, his documented dedication to extremist, anti-immigrant ideology and conspiracy-mongering is disqualifying," the lawmakers wrote.

...
Reps. Don Beyer (D-Va.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) are among those who led the effort to send the letter to the White House. Other Democrats signing on include Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.).

Then that Prayer Breakfast. Where Trump pretty much got away with dismissing Mitt Romney and Nancy Pelosi as religious frauds.

 

[Jarhyn]

House speaker’s race: Nancy Pelosi’s Problem Solvers Caucus problem, explained - Vox - 2018 Nov 26


Centrist Democrats Fundraise With U.S. Chamber of Commerce - 2019 Oct 28


More than 100 Democrats sign letter calling for Stephen Miller to resign | TheHill - 2019 Nov 21

More than 100 Democratic lawmakers on Thursday signed on to a letter calling for President Trump to fire senior adviser Stephen Miller as a civil rights group details hundreds of controversial emails he sent prior to his time in the administration.

"Given Mr. Miller’s role in shaping immigration policy for your administration, his documented dedication to extremist, anti-immigrant ideology and conspiracy-mongering is disqualifying," the lawmakers wrote.

...
Reps. Don Beyer (D-Va.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) are among those who led the effort to send the letter to the White House. Other Democrats signing on include Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.).

Then that Prayer Breakfast. Where Trump pretty much got away with dismissing Mitt Romney and Nancy Pelosi as religious frauds.

"Fake news" is a mantra that universally benefits the charlatan. Those with the ability to rationally discern truth through good-faith doubt already did so. It is those who pick up on it like it is a new concept that are clearly incapable of actually being served by the concept. To me this makes "fake news" a convenient way to identify those who have no fucking clue what is fake or not and just believe whatever their preacher preaches to them without real regard for truth; if they had it, they would use any of the other terms that have existed before this new smokescreen.

When someone says "fake news" I write them.off as someone incapable of actually rationally approaching the idea of truth.

 

[lpetrich]

Nabilah Islam on Running for Office in a Pandemic Without Health Insurance

When Islam launched her campaign in February 2019, she was already destined to deal with the unknown. The progressive organizer is one of several Democratic candidates looking to fill the seat most recently held by Republican Rob Woodall. Islam supports platforms like Medicare for All, raising the minimum wage, and the Green New Deal. But this past January, she made headlines when she decided to petition the Federal Election Commission to allow her to use campaign funds to pay for her health insurance. She was inspired by Liuba Grechen Shirley who, while running for office in 2018, filed a petition with the FEC to use campaign funds to pay for childcare. The FEC approved Grechen Shirley’s request, and she went on to start the Vote Mama PAC, which supports Democratic moms with young children who are running for office.

...
She did purchase a healthcare plan when she first launched her candidacy, but says it wasn’t compliant with the Affordable Care Act and didn’t cover enough to make it worth the cash, especially when she realized campaigning competitively left her little time to work another job. She cancelled in order to save money and continue running. To take care of herself, Islam has a multi-vitamin every day, runs in the morning, and tries to eat healthy foods when she can. To limit expenses, she skips buying new shoes, covering up any scuffs with a permanent marker. She's avoided expensive doctor appointments, self-treating a pain she’s had in her back molar for the past year.

She now campaigns from her home, going online a lot.

 

[lpetrich]

Samelys Lopez grumbled about the Newsweek article:

#CancelRent Samelys López for NY-15 (Bronx) on Twitter: ".@Newsweek, along with establishment mainstream media, is replicating the 'Pied Piper' strategy that brought @realDonaldTrump to power in 2016.
In my #NY15 race, they're elevating a bigot, Ruben Diaz Sr., and rewarding him with thousands of $ in free media coverage." / Twitter
then
#CancelRent Samelys López for NY-15 (Bronx) on Twitter: "My grassroots campaign is experiencing a corporate media blackout because I'm a formerly homeless Latina taking on the Democratic establishment & luxury real estate developers, who are set on gentrifying & displacing my Black & Brown neighbors in the #SouthBronx." / Twitter
then
#CancelRent Samelys López for NY-15 (Bronx) on Twitter: "Here's ANOTHER clear example of corporate-owned media erasing a working class, anti-Wall Street woman of color in an attempt to maintain establishment power & status quo politics.
Despite the headline, the article fails to mention me at all or that @AOC endorsed my campaign." / Twitter

Another progressive running for that seat is Tomas Ramos: Tomas Ramos For Congress (@tomas4congress) / Twitter

 

[lpetrich]

It's Newcomers vs. Veteran Pols in Race for Bronx Congressional Seat -- NY-15

The article shows a screenshot of a conference call to most of the candidates. Ballotpedia lists Frangell Basora, Michael Blake, Ruben Diaz, Mark Escoffery-Bey, Samelys Lopez, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Chivona Newsome, Julio Pabon, Tomas Ramos, Ydanis Rodriguez, Marlene Tapper, Ritchie Torres as on the ballot. The article lists

The debate, which was moderated by Gotham Gazette’s Ben Max, featured Assemblymember Michael Blake, former Serrano intern Frangell Basora, housing activist Samelys Lopez, former Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Black Lives Matter leader Chivona Newsome, youth services provider Tomas Ramos, and Councilmembers Ydanis Rodriguez and Ritchie Torres.

The four missing ones are Ruben Diaz, Mark Escoffery-Bey, Julio Pabon, and Marlene Tapper. Tomas Ramos: “Everyone in this race pretty much has the same progressive policies that we will be presenting—except for one person who isn’t here. And we know who that person is. The difference between us candidates that you will see is our character.”

The missing person Ramos was referring to is Councilmember Ruben Diaz, Sr., a Pentecostal minister whose conservative politics—especially on gay rights and abortion—are as well known as his trademark cowboy hat. He did not respond to an invitation to the debate.

A potential problem is that these candidates may split the progressive vote, letting Ruben Diaz win. That may also be a problem for some of the other districts, like NY-12, where longtime incumbent Carolyn Maloney has three challengers still running and one of them dropped out.

Can't wait to have ranked-choice / instant-runoff voting in the primaries.

 

[lpetrich]

Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) / Twitter

She has endorsed these Congressional candidates:

US House, AZ-01 -- EVA PUTZOVA
US House, CA-12 -- SHAHID BUTTAR
US House, CA-34 -- DAVID KIM
US House, CA-42 -- LIAM O'MARA
US House, FL-23 -- JEN PERELMAN
US House, GA-01 -- LISA RING
US House, GA-07 -- NABILAH ISLAM
US House, GA-13 -- MICHAEL OWENS
US House, IA-04 -- J.D. SCHOLTEN
US House, IN-01 -- JIM HARPER
US House, MD-05 -- MCKAYLA WILKES
US House, MD-07 -- JILL CARTER
US House, MT-AL -- TOM WINTER
US House, NJ-08 -- HECTOR OSEGUERA
US House, NY-05 -- SHANIYAT CHOWDHURY
US House, NY-12 -- LAUREN ASHCRAFT
US House, NY-15 -- TOMAS RAMOS
US House, NY-25 -- ROBIN WILT
US House, NY-27 -- NATE MCMURRAY
US House, OK-05 -- TOM GUILD
US House, OR-01 -- HEIDI BRIONES
US House, OR-05 -- MARK GAMBA
US House, TX-10 -- MIKE SIEGEL
US House, TX-25 -- JULIE OLIVER
US House, WA-06 -- REBECCA PARSON
US Senate, CO -- ANDREW ROMANOFF
US Senate, GA -- TERESA TOMLINSON
US Senate, KY -- MIKE BROTHIER
US Senate, MA -- ED MARKEY
US Senate, ME -- BETSY SWEET

 

[lpetrich]

Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley announces reelection bid - 2020 Jan 13

Checking on Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District election, 2020 - Ballotpedia no one is challenging her, no Democrat, no Republican, no anyone else.

Rep. Ilhan Omar launches reelection bid with big advantages - 2020 Jan 23

“This is one of the most progressive-liberal districts in the country and Rep. Omar is one of the most progressive-liberal members of Congress,” Jacobs said. “She’s a fit for the district even if Democrats around the country are uncomfortable with her positions and her style.”

...
One of her three little-known Democratic challengers, mediator Antone Melton-Meaux, did raise more than $200,000 in the fourth quarter, with more than $180,000 in the bank. His strong support for Israel and opposition to the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divest and Sanctions movement contrast with Omar’s positions.

Democratic challenge materializes to Rep. Ilhan Omar - StarTribune.com

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar launched her political career with an underdog win over a well-known fellow Democrat. Now she’s facing a challenger trying to pull off the same kind of upset.

After a turbulent first term in Congress, Omar faces an unexpectedly strong primary challenge from political newcomer Antone Melton-Meaux, an attorney and professional mediator who has promised a more collaborative style for a Minneapolis-based congressional seat that has been in DFL hands since 1963.

Political handicappers expect Omar, 37, to retain the endorsement of DFL Party delegates later this month. But Melton-Meaux, 47, who has raised more than $400,000 for his fledgling campaign, intends to take the race to Minnesota’s Aug. 11 primary and a broader set of voters.