Texas Democrats evacuate amid bomb threat at Illinois hotel
Police said they responded to a 'report of a potential bomb threat at the Q-Center hotel and convention complex' at 7:15 a.m. central time in St. Charles, a suburb west of Chicago.
They said they conducted a 'thorough search' along with the Kane County Sheriff's Office bomb squad and found 'no device.'
'In response to the threat, 400 people were immediately evacuated and the area was secured as bomb squad units conducted their investigation,' the St. Charles Police Department wrote. 'Following clearance from authorities, all guests and staff have safely returned to the premises.'
Illinois Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker wrote on X that, 'Threats of violence will be investigated and those responsible will be held accountable.'
Texas House Rep. John Bucy III, one of the Democrats at the hotel, told USA TODAY in an Aug. 6 interview that many legislators were still asleep when the alarm went off in the morning and that the group gathered outside. He said it took about two hours before everything was cleared up and they were allowed to safely reenter.
"I want to say thank you to Gov. Pritzker. I want to say thank you to law enforcement and to the hotel staff," Bucy said. "They worked diligently to make sure that the place was safe... They are showing what real leadership looks like. It's sad to me that (Texas Gov.) Greg Abbott doesn't have the same qualities in him as a leader."
More than 50 Texas Democrats left their state on Aug. 3 to deny Republicans the quorum they need to move ahead with their redistricting efforts. The effort could give Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives up to five more seats in the 2026 midterms.
The Democratic state lawmakers dispersed to blue states, including Illinois, Massachusetts and New York. Abbott, a Republican, filed an emergency petition Aug. 5 seeking to remove the Texas state Democratic House leader from office.
Contributing: Phillip Bailey, Savannah Kuchar, and Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY
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Independent candidate for Michigan governor is betting on partisan fatigue in the midterms
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Duggan had been a major Democratic figure in Michigan with a close working relationship with former President Joe Biden. While there is precedent for independent governors in the U.S., none are currently in office and there has never been one in Michigan. Why run as an independent? He announced his bid a month after Democrats suffered heavy losses in the 2024 election. But, midterm elections tend to favor the party not in power. Democrats have now seized on cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits as winning issues in races across the country. Duggan doesn't see it that way. 'I mean, it would have been easier to win as a Democrat, but then I'd have just been part of the partisan problem,' Duggan said. As an example, Duggan pointed to Michigan's split Legislature, with Republicans in control of the state House and Democrats controlling the state Senate. Only six proposals have become law this year, and the state operating budget is still hung up. Duggan's campaign has focused on his independency from both parties and education in the state. Duggan derided Michigan House Democrats who voted against a measure to restrict cellphone usage in schools. 'I don't really intend to get involved in the national Republican versus Democratic talking points,' he said. Tariffs in Detroit, and abroad Several companies in Michigan's auto industry, centered in Detroit, have reported major losses and expressed worry about tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Auto parts often move across the border between the U.S. and Canada multiple times during manufacturing. Duggan said tariffs on China and Mexico could push manufacturing to Michigan. However, tariffs on Canada are 'devastating,' he said. 'When you put a tariff on Canada, you put a tariff on Michigan,' he said. He also critiqued the ever-changing nature of Trump's tariff policies, saying they prevent companies from making educated, long-term investments. President Trump Duggan praised current Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her work with the Trump administration, opposing the tariffs on Canada and working with him to get new fighter jets for an air force base. Some Democrats have criticized Whitmer for appearing with Trump multiple times this year. 'I think it's exactly the right kind of approach,' he said. Elon Musk Democrats in Michigan have frequently tied Duggan to Elon Musk; an attempt to undercut Duggan by association with the divisive public figure. Musk, a former Trump ally, said in July that he would create a third political party. When Duggan responded to Musk on X saying 'Now you've got my attention,' the Michigan Democratic Party said the mayor was 'cozying' up to the richest man in the world. When asked about exchange, Duggan said his bid is 'exactly the opposite' of a third party and said he wants no part of one. As an independent, he would not be responsible for any party majority, he said. 'I'm going to work with whoever wins to build bridges,' he said. Arab American voters Michigan is home to one of the largest populations of Arab American voters in the U.S., many of whom are disillusioned with both political parties over Israel's military offensive in Gaza which has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis. 'The governor doesn't make policy 6,000 miles away,' Duggan said. 'The governor has a great deal to say about the tone of hate speech and threats to individuals — whether it's the Jewish community, the Arab community — in the state of Michigan.' Who else is in the race? Whitmer is term-limited and cannot run for reelection. The crowded field vying to replace her includes three Democrats — Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson — and four Republicans — U.S. Rep. John James, state Senate Leader Aric Nesbitt, former state Attorney General Mike Cox and former Speaker of the state House Tom Leonard. Running as an independent allowed Duggan to avoid the Democratic primary, but he gave up access to the party's resources. He's well-known in Detroit and the surrounding areas but largely lacks statewide name recognition. Recent fundraising numbers showed Duggan was competitive with Benson, James and Nesbitt. Only Benson's campaign raised more than Duggan's, thanks to $1.1 million she transferred from her Secretary of State campaign account. National Democratic groups, though, are certain to prioritize the Michigan race and pour money in if needed. 'A lot of people in the state are fed up with a two party system,' Duggan said. 'And it's not going to change by electing another Republican or Democrat.'
