Ex-NBA player to face Amy Klobuchar for Minnesota Senate seat
A former professional basketball player has won the Republican primary to take on three-term Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., in the fall. Royce White, who played with the Sacramento Kings in the NBA in 2014, bested a crowded field of candidates in the North Star State, armed with key endorsements from former President Trump’s circle. That includes support from Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.; Arizona Senate hopeful Kari Lake; and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell. He was also backed by the state GOP. MINNESOTA GOP DEMANDS PROBE AFTER NONCITIZEN CLAIMS RECEIVING PRIMARY BALLOT WITHOUT REGISTERING TO VOTE White has previously described himself as a “MAGA extremist,” according to the Star Tribune, and has closely aligned himself with the ex-president’s right-wing populist stances. His victory appears to be a rebuke of the Minnesota GOP. White beat out retired U.S. Navy officer Joe Fraser, his top rival, despite the latter having support from two former GOP senators and a former governor. Royce has raised just over $125,000 in individual contributions this election cycle and is heading into the general election with nearly $53,000 cash on hand. MINNESOTA MURDER STATS ROSE UNDER WALZ’S LEADERSHIP AS HE TRIES TO TIE VIOLENT CRIME TREND TO TRUMP: DATA That’s dwarfed by Klobuchar’s $12 million in individual contributions raised. Her war chest is also larger than Royce’s. She entered the race with $6.5 million cash on hand. Royce remains a long shot to win the general election, however. The state has trended blue in recent years, and Minnesotans have not elected a Republican to the White House since Richard Nixon in 1972. Klobuchar, the senior senator from the state, has won re-election twice after her first campaign in 2006. She’s the first woman to represent Minnesota in the Senate. MINNESOTA DEM LAWMAKER DEFENDS WALZ AGAINST ‘RADICAL’ LABEL FROM GOP: ‘COULDN’T DISAGREE MORE’ A moderate Democrat, she voted with former President Trump approximately a third of the time She won in 2006 with approximately 58% of the vote, followed by 65% in 2012 and 60% in 2018.
Trump-backed House incumbent wins primary in formerly deep-blue House district
Rep. Michelle Fischbach beat out Steve Boyd in the GOP primary for Minnesota’s 7th Congressional District on Tuesday, advancing to the general election where she will face Democrat challenger A. John Peters. Fischbach, who received an endorsement from the Republican Party’s standard-bearer, former President Trump, has a conservative record in her deep-red Minnesota district, despite drawing the challenge of small businessman Boyd. FORMER LEADER OF WALZ’S BATTALION PUBLISHES SCATHING MESSAGE AIMED AT GOVERNOR’S MILITARY CAREER: REPORT Fischbach served as a state senator for more than 20 years prior to her election win in Congress in 2020. She also served as lieutenant governor. In 2020, Fischbach flipped the 7th Congressional District red and defeated 30-year incumbent Democrat Rep. Collin Peterson. Boyd, who has been outspent by Fischbach, has shown support for Jan. 6 rioters and has hosted campaign events allowing some Minnesotans who faced federal charges to talk about their side of the story. Boyd has also criticized Fischbach for being too focused on writing legislation and argued that he would take a more conservative stance on cultural issues, the Star Tribune reported. He also reportedly claimed he would be willing to shut down the government to curb border crossings and would join Congress’ hard-line conservative coalition, the House Freedom Caucus.
Omar breaks ‘Squad’ losing streak with primary victory
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn, was able to avoid the recent fate of some of her other “Squad” members in Congress, coming away with the win in the Democrat primary for Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District on Tuesday. The race featured another member of the so-called “Squad” facing off with a primary challenger, with Don Samuels, Abena McKenzie and Nate Schluter looking to make Omar the third member of the progressive group to lose a primary challenge in this cycle. MINNESOTA RIOTS CONTINUED AFTER WALZ TOOK ‘RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE’ THERE WOULDN’T BE CHAOS The race featured a rematch between Omar and Samuels, who the incumbent representative narrowly escaped losing to in a 2022 primary challenge, inching out a win over Samuels by just under two percentage points before easily coasting to re-election in November. The Democrat primary in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, which the Cook Political Report rates as “solid” Democrat, came amid a backdrop of primary defeats for Omar’s colleagues in the Squad, with Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., losing a primary challenge in June and Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., losing her primary earlier this month. This time around, Omar’s camp felt more confident, with the incumbent not facing the onslaught of advertising by United Democracy Project, a super PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. (AIPAC) MINNESOTA BUSINESS OWNER TEARS INTO WALZ FOR COVID, BLM RIOT LEADERSHIP: A ‘TOTAL AND COMPLETE FAILURE’ Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, which covers much of greater Minneapolis, has been represented by a Democrat in the House of Representatives since 1963, with Omar taking office in 2019. The district has also been a dependable voting bloc for Democrats in presidential elections, with every race since 2000 going overwhelmingly to Democrat candidates.
Incumbent GOP Rep. Pete Stauber wins Minnesota Congressional District 8 primary
Incumbent Republican Rep. Pete Stauber of Minnesota defeated his challenger Harry Welter and will face off against the Democratic primary winner in November’s election after securing a victory Tuesday night for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District. Rep. Pete Stauber has served in the House of Representatives since January 2019, and is known for his background in law enforcement and his focus on public safety. Before entering politics, Stauber worked as a police officer in Duluth, Minnesota. His experience in law enforcement has influenced his legislative priorities, including his advocacy for stronger border security and support for law enforcement agencies. The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 endorsed Stauber last month. VETERAN WHO SERVED IN TIM WALZ’S BATTALION ADDRESSES STOLEN VALOR ACCUSATIONS: ‘FAR DARKER THAN PEOPLE THINK’ Challenger Harry Welter, originally from Arkansas City, Kansas, now lives in Duluth, Minnesota and works in education. He earned his bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1973. Welter became active in politics while serving on the Duluth school board from 1996 to 2004. During his time on the board, he gained national attention when he used a voodoo doll to symbolize trying to resolve conflicts among board members.
Econ professor advances past Dem primary to face GOP opponent in MN 8th House district
Jen Schuktz won Tuesday night’s House District- 8 Democratic primary in Minnesota, beating out Democratic Farmer-Labor candidate John Munter. She will move on to the General Election, facing off against Republican incumbent Rep. Pete Stauber Cook Political Report has labeled the 8th Congressional District as “solid” Republican territory. Munter of Warba is originally from Albion, New York, and graduated from Duluth East High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth in 1972. According to Ballotpedia, prior to his retirement, he later got a degree from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in 1988, and worked as a writer and at Delta Airlines. FORMER LEADER OF WALZ’S BATTALION PUBLISHES SCATHING MESSAGE AIMED AT GOVERNOR’S MILITARY CAREER: REPORT Jen Schultz of Duluth has lived in Duluth for nearly two decades, teaches economics at the University of Minnesota, and has served in the state legislature for eight years. During her time in the state House, she championed several bills focused on expanding affordable health insurance, increasing wages for personal care assistants, investing in home and community-based services and “closing corporate tax loopholes,” according to her website.
Can X help Donald Trump get back into the White House?
The former US president and Republican nominee returns to the platform in a talk with Elon Musk. As recently as two years ago, Donald Trump and Elon Musk were public enemies – with Musk posting on his social media platform X: “I don’t hate the man, but it’s time for Trump to hang up his hat & sail into the sunset.” Now, the billionaire businessman has endorsed him – and the Republican presidential candidate has returned to X. Their two-hour-long interview was streamed live and touched on topics including immigration, foreign policy and US energy policy. Trump is under pressure to halt the advance of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in the race to the White House, and Musk is facing business problems. So, what impact could X have on the US election? Presenter: James Bays Guests: Brian Stelter – Veteran media journalist and special correspondent for Vanity Fair Steve Herman – Voice Of America’s chief national correspondent and author of Behind the White House Curtain Arshad Hasan – Democratic political strategist and founder of Convey Communications Adblock test (Why?)
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 901
As the war enters its 901st day, these are the main developments. Here is the situation on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. Kursk incursion The commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskii, said Kyiv’s troops had taken control of 74 settlements in Russia’s Kursk region and were still advancing, gaining control over 40sq km (15sq miles) of territory in the past 24 hours. In Russia, special forces commander Major General Apti Alaudinov said Ukraine’s troops had been halted. The Ministry of Defence said Russian troops had repelled attacks in villages about 26 to 28km (16 to 17 miles) from the border. Kursk regional Governor Alexei Smirnov called on residents to show patience and character, warning that “the crisis has not yet been overcome”. United States President Joe Biden said Ukraine’s military incursion into Russia had “created a real dilemma” for Russian President Vladimir Putin. In his first substantive comments since Kyiv launched its surprise attack on August 6, Biden said he had been briefed on developments every four to five hours. Officials stressed the US had no role in planning or preparation for the attack. Lithuanian Minister of Defence Laurynas Kasciunas said Russia was moving troops from its Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad to Kursk. Russia convened an informal gathering of the UN Security Council and criticised Ukraine’s allies for not condemning Kyiv’s incursion. “We will not recognise the aggressor as the victim,” said senior Slovenian diplomat Klemen Ponikvar, one of several members to accuse Russia of hypocrisy, double standards and wasting the council’s time. Moscow began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and currently occupies about one-fifth of Ukraine’s internationally-recognised territory. Russia has been evacuating thousands of residents from the Kursk region [Ministry of Emergency Situations Press Service via AP Photo] Fighting in Ukraine At least one person was killed and two injured in Russian shelling of Ukraine’s Sumy region, bordering Kursk. Sumy’s regional military administration said it had recorded 45 Russian attacks on Tuesday, including guided bomb strikes, drone explosions and shelling. Ukraine’s general staff said it was restricting the movement of civilians within a 20km (12 mile) border zone in Sumy due to an “increase in the intensity of hostilities” and the activation of Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups in the area. Two people were killed and 30 injured after a bus was struck by Ukrainian shelling in the Russian-occupied city of Lysychansk in eastern Ukraine, the TASS news agency reported, quoting Russian-appointed local officials. The Ukrainian military said Russian forces stepped up their attacks on the Pokrovsk front in eastern Ukraine. The General Staff said there had been 52 battles in the area over the previous 24 hours, more than a third of all battles reported along the war’s 1,000km (621-mile) front line. Russia launched 38 attack drones and two Iskander-M ballistic missiles at Ukraine overnight, Ukraine’s Air Force said. Thirty of the drones were destroyed over eight Ukrainian regions, it added. It was not clear what happened to the weapons that were not destroyed. Politics and diplomacy Andriy Yermak, Ukraine’s president’s chief of staff, said Ukraine plans to hold a follow-up conference this month to June’s peace summit in Switzerland. The meeting will take place online and focus on energy security, he said. Adblock test (Why?)
US clears $20bn in arms sales for Israel as atrocities continue in Gaza
More weapons transfers approved as Israel bombs Gaza and prepares for anticipated retaliatory strikes by Iran and Hezbollah. The United States has approved another $20bn in weapons transfers to Israel, despite concerns that Israeli forces are routinely violating international law in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. The State Department announced on Tuesday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had approved the arms sale, which includes dozens of fighter jets alongside tank munitions and air-to-air missiles. “The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defence capability,” the State Department said. The announcement came as Israel prepares for expected retaliation from Iran and the Lebanon-based group Hezbollah following the assassinations of high-level Hamas and Hezbollah officials which have raised concerns over the possibility of a regional war. The US has said it is working to avoid such an escalation. President Joe Biden on Tuesday said an Iranian retaliation might be avoided if a ceasefire agreement was reached to end the war in Gaza where Israeli forces have killed nearly 40,000 people, largely women and children, levelled entire neighbourhoods and blocked shipments of humanitarian assistance. Critics have called on the the Biden administration to cut off weapons transfers to Israel, alleging that they make the US complicit in the destruction of Gaza and are an essential source of leverage that the administration has refused to exploit in its efforts to secure a ceasefire agreement to end the war, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted will continue. Reports that Israeli forces are systematically violating international law and committing abuses such as torture have also failed to stop the flow of weapons, despite requirements under US law that military units credibly accused of gross human rights violations be cut off from support. Speaking before the United Nations on Tuesday, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said her country’s goal in the region was to “turn the temperature down”. “That starts with finalising a deal for an immediate ceasefire with hostage release in Gaza. We need to get this over the finish line,” she said in remarks to the UN Security Council. Adblock test (Why?)
Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: Resident doctors’ body calls off strike after meeting Union Health Minister Nadda
After meeting with Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Tuesday night, FORDA has called off their nationwide strike over the rape-murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata.
Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is the Democrats’ pick for Jackson Lee seat in Congress
Harris County Democratic leaders made their choice to represent the party in the November election.