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In addition to the GOP gubernatorial primary in Kentucky, there are other races taking place Tuesday that could provide some clues about 2024, though it’s hard to draw too many lessons from the individual races.
To get an idea of whether election-denying candidates still hold sway within the Republican Party, keep an eye on the Secretary of State race in Kentucky, where Republican incumbent Michael Adams faces off against two primary challengers who have campaigned for voter fraud claims. NBC News’ Jane Timm reports that Adams has worked to expand voter access and acknowledged that he could lose his job for rejecting false claims of widespread voter fraud.
Voters are also headed to the polls in Pennsylvania, which is hosting a crowded Democratic primary for mayor of Philadelphia. The race will test the strength of progressives, with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, DN.Y., travel to the city over the weekend to boost former city councilor Helen Gym. The race will also serve as another test of how crime is impacting big city politics.
Two races will also provide insight into voter attitudes in two key counties on two crucial battlegrounds.
In Pennsylvania, a special state House election in Delaware County could decide which party controls the state house, and President Joe Biden entered the race on Monday. supporting the democratic candidate.
And a mayoral runoff in Jacksonville, Florida, will provide a clue to the political winds in Duval County. The city is the largest in the country with a Republican mayor, whose term is limited.
In other campaign news…
First in First Reading: The Republican National Senate Committee is launching a digital ad addressed to Senator Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. The announcement centers on a recent report by NBC News’ Henry J. Gomez, who discovered that Brown received an additional property tax credit and was charged late tax fees.
The ad is part of a five-figure buyout and will play across Facebook and Twitter. “After nearly 50 years in politics, it is clear that Sherrod Brown has lost touch with the voters who elected him,” Philip Letsou, a spokesman for the NRSC, said in a statement.
Speaking of Sherrod Brown: The messenger delves into Brown’s career and his bipartisan appeal in the increasingly red state. Brown also objected to whether he would campaign with President Joe Biden, saying it «depends on my schedule.»
DeSantis making moves (literally): Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ political team moved from the state Republican headquarters to a new office Monday, according to NBC News’ Matt Dixon, another sign DeSantis is moving toward a presidential run. Politico also reports that DeSantis meets donors next week.
On Monday, DeSantis also signed into law a bill that «restricts how race and gender can be taught in Florida’s public institutions of higher education and prohibits them from using state or federal funds for diversity programs,» according to NBC’s Rose Horowitch. News.
And four New Hampshire Republicans who previously endorsed Trump have announced that they now endorse the Florida governor (one says he endorses both men).
Scott’s team: Senator Tim Scott, RS.C., is building your campaign team ahead of his expected presidential announcement next week, naming former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam as national co-chairman, Politico reports.
Ready for Mike and ready to ride: Allies of former Vice President Mike Pence, including former Texas Republican Rep. Jeb Hensarling and veteran Republican strategist Scott Reed, are launching a super PAC to back him. In other Pence news, he attend Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst’s “Roast and Ride” event next month, according to Fox News (former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley will also attend).
Haley Financial Disclosures: Haley reported earning between $1.2 and $12 million in speaking fees from March 2022 to this past January, for personal financial disclosures required of presidential candidates.
Also for Alsobrooks: Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. announced Monday that he is not running for the open seat in the Maryland senateand instead endorsed Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.
jumping in: Former State Representative Leslie Love jumped into the Democratic Senate primary in Michigan on Monday.
Facing Santos: Axios reports that another democratnonprofit founder Zak Malame has launched into the race against embattled Republican Rep. George Santos, RN.Y.
Min’s arrest: The Washington Free Beacon obtained images of the drunk driving arrest of California State Senator Dave Min, a Democratic candidate for Congress.
SCOTUS clock: On Monday, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a case involving the 1st District of South Carolina, which a lower court found to have been racially gerrymandered.