Democrats see new chances to flip red states — but a $400M GOP spending advantage could derail their plans
With just over three weeks to go until Election Day, more and more red states and congressional districts appear in reach for the Democrats, as they work to win back House and Senate majorities from the Republicans in the midterms. But a massive Republican spending advantage threatens to complicate those ambitions. Republican campaigns, committees and aligned groups have outspent their Democratic counterparts by $400 million so far this election cycle, according to AdImpact, a leading political advertising tracking firm. The disparity is forcing Democrats to make difficult decisions about where to invest and how much to spend as the party tries to expand the electoral map. “We are being outspent by the Republicans. That’s just a fact,” Lauren French, communications director at the Senate Majority PAC, told Fox News Digital. “In many of these states, they have really transactionalized elections, so they have monopoly money to play with, whereas we are working with real resources.” DEMOCRATS THINK A BLUE WAVE IS FORMER – HERE ARE THREE FACTORS THAT COULD STOP IT The latest Fox News Power Rankings shifted GOP-dominated South Carolina from Solid to Likely Republican. The Senate showdown in reliably Republican Kansas is Lean Republican, while the races in red-leaning Alaska, Iowa, Ohio and Texas are rated toss-ups. “Senate Majority PAC has resources to compete, and we are very happy that we’re able to be in 9 battleground states,” French said. The super PAC is the leading outside group supporting Democratic Senate candidates and incumbents and is aligned with longtime Democratic leader Sen. Chuck Schumer. French highlighted record-setting fundraising over the past three months, but added, “of course, more recess resources would be helpful.” With the latest polls from Fox News and other organizations showing Democrats increasingly competitive across the Senate map, the party is pleading for more money. “Last month a pro-Trump PAC reserved $10 million in New Hampshire advertising, and we’re being outspent 3-to-1,” reads a fundraising pitch to supporters by Rep. Chris Pappas, the Democratic Senate nominee in swing state New Hampshire. WHO’S UP AND WHO’S DOWN IN THE LATEST FOX NEWS MIDTERM POWER RANKINGS Senate Majority PAC is rushing some of its record fundraising into the newly competitive battlegrounds. And American Bridge PAC, a Democrat-aligned group, recently pumped over $20 million into South Carolina and Kansas, as well as competitive races in two other red states, Florida and Mississippi. But the Democratic groups are being outspent by their Republican-aligned counterparts, thanks to major expenditures by Senate Leadership Fund, the President Donald Trump-allied MAGA Inc. and a super PAC bankrolled by Elon Musk. “The hard reality is there isn’t enough funding to protect the toss-up states and also heavily invest in the red-leaning states where we’re playing offense,” a veteran Democratic Senate operative who requested anonymity to speak candidly told Fox News Digital.” French told Fox News Digital “This is the time in the campaign season where everyone really has to make some of those belt-tightening decisions, and that’s why we’re looking at every race really closely to make sure we have enough resources to get to the majority, but we’re also not leaving anyone shortchanged.” House Democrats are facing a similar predicament. A memo from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) shared with donors warned that Republicans “are now flooding districts across our battlefield with MAGA Inc. and Trump super PAC money that we simply cannot match.” DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB The memo, which was obtained by Fox News Digital, requested an additional $17 million that was needed by Oct. 22 “to close the sale” in what they described as “winnable races.” The GOP is fighting political history, which has traditionally seen the party in power in Washington lose congressional seats during midterm election years. Add to that a challenging political climate fueled by persistent inflation Americans see at the grocery store, high gas prices tied to what polls show is an unpopular war with Iran and Trump’s negative approval ratings. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER But the Republicans’ financial advantage has allowed GOP campaigns and allied groups to spend more on political advertising nationally. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of Leader John Thune, Senate Leadership Fund has amassed a financial advantage that neither party has had before. SLF will continue to invest unprecedented resources across the map to maintain the Republican Senate majority,” Senate Leadership Fund communications director Chris Gustafson told Fox News Digital. Veteran GOP strategist Jesse Hunt told Fox News Digital that “Republican outside groups will have played a decisive role in positive Republican performance if they have a good election night despite what is strong headwinds working against them.” “This is not an advantage Republicans typically have and it’s definitely a contributing factor to a lot of candidates on the ballot right now keeping their races close,” Hunt emphasized.
SC Dem Senate candidate claims she will stand up to her party as Graham ties her to ‘socialist Democrats’
Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., and Democratic challenger Annie Andrews clashed on Sunday night during the South Carolina U.S. Senate debate, which also included Libertarian candidate Kasie Whitener. Graham said she is “concerned about the socialist Democrats,” asserting that after Hamas terrorists slaughtered Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023, Democrats in New York cheered “over the death of over a thousand people.” “Annie Andrews will not stand up to the socialist Democratic Party. She’s only going to join them,” Graham declared. DARLINE GRAHAM’S ‘EMBARRASSING AND INEXCUSABLE’ NATIONAL SECURITY STUMBLE SPOTLIGHTS BREAK FROM LATE BROTHER Andrews fired back, claiming that she is willing to stand up to her party. “I told you my opponent was going to call me a socialist and there she’s done it again. She’s been told to come out here and call me Bernie, Ocasio, Mamdani. That’s what’s in her script,” Andrews said, referring to Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “But the truth is my name is Annie Andrews. And there shouldn’t be any confusion about that because unlike my opponent, I haven’t changed my name recently,” she said. DEMOCRATS ARE CHANGING THEIR TRANSGENDER MESSAGE. REPUBLICANS SAY THEY’RE JUST FLIP-FLOPPING “The real difference between me and Sen. Graham is that I will stand up to my own party and I will always put South Carolina first. She seems to believe the job she has right now is to be the White House’s ambassador to South Carolina. The job is to represent South Carolina. She considers the job to be to read their scripts and do their bidding. And we can do better,” Andrews asserted. Graham fired back, saying that her “legal name is Graham” and “has always been Graham.” She explained, “I lost my parents when I was a little girl, and I kept the name Graham so that I felt connected to them. So my name, every document I have ever signed, has Graham on it.” After the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster tapped the late lawmaker’s sister Darline to serve the remainder of her brother’s Senate term. DEM SCRAMBLES TO CHANGE TUNE ON TRANS ATHLETES AS TRUMP TARGETS PAST RECORD: ‘ANNIE TRANNIE’ President Donald Trump is backing Sen. Darline Graham for election to a full six-year Senate term.
Drag queens, trans pastor, abortion rallies: Inside Dem governor hopeful’s progressive church
In one of the most hotly contested governor’s races in the country, the Democratic nominee has been working overtime to cultivate a moderate image — while reportedly attending a church that openly embraces some of the progressive causes dividing voters in Iowa. Rob Sand, Iowa’s state auditor and its Democratic nominee for governor, regularly attended Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, located in the state’s capital, as of late 2025, according to a local journalist. Over the years, Plymouth has hosted and promoted drag queen performances, invited a transgender pastor to serve as a guest pastor and openly supported abortion. Sand has emphasized his faith on the campaign trail, repeatedly referencing Christianity and quoting scripture, at times successfully appealing to otherwise conservative Iowans. In addition to leaning on his faith, Sand has repeatedly described himself as independently minded, claimed to have voted for Republicans in the past and said that he sometimes prefers working with the GOP over Democrats, calling political parties “poison.” “I am a Christian. I’m a conservative. But I’m not a party-based person,” one voter is quoted as saying in a Sand press release. “I like to vote for the person as opposed to the party. And to me, (Sand) just seems really honest and down to earth. And I enjoyed him.” IOWA GUBERNATORIAL HOPEFUL ZACH LAHN TELLS ‘RUTHLESS’ DEMOCRATS ARE HIDING THEIR BAD POLICIES Sand’s reported church attendance, however, connects him to a congregation whose progressive religious and political positions stand in contrast to the moderate image he has emphasized on the campaign trail. Sand’s church is open about its progressive slant, with its “about” page featuring an image of churchgoers at a gay pride parade, noting that the church does not take the Bible literally and stating that it “has been an LGBTQ+ Open and Affirming congregation for more than 30 years.” An image of the church included in a profile compiled by the United Church of Christ shows it flying a pride flag on its grounds, noting that the church “is a progressive powerhouse in the region.” “Rob Sand goes to church weekly and does so in Iowa, unlike Zach Lahn. Rob’s faith is deeply important to him, and like many, he has never found a church where he agrees with everything, but does prefer traditional services with liturgy and classic hymns,” a spokeswoman for his campaign told Fox News Digital. “Rob has always been independent-minded, and he isn’t going to take lessons in morality from a sex toy salesman who lives in Kansas.” The mention of sex toys was a reference to FirmTech, a company that manufactures wearable sexual wellness devices and once counted GOP gubernatorial nominee Zach Lahn as an investor. Lahn maintains that the product was originally developed to monitor cardiovascular health and that he divested before the company shifted toward more sexually suggestive marketing. Sand has also pointed to Lahn’s regular flights to Kansas, arguing that they betray tenuous ties to the state he’s seeking to govern. Lahn, meanwhile, says that he lives full-time in Iowa, explaining that the flights are a product of him needing to shuttle children from a previous marriage between the two states. Lahn’s campaign did not divulge where he attends church when asked by Fox News Digital. LGBTQ GROUP REVEALS WHICH DEM NOMINEE IS SPONSORING HALLOWEEN EVENT FEATURING DRAG SHOWS Plymouth’s progressive reputation is well-earned. In May 2025, Plymouth hosted drag queen “Flamy Grant” for a concert, according to advertisements for the event, bringing an artist whose broader catalog includes sexually explicit lyrics to the progressive Des Moines congregation. In one song, titled “Take a Chance on Me,” not to be confused with the ABBA classic of the same name, Grant sings, “I’m a patient lover unless I finish first. And I expect you [to] finish me if the roles are reversed. I maintain the mystery of my sexual history.” In another song, the drag queen complained about his childhood church, stating that “I guess the lesson there was God would only hear a prayer If it came from a person with a c—.” The song continues to state that “secretly most men just fear the snatch” and praises Eve for disobeying God by eating the forbidden fruit. POWERFUL LGBTQ+ GROUP’S ENDORSEMENTS COULD TANK VULNERABLE DEMS OVER RADICAL YOUTH TRANS AGENDA About a year later, Plymouth promoted a drag event on its Facebook page at a nearby church billed as a “family-friendly karaoke fundraiser” headlined by drag queen “Tess Tura.” Tura hosts a podcast where, among other topics, unprotected gay sex is discussed. In a similar vein, Plymouth invited transgender pastor Paula Stone Williams to serve as a guest pastor for one weekend in 2023, according to a local media report. At the time, Williams had recently published a book titled “As a Woman: What I learned about power, sex, and the patriarchy after I transitioned.” VULNERABLE DEM’S CAMPAIGN PITCH CLASHES WITH ‘RADICAL’ VOTING RECORD ON TOP CULTURE WAR ISSUE Some of Plymouth’s pro-LGBTQ advocacy is directed at young children. Plymouth disclosed in a 2025 job posting that it partners with the Rainbow Faith Coalition, a group that says “LGBTQ+ identities are God-given, honored and celebrated,” and that “[f]ully living into these identities in name, pronoun, relationship and gender expression is not a barrier to participation … in any areas of the faith community,” including children’s programming and education. The church also offers Our Whole Lives programming, a sexuality education curriculum co-published by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ, with classes beginning in first grade that address topics including sexuality, relationships, gender identity and sexual health. Similar to its theology, the church’s politics are decidedly liberal. TOP CONSERVATIVE GROUP UNVEILS FULL-COURT PRESS IN KEY BATTLEGROUND STATE TO EXPOSE ‘SHOCKING’ DEM PLATFORM In February 2025, for example, Plymouth’s pastors joined a protest in Iowa’s statehouse “to pray and stand up for our trans and gender nonconforming friends and neighbors,” per a post on the church’s Facebook page. A few years prior,
Federal agents raid Ilhan Omar’s DC home amid immigration fraud investigation
EXCLUSIVE: The home of Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn, was raided early Monday morning by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a source familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital. Multiple federal agents with HSI jackets were seen outside Omar’s Washington, D.C. home in the early hours of Monday. Two sources close to the investigation say the search stems from a criminal fraud investigation into the Somali-born congresswoman’s immigration paperwork, which was filled out by her late father when she was a child. OMAR’S GOP CHALLENGER COMES OUT FIRING WITH VOW TO CLEAN UP ‘MESS’ IN DEEP BLUE DISTRICT: ‘PEOPLE ARE FED UP’ The raid of the Somali-born congresswoman’s home started around 6 a.m. with HSI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) leading the operation. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is also involved in the investigation. “Today in the Washington, D.C., area, Homeland Security Investigations executed a judicially authorized search warrant secured by the Department of Justice. This enforcement action is part of an ongoing federal investigation,” a DOJ spokesperson told Fox News Digital. The DOJ later added that the investigation was “criminal” in nature. A spokesperson for Omar did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. The White House and DHS spokespeople declined to provide comment. WATCH: OMAR SILENT WHEN CONFRONTED ON ALLEGED TIES TO MASSIVE MINNESOTA FRAUD SCANDAL President Donald Trump’s Border Czar Tom Homan said in mid-September that the progressive congresswoman was subject to an ongoing “criminal” investigation, but did not specify the nature of the probe. HSI is the principal investigative arm of DHS. Its scope includes investigating cross-border crime and global threats, including human trafficking and child sexual exploitation, drug smuggling and cybercrime. HSI plays a major front-line role in America’s counterterrorism operations. Omar has been under fire for months and faced a myriad of controversies during her time in Congress. Most recently, her financial disclosures have come into focus. ILHAN OMAR’S OFFICE SAYS SHE’S ‘NOT A MILLIONAIRE’ AFTER $30M FILING REVISED DOWN TO UNDER $100K: REPORT In 2024, the congresswoman reported that her husband possessed between $6 million and $30 million in assets. A more recent 2025 financial disclosure report shows Omar’s revised value of shared assets between her and husband to sit at a maximum of $125,000 — a multimillion-dollar drop from the year prior, a difference of about 29.9 million. The lower estimate of their assets, $20,000, compared to the low and high debt estimates, $30,000 and $100,000, would imply the Minnesota Democrat could have a negative net worth. Both she and her husband have separate debts, each ranging somewhere between $15,000 and $50,000 — from her own student loans and her husband’s credit card debt, according to the disclosures. Omar has repeatedly refused to clarify the disclosures. During her tenure in Congress, she has been plagued by allegations that she married her brother in 2009 in an alleged immigration fraud scheme. A federal prosecutor recently told Fox News Digital that the statute of limitations could hinder an investigation into that matter. Additionally, Omar made headlines this summer after her son’s residence was raided in connection to allegations his felon roommate possessed illegal firearms and ammunition. Fox News’ Hannah Brennan contributed to this report.
Trump’s backyard is quietly transforming into ‘Silicon Valley South’ as wealthy Americans flock in
A wealthy Southern enclave once known as a playground for retirees and snowbirds is transforming into a growing technology and financial hub, drawing comparisons to Silicon Valley as businesses, Wall Street executives and entrepreneurs move in. Palm Beach County, Florida, is attracting new attention as wealthy Americans seek alternatives to high-tax states like New York and California. “Palm Beach has changed from a place where people come to retire to a place that people come to build,” luxury real estate expert Margit Brandt told Fox News Digital. “There’s been countless CEOs and major heads of companies that have moved their businesses to Palm Beach,” she said, pointing to Florida’s favorable tax climate and lifestyle as major draws. THE RED STATES RACING AHEAD IN AMERICA’S POWERFUL WEALTH BOOM — AND THE STATES FALLING BEHIND The region is also home to President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, often dubbed the “Southern White House,” placing the emerging business hub in the backyard of one of the country’s most recognizable political landmarks. The shift comes amid changing migration patterns across the country, with Internal Revenue Service data for 2022–2023 showing taxpayer losses across numerous California and Northeastern counties, while much of the Southeast recorded gains. Brandt believes Palm Beach County could become a major technology hub, citing its room for expansion as an advantage over more densely developed destinations. “We have tons of room to grow,” she said, pointing to areas like Wellington and western Palm Beach County where new schools, hospitals and infrastructure could accommodate additional businesses and families. The region is also attracting technology investment alongside its established financial services industry. In September 2025, California-based software company ServiceNow announced plans to establish a regional innovation hub and artificial intelligence institute in West Palm Beach. AMERICANS KEEP MOVING TO TEXAS AND FLORIDA — BUT ONE OTHER RED STATE IS GROWING EVEN FASTER The expansion is projected to generate $1.8 billion in economic impact and create more than 850 jobs over five years, according to the company. ServiceNow also committed to occupying up to 200,000 square feet of office space at 10 CityPlace, a development by billionaire real estate investor Stephen Ross’s Related Ross. “The tech has particularly been exciting for Palm Beach County,” Brandt said. Meanwhile, Palm Beach County’s population reached an estimated 1.58 million residents in July 2025, an increase of 5.6% since April 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Brandt said new office developments in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens have made it easier for companies to establish a presence in the region. “Florida has just been a really easy landing place,” she said. Beyond business opportunities, Brandt pointed to year-round outdoor activities, warm weather and family life as major attractions for newcomers. For Brandt, the region’s evolution is far from complete. “Palm Beach County, I think we’re like in beginning stages of what’s possible here,” she said.
Americans clash over Supreme Court expansion as fight over 9 justices heats up: ‘Let’s pack it now’
As lawmakers spar over whether to expand the U.S. Supreme Court beyond nine justices, Americans interviewed by Fox News Digital on Capitol Hill had competing views on whether the nation’s highest court needs a shake-up at all. “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” Tim from Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital. “If you had more justices, you could have more differing opinions there,” Derek, also from Washington, said. “So you’d have to have more of a consensus on whatever they’re voting on.” The debate comes after a Republican-backed constitutional amendment to permanently fix the court at nine justices failed in the House in September, falling short of the two-thirds majority required for passage. MORNING GLORY: DSA DEMOCRATS’ RADICAL PLAN TO RESHAPE AMERICA STARTS WITH THE SUPREME COURT Democratic lawmakers have also introduced proposals to reshape the court, including legislation to expand its membership, establish term limits and impose additional ethics requirements. ” If we’re gonna change the size, we need to do it now,” said Carl from Texas. “If you’re going to pack the court, let’s pack it now.” One person Fox News Digital spoke with questioned the motives behind efforts to increase the number of justices. “I think those who want to increase the size, maybe just have a bias to it, if it be Republican or Democrat,” Tim said about the idea of expanding the number of justices. “I say just leave it as it is, man.” JOHN YOO: THE LEFT’S SUPREME COURT PANIC COLLAPSES UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE FACTS Democrats have become increasingly angry over many of the court’s votes, and many have alleged their rulings to be rooted in politics rather than law. “The more people weigh in, the more accurate the results would be, right?” an interviewee said. One also argued that while he would be in favor of potentially expanding the Supreme Court, it would be dependent on how many additional justices were to be added. “It depends on how much more they add,” Derek said. “One or two more doesn’t seem like it’s that much, but if they’re like, ‘Double it.’ Well, starting to just kind of go overboard at that point.” REPUBLICANS SOUND ALARM OVER HIDDEN MIDTERM STAKES THAT COULD RESHAPE SUPREME COURT FOR DECADES Several proposals by Democrats have been introduced to reshape the court, including legislation from Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, to expand the bench from nine to 13 justices, and a separate measure from Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., to establish 18-year terms of active service for newly appointed justices. “I think that more substantial change would be putting in term limits,” Mark from Washington, D.C., said. “The size would allow for the next several presidents to appoint more people. I don’t know that it changes the political bent of the current situation, whereas a term limits might be more effective.” Other Democratic proposals would impose enforceable ethics standards and require greater transparency surrounding the court’s emergency rulings, often referred to as its “shadow docket.” Republicans argue Democrats’ proposals to overhaul the Supreme Court are a reaction to the party’s anger at rulings not being in their favor. LIBERAL JUSTICE HAMMERS SUPREME COURT FOR FAST-TRACKING EMERGENCY DOCKET CASES House Republicans sought to permanently cap the court at nine justices, casting their proposed constitutional amendment to reject Democratic efforts to expand the court. It failed to secure the required two-thirds majority needed to pass the House. Amending the Constitution would then also require a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate and then ratification by three-fourths of the states. Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution establishes the Supreme Court but does not specify how many justices should serve on it, leaving Congress with the authority to determine its size. Congress initially established six seats under the Judiciary Act of 1789. The court’s size changed several times throughout the 19th century, reaching as many as 10 justices before Congress established the current nine-justice structure in 1869.
Senate Republican settles six-year-old campaign bill after being called out on social media
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., paid a six-year-old campaign bill after a bakery owner called him out on social media for allegedly failing to pay for cookies and other treats ordered for a 2020 election watch party. Holly Thomas, a bakery founder, said in an Oct. 8 Facebook post that she would never vote for Marshall because his campaign had failed to pay a $678.75 bill despite her repeated attempts to collect the money. Thomas shared an image of the invoice and a photo that appeared to show custom cookies made for Marshall’s campaign. “Do you know why I will never vote for Roger Marshall? Because six years ago, when I was a brand-new small business owner, his campaign ordered cookies and treats from my bakery for his primary election watch party. And I never got paid. For nearly a year, I made repeated attempts to collect payment, reaching out by phone and email. I never received a return phone call, and the invoice was never paid,” Thomas wrote in the post. SLEEPER SENATE RACE EMERGES AS UNEXPECTED HEADACHE FOR REPUBLICANS AHEAD OF MIDTERMS “Not only was I just starting out, but we were also in the middle of COVID, when small businesses everywhere were struggling just to keep their doors open. Every single dollar mattered. Those cookies and treats cost money to make, employees’ time to prepare, and resources that my little business couldn’t afford to give away,” she explained. “Six years later, I haven’t forgotten. This isn’t about political parties or policy disagreements. It’s about my personal experience as a small business owner and the importance of honoring financial commitments. That experience is why Roger Marshall will never get my vote,” Thomas concluded. Marshall — who had been serving in the U.S. House of Representatives when he won election to the U.S. Senate in 2020 — addressed the issue on Oct. 10, sharing a screenshot showing a $1,300 payment to the establishment. GOP SENATOR ALLEGES SCHUMER BEHIND ‘HIT JOB’ REPORT ON FORMER PATIENTS “As some folks may have seen, there was a post on social media regarding an unpaid 2020 cookie bill. We have absolutely no idea how this happened, but rest assured as soon as it became known to us, we immediately attempted to contact the business in order to apologize, and we have repaid the bill from 2020, double,” Marshall’s post on X noted. POWERFUL UNION LEADER BACKS REPUBLICAN IN KEY SENATE SHOWDOWN Thomas confirmed that the bill had been paid. “But I can officially confirm that Roger Marshall has paid his bill! Better late than never, right? Six years later, I guess we can finally mark that invoice PAID!” she wrote in part of a Facebook post. “Thank you all for the overwhelming support! Now, back to doing what I do best!” Marshall is seeking re-election this year.
EXCLUSIVE: Inside LA’s homeless hellscape — unlikely critics blast Dems as GOP hopeful tours Skid Row
LOS ANGELES — Surrounded by sprawling homeless encampments, drug use and trash-strewn sidewalks in the heart of Los Angeles’ Skid Row, Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton blasted California’s homelessness crisis as a “political scandal,” accusing Democratic leaders of spending billions in taxpayer dollars while allowing the streets to deteriorate. “‘The homelessness crisis,’ as if it’s some kind of natural disaster that can’t be helped,” Hilton told Fox News Digital, referring to how politicians and others describe the conditions as he surveyed the sprawling encampments. “No, it is not a crisis. It’s actually a scandal. It’s a political scandal because the people in charge, they’ve caused this with their policies.” Skid Row, the epicenter of California’s homelessness crisis, is facing renewed scrutiny after a sweeping federal drug raid Thursday. The crackdown came as voting gets underway in the Nov. 3 governor’s race, with Hilton challenging Democrat Xavier Becerra in a contest where homelessness and billions in taxpayer spending have emerged, yet again, as key campaign issues. HOUSING FIRST IS A DISASTER. I SAW SACRAMENTO’S HOMELESS CHAOS FIRSTHAND Fox News Digital observed sprawling homeless encampments, Narcan distribution points, human feces on sidewalks and piles of ash from what people in the neighborhood said were fires lit earlier that morning to keep warm. Hilton accused years of Democratic leadership of failing to solve California’s homelessness problem despite billions in taxpayer spending, while taking aim at government-funded nonprofits and developers he claims have financially benefited from the crisis. “The real estate developers, and it’s a real crony game now, which I’ve been told about many times,” he continued. “We’ve got a small number of real estate developers who are in on this, and they get all the contracts to build these apartment units for people that don’t help them at all, because the other part of it isn’t being done in terms of drug addiction or whatever.” TAXPAYER-FUNDED ‘METH MANSION’ UNDER FIRE AS CRIME CONCERNS MOUNT AROUND HOMELESS CAMPUS “The point about these nonprofits is that they’re part of this philosophy, the ideology of harm reduction, all the things we’ve talked about, which means that they are not actually trying to solve the problem,” Hilton said. “Because if they solve the problem, they don’t get paid anymore. So they have an incentive to keep it going.” In September, federal prosecutors charged the founder of a Los Angeles-area homelessness nonprofit with wire fraud, alleging he misused taxpayer funds, including nearly $50,000 for a trip to Tahiti, after receiving more than $118 million in public funding through government contracts. Federal and local authorities, including the FBI, DEA and LAPD, arrested 23 of 28 defendants charged in a sweeping drug trafficking investigation Thursday, targeting alleged gang-affiliated dealers and independent operators accused of selling fentanyl, methamphetamine and other drugs in and around Skid Row. Hilton argued that addressing homelessness begins with enforcing existing laws and removing encampments from California’s streets. KAREN BASS GRILLED OVER BROKEN HOMELESSNESS PROMISE, BLAMES BUREAUCRACY FOR SLOWED PROGRESS “My plan is very simple. How we get clean streets in California. Number one, enforce the law, get people off the streets,” he said. “Letting people live like this, and not just the people who live like this, but all the people who aren’t living like this who have to experience this every single day. The collapse of civilized life in their city,” Hilton said. “It’s the opposite, it’s cruel.” As Hilton walked through Skid Row with Fox News Digital, one woman living on the streets offered a candid admission about her drug use. LA REAL ESTATE VET COMES AT MAYOR BASS WITH RECEIPTS OVER DAMNING HOMELESSNESS REPORT: ‘SHE DOESN’T GET IT’ “I like being on drugs, but if I have to quit, then I most definitely will,” she told Hilton when he asked whether she wanted to stop using drugs. The woman, who said she had been living on Skid Row for five years, described moving to Los Angeles from Syracuse, New York, in part because she had heard about California’s methadone clinics. She also said a former boyfriend had planned to find housing. “I heard about the methadone clinics,” she explained, saying she wanted access to methadone treatment. Despite her admission about drug use, the woman said she was considering entering a treatment program in Tarzana, where she had heard patients could stay for a year or longer and receive methadone twice a day. STEVE HILTON LAUNCHES AD MOCKING XAVIER BECERRA’S ’36 YEARS’ AS A CAREER POLITICIAN IN CALIFORNIA GOV RACE Venus, a Skid Row volunteer who helps distribute food, blasted Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass over the handling of homelessness, even as Bass joined local law enforcement officials Thursday to announce the results of a sweeping drug crackdown in the neighborhood. “We all loved her from the beginning, but she lied about the homeless,” Venus said, pointing to the conditions surrounding her on Skid Row. “What is going on, Mayor Bass? We voted for you.” Venus later added, “She didn’t do her job,” and said Bass’ pledge was “getting rid of the homeless. She never did nothing. Nothing, nothing at all. Shame on her.” Hilton also took aim at his Democratic opponent, Becerra, accusing the longtime politician of taking California voters for granted while failing to offer solutions to the state’s mounting problems. “If you can’t be bothered to earn people’s vote, then you don’t deserve people’s votes. He’s not campaigning. He’s backing out of every single debate. I mean, I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s complete contempt for the voters and for California,” said Hilton. Hilton, a former Fox News host, argued that Californians are growing fed up with years of Democratic leadership, pointing to homelessness, high taxes and the soaring cost of living as reasons voters may be ready for a change. “I know everyone says, well, it’s California, Republican can’t win. I don’t know. I think people are sick of all this,” Hilton said. “And they’re sick of Becerra just taking them for granted, and I think we
Blue-state governor’s race defies expectations as Republican closes in: Power Rankings
Republicans are gaining ground in blue-leaning Oregon, where Fox News Power Rankings have shifted the governor’s race toward the GOP as Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek faces a competitive rematch with Republican Christine Drazan. The shift from Likely Democrat to Lean Democrat reflects a competitive political environment in Oregon, where concerns over homelessness, housing, taxes, schools and the cost of living have created an opening for Republicans to end a more than four-decade losing streak in gubernatorial elections. Republicans are gaining ground in Oregon even as they face a rough national political environment marked by high gas and diesel prices, what polls show is an unpopular war in Iran and President Donald Trump’s low approval ratings. “This is something historic we’re trying to pull off,” Drazan said in a Fox News Digital interview. “It’s been a long time, and we’re due we win.” CHECK OUT THE LATEST FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS IN THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS Then-Vice President Kamala Harris carried Oregon by 14 points in the 2024 presidential election, and Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden won his 2022 re-election by 15 points. But gubernatorial showdowns in the northwestern state have traditionally been much closer contests. Drazan, a former GOP leader in the Oregon House, lost to Kotek by less than four points in 2022. After her defeat, she won a state House election in 2024 and returned to the legislature, serving again as minority leader before being appointed last year to the state Senate. “It’s good to stay in the fight. I think Oregonians … recognized that I didn’t leave, I didn’t move to a different state, I didn’t go hide. I got engaged again, went back into the legislature to serve my community,” Drazan emphasized. “I think that that matters to people, that I am committed long-term to our state.” The latest public opinion polls indicate a margin of error race in the Kotek-Drazan rematch. “People are starting to get to know me a little bit more and my leadership, and they’re taking a closer look at whether or not Oregon is uniquely bad right now. It’s not a national issue, it’s here at home,” Drazan said. “We’re struggling right now locally. So, that’s making this race tight.” While Drazan is trying to keep her focus on Oregon and local issues, the Kotek campaign is aiming to anchor the GOP challenger to Trump, who is very unpopular in the state. DEMOCRATS THINK A BLUE WAVE IS FORMER – HERE ARE THREE FACTORS THAT COULD STOP IT Kotek communications director Federico Araujo told Fox News Digital, “There are still many undecided voters ahead of November. But when the choice is clear in an election, they always show up. And the choice couldn’t be any clearer in this race: Christine Drazan is ready to open the door to Trump’s agenda and Governor Kotek is fighting every day to protect Oregonians from federal overreach and harm.” But Drazan said that “Oregon needs change. Oregon needs to be done with one approach to the world. Single-party control has not been good for us in my home state. And we need that balance.” “We need people to be at the table that have been ignored in the past to be able to turn our economy around, frankly, and turn our schools around and serve the people that are facing addiction and slowly dying on our streets. Those are significant challenges, and Tina Kotek doesn’t have the answers to solve them,” she charged. Four years ago, Drazan received plenty of support from national Republicans as her party benefited from a more favorable political environment. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB This time around, national Republicans are facing stiff headwinds as they work to hang on to their fragile congressional majorities and governors’ offices across the country. But the Drazan campaign says it’s now landing financial support from the Republican Governors Association. “I am grateful to have the Republican Governors Association as a partner in this race. They are investing in this race now,” Drazan said. But she noted “the sitting governor has a fundraising advantage that’s significant today,” and added, “I could always use more support.” Democratic Governors Association spokesperson Johanna Warshaw spotlighted the competitive nature of the Oregon gubernatorial showdowns, but told Fox News Digital, “Governor Kotek has the advantage, and we’re confident she’ll win. “Clearly, the RGA agrees as they’re leaving Christine Drazan’s broke campaign out to dry,” Warshaw claimed. Drazan highlighted that she’s “actively fundraising all the time and encouraging folks to get involved in this race right now. We have no limits in Oregon, and that allows me to be able to compete head to head.” And pointing to her campaign, she said, “I want to achieve something extraordinary.”
Trump and Rubio weigh firing Kimberly Guilfoyle as misconduct and donor bailout allegations mount
U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle may soon be fired amid reports she sought a six-figure credit card bailout from a Trump donor while offering access to administration officials, adding to mounting allegations over her conduct in Athens. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are “extremely pissed off” by Guilfoyle’s reported conduct and are weighing her removal, The Associated Press reported Sunday, citing a senior U.S. official. The official told the AP that a decision on what action to take would likely come this week after Monday’s Columbus Day holiday. No departure has been confirmed. Guilfoyle, onetime fiancée of Donald Trump Jr., came under scrutiny this week after The Wall Street Journal reported that she asked Trump donor Eric Deters to pay off a $100,000 American Express bill shortly before her Senate confirmation hearing. MARCO RUBIO ANNOUNCES SWEEPING FINANCIAL SANCTIONS AGAINST THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT According to messages reviewed by the Journal, Guilfoyle urged Deters to wire the money directly to American Express, saying the transaction would not leave a paper trail, while offering to help him gain access to senior Trump administration officials. Deters said he never made the payment. Guilfoyle’s attorney, Jesse Binnall, disputed the authenticity of the messages. The allegations followed an earlier Journal investigation into Guilfoyle’s conduct in Greece, including claims that she promoted the interests of Greek construction and energy company Aktor Group and allowed its registered lobbyist, Christos Marafatsos, to accompany her to private diplomatic meetings with senior officials. FORMER TRUMP CABINET OFFICIAL HAD ‘INAPPROPRIATELY CLOSE’ RELATIONSHIP WITH BODYGUARD, IG FINDS The Journal also reported that Guilfoyle suggested at a dinner with Greek officials that the U.S. would undermine their government, citing political developments in Romania. Greece’s foreign minister has since said there was no need to summon Guilfoyle for an explanation because the country’s energy minister denied that any threat had been made. Separately, the State Department‘s Office of Inspector General opened an investigation into allegations involving Guilfoyle’s treatment of embassy employees, private travel, acceptance of gifts and relationships with business interests, according to a report from the Daily Mail. 3 SECRET SERVICE OFFICIALS UNDER INTERNAL INVESTIGATION FOR POTENTIAL MISCONDUCT Sources described a hostile workplace in which Guilfoyle allegedly threatened to fire employees. They also claim that she demoted members of her security detail over minor incidents, including an officer who reportedly failed to answer a 4 a.m. request for ice while she was vacationing in Mykonos. The inspector general’s office declined to confirm or deny the existence of an investigation. Binnall told the Daily Mail that “any implication of wrongdoing by the Ambassador is unsupported.” The allegations have drawn scrutiny from congressional Democrats, including Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., who have called for a review of Guilfoyle’s conduct. Meeks urged her removal if the allegations were substantiated. Vice President JD Vance addressed the controversy Friday, cautioning against rushing to judgment while acknowledging that misconduct should carry consequences. OHIO BAKERY WORKERS RECOUNT SURPRISE JD VANCE ENCOUNTER THAT TOOK AN UNEXPECTED TURN “Let’s actually see what the facts are. Let’s see what the truth is,” Vance told reporters in Ohio. “And obviously, if there was something bad that happened, then people have to suffer consequences for it.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who visited Greece this week and delivered remarks with the backdrop of Acropolis, declined to address the allegations directly. SEC MARCO RUBIO: THE WEST FORGOT WHAT MADE IT GREAT. WE MUST REDISCOVER OUR ROOTS BEFORE WE LOSE THEM “You guys walk around thinking that because some source told you something and you reported it, it’s the gospel. It’s not the gospel,” Rubio told reporters Thursday. Rubio had defended Guilfoyle’s performance a day earlier, saying, “Our ambassador has been a strong ambassador here.” FOUR AMERICAN TOURISTS AMONG 6 KILLED AFTER EXPLOSION LEVELS BUILDING NEAR ATHENS’ ACROPOLIS Trump nominated Guilfoyle to the diplomatic post in December 2024. A former California prosecutor and Fox News Channel personality, she previously served as a prominent surrogate and fundraiser for the president. DONALD TRUMP JR AND BETTINA ANDERSON CELEBRATE PRIVATE WEDDING IN BAHAMAS, SHARE SWEET PERSONAL PHOTO Guilfoyle was almost Trump’s daughter-in-law. She was engaged to Don Jr. for four years, but the two publicly split in Dec. 2024 — the same month the president nominated her to be the ambassador to Greece. The president’s eldest son married Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson in May of this year. She was also previously married to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, from 2001 to 2006, when he was serving as mayor of San Francisco.