Latest news with #2ndDistrict
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
State Sen. John Cavanaugh running for Congress in Nebraska's 2nd District
State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha, center, meets with State Sens. Ashlei Spivey of Omaha, Danielle Conrad of Lincoln and Terrell McKinney of Omaha, from left. March 26, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — After two months of speculation, State Sen. John Cavanaugh is throwing his hat into the ring Wednesday and running for Congress in Nebraska's 2nd District. The Omaha-based lawmaker joins one high-profile local candidate in PAC co-founder and small business owner Denise Powell, along with Mark Johnston and Evangelos Argyrakis. The winner of the May 2026 Democratic primary will try to do what former Omaha State Sen. Tony Vargas fell short of doing so two times — becoming the first non-Republican to represent Nebraska in Congress since the late former U.S. Rep. Brad Ashford served in early 2017. Cavanaugh said he is banking on his record 'of being a leader in the Legislature' to separate himself from Powell. He said he has a record of standing up for 'working people' and protecting access to reproductive health care, something he plans to continue to do in Congress if elected. Bacon is anti-abortion in a district where a majority supports abortion rights. The Cavanaugh name also holds weight in Omaha, as John is part of a state political dynasty. His father, in the late 1970s, held the congressional seat that he hopes to win, and his sister, State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, serves in the statehouse with him. Cavanaugh's pitch: 'The country is in crisis. [We] need strong leadership to help us correct course from this chaotic president and Congress.' The attorney and former Douglas County Public Defender points to his experience in government as a contrast to Powell's campaign. Powell has argued people want a fresh face in political office. She said she would prioritize protecting Medicaid and Social Security, vote to ensure the federal government does its part to boost quality K-12 education and push back against the Trump administration. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report has rated the Omaha-based 2nd District seat held by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., as a Republican toss-up. National and state Democrats are using the recent Omaha mayoral race as evidence of growing voter 'energy' against President Donald Trump and political fuel for the congressional midterms. But the fundamentals of the district haven't changed. It remains Nebraska's most politically divided and diverse district, with a slight GOP tilt. The 2nd District contains Democratic-leaning Douglas County, home to Omaha, Republican-leaning slices of western Sarpy County, largely suburbs and exurbs, and rural Saunders County. The 2nd District voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024 and former President Joe Biden in 2020 after voting for President Donald Trump in 2016 and Mitt Romney in 2012. It backed then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama in 2008. Bacon has fended off Democrats in close races five times in previous years and bucked the 'blue dot' voting trend in the past two presidential elections. The retired Air Force brigadier general is a reliable Republican vote on most matters. But he has again stepped into the national spotlight as one of the few House Republicans willing to criticize the Trump administration. Bacon hasn't announced a decision yet on whether to retire from Congress, though he said that decision would come this summer. Nebraska Democrats, who view Bacon's seat as vulnerable with him in it or not, have multiple candidates to choose from. Republicans could have a 2nd District primary regardless of what Bacon decides. Former 2022 GOP gubernatorial candidate Brett Lindstrom has told people in conservative political circles that he might be interested in a bid if Bacon retires. Another candidate that has been discussed is Dan Frei, who lost a bid to challenge Bacon in the 2024 GOP primary. Denise Powell launches bid in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District If Cavanaugh emerges from the Democratic primary, he would be the second Democratic-aligned state senator to run against Bacon, following Vargas. Cavanaugh said the difference between Vargas and him is that he was born and raised in Omaha and has a 'stronger record of being a leader in the Legislature.' Bacon has already criticized Cavanaugh's voting record early this year, saying that outside political groups would easily use it to highlight his 'left-wing votes.' Cavanaugh said the biggest motivation for him to run is that the federal government is currently populated by 'people who are self-interested and self-dealing.' 'That starts with the president and includes Congress, but we saw it in the Legislature this year,' Cavanaugh said. Cavanaugh spent much of the most recent legislative session arguing against efforts by the GOP-majority in the officially nonpartisan Legislature to resist ballot measures passed by Nebraska voters, including new laws requiring paid sick leave, raising the minimum wage, repealing school vouchers, and legalizing medical marijuana. He was often one of the Democratic-aligned lawmakers filibustering the majority's proposed changes to what voters approved. 'I don't shy away from a fight, but I'm not trying to be combative with people just for the sake of being combative,' Cavanaugh said. 'We need that kind of principled strength representing us in Congress.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Peoria's New Councilman: Alex Carmona Emphasizes Business Growth and Public Art
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A student of history, the 2nd District's new councilman says he's excited and ready to get to work to continue the process of making Peoria a vibrant city. Alex Carmona, 39, sat at his home art studio on Moss avenue Thursday, two days after he was sworn into office and still enjoying the special moment. But he says he's not much for pomp and circumstance. Rather, he's an ordinary guy who wants to help make his adopted city — he moved here five years ago from Colorado — more attractive to business and a place where people will come and settle. He's pro-business, wanting to make city ordinances more welcoming to companies big and small. He's a 'core services' guy, meaning he believes that a main facet of City Hall's reach should be in the police, fire and public works area. 'I would prefer a more of a free market type rather than a heavy handed kind of government control,' he said. 'We need to be a little bit more adaptable to the needs of the business community, but also residents as well. 'So all I'm saying is that regulations, they're not bad, they're good. We need them. It's just to what end? And if we really want this city to grow, we need to be more adaptable,' he said. He also supports bringing the Par-A-Dice casino to this side of the Illinois River if the parent company wants to build a new casino on land. 'I am a big proponent for the for a land-based casino here because things will pop up around it and it'll just bring more opportunity around here,' he said, noting as others have on the council that the 30-plus-year-odl agreement between East Peoria and Peoria clearly states that land-based gaming was to be on this side of the river. But he's also got some other ideas that are interesting as well. An artist, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, a jazz and blues lover, Carmona said one way to improve Peoria is to offer more public art. Already, he said there is a lot going on in the central business district or Downtown Peoria but public art is important. 'We are starting to pay more attention to public art in this city,' he said. 'It's really interesting and I'm not just saying this because I'm an artist myself, I am saying this because every city that I go to, Austin, Nashville, (others) they all have a very vibrant art community. They have murals all over the place. It's more welcoming.' He's done his share, creating a 32-foot by 35-foot mural which hangs on the Adams Street side of the Niagara parking deck. It was unveiled last fall and he used that event to announce his candidacy. It's dubbed 'Live Greater,' and features six people, each of whom corresponds to a letter in the word 'Peoria.' The mural, he said at the time, was to 'capture the joy of our vibrant, diverse community.' He said he's traveled around seeing thriving cities. They have many things in common, including public art and have a business-friendly environment. 'We need to try to take examples like this and apply them here in Peoria for the good of all of us,' he said. And now that he's sitting on the Horseshoe, he wants to do what he can to represent the people of the 2nd District, a very diverse area of town stretching from Downtown up to Northmoor Road. It was a close race to win the council seat, with less than 50 votes separating the two candidates. 'I want to tell everybody, that seriously from the bottom of my heart to even the people who did not vote for me, that I'm actually doing this for the right reasons,' he said. He wants to work with the local schools because, as a parent of three, he wants his children to come to love the city and chose to stay here when they are older. 'One of the reasons I actually decided to run was because I noticed life is just speeding right by us,' Carmona said. 'And my oldest daughter, she's learning how to drive. And then I just came to the realization that, you know, she's going to be an adult very soon. 'All my kids, you know, eventually are. And I want them to stay here and have opportunity here,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DFL Sen. Matt Klein announces run for Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District
Minnesota Sen. Matt Klein, DFL-Mendota Heights, a Mayo doctor first elected to the Legislature in 2016, announced Tuesday he's running for Rep. Angie Craig's congressional seat in the 2nd District. 'As a senator, I've worked across the aisle to pass common sense laws that protect Minnesotans from financial fraud and predatory lending, lower prescription drug costs by holding Big Pharma accountable, defend reproductive freedom, and make life more affordable for working families,' Klein said in a statement. The 2nd Congressional District is Minnesota's most competitive, but Craig's centrist politics has helped her win four consecutive elections in the purple south metro district. In 2024, she won by double digit percentage points despite Republicans' nationwide success. She recently announced her candidacy for U.S. Senate. Klein currently serves as the chair of the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee. More: Former state Sen. Matt Little announces U.S. House campaign to replace Angie Craig Most recently, Klein has championed legislation to legalize online sports betting in Minnesota, but that effort has stalled again this year. He's also a vocal proponent of passing a revolving door ban, which would bar lawmakers from becoming lobbyists immediately after leaving office. More: Republican candidate wins Minnesota Senate special election Tuesday night Klein, a married father of five, grew up in the east metro and attended the Mayo Medical School. Klein helped Gov. Tim Walz during his 2022 reelection by sharply calling out Walz's GOP opponent, fellow physician Scott Jensen, who had raised doubts about the severity of the pandemic and the necessity of universal vaccination. Former DFL Sen. Matt Little is also running for the 2nd Congressional District seat. Businessman and internet poster Mike Norton is exploring a run. Other potential candidates include GOP state Sen. Eric Pratt; 2024 GOP nominee Joe Teirab; and 2020 and 2022 GOP nominee Tyler Kistner. Minnesota Reformer is part of States Newsroom, the nation's largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Minn. Sen. Matt Klein to run for Congress, 2nd Congressional District
CBS News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly announces Senate run
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly announced Tuesday morning that she has entered the race for Illinois' open Senate seat. Kelly released the following statement on social media: "Today I announce my run for the US Senate. This moment demands proven leaders with the experience to take on tough battles. I've never backed down—not from gun lobbyists, not from MAGA extremists, and not from a fight for what's right. Join my campaign." In a newly released campaign video, Kelly focuses on affordable healthcare and housing, fair wages, and decreasing gun violence. Kelly has represented the 2nd District in the House of Representatives since 2013. She also served as the Chairwoman of the Democratic Party from 2021 to 2022. The only other candidate in the race so far is Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, who launched her campaign the day after Sen. Dick Durbin announced he wouldn't run for re-election.
CBS News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota announces U.S. Senate run
Democratic U.S. Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota announced on Tuesday she will run for the U.S. Senate. Craig said in February she was considering a Senate campaign after Sen. Tina Smith announced she would not run for reelection in 2026. In her campaign announcement, Craig accused President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk of "burning our government down." "We must do better," Craig said. "I'm running for U.S. Senate — to fight for Minnesota. And to win." Craig currently represents Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District, which includes all of Dakota, Scott and Le Sueur counties, plus parts of Washington and Rice counties. She unsuccessfully challenged Republican Rep. Jason Lewis in 2016, but flipped the 2nd District two years later, then won reelection in 2020, 2022 and 2024. In the past, Craig has billed herself as a moderate with bipartisan accomplishments and a willingness to break with the Democratic Party. Before entering politics, she was a medical technology executive and newspaper reporter. She and her wife have four adult children and live in Prior Lake. Craig recently went on a town hall tour of GOP-led districts in her home state, which prompted Republican House Majority Whip Tom Emmer to call for an ethics investigation. Emmer alleges Craig is using her taxpayer-funded office to bring attention to campaign events and fundraising. In response, Craig's office said in part, "While her Rep ublican colleagues have refused to show up and answer to their constituents in person, Representative Craig is actively showing up in their districts." Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan has also officially announced a run for the Senate. Other candidates running or considering a run include Republicans Royce White and state Sen. Julia Coleman and Democrats Melisa López Franzen and Rep. Ilhan Omar. Smith said her decision to shun another run "is not political, it is entirely personal." "After 20 years of hard and rewarding work in the public sector, I'm ready to spend more time with my family," she added.
