Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* Following Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens’ (R) indictment yesterday, the Missouri Republican Party this morning lashed out at the local prosecutor, “St. Louis liberals,” and George Soros. The GOP statement went on to describe the criminally charged Greitens as a “law-and-order governor.”
* With timing running out ahead of the congressional special election in Pennsylvania’s 18th district, a Democratic PAC, End Citizens United, is investing about $250,000 in support of Conor Lamb (D). Election Day in March 13.
* Fifteen months after the last presidential election, attendees to the Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) launched into a “lock her up” chant this morning in response to Donald Trump’s reference to Hillary Clinton. There was another extended chant yesterday.
* Despite her recent health difficulties, Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) insisted this week that she’s “definitely” running for another term this fall.
* TPM reports that Arizona’s Republican-led state government is moving forward with a plan to undermine the state’s independent redistricting commission, which is responsible for drawing state legislative district lines.
* Though Sen. John Barrasso (R) is generally considered a safe incumbent in Wyoming this year, David Dodson, a wealthy entrepreneur based in Jackson, launched an independent Senate bid this week. Dodson, a longtime Republican, said he intends to help “return my party to the party of Alan Simpson and Ronald Reagan.” * I understand that national parties sometimes intervene in primaries, but the DCCC is understandably facing criticism for going after Laura Moser, a progressive Democratic candidate in Houston, who’s running in a primary in the hopes of defeating Rep. John Culberson (R) in one of Texas’ most competitive districts. * In Ohio, Our Revolution, an outgrowth of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign, endorsed Dennis Kucinich’s (D) gubernatorial campaign this week, but the Vermont senator himself said yesterday that he’s remaining neutral in the race. * And in Maryland, the latest statewide poll suggests incumbent Sen. Ben Cardin (D) leads his controversial Democratic primary rival, Chelsea Manning, by more than 40 points.
Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past." Recommended
