Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* In a bit of a surprise, former Rep. Katie Porter has launched a gubernatorial candidacy in California, a year after the Democrat’s unsuccessful U.S. Senate campaign. NBC News’ report on the developments added that former Vice President Kamala Harris is eyeing the same contest, “and Porter’s plans could change if Harris decides to jump into the race.”
* As expected, Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II has launched a gubernatorial campaign, joining an increasingly crowded Democratic field. If elected, Gilchrist would become Michigan’s first Black governor, and one of only a handful of Black governors to ever serve in the United States.
* Donald Trump’s on-again, off-again contempt for Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky is apparently back on again. The president published an item to his social media platform that read in part, “HE SHOULD BE PRIMARIED, and I will lead the charge against him. He’s just another GRANDSTANDER. … He reminds me of Liz Chaney [sic]. … The people of Kentucky won’t stand for it, just watch. DO I HAVE ANY TAKERS???”
* A super PAC called V-PAC: Victors not Victims is launching a $3 million ad campaign in Ohio, hoping to boost Vivek Ramaswamy’s Republican gubernatorial candidacy. Both of the super PAC’s commercials emphasize Ramaswamy’s connections to Trump.
* Republican Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, appeared on Fox News this week and said Democrats are “a threat to democracy” because the party is trying “hijack” GOP town halls.
* In Florida, GOP gubernatorial hopeful Byron Donalds was asked this week whether he’d use taxpayer money to purchase cryptocurrency. The congressman didn’t rule it out.
* And speaking of the Sunshine State, former Illinois state Sen. Jim Oberweis lost several statewide and congressional races in his home state and ultimately moved to Florida. Now, the Republican is trying again, this time running for Congress in his adopted home state, hoping to succeed Donalds in his Fort Myers-area district.
