Latest news with #CongressionalDistrict
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Seattle Socialist Kshama Sawant announces bid against WA Rep. Adam Smith
The Brief Kshama Sawant, former Seattle City Councilmember, announced her run for U.S. Congress against 30-year incumbent Adam Smith in Washington's 9th District. Sawant criticizes Smith's support for military actions, labeling him a "warmonger," and highlights her advocacy for progressive policies like Seattle's $15 minimum wage. The election is scheduled for November 3, 2026. SEATTLE - Former socialist Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant announced Monday she is running for U.S. Congress against 30-year incumbent Adam Smith. Sawant held a press conference Monday announcing her bid for Washington's 9th Congressional District, looking to unseat Adam Smith, who has represented the district in Congress since 1997. Smith has comfortably beaten every challenger in his last 15 elections, often by close to 100,000 votes. Kshama Sawant is a socialist and served on the Seattle City Council from 2013 to 2023. Before that, she unsuccessfully ran for the Washington State House of Representatives in 2012 against Frank Chopp. Sawant helped push through Seattle's minimum wage hike, which went up to $15 an hour in 2015. She also pushed for rent control, a "millionaires tax" and expanding public transit. After announcing she would not seek reelection in 2023, Sawant turned her attention to the labor group Workers Strike Back, which she co-founded, with the goal of turning it into a national labor movement. Adam Smith is the incumbent representative for Washington's 9th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Before then, Smith won two terms as a Washington State Senator in 1990 and 1994. Smith is a Democrat and is a ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee. Sawant is running against Smith, characterizing him as a "warmonger," and claims he "has never met a war that he didn't like." Sawant points to his vote in favor of the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, as well as military operations in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Yemen and Ukraine, and his enthusiastic support for Israel's multi-year retaliatory bombing campaign in Gaza after Hamas' 2023 invasion. What they're saying "We should not be surprised. Both Democrats and Republicans have been purveyors of endless brutal wars throughout their history," said Sawant at her press conference Monday. "The Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Congress spent more than $14 trillion on war since 9/11. A third to one half of this money is pocketed by military contractors, who in turn fund the campaigns of their favorite Democrats and Republicans." The next election will be held on Nov. 3, 2026. The Source Information in this story comes from Kshama Sawant's office and previous coverage from FOX 13 Seattle. Homicide investigation underway after 5-year-old dies in Federal Way, WA Alaska man pinned by 700-pound boulder for 3 hours walks away unharmed Why hasn't anyone been charged in Seattle clash arrests? What we know Mandatory driver's education to expand under new Washington law To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Griffith says metallurgical coal reclassification will help Southwest Virginia
bluefield – The Trump administration's reclassification of metallurgical coal as a critical material in the production of steel will provide a boost to coal-producing communities in Virginia and elsewhere, according to U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va. Griffith, who represents Southwest Virginia's Ninth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, said the reclassification of metallurgical coal advances the fossil fuel as an important contributor to America's energy, economic and manufacturing sectors. Metallurgical coal is a critical component in the steel-making process. Griffith, who also serves as the co-chair of the Congressional Coal Caucus in the U.S. House, said 80% of all coal mined in Virginia constitutes metallurgical coal, almost all of which comes from the Southwest Virginia region. U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced last week that metallurgical coal was being designated as a critical material in the steel making process by the Trump administration under the Energy Act of 2020, and in accordance with President Trump's executive order 'Reinvigorating America's Beautiful Clean Coal Industry.' 'I am excited by this announcement from the Department of Energy,' Griffith said. 'Metallurgical coal is a lifeblood for coal and steel communities across the country, including Virginia's Ninth District.' According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Energy, metallurgical coal, a key input for steel production, meets the statutory definition of a critical material. A robust steel industry is fundamental to U.S. manufacturing, infrastructure development, and economic resilience, the DOE statement said, adding that steel and the materials that enable steel production is essential to energy technologies, transportation and defense systems. Trump hosted an event at the White House last month, which Griffith attended, where a number of executive orders aimed at boosting the American coal industry were signed into law. In other news, Griffith also is the latest Republican lawmaker to defend the work requirement for Medicaid in the so-called 'Big, Beautiful Bill' passed by the U.S. House last month. But Griffith, just like other Republican lawmakers, also is clarifying that the work requirement is only for abled-bodied adults. In his weekly media report, Griffith said the traditional Medicaid population consists of individuals with disabilities, pregnant mothers, children and seniors. He said the work requirements in the reconciliation budget bill do not apply to this traditional Medicaid population. 'Able-bodied people aged 19-64 who do not have a young child, a disabled person or an elderly relative in need of care living in the home are the ones affected,' Griffith said. 'The bill requires these able-bodied adults on Medicaid expansion to be engaged in their community for 80 hours a month. With 4.33 weeks in a month, that means an average of 18.47 hours a week. These requirements promote community engagement. Community engagement can be community service, pursuing educational programs, participating in a rehabilitation program or a job.' By working to improve their communities and their own lives, Griffith said some of these individuals will be lifted out of poverty, isolation and in many cases, depression. Contact Charles Owens at cowens@
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Barnburner' expected in Golden-LePage matchup in Maine's 2nd District
May 27—It's only been about six months since Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden survived what was billed as the fight of his political life, narrowly winning reelection in a Republican-leaning district against a former NSCAR driver endorsed by Donald Trump and U.S. House Speaker Michael Johnson. Yet, Golden, who eked out a victory over Austin Theriault even though Trump won the 2nd District by 9 points, is already locked into the next battle of his political life — this time against Paul LePage, a former two-term Republican governor whose base of support rests solidly in the 2nd Congressional District. "We thought it was exciting last time," said Daniel Shea, a professor of government at Colby College in Waterville. "It's going to be a barnburner, I'll tell you that." Once again, Maine's 2nd District will be one of the top — if not the top — pick-up opportunities for Republicans in the House of Representatives. Golden is one of the few Democratic House members representing a Trump district. At the same time, history suggests House Republicans will be facing headwinds in the midterm elections, given that their party controls the White House and Trump will not be on the ballot. Primaries for each party are still a year away, so there is time for other candidates to emerge. Although State Auditor and former Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap is considering a primary challenge against Golden, political observers see the field as largely set barring an extraordinary insurgency in either party or a strong third-party candidate. The official campaign arm of the House Democrats has already made it clear that Golden is their guy. On the other side, the official campaign arm of House Republicans has promoted a poll commissioned by a conservative group showing LePage leading Golden in the district. And Theriault ruled out a run and endorsed LePage, urging other Republicans to do the same to avoid a potentially costly and contentious primary. Dunlap said in an interview Friday that he has been having "overwhelmingly positive" conversations and also hearing some concern about his potential primary challenge to Golden. Before he decides, he needs to consider how such a campaign will impact his family and whether it's worth leaving a job he's really enjoying. "A lot of those discussions need to happen," Dunlap said. Both Golden and LePage are well-known to 2nd District voters and have compelling biographies. Golden enlisted in the Marines after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and served in combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, before returning home, earning a degree from Bates College, working as a congressional aide for Republican U.S. Senator Susan Collins, serving in the Maine House and being elected to Congress in 2018. LePage grew up in poverty and became homeless for a short period after escaping an abusive household. With the help of former U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe's first husband, LePage was admitted to and earned a degree from Husson College — now Husson University. He went on to have successful careers as a turnaround specialist in the forest products industry and as general manager of Marden's before becoming the mayor of Waterville and then Maine's 74th governor. Shea said the race has interesting dynamics for each candidate. LePage is well-known, so he won't have to spend time or money to build name recognition. But many voters already have their minds made up about him. "The good news is, for a lot of voters in the 2nd CD, LePage is well-regarded," Shea said. Golden has the advantage of incumbency as he seeks a fifth term, but that edge has its limits. While Shea said incumbents usually face their most difficult reelection races for their second or third terms, that hasn't been the case with Golden, who has faced a series of tough opponents in his right-leaning district. "Jared Golden is confronting it every single race. He's had to work really hard to keep that seat," Shea said. "It's very rare for incumbents who are not widely out of sync with their district or confronting a scandal to lose." In an interview after announcing his decision to seek reelection, Golden said he is running for reelection to Congress, rather than governor or the U.S. Senate, to help Democrats break the Republican trifecta in Washington. Republicans control the White House, Senate and House and are using their dominance to push for cuts to Medicaid and tax breaks to wealthy Americans, efforts criticized by Golden last week. "I'm not really interested in standing aside and letting (LePage) walk into Congress, because I think he's bad for Maine and for the people I represent in the Maine 2nd Congressional District," Golden said. "The collective voice of my constituents is decidedly in favor of more health care coverage not less." Aides for LePage would not make him available for an interview for this story. But the former governor has been making the rounds on conservative radio and TV programs to accuse Golden of neglecting his district. LePage's campaign has been active on social media. As in previous campaigns, LePage is focusing on welfare reform and advocating for a national policy to put people's photos on EBT cards used to distribute public benefits, while also joining the backlash against transgender athletes. "MAINE NEEDS A STRONGER VOICE IN CONGRESS," LePage said in an X post on Wednesday. "Straight Talk. Someone with a record of creating jobs, fighting the woke extremism, cutting wasteful spending, safeguarding hospitals, protecting taxpayers, defending the 2nd Amendment, and always looking out for seniors who rely on Social Security and Medicare." Golden is already looking to remind voters about the controversial and unpopular parts of LePage's record, while also highlighting how the former governor has mostly lived in Florida since leaving office, only returning to mount comeback attempts. Golden recalled in an interview how LePage in 2017 reportedly said in a private meeting that the Lewiston legislative delegation, of which he was a member, should be "rounded up and executed in Kennedy Park." LePage's aids denied the comment was made, as did others who were present at the meeting. Golden, who was the assistant leader of House Democrats during the last two years of LePage's term as governor, also recalled how LePage vetoed MaineCare expansion seven times and then refused to implement the expansion after it was approved in a statewide vote. And when Golden unseated Republican Bruce Poliquin in the 2nd District in 2018 in a ranked-choice election, LePage wrote "stolen election" on the official certification of election results. "When I won in 2018, he became the originator of the stolen election lie," Golden said. "He literally wrote it on my election certificate, 'stolen election,' a prelude to what happened in early 2021," referring to the riots at the U.S. Capitol fueled by Trump's unsubstantiated claims. After joining the race this month, LePage unveiled a new stolen election accusation, claiming without evidence on WVOM radio that his decisive 2022 loss to Democratic Gov. Janet Mills was because "it was bought (and) we had noncitizens and the undocumented voting." Noncitizens are not allowed to vote in Maine. Trump is expected to loom large over this election, just like last year, when Golden refused to endorse President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris. Golden also wrote an op-ed predicting a Trump victory, saying "I'm OK with that," downplaying concerns that his reelection would lead to the downfall of democracy. LePage, who during his unsuccessful 2022 bid for governor ran as a more toned-down version of the firebrand governor the nation came to know, has fully embraced Trump and his first few months in office during his recent radio interviews. "I have a similar style that the president has," LePage told conservative radio host Howie Carr. "Actually, I think I like his style this time around. This time around, he's really busting down the doors. He's had four years, so he knows where the bodies are buried and he is uncovering him. I'm telling ya, I'm so proud of him right now. I think President Trump is doing a phenomenal job." Just this week, LePage told WGAN Newsradio that he would work closely to execute Trump's agenda, promising to "get an audience with the president if need be." He embraced the "big, beautiful" budget bill advanced by House Republicans, saying "it's so important to this country," even though the bill is projected to add $5 trillion to the national deficit and LePage has raised concerns over the deficit. That budget bill was condemned by Golden as "reckless," citing the proposed cuts to Medicaid. Republicans, Golden said in a written statement, are "ramming through an extreme agenda that takes health care away from the working poor and borrows trillions of dollars to fund a package of tax cuts tilted in favor of those at the top." Copy the Story Link
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Chicago state lawmaker launches bid for Rep. Robin Kelly's congressional seat
CHICAGO (WGN) — As Rep. Robin Kelly pursues a U.S. Senate seat, an influential state lawmaker is eyeing her job. Robert Peters, 40, who represents Kenwood and Hyde Park in the Illinois Senate, has launched a bid for the 2nd Congressional District seat. 'We have Donald Trump and Elon Musk. They're taking an axe to democracy. They're taking an axe to government, people are hurting,' Peters told WGN in a sit-down interview. 'We need people who can fight back against what they're doing who also have a vision for what needs to get done in this country.' Peters says if elected he'll be a champion for working people and back progressive causes. U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly enters race to replace Durbin In an early flex, Peters scored endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders and DNC vice chair and activist David Hogg, whose Leaders We Deserve organization is looking to replace some Democratic incumbents. 'We should be looking out for people who are struggling, people who need labor rights, people who need health care, people who are worried about reproductive health, people who are worried about democracy and the constitution,' Peters said. Peters' name grew in Illinois politics when he backed the state's no cash bail legislation. 'I'm very proud to be able to say we've transformed Illinois' pretrial system based off of safety and not how rich you are,' he said. As he looks to stand out in the primary, Peters is sharing his compelling personal story. 'I'm adopted. I was born hard of hearing. I was able to get surgery to be able to gain hearing,' he said. But he developed a speech impediment, and that, coupled with ADHD, led to struggles as a student. Peters overcame the challenges, graduating from Kansas State with a degree in Social Studies. 'People told me I wasn't going to amount to anything. I had people tell my parents I wouldn't graduate from 8th grade, I wouldn't graduate from high school, I wouldn't graduate from college, and my dad said at the end of the day what matters most is that you go out there and try. You go out there and see for yourself, and that has paid off for me in my life,' he said. Peters' experience in politics seems to be helping with donors. His campaign said he raised $175,000 over his first 72 hours in the race. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chicago Tribune
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Race for retiring US Sen. Dick Durbin's seat opens up contests for Chicago-area congressional seats
The still emerging race to succeed Dick Durbin in the U.S. Senate featuring candidates from within the state's congressional delegation has created a domino effect — a growing list of contenders now racing for suddenly open seats in the U.S. House. With the potential of at least three sitting Democratic House members vying for Durbin's spot and the announcement that longtime U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Evanston will not seek a 15th term, at least four of the state's 17-seat House delegation in Washington could open up to new faces. On Thursday, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss became the latest but likely not the last congressional contestant, announcing his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in Schakowsky's 9th Congressional District, which includes the city's Far North Side and numerous north and northwest suburbs. In addition to Schakowsky's seat, candidacies in recent days have been announced to succeed Democratic Reps. Robin Kelly of Matteson in the 2nd Congressional District that includes parts of the city's South Side as well as many south suburbs and downstate areas, and Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg in the northwest suburban 8th Congressional District. Both Kelly and Krishnamoorthi have declared they are running to succeed Durbin. Democratic Rep. Lauren Underwood of Naperville is also considering a Senate bid, which would set off a scramble for her 14th Congressional District seat in the west suburbs. And 83-year-old Democratic Rep. Danny Davis of Chicago has yet to announce whether he will seek a 16th term representing the downtown, West Side and west suburban 7th Congressional District. The primaries will take place in March. While the congressional turnover for the 2026 election is significant, it's also been a continuing trend through House elections over the last 15 years. In 2010 — a Republican wave year in the first midterm election of President Barack Obama's administration — five of the state's then-19 House seats saw new GOP members, four of them defeating Democratic incumbents. Two years later, following Democratic redistricting of the state's then-18 House seats and two retirements, five new House members were elected — four of them Democrats. And only two years ago, again following a Democratic redistricting and two retirements, four new Democrats — Jonathon Jackson, Delia Ramirez, Nikki Budzinski and Eric Sorensen — were seated in what is now a 17-member Illinois House delegation. Biss, who served eight years in the state legislature, was first elected mayor of Evanston in 2021. Like many of the Democrats running for Congress, Biss is vowing to fight the actions of President Donald Trump and Republicans who now control Congress. 'I think people are looking for solutions. I think people are looking for someone who can demonstrate the ability to actually use government to improve people's lives and create change and break through the cynicism,' Biss told the Tribune. He added that Trump's election was a reflection of people who have 'given up and they figure government's not going to fix any problems.' 'There's no question that we're in an emergency with the Trump administration and what they're doing to the country — whether it's dismantling the institutions we rely on or driving up costs for people while they're lining their own pockets,' he said. 'We need a fighter and what I have done throughout my career is pick tough fights and figure out how to win them.' Other announced candidates for Schakowsky's seat include Biss' successor in the Illinois Senate, Laura Fine of Glenview, who joined the legislature in 2013, digital creator Kat Abughazaleh and Justin Ford of Chicago, an environmental health and safety professional. Biss in 2018 made an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination for governor, losing to JB Pritzker. On Tuesday, Biss' political director for that effort, state Sen. Robert Peters of Chicago, announced his candidacy for Kelly's seat. In a show of his progressive bona fides, Peters quickly gained the backing of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Peters, 40, a member of the state legislature since 2019 who is in the middle of his four-year term and won't risk losing his state Senate seat should he lose a congressional bid in 2026, is also a member of the Illinois Senate Democrats' leadership team and former chair of the chamber's Black Caucus. Peters acknowledged that challenging Trump and Republicans is a consistent theme among many of Illinois' congressional candidates, but said, 'I have a record and I have a personal narrative that I think really touches on where we're at right now.' Peters was born deaf and with a significant speech impediment to a biological mother addicted to drugs and alcohol. His adopted mother and father were a social worker and a civil rights lawyer. His adopted father's work led to Peters' support of criminal justice reform efforts involving police wrongdoing and the criminalization of addiction. 'I know that in this moment, in this time, we need people who really feel what people are going through and who have a track record of success,' he told the Tribune. He said the vast 2nd District, which stretches from the South Side to Danville, shares common concerns that include the fate of Medicaid and the impact of potential cuts on both urban safety net and rural community hospitals. 'This is one of the highest Medicaid districts in the country,' he said. 'An attack on Medicaid is taking health care away from people, no matter the ZIP code they're in.' A South Side native who was previously a community organizer, Peters touts a legislative record that includes co-sponsoring the state's Reproductive Health Act to ensure abortion rights are protected in Illinois after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. He also led efforts to pass the Illinois Pretrial Fairness Act, which ended bail for nonviolent crimes, as well as the Healthcare Protection Act to provide patients with greater rights in dealing with insurance companies. If past history in the sprawling district is any guide, the race for Kelly's seat is only getting started. When a special election was held for the seat in 2013 following the resignation of Jesse Jackson Jr., Kelly won a 15-way Democratic primary with 53% of the vote. Matteson Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin and Yumeka Brown, the three-term village clerk of Matteson and a commissioner on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board, have both formed exploratory committees to run for Kelly's seat. And two-term Democratic Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller also said she was weighing whether to enter the race. 'It is imperative someone fills the possible void,' Chalmers-Currin told the Daily Southtown, though she cautioned that she hadn't made a decision yet. 'You don't want to go out and make an announcement until you know if there is a track and a desire.' Brown said in a statement that the 2nd District 'faces a pivotal moment.' 'We must elevate the mission in Congress to protect Medicaid, Social Security, the rights of women, and to guard against Donald Trump's planned destruction of the Affordable Healthcare Act,' she said. Miller, a Chicago native who now lives in south suburban Lynwood, told the Tribune last week that the open seat 'is a really awesome opportunity.' 'I understand the district,' Miller said. 'I understand the southland.' For her part, Kelly said she plans to remain neutral in the primary race to select her successor. 'It's important to let the people have their say,' she told the Tribune after a Monday event with the City Club of Chicago. 'And also, just like I have to prove myself, other people running have to prove themselves.' Another quickly developing race is for Krishnamoorthi's northwest suburban seat. Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison of Mount Prospect announced earlier this week he would run in the Democratic primary for the post. In 2018, Morrison became the first openly LGBTQ+ and youngest-ever commissioner elected to the Cook County Board as well as the first Democrat to represent the county's 15th District, which includes Barrington and Hanover townships as well as portions of Elk Grove, Maine and Schaumburg townships. 'As the grandson of immigrants and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I never saw people like me in leadership growing up,' he said in his announcement. 'I'm running for Congress because I believe that if you work hard, you should be able to earn a living wage. I believe in advancing policies that support families, and that everybody deserves a fair shot to get ahead.' Another announced candidate for the 8th District seat is Sanjyot Dunung, a small business owner who bills herself as 'the change candidate.' 'People are tired of career politicians who fail to deliver meaningful results,' she said in her announcement. 'As the candidate for change, I will deliver fresh, responsible ideas to tackle economic chaos and uncertainty.' Dunung served on the National Small Business Association's board of directors and on President Joe Biden's Foreign Policy Working Group focused on international trade. On Wednesday, Yasmeen Bankole, a former staffer for Durbin and Krishnamoorthi, entered the contest. A native of Hanover Park, in 2021 Bankole became the first Nigerian American elected in Illinois when she won her race for Hanover Park village trustee. 'I'm running for Illinois 8th Congressional District because it's time for a new generation to lead the way and bring the change that we need,' she said in announcing her candidacy. 'The Trump Administration is making it harder than ever to serve the people of our district because he doesn't care if we succeed.' .
