Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* In North Carolina’s 9th congressional district, Dan McCready on Friday announced that he will run again in the do-over election. McCready might have won in November, had it not been for the illegal scheme to elect Republican Mark Harris.
* Speaking of North Carolina, I’m not sure this will survive an appeal, but for now, it’s a big deal that a judge threw out two amendments to the state constitution, including a voter-ID requirement, pointing to the gerrymandered legislature. “An illegally constituted General Assembly does not represent the people of North Carolina and is therefore not empowered to pass legislation that would amend the state’s constitution,” Wake County Superior Court Judge G. Bryan Collins wrote.
* Some Democratic officials believe Sen. Joni Ernst (R) may be vulnerable in Iowa next year, but they’ll need a top-tier contender to run against her. On Friday, former Gov. Tom Vilsack (D) said he won’t be a candidate.
* Over the weekend, the latest Emerson poll found Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in the lead in the New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary with 27% support, edging out former Vice President Joe Biden, who had 25%. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), who garnered 12% in the poll, was the only other candidate in double digits.
* There were seven state legislative special elections in Louisiana over the weekend, but few surprises. Republicans easily won in three of the seven, a Democrat easily won in another, and the rest are headed for run-off elections. * Though high-dollar fundraisers are a staple of every presidential campaign, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has decided she won’t hold any as part of her 2020 primary race. * Though many Democratic officials would prefer to see former Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) run against Sen. Cory Gardner (R) in Colorado next year, the former governor appears determined to run for president instead. “I’m not cut out to be a senator,” Hickenlooper said over the weekend. * And Gallup released an interesting report the other day, measuring Donald Trump’s approval rating by state. The president is above 50% in just 12 states, while he’s below 40% in 17 states. Of particular interest: Trump has seen a significant drop off in support in Texas as compared to his 2016 showing. He won the Lone Star State with 52% support, but Gallup shows him with a 41% approval rating in Texas now.
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
