Latest news with #CrystalBall
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Election handicapper shifts Ernst race toward Democrats after Medicaid remarks
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who is facing backlash over dismissive remarks and a sarcastic video she made about death and cuts to social safety net programs, now faces a rockier road to a third term, according to a noted elections handicapper's Tuesday update. Sabato's Crystal Ball shifted its rating for the 2026 Senate race in Iowa from 'safe Republican' to 'likely Republican' following Iowa Democratic state Rep. J.D. Scholten's entry in the race. 'Though this was not the most artful example of politicking that we've ever seen, Ernst's comments alone also did not really tempt us to immediately move off our Safe Republican rating for her race,' Sabato's analyst J. Miles Coleman wrote in the ratings revision. 'However, earlier this week, Democrats got a more proven recruit in state Rep. J.D. Scholten.' 'Aside from having a credible opponent, Ernst could face a more challenging environment than she faced in either of her previous two elections,' Coleman added. Scholten cited Ernst's remarks at a town hall meeting in Butler, Iowa, on Friday — where she responded to detractors who voiced concerns that cuts to Medicaid would threaten lives by saying, 'Well, we are all going to die' — and her subsequent mock apology video, as driving factors behind his decision to run next year. 'After her comments over the weekend, I've been thinking about it for a while, but that's when I just said: This is unacceptable and you've gotta jump in,' Scholten told the Sioux City Journal on Monday. 'At the end of the day, though, it's not about her, it's not about me, it's about the people of Iowa deserving better.' Political newcomer Nathan Sage is also running for the Senate seat as a Democrat. Scholten, a former minor league baseball player, unsuccessfully campaigned for Iowa's GOP stronghold 4th Congressional District seat in 2020 and 2018 before his election to the state Legislature. Ernst won her 2020 reelection bid by roughly 7 points in a race that had at one point been deemed a toss-up. 'It's possible that 2026 could be like 2018: Iowa did not have a Senate election that year, but Democrats did end up winning three of the state's four U.S House seats that year, and we suspect that if Iowa had had a Senate election, it likely at least would have been close,' Coleman wrote in Tuesday's updated analysis of the race. A poll released in December — after President Trump soundly won Iowa's 2024 election with nearly 57 percent of the vote — found that just under half of Iowa voters surveyed said they plan to vote for Ernst next year. The other half was split almost evenly between people who said they planned to vote for someone else and those who said they were undecided. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hill
Election handicapper shifts Ernst race toward Democrats after Medicaid remarks
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who is facing backlash over dismissive remarks and a sarcastic video she made about death and cuts to social safety net programs, now faces a rockier road to a third term, according to a noted elections handicapper's Tuesday update. Sabato's Crystal Ball shifted its rating for the 2026 Senate race in Iowa from 'safe Republican' to 'likely Republican' following Iowa Democratic state Rep. J.D. Scholten's entry in the race. 'Though this was not the most artful example of politicking that we've ever seen, Ernst's comments alone also did not really tempt us to immediately move off our Safe Republican rating for her race,' Crystal Ball analyst J. Miles Coleman wrote in the ratings revision. 'However, earlier this week, Democrats got a more proven recruit in state Rep. J.D. Scholten.' 'Aside from having a credible opponent, Ernst could face a more challenging environment than she faced in either of her previous two elections,' Coleman added. Scholten cited Ernst's remarks at a town hall meeting in Butler, Iowa, on Friday where she responded to detractors who voiced concerns that cuts to Medicaid would threaten lives by saying, 'Well, we are all going to die,' and her subsequent mock apology video, as driving factors behind his decision to run next year. 'After her comments over the weekend, I've been thinking about it for a while, but that's when I just said: This is unacceptable and you've gotta jump in,' Scholten told the Sioux City Journal on Monday. 'At the end of the day, though, it's not about her, it's not about me, it's about the people of Iowa deserving better.' Political newcomer Nathan Sage also is running for the Senate seat as a Democrat. Scholten, a former minor league baseball player, unsuccessfully campaigned for Iowa's GOP stronghold 4th Congressional District seat in 2020 and 2018 before his election to the state Legislature. Ernst won her 2020 reelection bid by roughly 7 points in a race that had at one point been deemed a toss-up. 'It's possible that 2026 could be like 2018: Iowa did not have a Senate election that year, but Democrats did end up winning three of the state's four U.S House seats that year, and we suspect that if Iowa had had a Senate election, it likely at least would have been close,' Coleman wrote in Tuesday's updated analysis of the race. A poll released in December — after President Trump soundly won Iowa's 2024 election with nearly 57 percent of the vote — found that just under half of Iowa voters surveyed said they plan to vote for Ernst next year. The other half was split almost evenly between people who said they planned to vote for someone else and those who said they were undecided.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Highly-touted Class of 2026 quarterback includes UNC amongst final three schools
The North Carolina Tar Heels, who have their 2025 football recruiting class solidified, are already on a good start to their 2026 class. UNC currently has 14 commitments in its 2026 group of recruits, headlined by in-state, 4-star defensive lineman Trashawn Ruffin. Six of North Carolina's 14 commitments are on the offensive side of the football, six commitments are on defense, David Green is the lone kicker and Jaden Jefferson is the lone "Athlete." Advertisement The Tar Heels are missing one crucial part of their 2026 recruiting class: a quarterback. UNC previously had Zaid Lott's word, but he withdrew and later committed to Syracuse. Good news for North Carolina, though – there's another highly-touted quarterback who is giving Chapel Hill some serious consideration. On Tuesday, May 20, Rivals National Recruiting Analyst Sam Spiegelman reported Grayson High School (Loganville, Ga.) quarterback Travis Burgess named the Tar Heels amongst his final three choices. Burgess, 247Sports' 27th-ranked quarterback nationally and 44th-best available player in Georgia, is also considering UNC archrival NC State and the Auburn Tigers. 247Sports has a 100% Crystal Ball prediction for Burgess to land at Auburn. If North Carolina lands Burgess, he'll be throwing to the likes of fellow commits Darrion Kirksey and Kei'Maurii Miles (wide receivers), Cooper McCutchan (tight end) and running back Crew Davis. Advertisement Burgess still has an entire high school season to play. While the Tar Heels want a commitment from Burgess sooner than later, how they play this fall will likely play a major role in Burgess' decision. Who'll be slinging the rock for UNC in 2026? Bryce Baker will likely take the reigns from Max Johnson or Gio Lopez, but the crown jewel of North Carolina's 2025 recruiting class will need some backup. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions. This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC football battling SEC program for QB Travis Burgess
USA Today
20-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan football offers 4-star RB Carsyn Baker, visits Savion Hiter for 2026 class
Michigan football offers 4-star RB Carsyn Baker, visits Savion Hiter for 2026 class For a long while, it appeared that Michigan football would end up with two top 10 running backs in the 2026 class. Now the Wolverines are still wooing their top target, but the other -- Forney (Tx.) four-star tailback Javian Osborne -- ended up committing to Notre Dame over the maize and blue earlier this month. It's clear that the Wolverines are looking for two backs this cycle, and are still in the thick of it for a few prospects. But the board is expanding, and a new offer for a four-star prospect in the 2026 recruiting class went out on Tuesday. Michigan offers a new four-star RB in the 2026 class Though other pursuits continue (more on that later) the Wolverines are not sitting by idly. Per his X account, Michigan offered 2026 Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes four-star running back Carsyn Baker. Though 247Sports' proprietary rankings have Baker as a three-star, the other recruiting services are higher on him. He's listed highest by On3, which has him at No. 136 overall and the 10th-best running back. He's rated No. 181 overall according to the 247Sports Composite. Though he has no 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions as of yet, Ohio State is the perceived favorite for Baker at this time. Also a track star, Baker ran the 100-meter dash in 10.65 seconds. Michigan visits its top target on Tuesday Wolverines running backs coach Tony Alford is quite busy now that Michigan's self-imposed recruiting restrictions have come to an end. Just one day after coaches hit the road, Alford was spotted at Mineral (Va.) Louisa County to visit five-star tailback Savion Hiter, who has long been seen as the big fish and top overall target in the 2026 class. Michigan has been in hot pursuit of Hiter since Alford defected from Ohio State last year, but the Buckeyes are still working hard for him to come to Columbus. The Wolverines are also targeting Tyrone (Ga.) Sandy Creek four-star Amari Latimer, but Wisconsin has a prediction according to the 247Sports Crystal Ball.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Randy Feenstra files to run for Iowa governor
Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) filed paperwork Monday to run for Iowa governor in 2026, as multiple Republicans continue to weigh the opportunity to replace Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) when her term ends. The Hill's attempts to reach Feenstra and his campaign team were unsuccessful. Feenstra, who was first elected to the House in 2020, has been openly mulling a gubernatorial bid since Reynolds announced on social media last month that she won't seek a third full term. 'I'll tell you right now, I'm focused on fulfilling and making sure that we get Trump's agenda completed,' Feenstra told reporters after an April 23 event in Iowa. 'However, I always want to do what's best for our state, and I will continue to look at all aspects of what that looks like.' Election handicappers at Sabato's Crystal Ball have rated the 2026 race in Iowa 'likely Republican' but noted 'Republicans are playing defense' with no incumbent. A blistering GOP primary battle also could impact the outcome. Other Republicans who have made steps toward running for governor include former Iowa state Rep. Brad Sherman, who kicked off his campaign for the GOP gubernatorial nomination in February, and Iowa state Sen. Mike Bousselot (R), who launched an exploratory committee last month. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and state House Speaker Pat Grassley, the grandson of longtime Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), also are among Republicans who have expressed interest, The Des Moines Register reported in April. Auditor Rob Sand, the only Iowa Democrat in statewide office, is seeking the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
