Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* At a White House holiday reception last night, Donald Trump told applauding supporters, “We’re trying to do another four years. Otherwise, I’ll see you in four years.” NBC News reported yesterday that the outgoing president might announce his 2024 campaign on Joe Biden’s Inauguration Day.
* Because his recent campaign was a special-election race, Sen. Mark Kelly (D) will be sworn in today as the Senate’s newest member. He will also alter the balance of the chamber, creating a 52-48 split in Republicans’ favor.
* Speaking of special election victories, voters in Georgia’s 5th congressional district yesterday elected former Atlanta City Council Member Kwanza Hall (D) to the U.S. House, filling the remainder of the late John Lewis’ (D) term. Hall will only serve on Capitol Hill for about a month: Rep.-elect Nikema Williams (D) was elected to serve a full term, which will begin on Jan. 3.
* In New York’s 22nd congressional district, the latest tallies suggested former Rep. Claudia Tenney (R) led Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D) by just 12 votes, making it one of the closest congressional races in the last century. Yesterday, however, a local county reported the discovery of 55 early voting ballots, which may affect the outcome.
* In Georgia’s U.S. Senate runoff elections, incumbent Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) released a new ad this week arguing that he’s been “totally exonerated” in controversies surrounding his investments. It suggests the Republican’s internal polling shows voters are aware of the allegations. * As part of his misguided offensive against Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R), Trump yesterday promoted a tweet claiming the Republican governor disenfranchised “millions of Republicans” by certifying the state’s results. Arizona doesn’t have millions of Republicans, and the certification process didn’t disenfranchise anyone. * And Ronna McDaniel’s bid for a third term as Republican National Committee chair appears to be going quite well. The Associated Press reported this morning, “In a letter Wednesday to the 168 members of the RNC announcing her candidacy, McDaniel said she has the support of Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and House Minority Leader McCarthy of California, as well as a supermajority of committee members — all but assuring her victory.”
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."
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