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Year: 2023

Dems, GOP both won big victories and suffered defeats in 2023. Here are the year’s top election takeaways

Dems, GOP both won big victories and suffered defeats in 2023. Here are the year’s top election takeaways

Democrats and Republicans clashed in a number of heated elections across the country this year as they looked to build momentum heading into 2024. Both parties experienced big victories and disappointing defeats, including in a number of gubernatorial, mayoral and state legislative races. Here is a look at the top takeaways from 2023’s elections: In October, Republicans flipped Louisiana’s governor seat from Democratic control when state Attorney General Jeff Landry defeated Democrat Shawn Wilson. Landry passed the 50% threshold required to avoid a runoff in Louisiana’s jungle primary system and will take over from term-limited Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards in January. AS DEMOCRATS LEAN ON JAN 6, CRITICS ARGUE BIDEN’S PARTY IS THE REAL THREAT TO DEMOCRACY The race was the first major contest between Democrats and Republicans heading into the 2024 elections, and both hoped to use it as a springboard for success in the November elections just weeks later. Landry was only the second Republican elected in the last two decades to lead Louisiana, a traditionally deep-red state, with the other being former Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal. In March, Democratic Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot became the first incumbent leading the city in four decades to lose a re-election bid when she came in third in her party’s primary and failed to make the April runoff. She was ultimately ousted by progressive Democrat Brandon Johnson, a county commissioner backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and the Chicago Teachers Union. VETERANS SHAME DEMOCRAT IN TOP 2024 HOUSE RACE FOR WEARING ARMY UNIFORM DURING EVENT DESPITE NEVER SERVING Chicago’s rampant crime problem played a major role in voters’ decision to give Lightfoot the boot as the city saw crime go through the roof during her tenure. The number of homicides in Chicago in 2021 hit a 25-year-high, reaching 797, according to the Chicago Police Department. Incumbent Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear handily won re-election in deep-red Kentucky in November, a major blow to Republicans hoping to ride the momentum into the 2024 election year with another big flip after winning in Louisiana. The rising-star status of Beshear’s opponent, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, combined with the unpopularity of President Biden and his fellow Democrats in the commonwealth, ultimately didn’t boost Republicans’ chances at flipping the seat, and led to a large amount of finger pointing within the party in the aftermath. Immediately following the election, a number of national and local Republicans lamented that former U.N. Ambassador Kelly Craft, who faced Cameron in the GOP primary earlier in the year, wasn’t the party’s nominee, arguing she would have been a more “formidable” challenge to Beshear. Beshear will continue as one of the last remaining Democratic governors of a deep-red state where Republican voters outnumber Democrat voters and conservative roots run deep. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelley will be the only other Democratic governor of a Republican-leaning state once Landry replaces Bel Edwards in Louisiana in January. FORMER TRUMP ADVISER KELLYANNE CONWAY LEADS CHARGE TO OVERHAUL GOP ABORTION STRATEGY, END DEMS’ 2024 ADVANTAGE In November, Democrats retained control of the Virginia state Senate and flipped the state House of Delegates from Republicans, despite GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s attempts to win total control of the state legislature for his party. Virginia’s legislative elections grabbed outsized national attention, with both Democrats and Republicans spending millions on the races, which were viewed in political circles as a key barometer ahead of the 2024 elections for president and control of Congress. Strategists from both parties looked closely at the results in Virginia’s northern suburbs of Washington, D.C., and around Richmond, for signs that Republicans were able to make any inroads with suburban voters — especially women — who fled the GOP in recent election cycles. But there was scant evidence. The results mean Youngkin won’t have a free hand during his final two years in office to push through a conservative agenda, and are seen as a political setback for a governor with a reputation as a rising star in the GOP, whom some top Republican donors were urging to make a late-in-the-game entry into the 2024 White House race. BIDEN TEAM’S CENTRAL 2024 MESSAGE PAINTS TRUMP AS ‘THREAT TO DEMOCRACY’: REPORT In February, Democrats in Pennsylvania won control of the state House for the first time in over a decade with a one-seat majority after months of uncertainty following the 2022 elections. Democrats then lost the majority with the resignation of one of its members in July before regaining the majority with a special election victory in September. The chamber was thrown back into a deadlock earlier this month with the resignation of another Democrat, who departed for a position as a judge, leaving the balance of power at 101-101. A special election is expected to be held on Feb. 13 to fill the empty seat.  In November, Ohio voters approved a constitutional amendment enshrining abortion rights in the state’s constitution.  The vote was opposed by Republicans, who argued the measure went even further than Roe v. Wade. BIDEN SCRAMBLES TO WIN OVER SWING STATE BLACK VOTERS AS SUPPORT FROM THE TRADITIONALLY BLUE BLOC FALTERS The election signaled a major victory for pro-abortion advocates, including the American Civil Liberties Union, who had pumped tens of millions into the state that Trump carried by eight points in 2020.  The group argued that a constitutional amendment was needed to protect abortion access after the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade. Incumbent Republican Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves secured a second term at the helm of the Magnolia State in November by defeating his Democratic opponent Brandon Presley, the second cousin to famed rock and roll legend Elvis Presley. National Democrats saw the race as a potential flip opportunity in a deep-red state and tried to capitalize on that by hammering Reeves for refusing Medicaid expansion. Reeves responded to the attacks by saying he believed in work, not welfare. Reeves touted his record as governor during the race, citing the state’s lowest unemployment rate in history, rising educational

Pig roasts, hockey games and family: Lawmakers share favorite Christmas traditions

Pig roasts, hockey games and family: Lawmakers share favorite Christmas traditions

For millions of Americans, Christmas is a day to spend with family and showing loved ones how much they care, and members of Congress are no different.  “We always do the same thing. Our tradition is that we celebrate Christmas Eve, so for us, it’s called Nochebuena,” Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., who is Cuban American, told Fox News Digital. “And it’s the birth of Jesus, so that’s where family, friends, etc., get together … and then we have a pig roast. “ The pig roast, which is done outside, comes after “hours of preparation,” he said. Gimenez said his sons lead the meticulous process each year, adding, “They know how to do it better than I do it. I just help out.” IN ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS, OUR ‘FAITH REALLY COMES INTO FOCUS,’ SAYS FOX NEWS’ RACHEL CAMPOS-DUFFY The Cuban tradition of roasting a pig on Christmas Eve even inspired Gimenez to pardon the animals when he served as mayor of Miami-Dade County. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., and his family take a sportier approach to Christmas, going head-to-head in an annual hockey game. Emmer himself was a hockey coach and played the sport in college. In true Minnesota fashion, the friendly competition is the No. 3 House leader’s favorite Christmas tradition, and it even comes with an MVP trophy at the end. Making it all the more special this year will be Emmer’s grandson getting his first pair of skates, Fox News Digital was told. HERE’S WHY MARY IS SUCH A KEY FIGURE IN THE ADVENT SEASON Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, said her favorite part of Christmas is getting her home festive for it. “I love decorating for the holidays. I start decorating for Christmas the second people leave my house on Thanksgiving,” she told Fox News Digital. “Fun fact: I have a massive Nutcracker collection that my mom passed down to me. I added a Sugar Plum Fairy this year.” ACTOR DAVID HENRIE, DAD OF 3, HAS ‘SOFT SPOT’ FOR BOX OF JOY GIVING PROGRAM FOR NEEDY CHILDREN For Republican Study Committee Chairman Kevin Hern, R-Okla., the best Christmas tradition is simply spending time with his kids and grandkids. Rep. Greg Pence, R-Ind., brother of former Vice President Mike Pence, similarly described family time as his favorite Christmas tradition. “All my brothers and I, and nephews, go out to dinner on [Dec. 21] every year,” Pence told Fox News Digital.

Plane carrying Indian passengers to leave France after trafficking probe

Plane carrying Indian passengers to leave France after trafficking probe

Airbus A340 is expected to leave airport on Monday after French Civil Aviation Authority secures approval. A plane carrying more than 300 Indian passengers that has been detained at an airport in France since Thursday has been cleared to leave after a probe into human trafficking claims, French authorities have said. French prosecutors on Sunday gave the green light for the plane to leave Vatry airport, located 150km (95 miles) east of Paris, after questioning passengers for two days about allegations they may be victims of human trafficking. The Airbus A340 is expected to leave on Monday after the French Civil Aviation Authority secures final approval for departure, with a lawyer for Romania-based Legend Airlines saying most of the stranded passengers would be returning to India. Two passengers have been detained since Friday as authorities investigate whether they travelled with a different purpose than the other passengers and “under what conditions and with what objectives”. Several other passengers have requested asylum in France, according to the local government. The Nicaragua-bound plane was held after stopping to refuel at Vatry en route from Fujairah Airport in the United Arab Emirates, after authorities received an anonymous tip that it may be carrying trafficking victims. The passengers of the flight, including a 21-month-old child, have since then been confined at the airport, where local government authorities said beds, toilets and showers were installed for their stay. After police grounded the aircraft, authorities turned the airport into a makeshift courtroom as judges, lawyers and translators filled the terminal to conduct emergency hearings to determine whether the passengers could be held any longer. The Indian Embassy in Paris posted on X on Saturday that consular staff were working with French authorities for an “early resolution of the situation”. Francois Procureur, the head of the Châlons-en-Champagne Bar Association, told local television that the hearings were “unprecedented”. “I’m surprised at how things unfolded in the waiting area,” Procureur told BFM television. “People should have been informed of their rights and, clearly, that was not the case.” Adblock test (Why?)

Analysis: Has the US-led Red Sea force calmed shippers amid Houthi attacks?

Analysis: Has the US-led Red Sea force calmed shippers amid Houthi attacks?

The United States-led multinational naval force that was to protect and secure maritime traffic through the Red Sea from attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels appears significantly weakened – even if not quite dead in the water – before it ever sailed together. Less than a week after the announcement of Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG), France, Italy and Spain have pulled out of the nearly fully-created force touted to include warships from more than 10 nations. The decision to cobble together what is essentially an anti-Houthi coalition was almost forced on Washington. In early November, a US destroyer shot down several missiles fired from Yemen but the US tried to maintain a business-as-usual pose and not advertise that it was engaging the Yemeni group. As long as the combative Houthis tried, unsuccessfully, to lob missiles at Israel, a country attacking Yemeni’s Arab and Muslim brethren, the US could maintain that the whole affair was not a serious regional escalation. But when their repeated attacks on ships headed to and from the Suez Canal threatened the security of international maritime routes, the US was forced to act. The US Navy already has a huge number of ships in the region, so why would it need to ask friendly nations to contribute more? One reason is that even with such a large force, the US cannot spare many ships for the task. The other is political unwillingness to be the only nation attacking Yemen as it would likely be interpreted, especially in the Middle East, as direct military action in aid of Israel. US political and military dilemmas are largely conditioned by geography and Yemen’s control of the strategically important choke point where the Indian Ocean funnels into the Red Sea. The Bab el-Mandeb passage is only 29km (16 nautical miles) wide at its narrowest point. Its approaches are bristling with warships: More than 35 from at least 12 nations that do not border the Red Sea are now in positions from which they could reach the strait in less than 24 hours. Nations along its African and Arabian shores have at least as many in their harbours. Many of these ships were already in the region before 7 October. The northwestern parts of the Indian Ocean leading into the Gulf of Aden and the Bab el-Mandeb are probably the most notorious pirate-infested waters of the 21st century. The civil war and breakdown of Somalia’s central government created maritime piracy on an unprecedented scale. Somali pirates venture out to sea in fast small boats, armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades and intercept commercial shipping heading towards and from Bab el-Mandeb in three directions: from the Far East, passing south of India; from the Gulf, sailing around the Arabian Peninsula; and north to south along African shores. Shipping companies demanded protection and the international community, aware of the need to keep shipping lanes open and secure, provided it. Every month, 200 ships cross the Suez in each direction carrying no less than 3 million containers. Since 1990, the Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) had been engaged in anti-piracy missions. More than 30 nations, mostly Western but also including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Thailand, Singapore and Turkey, took part and usually kept at least four warships on station, rotating every three to four months. In 2022, a new force, the CTF-153, took over. When the latest war in Gaza started, the force was comprised of US destroyers USN Carney and USN Mason, Japanese destroyer JDS Akebono and a South Korean one, ROKS Yang Man Chun. In anticipation of the arrival of stronger assets, the US ships immediately moved into the Red Sea, and both have on several occasions intercepted Houthi missiles and drones. The US Navy hurriedly deployed two aircraft carrier task groups – which include anti-aircraft and anti-submarine cruisers and destroyers, helicopter carriers, assault ships and other offensive and defensive assets – to the wider region. It is almost certain that the White House did not immediately have a concrete action plan for involvement in the Gaza conflict, but the decision to deploy to the region naval and air power capable of taking on all potential adversaries was militarily prudent. Meanwhile, the White House also engaged in diplomacy. The US and Iran exchanged indirect statements, assuring each other they did not seek confrontation. Iran announced that it had not been informed of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, and the US did everything to avoid alienating Iran. In return, Tehran nudged the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah into refraining from a full-scale offensive. The de-escalation seemed to be working. But then the Houthis, considered to be an Iranian proxy in much the same way as Hezbollah, decided to attack in the Red Sea, demanding Israel end its war on Gaza. They launched long-range missiles at Israel and naval missiles at US Navy destroyers that had entered the Red Sea. Both operations failed, with all missiles and drones being on several occasions intercepted and shot down. The US Navy was convinced that its two destroyers could handle the situation, possibly being reinforced in time by a couple more. But when tankers and container ships in the Red Sea started taking hits almost daily, the escalation was undeniable. Many of the world’s biggest shipping companies shifted from going through the Suez Canal to the longer and more expensive route around Africa. Commercial carriers now introduced a $700 surcharge on each container sailing the longer route. Counting just those laden with Asian manufactured goods heading to Europe, the additional cost is a staggering $2bn per month. That increase gets passed on to the final customers – leading to inflation. In addition, the longer travel will soon cause distribution delays, shortages and general disruption of the economy, which every nation will feel. The markets demanded action and the US optimistically believed it could assemble a robust force of up to 20 participating nations to carry out Operation Prosperity Guardian. Within days, high hopes were drowned in refusals.