Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* As of right now, in Kansas’ closely watched Republican gubernatorial primary, Secretary of State Kris Kobach leads Gov. Jeff Colyer by just 191 votes. A local report added, “The razor-thin margin could change in the days ahead as provisional ballots are counted and mail-in ballots continue to arrive. A recount appears possible.”
* Following last night’s results across several states, there will be more women candidates for the U.S. House this year than in any election cycle in American history.
* By a 2-to-1 margin, voters in Missouri easily rejected a so-called “right to work” measure approved by the state’s Republican legislature.
* Also in Missouri, Rep. William Lacy Clay faced a spirited Democratic primary challenge from Cori Bush, but the incumbent prevailed by about 23 points.
* In the race to replace former Rep. John Conyers (D) in Michigan, former state Rep. Rashida Tlaib won yesterday’s Democratic primary. Because there are no Republicans or third-party candidates running in the general election, we know that Tlaib will become the first Muslim woman elected to Congress in November.
* House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers advanced yesterday in Washington’s top-two primary, but her underwhelming vote totals reinforced the impression that she may be vulnerable in the fall. * Despite recent claims of financial difficulties, the National Rifle Association has launched a seven-figure ad campaign in support of Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination. * Following up on a quirky election story I mentioned a couple of months ago, first-term Rep. Ron G. Estes won his Republican primary yesterday in Kansas — which is only notable because his GOP rival was named Ron M. Estes. The incumbent congressman nevertheless won by an overwhelming margin. * And with an eye toward 2020, I thought I’d mention that former Vice President Joe Biden recorded a robocall for Danny O’Connor (D) in Ohio’s 12th congressional district special election.
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
