McDonald’s franchise owner backed by top Dems wins key primary that could swing control of Congress
Oregon State Rep. Janelle Bynum won the Democratic primary in Oregon’s 5th Congressional District on Tuesday, putting her on a collision course with the Republican incumbent, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, this fall. Bynum defeated Jamie McLeod-Skinner to advance to face Chavez-DeRemer in a race widely expected to play a significant role in deciding which party controls the House of Representatives. McLeod-Skinner narrowly lost to Chavez-DeRemer two years ago after defeating longtime Democratic Rep. Kurt Schrader in the 2022 primary by running as a progressive to his left. Some top Democrats believe Bynum, who represents Portland’s southeast suburbs in the state House, is more likely to win in a general election. Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek and three Democratic members of Oregon’s U.S. House delegation have endorsed Bynum. EMBATTLED TRUMP PROSECUTOR FIGHTS TO KEEP JOB AS GEORGIA AMONG FIVE STATES HOLDING ELECTIONS TUESDAY “This is one of the big swing districts nationally that both parties are really looking for to hold on to, or recapture, the House,” Ben Gaskins, associate professor of political science at Lewis & Clark College, told The Associated Press about Oregon’s 5th District. “I think that the big question is to what degree are the Democratic voters really going to prioritize electability?” VAST MAJORITY OF PORTLAND RESIDENTS ARE ‘DISSATISFIED’ WITH PROGRESSIVE LEADERSHIP OF THE CITY Bynum, from Washington, D.C., was elected to the Oregon House in 2016, representing the suburbs southeast of Portland. She has served on the chamber’s small business committee and is the owner of four McDonald’s franchises. Oregon’s 5th Congressional District includes all of Linn County, most of Clackamas and Deschutes counties, and parts of Marion and Multnomah counties. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Chavez-DeRemer, who does not have a primary opponent, is the first Republican woman to represent Oregon in the U.S. House. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Mike Erickson advances past crowded GOP primary to face Dem who narrowly won in 2022
Mike Erickson was declared the winner in a crowded GOP primary election in Oregon’s 6th Congressional District Tuesday night and will face off against Democratic Rep. Andrea Salinas in November. The Associated Press called the race for Erickson Tuesday night in a district that includes Polk and Yamhill counties and parts of Marion, Clackamas and Washington counties. Erickson, a Tigard businessman who lost to Salinas in 2022, touted his record as a political outsider and told the Statesman Journal his top priorities in Congress would be “securing the southern border, fighting inflation and supporting law enforcement.” David Russ, Mayor of Dundee, Oregon, in Yamhill County, lost to Erickson in the 2022 primary and has an extensive private sector record. SUSPECTED PORTLAND SERIAL KILLER INDICTED IN MURDERS OF 3 WOMEN David Burch, who ran for the Republican nomination for governor in 2022, told the Statesman Journal his top priorities are “curbing homelessness and helping people directly as he is able.” Conrad J. Herold, a retired contractor from Salem, Oregon, was also a candidate in the race. OREGON HIKER, 22, DIES AT COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE AFTER FALLING OFF A CLIFF Republicans in Congress are looking to keep and add to their slim majority in the House of Representatives. Cook Political Report ranks the November race in the 6th Congressional District as “lean Democrat.” Salinas defeated Erickson in 2022 by less than three points and won against primary challenger Cody Reynolds on Tuesday.
Vince Fong advances in special election runoff to replace ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy
California voters voted to advance Republican State Assemblyman Vince Fong during Tuesday’s special election to replace former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted last year. Fong, a former McCarthy aide endorsed by both McCarthy and former President Trump, faced off with Republican Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux as polls closed on Tuesday night. Because both candidates are Republicans, the GOP will hold 218 seats, compared to the Democrats’ 213, factoring in four vacancies. In California’s jungle primary system, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election. Fong, who also earned the most votes in March’s primary election, will serve out the rest of McCarthy’s term until he battles against Boudreaux again in November in the general election. TRUMP ENDORSES EX-KEVIN MCCARTHY AIDE VINCE FONG TO FILL VACANT SEAT AS HIS FORMER AIDES BACK FONG’S OPPONENT Fong and Boudreaux advanced to Tuesday’s runoff following a March special election where they emerged as the top two candidates in California’s jungle primary system, with neither getting more than 50% of the vote to trigger a victor. By November, voters in the district will have voted for either candidate a total of three times. McCarthy resigned from the House in December, three months after he was voted out of the speakership. The district, which cuts through the Central Valley farm belt, including parts of Bakersfield and Fresno, is the most strongly Republican House seat in heavily Democratic California. Trump largely carried CA-20 in 2020 and McCarthy represented the district from 2007 until his resignation in late 2023. In February, Trump called Fong “a true Republican.” Among Boudreaux’s supporters are Ric Grenell, former acting director of national intelligence under Trump, and Republican state Sen. Shannon Grove, from Fong’s hometown of Bakersfield. TULARE COUNTY SHERIFF MIKE BOUDREAUX ON THE CARTEL STYLE HIT THAT KILLED SIX PEOPLE Trump’s involvement in the race casts it as a litmus test for the former president’s political relevance as he presumably gears up for a potential rematch against President Joe Biden in November. “I am proud to join California’s Republican Congressional Delegation, and give Vince Fong my Complete and Total Endorsement!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. “Vince was one of only 6 Republicans in the State Assembly to stand with me, and reject the Second Impeachment Hoax. In Congress, Vince will work with me to Grow the Economy, Lower your Taxes, Cut Burdensome Regulations, Champion American Energy, and Protect and Defend the Second Amendment, which is under siege by the Radical Left.” HOUSE VOTES TO REMOVE KEVIN MCCARTHY AS SPEAKER IN HISTORIC FIRST In October, the House of Representatives voted to oust McCarthy, the first time in history the top leader of the lower chamber was booted from the job. Fox News’ Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
Trump-endorsed Brian Jack advances to Georgia GOP primary runoff
Trump Senior Adviser Brian Jack has advanced to the GOP primary runoff election for Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District. Jack, who was endorsed by the former president, will be running against Mike Dugan on June 18 after a winner was not declared in Tuesday’s election. The Peach State seat was vacant after Republican Drew Ferguson announced he would not be seeking re-election in 2024. Before jumping into the congressional race, Jack served as the White House political director under former President Trump. EMBATTLED TRUMP PROSECUTOR FIGHTS TO KEEP JOB AS GEORGIA AMONG FIVE STATES HOLDING ELECTIONS TUESDAY The Republican, who works as a senior adviser to the former president’s re-election campaign, received an endorsement from Trump. IN GEORGIA, FIERCE STATE SUPREME COURT RACE, REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY TOP BALLOTS The Trump-endorsed win came in Georgia, a state where the former president is facing charges related to allegedly attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election. CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP District Attorney Fani Willis, who is spearheading the Georgia case against Trump, is also up for re-election and won the Democratic primary on Tuesday.
Weather update: IMD issues heatwave warning for Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and other states; full list here
With the IMD coming out with a ‘red alert’ for the national capital and other parts of North India, health experts warned people against stepping outdoors, especially between 11 am and 4 pm, as it could lead to a downturn in their health.
In 75th lawsuit against Biden, Paxton sues to stop new gender identity guidelines for employers
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton aims new lawsuit at Biden Administration to halt compliance of gender identity mandates in the workplace.
Texas Republicans were at Trump’s side as his defense rested in hush money trial
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and U.S. Reps. Troy Nehls and Ronny Jackson flew to New York to attend final testimony. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton visited earlier in the trial.
Stefanik files ethics complaint against Trump trial judge, cites daughter’s work for group promoting Dems
House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik filed an ethics complaint against Judge Juan Merchan for an alleged conflict of interest pertaining to his daughter’s role at a firm known for representing Democratic politicians. Merchan, an acting Supreme Court justice in New York, is presiding over the unprecedented criminal trial against former President Trump stemming from charges brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Stefanik, R-N.Y., filed the complaint with the New York State Commission on Judiciary Conduct, warning that Trump, who pleaded not guilty to all 34 counts of falsifying business records, faces “a maximum of 136 years’ imprisonment” if convicted, and said not only are his “interests at stake,” but “the interests of all Americans are at stake.” She pointed to Merchan’s daughter, who serves as the president of Authentic Campaigns — a group that represents Democrat politicians and political action committees. NY V TRUMP: JUDGE TO CONSIDER DEFENSE MOTION TO DISMISS AFTER PROSECUTION RESTS CASE Stefanik highlighted how her clients, like Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., have fundraised off of Trump’s indictment and criminal trial. Trump himself has requested Merchan recuse himself from the trial due to his daughter’s work. Merchan said there was no reason for him to do so. Stefanik added that she learned that the New York State Commission on Judiciary Conduct “privately cautioned him in July over his illegal political donations to Biden and Democrats in 2020.” “This private caution has not deterred Judge Merchan’s judicial misconduct, as evidenced by this current complaint,” she wrote. “Judge Merchan appears driven by Democrat partisanship and financial gain for his daughter.” Stefanik said it is “imperative that New Yorkers and all Americans have confidence that justice is being dispensed fairly in New York.” NY V TRUMP: JUDGE TO CONSIDER DEFENSE MOTION TO DISMISS AFTER PROSECUTION RESTS CASE “This is especially true in politically sensitive cases where bias is most likely to rear its ugly head. Here, we are in the middle of a presidential election campaign. The circumstances are unprecedented: President Trump, a former president and the likely nominee of a major party for the presidency, is on trial,” Stefanik wrote. “These proceedings are under a microscope.” On Tuesday, defense attorneys for Trump rested their case without calling former President Trump to the stand to testify. They called two witnesses — paralegal Daniel Sitko and a former legal adviser to Michael Cohen, Robert Costello — before resting their case. Prosecutors rested their case on Monday. Merchan dismissed the jury until after Memorial Day. Stefanik argued that the judge’s “clear conflict of interest, based upon his adult daughter’s financial state in this unprecedented criminal trial, has badly damaged the court’s appearance of impartiality.” TRUMP SLAMS NY COURT SYSTEM, BOASTS HE’S GOING ‘TO WIN’ EMPIRE STATE “Given Judge Merchan’s daughter’s clientele — and the vast sums of money that these individuals have raised and will continue to raise off of President Trump’s charges — Judge Merchan’s daughter stands to benefit the more legally imperiled President Trump is,” Stefanik said. “She is well within the sixth degree of relation to Judge Merchan; indeed, as his daughter, she falls within the first degree.” She added: “A straightforward application of Section 100.3(e)(1)(D)(iii) requires recusal. As Judge Merchan has declined to do so, I request that you investigate his conduct and impose whatever discipline is required.”
Trump Judge Scott McAfee wins Georgia primary
Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee, who is the judge in the sweeping racketeering case against former President Donald Trump, won the primary election Tuesday. McAfee, favored to win, was challenged by civil rights attorney and radio host Robert Patillo in the nonpartisan race. McAfee has been a judge for just over a year, since Republican Gov. Brian Kemp appointed him to fill an empty seat. He will now serve a full four-year term beginning in January. McAfee has become one of the most high-profile judges in Georgia since he was assigned last year to preside over the election interference case. With the added advantages of incumbency, strong bipartisan backing from heavy hitters and an impressive fundraising haul, he was the likely favorite to win, the Associated Press reported. EMBATTLED TRUMP PROSECUTOR FIGHTS TO KEEP JOB AS GEORGIA AMONG FIVE STATES HOLDING ELECTIONS TUESDAY Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, the prosecutor in the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump, won the Democratic primary in her bid for reelection, setting her up to face a Republican challenger in the general election. Willis beat challenger Christian Wise Smith and is now set to face Republican lawyer Courtney Kramer in November. With her high name recognition, the advantages of incumbency and a hefty fundraising haul, Willis’ victory in the primary was not terribly surprising, the AP said.
Embattled DA Fani Willis wins Georgia primary election
Embattled Georgia prosector Fani Willis survived her primary election challenge Tuesday night, and will face off against a GOP challenger in November. Willis, the District Attorney for Fulton County, is leading the sweeping 2020 election interference case against former President Donald Trump and has been the subject of scrutiny many Republicans in the state and nationwide for her affair with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, which almost got her removed from the case. Willis on Tuesday defeated Democrat attorney Christian Wise Smith in a rematch of their race four years ago. In the county that in 2020 voted 73% for President Joe Biden, she was favored to win. WIlis is currently under investigation by Republicans in both chambers of the U.S. congress and two commissions in the Georgia state legislature. SENATE GOP PROBES TRUMP PROSECUTOR FANI WILLIS’ OFFICE FOR ALLEGED ‘MISUSE’ OF FUNDS Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Ron Johnson, R-Wis., on Wednesday accused Willis of allegedly misusing federal funds meant to help at-risk youth and gang prevention but that were used to purchase computers and “swag.” House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio., subpoenaed Willis in February over the accusations of misusing federal funds. But Willis says those investigations are predicated on “false reasons.” “Jim Jordan has, time after time after time, attacked my office with no legitimate purpose,” Willis told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow on Monday. “Anyone who knows Jim Jordan’s history knows that he only has the purpose of trying to interfere in a criminal investigation.” “All while his jurisdiction has one of the worst crime rates, has poverty issues, and not one time has he used his position to try to investigate people who are attacking me and attacking others legitimately doing their jobs,” she added. “Making him illegitimate in his position, and it’s disgusting. So I bring that up at the federal level because now at the state level, they have decided to follow this clown’s lead. And they want to now try to interfere in an investigation, and it’s not legitimate either.” “They have decided in Georgia that they would like to come after me. They use false reasons for wanting to come after me,” Willis said during the media appearance. Earlier this month, Georgia lawmakers heard testimony that caused one Republican senator to express concern that oversight of Willis’ $36.6 million budget is “like the Wild West, very little control.” NATHAN WADE’S ESTRANGED WIFE SAYS HE’S FAILED TO PAY SPOUSAL SUPPORT SINCE RESIGNING FROM FANI WILLIS’ OFFICE Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee – who also faced a primary challenger on Tuesday – ruled in March that Willis could stay on the case as long as Nathan Wade, with whom she was accused of having an “improper” affair, quit. But Trump and his co-defendants are appealing that ruling to the Georgia Court of Appeals, where they hope to get Willis disqualified from the case. MEET FANI WILLIS’ GOP CHALLENGER FOR THE TOP PROSECUTOR JOB IN DEEP-BLUE GEORGIA The appeals court agreed to hear their bid. A hearing date has yet to be scheduled but could be as early as August or as late as 2025. Willis will now face Atlanta-based lawyer Courtney Kramer in the general election in November. She is the first Republican who has sought the office in more than two decades. Fox News Digital’s Chris Pandolfo and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.