Biggs introduces bill to expand healthcare options for veterans outside VA

Cami Mondeaux

May 10, 12:11 PM May 10, 12:15 PM

EXCLUSIVE — Veterans would begin to see expanded healthcare options outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs under a new bill being reintroduced by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) on Wednesday.

The Veterans Health Care Freedom Act would allow veterans to choose non-VA-funded healthcare providers by removing the agency from the referral process altogether, according to a copy of the legislation obtained by the Washington Examiner.

LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO EXPAND VETERANS’ ACCESS TO NON-VA PROVIDERS

As a result, the legislation would allow veterans to access primary, specialty, and mental healthcare in the private sector without limiting them to the Veterans Integrated Service Networks.

“Our nation’s veterans make many sacrifices in their fight to protect our freedoms, and we must uphold the promise we made to provide them quality healthcare,” Biggs told the Washington Examiner. “Often, veterans experience significant delays and unnecessary bureaucracy when seeking care through the VA healthcare system. My bill frees them of those challenges, opening access to community healthcare options to those who need and want them. I will always have our veterans’ backs and urge my colleagues to move this legislation forward.”

The language of the bill is identical to legislation that was introduced in the previous Congress but failed to make it to the floor for a vote. Now that Republicans hold the House majority, Biggs is seeking to push the legislation through the lower chamber.

The legislation would require the VA Center for Innovation Care and Payment to create a three-year pilot program that improves access to healthcare options in the private sector, according to the bill. The VA would also be required to provide information about eligibility, cost-sharing, treatments, and providers to assist veterans in choosing their care.

The VA would then be required to submit a report to the House and Senate Veterans Affairs committees detailing the implementation and results of the pilot program along with recommendations. The program would become permanent nationwide four years after the enactment of the legislation.

If passed, the pilot program would be funded through appropriations made available to the Veterans Health Administration, according to the bill. The proposed program is modeled after the country’s urgent care system and is largely based on recommendations from a congressionally appointed commission.

Biggs is set to introduce the legislation on Thursday, with a joint version introduced in the Senate by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).

Arizona Republicans are skeptical Kari Lake will run for Senate, but national GOP is worried

Samantha-Jo Roth

May 07, 07:00 AM May 07, 07:00 AM

A growing number of Arizona Republican political operatives remain unconvinced that former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake is serious about running for the Senate seat currently held by Sen. Krysten Sinema (I-AZ).

Most concede the former local television anchor is considered the most formidable opponent in a Republican primary if she should decide to run, however.

KARI LAKE TO DESANTIS: STAY IN FLORIDA, MAN, FOR 2024 PRESIDENTIAL RACE

Those close to Lake maintain she’s seriously considering a Senate bid. While Lake is still contesting the results of the Arizona governor race she lost, she appears to be plotting her next moves with several high-profile appearances. Lake is currently in Budapest, Hungary, participating in the Conservative Political Action Conference. Just this week, she announced the release of her memoir. Lake posted a photo to Twitter on Wednesday, stating, “Are you ready for the next chapter?”

The former Arizona gubernatorial candidate has popped up at former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate and met with Republican officials in Washington. A February swing through Iowa sparked speculation about whether she may be angling for a role as Trump’s running mate if he were to become the Republican nominee for president again. She’s also served as an enthusiastic surrogate for the former president.

This week, Lake senior adviser Colton Duncan told the Dispatch he’s “99% sure she’s going to run for Senate.” Duncan, a political operative from Texas who was with Lake every step of the way throughout her gubernatorial campaign, has made similar statements over the last couple of months.

“If I was a betting man, which I’m not, I'd bet the farm that Kari Lake ends up running for Senate,” Duncan told the Washington Post last month. "I’m 99% sure she’ll run, and if she does, I’m 100% certain she will win.”

However, Republicans involved in politics in the state think her most recent travel schedule signals the opposite.

“She’s more concerned about burnishing her national and international cred than paying attention to Arizona,” said Barrett Marson, an Arizona-based GOP strategist. “She’s more apt to be seen at Mar-a-Lago than at the Biltmore,” Marson said, referring to a luxury resort in Phoenix.

Lake’s potential entrance into the race is expected to add an element of unpredictability to what is likely to be a three-way contest for the seat in the general election for the seat held by Sinema, the former Democrat who became an independent in December. Progressives are supporting Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), who announced he’s running as a Democrat.

The race on the Republican side is still developing and could take longer to take shape as a result of Arizona's filing deadline, which is next April. The state’s primaries aren’t until August 2024. Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb became the first Republican to enter the race last month. Republican Blake Masters, who lost his Senate bid last year by 5 percentage points, is still considering a run. So is Abe Hamadeh, who lost the 2022 attorney general’s race, Karrin Taylor Robson, who lost the gubernatorial primary to Lake last year, and Republican businessman Jim Lamon, who lost in the primary for Arizona’s other Senate seat in 2022.

"She's out running around in Iowa or Hungary or Mar-a-Lago. I mean, it's still early; she can do all that stuff and run," said a GOP operative based in Arizona. "She certainly isn't acting like someone who's putting together a Senate campaign in Arizona."

While most of the Arizona political strategists the Washington Examiner spoke with admitted they don’t have any specific knowledge of Lake’s plans, they don’t think her recent moves line up with a candidate who has serious senatorial ambitions.

“My personal suspicion is that she won’t run, that she’s enjoying her celebrity status within the alt-right network, and she’ll continue to enjoy that and her ability to use her news background in ways to promote other candidates,” longtime Arizona political strategist Chuck Coughlin said.

By contrast, national Republicans in Washington are bracing for Lake to announce a Senate bid in the near future. Lake met with officials at the National Republican Senatorial Committee in early February, and while it’s unknown what exactly played out in that meeting, Chairman Steve Daines (R-MT) has made it clear that he is focused on recruiting candidates that can win general elections.

After a disappointing midterm election cycle, the Senate GOP’s campaign arm, under the new leadership of Daines, appears to be more willing to take sides in Republican primaries in an attempt to recruit candidates who appeal to a wider electorate. It’s unclear what kind of sway they can have in a state where Lake remains popular with Arizona primary voters. A poll released by J. L. Partners last month found Lake receiving 38% support in an Arizona Senate GOP primary among registered Republican and undeclared voters, followed next by former Arizona gubernatorial candidate and developer Taylor Robson at 10%.

Those involved in Arizona politics believe national Republicans and those that invest in Senate races are feeling powerless in this situation and are not optimistic the state will move toward mainstream candidates that could lead them to victory.

“Kari Lake is going to do what she’s going to do. It doesn’t matter if we discourage her from running, that in all likelihood will do the opposite and backfire,” a Republican strategist based in Washington who requested anonymity to speak candidly said. “If she runs, Republicans lose. It’s that simple.”

Another Republican strategist with ties to Arizona said the electorate’s infatuation with right-leaning candidates who are unable to win the general election is causing national Republicans to take a back seat.

“This race would be a prime opportunity for Republicans to come in and wage a full-out campaign, but the dynamics are just an absolute turn-off for the NRSC and national groups,” the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “When I speak with national Republicans, they are just kinda resigned to it, knowing if she runs in the primary, she’ll win. Maybe after this, we’ll be done with her once and for all once she loses the general again.”

Others aren’t as confident Lake would win the primary if she decides to get into the race.

“She would be the favorite — I’m not denying that — but her popularity is slipping,” Marson said. “Arizona voters rejected Kari Lake when she should have easily won that governor’s race. What has changed this time around? The dynamics of a three-way race, but it’s still the same candidate.”

Lake’s next moves are nearly impossible to predict. Her Trump-aligned gubernatorial campaign was nontraditional, and her rise in a key swing state surprised political insiders in the state and the country. She’s known to be very involved in her campaign and had a small group of mostly young advisers who are from outside traditional Republican political circles. Her previous campaign had little in common with Republicans that ran before her, and she even alienated some voters when she repeatedly attacked the legacy of the late Arizona GOP Sen. John McCain, who is still well respected in the state.

INSIDE KARI LAKE'S UNCONVENTIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR ARIZONA GOVERNOR

Republicans have now lost three of the most recent Senate races, as well as the last presidential and governor contests in a state that used to be a major GOP stronghold. With Sinema’s switch to an independent, Republicans see a prime opportunity to win this election with a plurality of the vote but worry they will have another missed opportunity if Lake runs and wins the primary.

Lake continues to embrace the former president and endorsed his 2024 presidential run. She also has shown no signs of softening her claims of a stolen election.

Independents and unaffiliated voters have tripled over the last 30 years to 1.4 million and make up about a third of the voting population, reasons why many don’t believe Lake has a shot of winning a general election.

“They messed up in ‘18, ‘20, ‘22, and continue to go down this path of competing with this very narrow group of Republican voters, leaving a bunch of other Republican voters on the outside looking in,” Coughlin said. “I don’t have a belief that they have learned that lesson, they are still sniffing the Trump glue.”

Kari Lake demands Maricopa election officials be 'locked up', continues to deny election loss

Heather Hamilton

December 19, 07:51 AM December 19, 07:51 AM

Defeated Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake called for the election officials of Arizona’s Maricopa County to be “locked up” as she continues to deny last month's election result.

While speaking at Turning Point USA’s America Fest in Phoenix on Sunday, Lake defended her denial of the midterm election results that saw her lose to Democrat Katie Hobbs.

“These people are crooks, they need to be locked up,” Lake said of the Maricopa County election officials.

WATCH: KELLYANNE CONWAY BLASTS REPUBLICAN ABSENCE IN DAYS LEADING UP TO GEORGIA RUNOFF

Lake said she identifies as a “proud election-denying deplorable.”

She also accused the media of attacking former President Donald Trump, saying they "want to drag him through the mud". The defeated Lake then performed a crude gesture to members of the media in attendance.

On Thursday, a Maricopa County judge approved Lake’s requests to inspect some ballots before the trial in her challenge to the Arizona gubernatorial race results, claiming that "if the process was illegitimate then so are the results." It came after Lake brought forth a civil complaint earlier this month to overturn her election defeat and declare her the winner.

Lake was defeated by Hobbs 1,287,891 votes to 1,270,774, according to the certified results of the election. She has trafficked in claims that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump.

Protesters gather outside of Maricopa County elections office as counting continues

Misty Severi

November 12, 04:08 PM November 12, 04:08 PM

Protesters have gathered outside of the elections office in Maricopa County, Arizona, on Saturday to protest the slow counting of the ballots that were cast during the midterm elections Tuesday.

Approximately three dozen Republican protesters carried signs that referred to gubernatorial candidates Kari Lake (R-AZ) and Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) that read, “Lake won,” “Hobbs is a cheat,” and “count the vote,” according to a local reporter on the scene.

MARICOPA COUNTY OFFICIAL BLASTS KARI LAKE'S 'OFFENSIVE' QUESTIONING OF VOTE COUNT

The protesters are angry at the speed at which votes were being counted, with between 60,000 and 80,000 votes being counted in a day, and the accuracy of the vote tallies. Around 275,000 uncounted ballots are left in Maricopa County, said Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Gates, meaning the results should be finalized sometime next week.

The Republican National Committee also condemned the slow speed in the county and called for changes in the process.

“This election has exposed deep flaws in Maricopa County’s election administration. Arizona deserves better — transparency, certainty, efficiency — and most importantly, an accurate and prompt announcement of election results that can be accepted by all voters," Republican spokeswoman Harmeet Dhillon said.

Dhillon said: "The RNC and the Republican Party of Arizona demand that around-the-clock shifts of ballot processing be pressed into service until all votes have been counted, accompanied by complete transparency and regular, accurate public updates. We will not hesitate to take legal action if necessary to protect Arizona voters’ right to have their ballots counted."

According to the most recent tally, Hobbs is leading Lake in the gubernatorial race by approximately 32,000 votes, with Hobbs securing 50.7% compared to Lake's 49.3% as of Friday night. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) was declared the victor overnight, defeating opponent Blake Masters (R-AZ) with 51.8% compared to Masters's 46.1%. Despite the declaration, Masters has not conceded, electing to wait until the votes are fully counted instead.

“If, at the end, Senator Kelly has more of them than I do, then I will congratulate him on a hard-fought victory. But voters decide, not the media; let’s count the votes,” Masters tweeted Saturday.

On Tuesday, several tabulation machines in Maricopa County did not function properly, increasing scrutiny over the election process in Arizona's most populous county.

Key midterm races left outstanding

Ryan King

November 11, 09:40 AM November 11, 09:44 AM

As the dust begins to settle from the midterm election mayhem, dozens of races remain unresolved, leaving lingering questions about how the balance of power will shake out in Washington, D.C.

Democrats managed to snuff out a prophesied red wave, but Republicans remain within striking distance of capturing the House, while the fate of the Senate is up in the air. Dozens of House races, three Senate races, and four governor's races are outstanding, with most of the stragglers hailing from Alaska, Arizona, California, Nevada, and Oregon.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS TAKE 'GLASS HALF-FULL' APPROACH TO MIDTERM ELECTIONS

Here is a breakdown of the top unfinished midterm election races:

Alaska House at-large district

A traditionally Republican-held seat that was vacated by the death of Rep. Don Young earlier this year, Alaska's at-large district was captured by Democrat Mary Peltola in an upset victory over former Gov. Sarah Palin earlier this year. Both Peltola and Palin clashed in a rematch for the midterm cycle, but the outcome remains unclear.

Under Alaska's election system, the top four contenders face off in a ranked choice voting contest if no candidate reaches 50% of the vote. With about 80% of the vote in, Peltola is in the lead with about 47.2% of the vote. Palin is trailing at 26.6%. Republican Nick Begich has 24.2%.

Arizona Governor

In one of the hottest midterm races of the country, Republican Kari Lake and Democrat Katie Hobbs have battled it out for Grand Canyon State governor. About 82% of the vote has been tallied, and Lake is trailing Hobbs 49.3% to 50.7%. The election is another test of the traditionally red-leaning state's apparent shift to purple.

Arizona Senate

Seemingly on the precipice of being called, incumbent Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) currently touts a 51.7% to 46.1% lead over populist Republican challenger Blake Masters. So far, 82% of the vote has been counted, resulting in reluctance at election desks to call the race that could determine the balance of power in the upper chamber.

Arizona's 1st Congressional District

Republicans had been widely expected to pick up toss-up seats this cycle without ceding GOP-friendly terrain, but they are at risk of doing so in Arizona's 1st Congressional District. Democrat Jevin Hodge has a razor-thin lead over Republican foe David Schweikert with 50.8% to 49.2%, with about a quarter of the votes outstanding.

California's 47th Congressional District

Late in the midterm game, Republicans suddenly became bullish about picking off liberal star Rep. Katie Porter. With just shy of two-thirds of the votes counted, Porter has a slim lead over Republican rival Scott Baugh, with 50.8% to 49.2%.

Colorado's 3rd Congressional District

Stupefying some political observers, conservative firebrand Rep. Lauren Boebert is in serious danger of losing her reelection bid to Democrat Adam Frisch in what could be a major upset in a GOP-friendly district. As of Friday morning, Boebert is leading 50.17% to 49.83%.

On Thursday morning, however, she was effectively dead even with Frisch, trailing by a scant 64 votes with 95% of the vote in before pulling ahead with just under a 400-vote lead later in the day, later growing to a 1,122-vote lead. Under Colorado law, races with a final margin of 0.5% or less head to a recount.

Georgia Senate

It's deja vu in the Peach State. Drawing parallels with the 2020 election, the fate of the Senate could rest on the runoff race in Georgia. Neither Republican Herschel Walker nor incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock garnered enough votes to claim a majority outright. Warnock ran ahead of Walker in the race and won the prior runoff.

Nevada House trio

Democrats in Nevada seemingly gambled on an ambitious redistricting strategy that effectively rendered three of the state's Democratic-held congressional districts competitive. Although Republican Mark Amodei won in the GOP-friendly 2nd Congressional District, the bet appears to have paid off with Democrats holding the narrow edge in the 1st, 3rd, and 4th congressional districts. Between 92% and 94% of the votes in those races have been counted.

Nevada Senate

After suffering a loss in Pennsylvania, Republican hopes of reclaiming the Senate turned to the Silver State race. Republican Adam Laxalt is leading incumbent Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto 48.97% to 48%, with about 90% of the votes in, marking a tightening of the race from Thursday morning.

Oregon Governor

Republicans had been keen about breaking the blue dam in the Beaver State this cycle and dedicated considerable firepower to boosting Republican Christine Drazan in her quest to succeed an unpopular outgoing governor. A three-way race that involved Democrat Tina Kotek and independent Betsy Johnson seemingly left an opening. Eventually, the called the race and projected Kotek the winner.

The 12 states that could decide control of the Senate

Ryan King

November 07, 06:30 AM November 07, 06:30 AM

While forecasters are generally bullish that the GOP will capture the House on Election Day, the battle for the evenly divided Senate is widely considered a toss-up.

Given the 50-50 split, a single seat could tip the scales of power in the upper chamber, prompting both parties to pour enormous sums of money in hopes of swinging battleground races their way.

WHITE HOUSE WON'T NAME REPUBLICANS BIDEN BELIEVES WILL REJECT ELECTION RESULTS

A slew of factors, such as historical trends favoring the opposition party, late-breaking scandals, bleak economic news, concerns over candidate quality, and more, have given both sides heartburn as they brace for Nov. 8.

The Cook Political Report currently ranks four Senate contests as a toss-up: Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. Of those seats, Republicans are defending one, while Democrats are running incumbents in three.

Beyond these four, there are competitive races in several states in which polling favors one candidate, but the result could go either way.

Here is a look at 12 Senate races to watch on Election Day.

Georgia

Widely seen as a pickup opportunity for Republicans, given Georgia's history as a ruby-red state, the showdown between Republican Herschel Walker and incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) is a nail-biter.

A seasoned orator from the famed Ebenezer Baptist Church, Warnock first won the seat during a special election runoff that took place after the 2020 election. His victory was pivotal to Democrats clinching control of the Senate. Polling has oscillated between him and Walker, who has been dogged by a flurry of recent scandals.

Most recently, Walker has reckoned with reports that he encouraged two ex-girlfriends to have abortions — allegations he vehemently denies. The accusations fly in the face of his staunch anti-abortion platform.

In the Peach State, Senate candidates must garner a majority in order to win outright. Candidates shy of the 50% mark must compete in a runoff election, meaning the Warnock-Walker showdown might not be over on election night, given that both are currently polling below that threshold.

Pennsylvania

The two parties have been engaged in a fierce Senate battle ever since incumbent Pat Toomey (R-PA) announced his retirement in 2020. Led by a Democratic governor and a Republican state legislature, Pennsylvania is a true battleground state, having voted Republican for the 2016 presidential election and Democratic for the 2020 presidential election.

For months, the Keystone State appeared poised to flip to the Democrats, whose nominee, John Fetterman, held a commanding lead over Republican Mehmet Oz. The GOP hopeful had been battered by a contentious GOP primary and then immediately entered the general election weathering an onslaught of attacks from the Fetterman campaign, which painted him as a rich, out-of-touch carpetbagger.

But things took a turn in recent weeks as concerns over Fetterman's health rose to the fore. The lieutenant governor suffered a stroke just days before his primary and has been left with lingering speech and auditory impairments that were on full display during his debate with Oz last month.

Fetterman has argued that he was being upfront with voters about his verbal hurdles, despite declining to release his medical records, and insisted that he expects to get better with time.

Oz recently captured a slim lead in the RealClearPolitics polling average for the first time.

Nevada

Although Democrats managed to win both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections in the Battle Born State and currently enjoy control over the governor's office as well as the state legislature, Republicans have performed strongly in a spate of recent polling.

That includes a slim GOP lead in the state's Senate race between incumbent Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and her Republican rival, Adam Laxalt. Throughout the race, Laxalt and Cortez Masto traded barbs on inflation and the 2020 election, which Laxalt has suggested was "rigged."

Laxalt is a political scion whose father and grandfather were prominent in Nevada politics; he served as the state's attorney general from 2015 to 2019. Cortez Masto succeeded the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and has served one term in the upper chamber as the only Latina senator. She initially held a small lead over Laxalt in polling, but that began to shift in September.

Latinos are an important voter bloc in Nevada, and Republicans have been keen on making inroads with them this election cycle.

Arizona

Once seen as a reliably red state, Arizona has become purple in recent cycles, electing two Democratic senators and President Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Republicans entered 2022 seeking to retake lost ground in the Grand Canyon State.

Initially, incumbent Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) held a commanding lead over Blake Masters, but the Republican foe has narrowed the gap in recent weeks, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average.

Masters has projected a conservative populist persona, casting himself as a champion for working-class voters disaffected by inflation and an immigration crisis at the border. Kelly has distanced himself from President Joe Biden on issues such as immigration and sought to put Masters on defense over abortion and his ties to former President Donald Trump.

Last week, Libertarian hopeful Marc Victor dropped out of the race and backed Masters, though it is unclear how big of an impact that will have on the outcome.

Wisconsin

Incumbent Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson (R) narrowly won his previous elections in 2010 and 2016 and was widely considered one of the most vulnerable incumbent Republican senators heading into the 2022 cycle.

Initially, Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes pulled ahead of him in polling, but that began to shift in late September, coinciding with an apparent rebound for Republicans across the country. Barnes enjoyed late-in-the-game Democratic firepower, with former President Barack Obama stumping for him.

The campaign has mirrored many other showdowns between Republicans and Democrats, featuring attacks between the duo on inflation, crime, abortion, energy prices, and other issues that are top of mind for voters.

In 2020, Biden narrowly won Wisconsin by less than half a point, while Trump had won by less than 1 point in 2016, making the Badger State a true battleground.

'WE'RE GONNA WIN THIS TIME': BIDEN PREDICTS DEMOCRATS HOLD CONGRESS

New Hampshire

Maggie Hassan (D-NH) is among the most vulnerable incumbent Senate Democrats in the country. Seeking to mount a strong challenge, national Republicans courted popular Gov. Chris Sununu for the New Hampshire race but were dealt a blow when he opted to run for reelection as governor instead.

After Republican Don Bolduc nabbed the Republican nomination, Hassan opened up a sizable lead in polling that has begun to wither dramatically in recent weeks. Bolduc has wavered on whether he believes the 2020 election was stolen, changing his answer to that question multiple times, which has provided fodder for Hassan.

New Hampshire swung blue this last election cycle, opting for a Democrat in both the presidential election and congressional contests.

Yet New Hampshire has the reputation of being a perennial swing state, and Republicans currently have control of the state legislature and governor's mansion.

Ohio

While many forecasters believe the Buckeye State leans Republican, Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) voices confidence that he can eke out an upset in the race to fill outgoing GOP Sen. Rob Portman's seat. His Republican foe, author and venture capitalist J.D. Vance, has run as a MAGA-style populist and consistently leads Ryan in polling.

Ryan has anguished over the lack of support he received from national Democrats, insisting his race is winnable. He also highlights instances in which he's bucked the party, including on matters such as student loan forgiveness and Title 42. His pitch to voters is that he would be an independent voice in the Senate.

Once a critical swing state, with its Rust Belt working-class voters, Ohio has seemingly taken a right turn, voting for Trump as well as a Republican governor and state legislature. If Ryan manages to pull off a victory in a red wave year, it would be a considerable blow to the GOP, as it needs to defend all of its currently held seats.

North Carolina

Democratic-aligned groups have pumped a sizable amount of money into the North Carolina Senate race late in the game after seemingly holding back as Democrat Cheri Beasley challenges Republican Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC) for the open seat.

Obama recently cut an ad for Beasley in the hope of boosting her prospects in a fairly tight race. Meanwhile, Budd has enjoyed the support of Trump, who was rankled by outgoing Sen. Richard Burr's (R) vote to convict him during his second impeachment trial.

Budd has the lead in polling, and the seat is rated "leans Republican" by the Cook Political Report.

Washington

Although below the political radars of many, Democrats have reportedly been scrambling behind the scenes to bolster incumbent Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) in her race against Republican Tiffany Smiley in Washington state. Murray leads Smiley in polling, but her advantage is dramatically smaller than the roughly 19-point margin Biden enjoyed in 2020.

Smiley is a political newcomer who has hammered Murray and Democrats more broadly on economic issues. She has also nearly closed a 9-point gap with Murray, indicating that political headwinds for Democrats could be on her side in the traditionally blue stronghold.

Florida

Once widely seen as a critical swing state, Florida has trended red recently. Incumbent Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) has opened a commanding lead over Rep. Val Demings (D-FL) in polling, but the contest is still worth keeping an eye on. Demings has outraised Rubio and mounted a scrappy campaign against him.

Many voters in the state were recently pummeled by Hurricane Ian, whose aftermath became a major issue in the race in the weeks that followed.

Colorado

Of all the Republican senators vying for Senate this cycle, only one seems to have rankled Trump: Colorado's Joe O'Dea, who overcame a Democratic spoiler campaign for the GOP nomination. O'Dea has publicly rebuked Trump, prompting the former president to proclaim, "MAGA doesn't vote for stupid people with big mouths."

Colorado has leaned Democratic in recent cycles, but O'Dea has run a surprisingly strong campaign against incumbent Sen. and former presidential candidate Michael Bennet (D-CO). Prominent Republicans such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President George W. Bush have backed O'Dea in the contest.

Utah

In one of the most unconventional political moves, Utah Democrats opted not to run a candidate from their party against incumbent Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), figuring independent contender Evan McMullin stood a better chance against him in the Republican stronghold of Utah than any of their potential candidates.

Recent polling has shown Lee with a sizable lead over McMullin, who has bashed him for his actions surrounding the 2020 election, but the race garnered national attention after multiple polls suggested a relatively tight race.

If McMullin were to win, he says he wouldn't caucus with either party. Still, a hypothetical victory would cost the GOP a seat and make the Senate math more favorable for Democrats.

GOP wins in these House races will reflect a good election night for Republicans

David Mark

November 05, 07:00 AM November 05, 07:00 AM

While nothing's certain in politics, Republicans winning a House majority on Tuesday is a safe bet at this point.

How big will House GOP gains likely be in upending the current balance of 220 Democrats, 213 Republicans, and three vacancies? Several factors will contribute, including coattails from statewide races for Senate, governor, and other contests and the approval (and, more to the point, disapproval) rating of President Joe Biden. After all, many voters blame Biden and congressional Democrats for the worst inflation in four decades and persistently high gas prices, among other national problems.

COLLAPSING HOUSE? DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY THREATENED BY REPUBLICAN MIDTERM MOMENTUM

Each House district, of course, has its own quirks. And in the 44 states with two or more House seats, each district will have a new shape. Under state-run redistricting processes after the 2020 census, some seats have been altered dramatically, while others are substantially the same.

So, heading into election night, here are 10 races likely to determine how big a margin House Republicans will have. Republicans don't have to win them all, or even most, to win a House majority. But doing so could make the difference between a red wave or a considerably smaller ripple.

Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District

Republicans think they have Democratic Rep. Tom O’Halleran on the political ropes as he seeks reelection in this northeastern Arizona seat. The district in 2020 would have voted for former President Donald Trump over Biden 53.2% to 45.3%. Republicans are bullish on the chances of Republican nominee Eli Crane, a retired Navy SEAL.

California’s 3rd District

This new House district is arguably the most topographically diverse in the nation. It straddles the California state line with Nevada for nearly 450 miles, stretching from snow-capped peaks in the Sierra Nevada Mountains south to Death Valley, which is the lowest in North America, at 282 feet below sea level. Republican Assemblyman Kevin Kiley faces Dr. Kermit Jones, a Democrat. Trump in 2020 would have prevailed in the new district, but relatively narrowly, 49.7% to 47.9%. In a more evenly matched election year, this would be a toss-up, but under current circumstances, Kiley is favored to win.

California’s 45th District

This district, straddling inland Orange and Los Angeles counties, includes a plurality of Asian American residents. And the race between Republican Rep. Michelle Steel and Democratic rival Jay Chen, a community college trustee, has turned harshly negative, with charges of anti-Asian bias flying back and forth. Over the summer, Steel, who emigrated from South Korea, accused Chen of mocking her accent, which he denied. Her campaign, a few weeks later, sent out a mailer portraying Chen, the son of Taiwanese immigrants, as a communist sympathizer — because a decade ago, on the Hacienda La Puente school board, Chen voted to adopt a free Chinese-language program offered by the Chinese government.

California’s 47th District

This is a late-breaking, newly competitive race in a coastal Orange County district, which is good news for the Republicans. Democratic Rep. Katie Porter, a doyenne of the congressional hard Left, faces Scott Baugh, a Republican assemblyman from 1995 to 2000 who led the GOP caucus in Sacramento during the latter part of his tenure. The race tests how much Orange County has really changed politically. Once a Republican redoubt, the suburban county south of Los Angeles has turned purple and even blue in parts over the past several years. Baugh is a traditional, Reagan-style Republican with broad name recognition in the district. Porter, meanwhile, became a Democratic star through the merciless grilling of banking CEOs and other business executives during House committee hearings.

Minnesota’s 2nd District

This southern Minneapolis-St. Paul suburban district is rated a toss-up by the Cook Political Report. It has become a new concern for House Democrats, with outside groups pouring in advertising dollars in to triage it. Recent polling has been sparse. But a mid-October survey showed Democratic Rep. Angie Craig leading Republican rival Tyler Kistner by a single point. The campaign of Craig, a former healthcare executive, does have a healthy financial advantage over that of Kistner, a Marine Corps Reserve officer. Biden would have won here by 52.5% to 45.4%.

Nevada’s 1st District

Democratic Rep. Dina Titus was on to something in vulgarly describing the contours of the House district where she’s seeking reelection on Nov. 8. “I totally got f***ed by the legislature on my district,” Titus said at an AFL-CIO town hall on December 2021. “I’m sorry to say it like that, but I don’t know any other way to say it.” The new eastern Las Vegas-area 1st District would have backed Biden over Trump by a much narrower margin than the one she’s represented since 2013, covering most of the city of Las Vegas, portions of North Las Vegas, and parts of unincorporated Clark County. Sure enough, a recent New York Times/Siena College poll showed Titus tied at 47% with her Republican opponent, Mark Robertson, a financial planner and military veteran who retired as a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves. That’s hardly a comfortable place for Titus to be in as the Republicans’ election edge seems to build.

Ohio’s 1st District

If GOP Rep. Steve Chabot can hold on in this Cincinnati-area district, Republicans will not only be in the midst of winning a House majority, but a substantial one at that. Democrats, however, like their chances for this newly redrawn seat, which would have voted for Biden over Trump 53.5% to 45%. The Democratic nominee is Cincinnati City Councilman Greg Landsman.

Pennsylvania’s 7th District

This race between Democratic Rep. Susan Wild and Republican nominee Lisa Scheller, a former Lehigh County commissioner and wealthy businesswoman, is a microcosm of the nation’s evenly divided electorate. In 2020, Biden would have beaten Trump by a hair in this Lehigh Valley District, 49.7% to 49.1%. That’s probably good news for Republicans, with an anxious electorate that's likely more prone to take a chance on challengers rather than keeping incumbents in office.

Rhode Island’s 2nd District

The newly created western Providence and western Rhode Island district has become a cause celebre among House Republicans. They’re currently shut out of House seats in New England, and winning a district in heavily Democratic Rhode Island would help pad their prospective majority and give them bragging rights. GOP nominee Allan Fung, a former mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island, has consistently led in recent polls against the Democratic nominee, state Treasurer Seth Magaziner. No Republican has won a House seat in Rhode Island since 1992, so a Fung victory would likely be part of a red wave — or at least a strong election night.

Washington’s 8th District

Democratic Rep. Kim Schrier hasn’t committed any major gaffes or been implicated in scandals during her nearly four years in Congress. But she’s just the kind of relatively low-profile lawmaker who can get washed out in an election wave year if one ends up emerging for Republicans. Schrier faces Republican nominee Matt Larkin, an attorney and official in former President George W. Bush’s administration. The district, based in the eastern Seattle suburbs and part of central Washington, in 2020 would have backed Biden over Trump 52% to 45.3% — a Democratic edge to be sure, but hardly enough political sandbagging to thwart a potential GOP wave.

Turning down the heat on cold collections

Abigail Adcox

November 04, 01:15 AM November 04, 01:15 AM

Arizona voters are set to decide on a union-backed ballot initiative that aims to limit how debt collectors can go after residents for unpaid medical bills.

The proposal, if successful, could serve as an example to progressives in other Republican-led states hoping to tackle the issue without the involvement of GOP legislators and governors. It's the latest effort by liberal interest groups to get favored policy prescriptions enacted by doing an end-run around top state Republican officeholders. Three separate Nov. 8 ballot measures, pushed by Arizona Republicans, are seeking to make it more difficult to change state law that way.

Arizona's Proposition 209, the Predatory Debt Collection Act, would reduce the maximum interest rates creditors can charge on outstanding medical bills to 3% from the current threshold of 10%. It also would raise the value of assets protected from debt collection, which proponents argue would protect people from facing bankruptcy or poverty due to late medical bills.

"This ballot measure protects working-class and middle-class families from losing their homes,” said Martha French, a member of Healthcare Rising Arizona, which is backing the measure. "The Predatory Debt Collection Protection Act includes common-sense updates to bring state law [into line] with current financial realities, like ensuring protections adjust to inflation and cost of living increases so that when home prices go up, protections increase too.”

Proponents say it would give Arizona residents more breathing room to pay back their medical debts without losing their cars or homes in the process. Roughly 12% of Arizona residents have medical debt, owing an average of $719, according to an analysis from the Urban Institute.

But Amber C. Russo, a spokeswoman for the lead opponent of the measure, the political action committee Protect Our Arizona, said the "extreme anti-business policies" being proposed would increase the value of assets shielded from all types of debt collectors. The measure could be expanded to outstanding bills outside of the medical realm, citing the vague language of its provisions, she added.

"Landlords that are unable to collect the money owed to them from 'bad' tenants will shift the cost of damages and broken leases to the 'good' renters in the form of higher rents," Russo said. "Just like a big box store raises their prices to combat the expenses associated with shoplifting, 'all' will pay the price for 'some.'"

Protect Our Arizona notes that the measure is being financed partially by SEIU United Healthcare Workers, a California healthcare union that has contributed around $8 million to the primary PAC supporting the proposition. The union is also backing a dialysis ballot measure in California that would impose new rules on kidney dialysis clinics across the state.

Proposition 209 is one of 10 measures on the ballot before voters in Arizona, including Proposition 308, which would allow noncitizen students to pay in-state tuition rates. If passed, it would reverse a 2006 ballot initiative that barred illegal immigrants from being eligible for in-state tuition and financial aid, among other resources for students. Other initiatives address mail-in voting, taxes, and campaign finance.

Three of the Arizona ballot measures, Proposition 128, Proposition 129, and Proposition 130, focus on the initiative and referendum process itself. The goal of these proposals is to make it harder for voters to pass amendments to the state constitution via referendum, which Arizona Republicans say has been a way to sneak in liberal policies.

These propositions are backed by conservatives who are unhappy with recent voter-approved measures. Since 2016, ballot initiatives have been used to increase Arizona's minimum wage, require employers to provide employees with sick time, raise taxes on wealthy people, bump up teachers' salaries, and legalize marijuana statewide (it remains illegal at the federal level, however).

The measures come amid a slew of hotly contested races that have made Arizona a key 2022 midterm election battleground. Republican nominees endorsed by former President Donald Trump face well-funded Democratic rivals for governor, attorney general, and secretary of state. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) is also attempting to win a full, six-year term after winning in a special election in 2020.

'I'm not suicidal': Kari Lake reacts to Hillary jab with 'Clinton Body Count' joke

Daniel Chaitin

November 03, 10:39 PM November 03, 10:43 PM

A war of words between Kari Lake and Hillary Clinton took a conspiratorial turn on Thursday.

Lake, the Republican nominee for Arizona governor, alluded to the "Clinton Body Count" while reacting to the former secretary of state's criticisms of her.

"I’m in perfect health, my brakes on my car are in good shape, and I’m not suicidal," Lake quipped on WHD News after remarking how she was "a little concerned" when she saw Clinton "badmouthing" her. Lake shared the clip on Twitter and tagged Clinton.

Earlier, Clinton chastised Lake on CNN for seeming to make light of the recent attack on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) husband, asking, "What kind of person is that?" and calling Lake "the woman running in Arizona."

Lake came under fire this week after making comments during a candidate rally on Monday about the home invasion, noting, “Nancy Pelosi, well, she’s got protection when she’s in D.C. — apparently, her house doesn’t have a lot of protection.” Lake has since argued that she "never made light of the attack" and that her comments were taken out of context.

Lake is running against Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs for the job of Arizona governor. Lake, who is endorsed by former President Donald Trump, is leading Hobbs by 4 1/2 percentage points, according to the polling average presented by RealClearPolitics.

Republicans score big win in race for crucial Senate seat after Libertarian candidate drops out

Asher Notheis

November 01, 08:32 AM November 01, 08:44 AM

Libertarian candidate Marc Victor has dropped out of the Arizona Senate race, giving Republicans a major boost as they try to secure a majority in the upper house of Congress.

In withdrawing from the race, Victor has endorsed Republican candidate Blake Masters, who is running against incumbent Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ). Victor dropping out of the race comes a week before the election between the two, which is still very tight with only days left for the two to reach out to voters, according to a statement from Masters's campaign.

“I found Blake to be generally supportive of the Live and Let Live Global Peace Movement,” Victor said in a statement on Tuesday. "Likewise, we found ourselves in general agreement about how to improve America and advance the cause of freedom and peace. After that discussion, I believe it is in the best interests of freedom and peace to withdraw my candidacy and enthusiastically support Blake Masters for United States Senate. I intend to assist in any way reasonably possible to elect Blake."

WHERE POLLS STAND IN KEY SENATE RACES ONE WEEK FROM MIDTERM ELECTIONS

Victor and Masters spoke to each other on Monday in a 20-minute recorded conversation, which the Libertarian candidate had made a precondition to quitting. Victor is expected to publish the conversation for the public to listen to themselves, a person familiar with the conversation told the New York Times.

Masters was appreciative of Victor's endorsement, stating that it was "another major boost of momentum as we consolidate our support against the extreme and radical policies of Mark Kelly and Joe Biden. Live and Let Live."

Masters, who is endorsed by former President Donald Trump, has attempted to gain the support of Libertarian voters. On Thursday, the Senate candidate posted a 2010 photo of himself with former Rep. Ron Paul, thanking the famous Libertarian candidate for his endorsement.

A New York Times-Siena College poll released Monday stated that Kelly holds a 6 percentage point lead over Masters, with Kelly at 51% and Masters at 45%. The poll, conducted from Oct. 24 through Oct. 28, surveyed a total of 604 likely Arizona voters and had a margin of error of 4.4 percentage points.

To gain control of the Senate, the Republican Party needs to have a net gain of at least one Senate seat. The Senate race between Republicans and Democrats is currently in a dead heat as of Tuesday, with both parties winning 50 out of 100 simulated outcomes, according to FiveThirtyEight.

Arizona candidate credits Elon Musk for quick Twitter suspension reversal

Ryan King

October 31, 08:31 PM October 31, 08:33 PM

Self-described "Chief Twit" Elon Musk flexed his newfound Twitter powers Monday, vowing to investigate the suspension of Arizona GOP Secretary of State hopeful Mark Finchem. Within an hour, the Republican said he was reinstated and thanked Musk for taking quick action.

Finchem, who has championed election security and questioned the results of the 2020 contest, sent out an email to supporters Monday announcing his Twitter account was suspended and urging his followers to mount a pressure campaign to convince Musk to "unban" him.

MUSK DISSOLVES TWITTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS, SOLIDIFYING CONTROL OF COMPANY

"Twitter has blocked my account from speaking truth with one week left until the election. They are trying to put their thumb on the scales of this election. Tag Elon Musk and tell him to unban me right now. I am the Secretary of State nominee in a swing state running against the criminal Soros-funded candidate," he wrote in an email to supporters.

Trump-aligned lawyer Jenna Ellis took note of Finchem's plea and tagged Musk in a tweet, insisting that it was inappropriate for Finchem's account to be suspended about a week out from the midterm elections. That got Musk's attention.

"Looking into it," Musk said in reply.

It was not immediately clear why Finchem's account was suspended. The Washington Examiner reached out to Twitter for comment.

In declaring his return, Finchem thanked Musk and those who spread his statement about being suspended. "We are back! Thank you for stopping the commie who suspended me from Twitter a week before the election. Twitter is much better with you at the helm. Thank you," he said in his tweet.

Finchem, who is a state lawmaker, is facing off against Democrat Adrian Fontes for Arizona's Secretary of State post, and they are locked in a tight race.

Musk ascended to chief of Twitter last week after completing a $44 billion acquisition. Making his debut with a sink in the Twitter headquarters, Musk quickly moved to oust some of the top brass at the company, such as CEO Parag Agrawal, Chief Financial Officer Ned Segal, and Vijaya Gadde, head of legal policy, trust, and safety.

Prior to his takeover, Musk had voiced frustration with Twitter's content moderation policies, suggesting the company had not been even-handed in its approach — a frequent gripe among conservatives. Last week, he signaled that he may form a council to manage the company's moderation policy.

Kari Lake tries to turn kingmaker by backing Blake Masters, other GOP hopefuls in Arizona

Samantha-Jo Roth

October 29, 10:16 AM October 29, 10:16 AM

MESA, ARIZONA — Gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake utilized her name recognition to boost other Republicans on the ticket at a Halloween-themed campaign event on Friday night.

Lake, dressed as Rosie the Riveter, spoke for under four minutes before handing off the microphone to Republican Senate candidate Blake Masters. The family-friendly event was advertised on Lake’s website for about a week, but Masters and Abraham Hamadeh, the Arizona GOP candidate for attorney general, were added late Thursday night.

For several months, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) held a lead in the Senate race, but now the race is tightening. The Cook Political Report changed its rating on the Arizona Senate race from “Lean Democrat” to “Toss Up.”

WATCH: INFLATION, ABORTION, AND THE BORDER - ISSUES PUSHING THE ARIZONA MIDTERM ELECTION

Despite Masters's recent rise in the polls, he is garnering less support than Lake. According to a recent Fox 10 InsiderAdvantage poll, Lake leads Hobbs by 11 percentage points in the gubernatorial race.

Lake and Masters have been hitting the trail together recently and promoting one another on social media. As Masters gave his stump speech on Friday night, Lake’s official Twitter account live-tweeted his remarks with video. Masters is garnering less support than Lake, with polls showing he is in a competitive race against Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly.

Masters has not held any other open press events this week. A campaign aide said this is part of his strategy in the final days ahead of the election. In his stump speech Friday, Masters made immigration and the border a centerpiece of his message.

“One of the first executive orders President Biden signed halted the border wall. That’s when I knew it was about to be really, really bad. They gave our southern border up to the Mexican drug cartels,” Masters said to the crowd.

“This is a humanitarian disaster. I don't blame or begrudge any individual immigrant for wanting to come here fleeing some desperate situation, right. It's nothing personal, but you don't get to break into our country. And with the cartels. This is key. This is slavery. This is human trafficking.”

Inflation soared to 13% in Phoenix last month, a record for any U.S. city in data going back 20 years, a fact Masters highlighted.

“Here in Maricopa County, we’re suffering from the worst inflation in the whole country, brought to you by Mark Kelly. Mark Kelly denies responsibility," he said.

The Senate is split 50-50, but Democrats have the majority through Vice President Kamala Harris's tiebreaking vote. Republicans only need one seat in order to take back the majority.

Lake also recently released video advertisements in support of gubernatorial candidates Doug Mastriano of Pennsylvania and Michigan's Tudor Dixon, a rare endorsement for a candidate in the middle of a competitive race.

Arizona county reverses decision to hand count all ballots

Brady Knox

October 26, 11:13 PM October 26, 11:13 PM

Cochise County Board of Supervisors in Arizona backpedaled on a decision to hand count all ballots in the upcoming midterm elections, opting instead to only hand count some of them.

The sudden reversal came in light of threats from Secretary of State Katie Hobbs (D) to take legal action if the country went forward with the plan approved earlier this week, according to KOLD 13 News. The Cochise County attorney also stated he would not represent the board if lawsuits were brought against them. In the face of this pressure, the board held an emergency meeting, voting to reverse course on their Monday 2-1 vote and opt for only a partial hand count.

KARI LAKE HOLDS TIGHT LEAD IN LATEST ARIZONA GOVERNOR’S RACE POLL

“There is nothing in the law that would permit them to do the full hand count of all the ballots,”said Allie Bones, the deputy secretary of state, according to the news outlet. “You cannot do what you want to do.”

“We have a very descriptive law and procedures when it comes to election’s administration,” she added. “And those things have to be followed.”

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Supporters of the previous decision argued that hand counting ballots would help prevent any error by the counting machines. Opponents said that it would be less reliable and take much longer than machine counting.

Kari Lake, the Republican candidate for Arizona's governor who has made election integrity a key component of her campaign, voiced her support for the board's previous decision, urging all of Arizona to follow their lead. Lake is running against Hobbs.

Midterm elections 2022: Listed here are the troubles Arizona voters treatment about the most

Cami Mondeaux

September 09, 06:00 AM September 09, 06:01 AM

As the region inches closer toward Election Day, voters are homing in on precise difficulties that may well make your mind up the fate of Congress and numerous condition governments in November.

The Washington Examiner is tracking which troubles are on the leading of voters' minds as they get ready to head to the polls, especially in critical battleground states that could deliver a change in power to the federal government. Specially, we’re monitoring how voters are researching our prime 5 issues, which includes abortion, crime, schooling, inflation, and taxes, and how these passions fluctuate as we get nearer to Election Day.

MIDTERMS 2022: Tracking THE Issues THAT Subject TO VOTERS Forward OF ELECTION Working day

Down below you can observe the curiosity of just about every of our vital problems on a rolling 30-day foundation in the battleground state of Arizona. The Washington Examiner will be updating this webpage as passions and voting issues improve.

Critical races we’re viewing in the point out:

Arizona has a number of superior-profile races on the ballot this yr that might have national implications for the electric power equilibrium of Congress and how presidential elections will be held in the state.

Republicans are eyeing the Senate race amongst incumbent Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) who will confront Trump-backed challenger Blake Masters for a seat the GOP is hoping to flip in November. The race, as soon as considered a toss-up, is probable to lean Democratic, in accordance to some analysts, supplying Kelly an edge heading into the standard election.

Further down the ballot, Arizona voters are established to pick a new governor, which could have an affect on how presidential elections are held in the point out, specifically immediately after claims of prevalent voter fraud in 2020 that Trump allies claim are liable for the former president’s decline. That issue has taken center stage in the Arizona governor’s race as GOP applicant Kari Lake has focused significantly of her marketing campaign on rejecting the success of the 2020 election.

She is established to face Democratic applicant Katie Hobbs, who at the moment serves as the Arizona secretary of condition and has defended the state’s administration of the 2020 election.

Schooling

At the top of Arizona voters’ minds as of Sept. 2 is education, in accordance to world-wide-web searches recorded and analyzed by Google Developments.

Schooling emerged as a top worry among voters over the final month, spiking in mid-August as the new university calendar year began. Arizona voters are notably anxious about improved funding for schooling as effectively as decreasing economical barriers for college students heading to higher education, in accordance to a survey done by the Heart for the Foreseeable future of Arizona.

Google searches relating to education peaked 2 times during the past week of August, probable coinciding with the starting of the school year. The two spikes in world wide web website traffic mirror a greater trend as nationwide Google searches on training increased dramatically in close proximity to the close of final thirty day period.

Crime

Criminal offense has long been a focal stage in the midterm elections, with Democrats and Republicans generating clear distinctions about how they’d handle increasing criminal offense prices nationwide.

The difficulty of crime has not been central to the midterms dialogue in Arizona, but it has develop into a focal issue for numerous campaigns nationwide. It is not distinct how it will play out in the Grand Canyon Point out, but Republican candidates may perhaps have an benefit for the reason that they are normally viewed as to be better at handling crime, according to an April Washington Submit/ABC News poll.

That sentiment has shifted in prior many years, as voters applied to look at equally functions equal on the make a difference.

Taxes

Taxes emerged as one particular of the major problems for Arizona voters in the course of the month of August before dropping off and slipping to the 3rd-most researched subject matter by the commencing of September. Google searches associated to taxes spiked on Aug. 30 and then again on Sept. 1, possible coinciding with the announcement of President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.

The problem of taxes has also been in the highlight in Arizona following the state Supreme Courtroom ruled in August that tax cuts enacted by condition lawmakers cannot be repealed by voters by a ballot referendum. Training advocates sought to block a decision from the state legislature that accredited tax cuts mainly benefiting wealthy taxpayers in the state.

Abortion

Abortion has remained a very low-investigated subject matter among Arizona voters in the course of the month of August, in accordance to Google Developments details. Best lookups linked to abortion between Arizona citizens incorporated queries on “abortion legal guidelines in Arizona” and “is abortion lawful in Arizona?”

Abortion is at this time legal in Arizona, with a new legislation established to just take position on Sept. 24 that bans the process soon after 15 months gestation. Under condition regulation, it is lawful for Arizona citizens to attain an abortion in one more condition.

Abortion emerged as a best concern amid voters nationwide above the summertime just after the Supreme Court docket announced its final decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, ending nationwide obtain to abortions and rather returning the selection of its legality to the states. The situation has significantly taken centre phase in the legal professional general’s race mainly because the posture will largely be accountable for decoding the state’s new abortion regulation.

Inflation

Even with remaining the major issue at the beginning of August, inflation has fallen to be a person of Arizona voters’ the very least vital priorities as of Sept. 2.

Republicans have long targeted on inflation as a critical voter issue in the midterm election cycle, pointing to soaring inflation rates underneath Biden. Even so, inflation has turn into less of a worry immediately after the passage of Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, giving Democrats aid and posing issues to Republicans as they formulate new methods.

SEE IT: Hoover Dam transformer bursts into flames

Victor I. Nava

July 20, 03:55 AM July 20, 03:58 AM

A transformer caught hearth at the foundation of Hoover Dam on Tuesday, but the incident did not disrupt electric power staying produced at the facility and no one particular was hurt.

The fire and apparent explosion at the base of the 726-foot-substantial hydroelectric electric power making facility was caught on video clip by tourists who shared footage on the blaze on social media. The hearth was extinguished close to 30 minutes right after the blast and posed no chance to the power grid, according to officials.

"At about 10 a.m. (PDT) the A5 transformer at Hoover Dam caught hearth and was extinguished by the Reclamation/Hoover fireplace brigade at roughly 10:30 a.m.," Jacklynn Gould, regional director for the Bureau of Reclamation, reported in a assertion.

"There are no injuries to visitors or staff. There is no risk to the electric power grid and electricity is even now becoming generated from the powerhouse. We are investigating the bring about of the hearth and will provide supplemental updates as they are available," Gould's statement concluded.

Electricity GRIDS Face THE Summer season Strain

Online video footage of the incident clearly show a fire and black billowing smoke rising from just one of the dam's transformers in the vicinity of exactly where the Colorado River flows into the dam.

Visitors browsing the facility found on the Arizona and Colorado border mentioned they heard an alarm seem and felt the floor rumble beneath them, according to the .

“A ton of black smoke just exploded in the air. It seemed practically like a mushroom and then a fire adopted,” William Herro, 13, of San Francisco, instructed the .

Hoover Dam commenced operating in 1935. The facility is regarded as a National Historic Landmark, and it supplies energy to 8 million persons in Arizona, Nevada, and Southern California. The enormous dam is operated and preserved by the Bureau of Reclamation.