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Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
The challenger who narrowly lost to GOP Rep. Scott Perry wants another chance to beat him in 2026
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democrat Janelle Stelson, who lost to Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry by barely a percentage point in 2024, will run again in the right-leaning congressional district in Pennsylvania. Stelson, a one-time local TV anchor and personality, mounted a challenge to Perry, the former leader of the hardline House Freedom Caucus. It was designed to sway moderate Republicans, portraying him as an extremist on abortion rights and slamming Perry's votes against Democratic-penned bills that carried benefits for firefighters and veterans. 'The story about Scott Perry just keeps getting worse,' Stelson said in an interview. Stelson called Perry the 'deciding vote' in the House's 218-214 vote on Republicans' tax break and spending cut package that she said would strip Medicaid benefits from thousands of his constituents, possibly shut down rural hospitals and further stretch health care facilities, such as nursing homes. 'This has disastrous, possibly deadly consequences, and Scott Perry did that,' Stelson said. For his part, Perry is already touting the bill's provisions to curb billions of dollars in spending across clean energy, cut spending on the safety-net health care program Medicaid and reduce subsidies to states that offer Medicaid coverage to cover immigrants who may not be here legally. It will, he said in a statement, 'end damaging 'Green New Scam' subsidies, lock in critical and additional reductions in spending' and ramp up efforts to make sure Medicaid benefits are reserved for 'vulnerable Americans and not illegal aliens.' Perry's campaign, meanwhile, has said that Perry's fundraising is its strongest since he's been in Congress, and that the issues that propelled President Donald Trump and Perry to victories in 2024 will still be relevant in 2026. With Washington, D.C., completely controlled by Republicans, recruiting strong House challengers is of the utmost importance for Democrats. They need to flip just three seats nationwide to retake the House majority they lost in 2022 and block Trump's agenda. Stelson lost in a damaging 2024 election for the Democratic Party, despite outspending Perry in a race that cost over $24 million, according to FEC filings. It wasn't one of the most expensive House races in the nation, but Perry's victory of slightly over 1% point made it one of the closest. Democrats took heart that Perry ran well behind Trump — by 4 points — in a district that is becoming more moderate with Harrisburg's fast-developing suburbs. Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro won the district in 2022's gubernatorial race, when he blew out his Republican opponent. Shapiro will lead Pennsylvania's ticket again in 2026, and is supporting Stelson by headlining a fundraiser for her in the coming days. Shapiro's support could ward off a potential primary challenger to Stelson. ___ Follow Marc Levy on X at:
Winnipeg Free Press
7 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Takeaways from AP report on Democrats already lining up for the 2028 presidential race
Democrats' political jockeying for the 2028 presidential contest appears to be playing out earlier, with more frequency and with less pretense than ever before. It's only 2025, but several potential candidates are already taking steps to get to know voters in the states that will matter most in the nomination process. And with no clear Democratic front-runner, upwards of 30 high-profile Democrats could ultimately enter the 2028 primary. Here are highlights from The Associated Press' reporting on possible hopefuls' moves in traditional early voting states: South Carolina hot in July Over the span of 10 days this month, three Democratic presidential prospects are scheduled to campaign in South Carolina. The state is expected to host the Democratic Party's opening presidential primary contest in early 2028, although the calendar hasn't been finalized. California Gov. Gavin Newsom was referred to as a presidential candidate at one stop last week, although he insisted he was there simply to strengthen the party for the midterms. Term-limited Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who acknowledges he's considering a 2028 bid, will spend two days touring South Carolina later this week. He'll focus on the state's Black community, while drawing an implicit contrast with Newsom on cultural issues. California Rep. Ro Khanna, a progressive aligned with the Bernie Sanders wing of the Democratic Party, will target union members and Black voters when he's in the state a few days later. And former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is having private conversations about a potential run with key South Carolina Democrats, including Rep. Jim Clyburn. A Kentucky Democrat up next Beshear, Kentucky's 47-year-old two-term governor, is scheduled to make multiple appearances in South Carolina on Wednesday and Thursday in what will be his first visit to the state on political grounds. He'll highlight his appeal among red-state moderates and Black voters in a Thursday speech hosted by the Georgetown County Democrats in a region that voted three times for Trump and has a large African American population. 'Democrats have a huge opportunity to seize the middle and win back the voters who have been increasingly skeptical of the Democratic brand. But it's going to take focus and discipline,' he will say, according to speech excerpts obtained by the AP. Already a sense of urgency Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a rising star in the Democratic party, told the AP that presidential prospects 'need to be more visible earlier' as Democrats work to recover from their disastrous performance in the 2024 election. 'What freaks most Democrats out is not really understanding who's up next. Like, who's got next?' she said. 'And I think that that is really what people want most; they want their presidential nominee now.' Voters and local officials in key states tend to agree. Jody Gaulin, the Democratic chair in South Carolina's deep-red Oconee County, hopes the energy that comes along with potential presidential hopefuls could boost her party's ranks. 'This is exactly what we've been waiting for,' Gaulin said. In New Hampshire, 46-year-old Democrat Jane Lescynski was eager to answer when asked to what extent she's thinking about the 2028 presidential election. 'I can't wait,' she said. Clyburn the kingmaker? Clyburn, South Carolina's only Democratic congressman, told the AP he's had direct contact with Emanuel, Beshear and Khanna. He also appeared with Newsom last week and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore in May. Clyburn said he doesn't have an early favorite in the 2028 Democratic nomination contest and may not endorse at all in what he expects to be a very large field. 'It can be Gavin Newsom, it can be Wes Moore, Andy Beshear, Ro Khanna, whoever it is, I think they're going to have a very good reception amongst the voters,' Clyburn told the AP. 'I feel good about Democrats in general.' Don't sleep on New Hampshire and Iowa New Hampshire Democratic leaders are privately encouraging 2028 prospects to visit the state. Unlike South Carolina, New Hampshire features two competitive House races and a top-tier Senate race in next year's midterms. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, campaigned Friday in the state with Rep. Chris Pappas, who is expected to represent Democrats on the Senate ballot next fall. She insisted her only purpose in visiting was backing Pappas' campaign. Illinois Gov. Pritzker headlined a key state fundraiser in May. And while Iowa may have lost its top spot on the Democrats' primary calendar, with at least two competitive House races it will almost certainly be a top draw for ambitious Democrats. Pete Buttigieg, a former Biden Cabinet member and a 2020 presidential candidate, hosted a town hall in Iowa in May. Others are moving more cautiously. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has avoided any early state travel this year, focusing instead on his 2026 reelection. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also focused largely on her day job. Both would be top-tier presidential candidates should they decide to run.
Winnipeg Free Press
7 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Who's got next?' Democrats already lining up for 2028 presidential race in early voting states
SENECA, S.C. (AP) — The first presidential primary votes won't be cast for another two and a half years. And yet, over the span of 10 days in July, three Democratic presidential prospects are scheduled to campaign in South Carolina. Nearly a half dozen others have made recent pilgrimages to South Carolina, New Hampshire and Iowa — states that traditionally host the nation's opening presidential nomination contests. Still other ambitious Democrats are having private conversations with officials on the ground there. The voters in these states are used to seeing presidential contenders months or even years before most of the country, but the political jockeying in 2025 for the 2028 presidential contest appears to be playing out earlier, with more frequency and with less pretense than ever before. California Gov. Gavin Newsom was referred to as a presidential candidate at one stop in his two-day South Carolina tour last week. Voters shouted '2028!' after he insisted he was there simply to strengthen the party ahead of the 2026 midterms. South Carolina has virtually no competitive midterm contests. Term-limited Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who acknowledges he's considering a 2028 bid, will spend two days touring South Carolina this week. He will focus on the state's Black community while drawing an implicit contrast with Newsom on cultural issues, according to excerpts of his planned remarks obtained by The Associated Press. California Congressman Ro Khanna, a progressive aligned with the Bernie Sanders ' wing of the Democratic Party, will target union members and Black voters when he's in the state a few days later with the son of a civil rights leader. And former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is having private conversations with key South Carolina Democrats, including presidential primary kingmaker Rep. Jim Clyburn, in which Emanuel indicated strong interest in a presidential run. That's according to Clyburn himself, who said he's also had direct contact with Beshear and Khanna after appearing alongside Newsom last week and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore in May. 'That's what candidates have to do: position themselves and be ready when lightning strikes,' Clyburn said. Democrats look to turn the page from 2024 The unusually early jockeying is playing out as the Democratic Party struggles to repair its brand, rebuild its message and fill a leadership vacuum after losing the White House and both chambers of Congress in 2024. Democrats are decidedly more optimistic about 2028. Republicans will not have the advantage of incumbency in the next presidential contest; the Constitution bars President Donald Trump from seeking a third term. And the race for the Democratic nomination appears to be wide open, even as 2024 nominee Kamala Harris and running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have left open the possibility of running again. With no clear front-runner, some Democratic operatives believe upwards of 30 high-profile Democrats could ultimately enter the 2028 primary — more than the party's overpacked 2020 field. And as Democrats struggle to stop Trump's power grabs in Washington, some report a real sense of urgency to get the 2028 process started. Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a rising Democratic star, told the AP earlier this year that presidential prospects 'need to be more visible earlier' as party officials look to take cues from a new generation of leaders. 'What freaks most Democrats out is not really understanding who's up next. Like, who's got next?' she said. 'And I think that that is really what people want most; they want their presidential nominee now.' A Kentucky Democrat steps into the conversation Beshear, Kentucky's 47-year-old two-term governor, is scheduled to make his first visit to South Carolina on political grounds on Wednesday and Thursday. He will promote his appeal among red-state moderates and Black voters in a Thursday speech hosted by the Georgetown County Democrats in a region that voted three times for Trump and has a large Black population. 'Democrats have a huge opportunity to seize the middle and win back the voters who have been increasingly skeptical of the Democratic brand. But it's going to take focus and discipline,' Beshear is expected to say, according to speech excerpts obtained by the AP. There are no direct jabs at Newsom in the excerpts, but Beshear is expected to continue drawing contrasts with the California governor, who earlier this year suggested his party went too far in embracing 'woke' priorities. In his prepared remarks, Beshear doesn't shy away from such progressive cultural issues. He will note he made Juneteenth an executive branch holiday for the first time in Kentucky, signed an executive order that prohibits discrimination against state workers for how they wear their hair and ordered the removal of a statue of Jefferson Davis, who served as the president of the Confederacy during the Civil War. 'The current federal administration wants to make diversity a dirty word,' Beshear plans to say. 'They want people to believe that equity means everyone isn't worthy of opportunities.' Who else is stepping up? Already this year, Walz of Minnesota and Moore of Maryland have addressed South Carolina Democrats. Biden Cabinet member Pete Buttigieg, a 2020 presidential candidate, hosted a town hall in Iowa in May. The month before, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker headlined a Democratic fundraiser in New Hampshire. Others are moving more cautiously. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has avoided any early state travel this year, focusing instead on his 2026 reelection. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also focused largely on her day job. Both would be top-tier presidential candidates should they decide to run. Khanna has been working to build his national profile since before the last election with frequent trips to New Hampshire, among other early voting states. The California congressman is scheduled to host two town-hall style meetings in South Carolina this weekend with Illinois Rep. Jonathan Jackson, the son of civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Khanna casts his lower profile — at least compared to potential competitors like Newsom and Shapiro — as an asset when asked about his party's early 2028 field. 'I think it's very different than in the past when you've had clear defined leaders of the party. I think that's healthy. There is no status quo person,' Khanna said. 'My guess is the last thing the party is going to want is more of the same.' Newsom's South Carolina dance Newsom spent much of last year denying interest in a presidential run. But with his final term as governor set to expire at the end of next year, his 2028 ambitions are starting to emerge more publicly. During his recent South Carolina tour, Newsom only smiled when voters shouted '2028!' after he referenced his focus on the 2026 midterms. Clyburn said openly what the California governor would not. Appearing with Newsom, Clyburn encouraged local Democrats to be energized by the visits of 'presidential candidates' coming early and often to their state. Newsom looked around, seemingly seeking the object of Clyburn's remark, as the crowd laughed. In an interview afterward, Clyburn said he doesn't have an early favorite in the 2028 Democratic nomination contest. New Hampshire remains a player Pritzker headlined a key state fundraiser in New Hampshire in May. And state Democratic leaders are privately encouraging other 2028 prospects to visit the state. Unlike South Carolina, New Hampshire features two competitive House races and a top-tier Senate election next year. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, campaigned Friday in the state with Rep. Chris Pappas, who is expected to represent Democrats on the Senate ballot next fall. In a brief interview, she insisted her only purpose was backing Pappas' campaign. 'I am here to help my friend,' she said. 'I know a lot of people here and I want to put it to use in a good way.' What do the voters say? It may be early, but some Democratic voters and local officials say they're ready to get the cycle started. Jody Gaulin, the Democratic chair of a deep-red South Carolina county, is hoping the energy that comes along with potential candidates could boost her party's ranks. 'This is exactly what we've been waiting for,' Gaulin said. It's much the same in New Hampshire. Democrat Jane Lescynski, who works at the manufacturing facility Klobuchar toured Friday, had a quick answer when asked her thoughts about the 2028 presidential election. 'I can't wait,' she said. ___ Peoples reported from New York. Ramer reported from Gilsum, New Hampshire.
