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Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Beto O'Rourke, former presidential candidate, holds town hall in Oklahoma City
Hundreds gathered in Oklahoma City Wednesday for a town hall hosted by former presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke to discuss state and federal issues and rally the audience to fight back against the current administration. O'Rourke, who ran for president in 2020 and served as a U.S. Representative for Texas, has spent most of the summer traveling across the country hosting town halls in various cities, many of which were in Republican led states, including Nebraska, Texas, Missouri, and Indiana. O'Rourke spoke to hundreds of attendees about the current state of politics in the United States, highlighting ways people can get involved and make a difference, adding that others have already decided Oklahoma voters should not count. 'I take it by your attendance tonight that you all did not get the memo,' O'Rourke said as he stepped on stage. 'Oklahoma is not supposed to count. Your participation in our politics is not supposed to matter because it's not going to make a difference. This stuff has all been decided.' He started the town hall off by highlighting one way that Democratic leaders are currently fighting against the Republican administration at the federal and state levels. He spoke about how the Texas Democrats broke quorum by leaving the state to prevent a vote on a Republican redistricting plan for the state. 'These brave Democrats in Texas ... said 'Over my dead body are you going to steal these five seats in Texas' and at extraordinary risk to themselves,' he said. O'Rourke said the town hall was not just to support the Texas Democrats but to 'do the work right now' to win the congressional seat up for election in Oklahoma City. The seat for Oklahoma's 5th Congressional District, currently held by Republican Stephanie Bice, is on the ballot in 2026. O'Rourke said the U.S. House of Representatives currently has a three-seat majority and winning the 5th District seat could help change that. In July, Jena Nelson, who was the 2022 Democratic nominee for State Superintendent, announced her campaign for the seat. 'If we fail to stop this steal in Texas, if we fail to win political power in the House, I believe the concentration of authoritarian power in the hands of the President will be nearly unstoppable after 2026,' he said. O'Rourke said they have to 'work like hell' to win the 5th District, adding that the majority in the House could be decided by one district in 2026, as the majority is so slim. 'It's going to come from the last place they expect it to,' he said. 'No one is going to be watching Oklahoma expect for the people of Oklahoma. But after you win this, the world is going to take notice.' O'Rourke expressed frustration with current Democratic leaders across the country for always 'playing by the rules' and 'coloring in the lines.' He added that Democratic governors in states like New York and California should not wait to see what happens with redistricting in Texas and should restrict their own states to the advantage of Democrats. * 'We have to beat these basds and we're not going to do it by playing nice. We've got to be tough.' O'Rourke said. 'The refs have left the arena. This is an all-out brawl and we are in it for as long as we still consider ourselves a democracy.' In the final 30 minutes of the town hall, O'Rourke welcomed former Oklahoma governor David Walters to the stage. Walters serves on the Democratic National Convention and said he hears a lot about the importance of messaging. He said messaging is important and critical and people constantly ask why there is no conversation or messaging on public education, mental health and other topics. Walter said those topics are discussed constantly but do not get much coverage. 'Do we need a good message or do we need a messenger,' he said. ' I'm telling you, the message is the messenger. We just heard one hell of a messenger tonight.' The town hall closed with questions from the audience with one asking how to stop ICE raids. O'Rourke said regaining control of the House is incredibly important but it's not the solution to everything, adding that power needs to be gained in the Senate and the Oval Office. But, with a Democratic majority in the House in 2027, investigations and hearings can be conducted to look into who has been detained and deported, into the Epstein files and can subpoena records for another believed corrupt activity. Others asked how to get more people to the polls. O'Rourke said, in Texas, there is a group called Powered By People filled with volunteers who help registered individuals to vote. But the organization goes further than just registration. Volunteers stay in touch with those they register to ensure they have received their voter registration cards and inform them where their polling location is. He closed the town hall with a reference to a quote from Abraham Lincoln at Ottawa in 1858, where Lincoln discussed the power of the president, the legislature, the courts and the people. 'Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed,' Lincoln said in the 1858 speech. O'Rourke said part of the reason he held the town hall in Oklahoma City is to rally people to the fight but also to seal individuals with the 'resolve that will be necessary' to see the fight through. 'If we are willing to do this, I promise you we are going to prevail and we must do it together because if we do not hang together, we are going to swing alone in Trump's America,' O'Rourke said. 'So let's be together every day going forward until we win this power for each and every single one of us in America.' O'Rourke was welcomed to Oklahoma City by leaders from the Oklahoma Democratic Party and the Oklahoma County Democratic Party. ' Tonight is about more than politics. It's about power and making sure it belongs with the people. And right now, that power is under attack across the country and specifically here in Oklahoma,' said Amy Warne, chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. 'We are facing an unprecedented test. You've heard of Project 2025… What's frightening is it's not just the cruelty of this vision, but how organized, strategic, and deliberate it is. And while they say they want to treat us — Oklahoma, Texas, and other states — as testing grounds, let me be absolutely clear. Oklahoma is not a lost cause. Oklahoma is the front line.' Warne talked about the goals and vision of Project 2025 and how the plan can affect minority communities. To 'build a picture' that includes everyone, she said everyone must join together and reach others across state lines, movements and across generations. ' That's why leaders like Beto matter because he reminds us that the fight isn't just in D.C.,' she said. 'It's in Denton, in Duncan, in Del City. It is in Shawnee. It's at the doors, it's at town halls just like this. It's at the school board meetings. It's in every place that you show up to fight for your freedoms.' Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SC senator announces run for Ralph Norman's 5th District seat in Congress
Republican state Sen. Wes Climer is running for Congress, seeking to succeed U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, who is running for South Carolina governor. Climer announced his run at Southern Charm Events in Rock Hill Thursday evening, promising to be an ally to President Donald Trump in Congress and push an 'America First' agenda. 'I've had enough and I think you have too,' Climer said Thursday. 'Enough of the career politicians. Enough of unelected bureaucrats running our lives. Enough of special interests calling the shots.' South Carolina's 5th Congressional district includes all of York, Lee, Lancaster, Union, Cherokee, Chester, Fairfield and Kershaw counties, as well as portions of Sumter and Spartanburg counties. The district heavily favors Republicans, and Climer is the biggest name in the race so far. Climer joins two Democrats already in the 2026 race, Alex Harper and Andrew Clough. Climer endorsed Norman's run for governor at the Thursday event, encouraging York County Republicans in attendance to vote for him. Who is Wes Climer? Climer is in his third term in the state Senate, representing District 15 in York County since 2016. He is the chairman of the S.C. Senate's agriculture and natural resources committee. He formerly served as the chairman of the York County Republican Party. In July, Climer filed a lawsuit over the General Assembly-approved pay increase for lawmakers, The State reported. He called the increase of $1,500 a month 'unconstitutional.' Climer also advocated this year for candy and soda to be excluded from SNAP benefits, and voted against the confirmation of Myra Reece as director of the Department of Environmental Services. Climer said at the time he did not want the state to make rules based on 'thoroughly unproven theories,' citing climate change as an example. Climer described himself Thursday as a Christian, a small business owner and 'a lifelong conservative who is sick and tired of watching this county get hollowed out by people who either don't know what they're doing or don't care.' What are Climer's campaign priorities? Climer said his campaign priorities include cutting the federal budget, sealing the Southern border, fighting against Critical Race Theory in schools and overhauling the Department of Justice. He said in South Carolina he will push for better coordination between federal, local and state governments to manage the state's growth. Climer emphasized his record in the state senate fighting for constitutional carry, tax cuts, school choice and anti-Critical Race Theory measures. 'We don't need more noise in Washington,' Climer said. 'We need results,' What is Climer's experience? Climer has served in the state Senate for nearly nine years and ranks 23rd out of 46 senators in seniority. When asked why he would give up the seniority he has gained in the smaller chamber to be one of 435 U.S. representatives, Climer said he believes Congress is where he can make the biggest impact. 'The real fight for the future of this country is happening in Washington,' he said. 'The stakes are incredibly high. I have learned a lot serving in the State House about how to accomplish conservative objectives, not just talking about it, not just doing a press release or a tweet, but moving it from an idea into a law. I think we need more of that in Washington, people who not only can make the argument, but people who can close the deal.' His experience makes him a good candidate for Congress, said Alex Stroman, a former SC GOP executive director. Climer has worked on Capitol Hill and is a popular senator throughout the state, Stroman said. 'He will be able to go in with an understanding that I think a lot of freshmen members of Congress don't have,' Stroman said. 'He knows how it works, and he knows how to get things done. He knows what to avoid, and I think that the legislative experience that he's had and the leadership experience he's had in the South Carolina Senate really will make him an even better congressman. It's kind of a no-brainer.' Is Climer aligned with President Donald Trump? Climer is aligned with the president's agenda, Stroman said. Though he deals more with state-specific issues as a senator, he has maintained a strong Republican stance, he said. 'Those Republican values that he's had for years being a county party chairman, working in the Senate, focusing on constituent service issues, really taking some really tough stances at times in the South Carolina Senate that I think are more aligned with… the president's agenda.' Climer said he would be an ally to the president in Congress. Climer told The Charlotte Observer on Thursday he doesn't disagree with any Trump policy. What advantages does Climer have? Stroman said some of Climer's biggest strengths include his personality, strong stances in the senate and his ability to raise money. 'Climer is someone who can disagree without being disagreeable. He's somebody who has really taken tough stances at times in the South Carolina legislature and led on issues,' he said. 'I think that he has so many built-in advantages that will prove him well in a Republican primary and a general election.' Climer told the Observer his record in the state senate is his biggest advantage. 'Most people, when they run for office, they have to run from their record in a conservative primary,' he said. 'I'm running on my record as a principled conservative who delivers results.'
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The 5th District deserves better than Andy Ogles. Here's why.
When I heard that U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles held a press conference at the State Capitol on Memorial Day, my first reaction was, "I guess he does know where Nashville is." Now in his second term, the 5th District Congressman has been scarce in the northernmost part of his district. Usually, you'll find him in Washington, at a Republican Party event in Williamson or Maury Counties, or on the other end of a telephone town hall where he can control the narrative and screen the questions. When he did make the trip to Nashville, he was in a locked building, holding constituents outside, while he accused Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell of obstructing justice. Ogles' accusation stems from the action taken by ICE and the Tennessee Highway Patrol in May that resulted in 468 traffic stops and the arrest of 196 people. According to Ogles, Mayor Freddie O'Connell has "weaponized his office to dox and surveil federal agents trying to stop violent criminals." For his part, Mayor Freddie O'Connell appears to take seriously his role to look out for all the residents of Nashville, while acknowledging that immigration enforcement can and will be carried out by federal authorities. Letters: Rep. Andy Ogles' telephone town hall meeting stifled dialogue with constituents "The trauma inflicted on families is long-lasting, and I'm doing everything in my power consistent with applicable law to protect anyone who calls Nashville home," O'Connell said. 'So yes, I continue to be concerned about the mechanism for these actions," he added, "and I think what they've demonstrated is that they can occur at times and locations of their choosing without our involvement.' Unfortunately, Ogles' reaction to ask two House committees to open an investigation into the mayor isn't a surprise. After all, he's known more for attention-grabbing stunts – like proposing a constitutional amendment to give President Trump a third term days into his second term – than he is for solving problems. When the state legislature gerrymandered the House districts, splitting Nashville into three, we were told this would give the city a greater voice in Washington. While most people saw through that thinly veiled argument, it's no less devastating to have representatives who are openly hostile to their constituents. I wonder how many times Andy Ogles has communicated with the mayor's office before this. What steps has he taken to understand the issues of not only his district, but the biggest, most dynamic city in the state? More: National Democrats to target US Rep. Andy Ogles as 'vulnerable Republican' in 2026 While the average citizen may struggle to get in touch with him, does he provide access to other elected officials to better understand their concerns, even if they hold differing political views? Immigration is a complex and challenging issue. There is a broad spectrum of people caught in the outdated and neglected laws of the United States – from known criminals to Dreamers brought to the country as babies. I believe elected officials, including O'Connell, are right to address these concerns with nuance and respect for human dignity. It would be great if Nashville had a partner in Washington with whom it could collaborate in navigating these issues, even when policy recommendations differ. I have no faith that Andy Ogles is that person. I encourage both the Democratic and Republican parties to begin recruiting an alternative for the 2026 election now. I believe in the will of the voters of the 5th District, even if their choice differs from mine. However, the entire district deserves a representative who will be accessible, listen respectfully, and seek solutions rather than engage in ideological grandstanding. Bob Faricy has lived in Nashville for 25 years, working in marketing leadership roles for various media organizations, including The Tennessean. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TN Rep. Andy Ogles is known more for stunts than policy | Opinion
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Chicago honors slain Officer Aréanah Preston two years after her death
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways The Brief Officer Aréanah Preston was killed in May 2023 during a robbery attempt. Her family and the CPD honored her memory at a 5th District memorial event on Tuesday. A foundation and university endowment now continue her legacy. CHICAGO - Family members, CPD top brass and dozens of others stood outside the 5th District remembering a goal-setter and shining star, Officer Aréanah Preston. The backstory Preston was killed outside her Avalon Park home in May 2023 during a robbery attempt. She had just ended her work shift. The 24-year-old had worked for the department for two and a half years and would soon graduate with her law degree with a goal of working for the FBI one day. "I often wake up hoping it's a bad dream and thinking how could this happen to my sweet baby," said Dionne Mhoon, Preston's mother. Now, Preston's legacy lives on through the "Peace for Preston Foundation" — established by her mother. Throughout the year, various events are held to give back to young people, provide mental health consultations and promote careers in law enforcement. Earlier this year, Loyola University announced a $100,000 endowment honoring Preston. Several Gold Star families were present at Tuesday's memorial roll call as Preston's loved ones donated two benches — one engraved with "God's forever sunflower." Four men are charged with murder in Preston's death. The Source FOX 32's Nate Rodgers reported on this story.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Koleszar announces run for Michigan Senate
Rep. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth) discusses his legislation, HB 5803, that would reduce school district contributions toward teacher retirement and use the excess money to supplement classroom needs. June 25, 2024. Photo by Jon King. State Rep. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth Twp). announced Wednesday that he is running for state Senate. Koleszar is running in the 5th District, which was redrawn for the 2026 elections after the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan ruled in 2023 that the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution by drawing 13 state legislative boundaries predominantly on the basis of race. No incumbent senators reside within the new district boundaries, which encompass Canton, Garden City, Inkster, Plymouth, Plymouth Township and Westland, Koleszar's campaign said. Koleszar is a former teacher and was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2019. He chaired the House Education Committee in 2023 and 2024 when Democrats held the majority. 'Teachers are some of the hardest working professionals I know, and every single day as an educator turned legislator, I have taken that work ethic to Lansing,' Koleszar said. Under Michigan's updated term-limit laws, Koleszar would be eligible to serve four more years in the Michigan Legislature – one full Senate term – once his current House term expires. Among the signature achievements cited by Koleszar was his sponsorship of the state's hands-free driving legislation, which was signed into law in 2023. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
