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New York Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
House Dems spent more than $7K in campaign funds on El Salvador trips for Kilmar Abrego Garcia — despite some claiming they paid ‘out of their own pocket'
WASHINGTON — House Democrats dropped more than $7,000 in campaign money this spring on air travel to El Salvador — and a reservation at a swanky Hilton hotel — despite some telling the public they were paying for trips to visit alleged foreign gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia 'out of their own pocket.' Reps. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.) and Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.) arrived in San Salvador April 21 to 'pressure the Trump Administration' for the release of Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 member, according to a joint statement. Garcia's congressional campaign spent $1,981.99 on Taca International Airlines, a Salvadoran carrier, for travel a few days earlier, on April 17 — and another $501.53 for 'event space rental' at the Hilton San Salvador on April 29, Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings show. Frost's campaign shelled out $1,362.49 for travel on Avianca, a Latin American airline that bears El Salvador's flag, and $967.43 for travel on Volaris, a low-cost Mexican airline — both of which were recorded May 8, a week or so after their trip. Ansari's campaign reported the highest total spending on travel with $2,616.45 forked over to Avianca Airlines in four separate tranches between April 17 and 21. Dexter's campaign paid $1,315.44 for travel on Taca Airlines April 18. 6 AFP via Getty Images None of the lawmakers listed any lodging expenses in El Salvador, according to a Post review of the FEC filings, and all except for Garcia claimed they personally footed the bill for the travel costs. 'The congresswoman paid for her own flights and hotel with her own money, and the campaign paid for a campaign volunteer with campaign funds,' noted an Ansari rep, clarifying that no Members' Representational Allowance (MRA) funds were used. Ansari's office previously told a Phoenix-based NBC affiliate that the congresswoman 'paid for the trip out of her own pocket.' A Garcia spokesperson previously confirmed to The Post that the congressman 'paid for the trip through his personal campaign funds.' 6 Getty Images A rep for Dexter had said in April their member self-funded the flight. Frost's reps told Politico no MRA funds, which are provided by US taxpayers, were used. Travel expenses exceeding $1,000 are considered in-kind contributions to campaigns when recorded by a candidate, campaign staffer or volunteer, according to the FEC. 6 REUTERS Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) made a separate visit to El Salvador to try to meet with Abrego Garcia, a former Maryland resident who resided in his district, but only spent $291.25 in campaign funds for the jaunt. 'Congressman Ivey did not use MRA or taxpayer funds for his trip to El Salvador. In accordance with House Administration and FEC guidelines, his principal campaign committee covered the travel costs associated with fulfilling his official Congressional oversight responsibilities,' said Ivey's communications director Ramón Korionoff in a statement. 'All expenses were properly reported to the FEC in full compliance with federal disclosure requirements. Congressman Ivey believes it's essential to understand the real-world impact of U.S. immigration and security policies firsthand, and he remains committed to conducting his work with transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility.' 6 Notably, a review of filings for Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) — the only Democrat to be granted a meeting with Abrego Garcia in what he later claimed was staged by Salvadoran officials for an embarrassing photo-op with margaritas — do not show any campaign spending for similar travel or lodging in mid-April. via REUTERS Notably, a review of filings for Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) — the only Democrat to be granted a meeting with Abrego Garcia in what he later claimed was a staged photo-op by Salvadoran officials for the purpose of embarrassing him — do not show any campaign spending for similar travel or lodging in mid-April. The main campaign arm for Senate Republicans later mocked the political trips by offering 'one-way' tickets for more Dems to visit El Salvador. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) reportedly dissuaded the Dems from taking the trip — despite praising Dexter in a subsequent political livestream as well as Van Hollen, whose 'great leadership' the Brooklynite celebrated for having made the first visit to CECOT. 6 Asked in an April 29 press conference whether he agreed with Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) that it was a 'mistake rallying around' Abrego Garcia, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries deflected the question. via REUTERS Asked in an April 29 press conference whether he agreed with Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) that it was a 'mistake rallying around' Abrego Garcia, Jeffries deflected the question. CECOT, the notorious Salvadoran megaprison, took in 260 suspected gang members that the Trump administration deported on March 15, including Abrego Garcia who had entered the US illegally in 2011. Maryland police arrested him along with some MS-13 members at a Home Depot parking lot in March 2019. Abrego Garcia was sporting a Chicago Bulls hat and hoodie that 'represents they are a member in good standing' of the gang, a confidential informant told authorities. 6 CECOT, the notorious Salvadoran megaprison, took in 260 suspected gang members that the Trump administration deported on March 15, including Abrego Garcia who had entered the US illegally in 2011. @nayibbukele/X The informant, in a report filed with the Prince George's County Police Department, said Abrego Garcia was an 'active member' of MS-13, held the low rank of 'Chequeo' and went by the street name 'Chele.' Later in 2019, an immigration judge granted Abrego Garcia a 'withholding of removal' order preventing his immediate deportation to El Salvador and allowing for removal to other nations — but he was released without the first Trump administration appealing the decision. Garcia was later moved from CECOT to a lower-security facility elsewhere in El Salvador. In June, the Trump administration facilitated the alleged gangbanger's return to the US — where he was hit with human trafficking charges. Garcia's wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, and defense attorneys have denied Abrego Garcia's purported MS-13 affiliation. Reps for Garcia, Frost and Dexter didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Campaign fundraising in NY-21 gives glimpse into 2026
Jul. 16—The 2026 election season is over a year out, but fundraising for the next congressional race is already underway for a few candidates in NY-21. According to the latest campaign finance reports from the Federal Election Commission, Rep. Elise M. Stefanik is leading the group with over $4 million raised in the second quarter this year. Through her fundraising arms including her campaign, the Team Elise joint fundraising committee, E-PAC and the Elise Victory Fund, she brought in the largest off-year haul of any New York Republican before her. Her main campaign arm, Elise for Congress, raised $1 million, and ended the quarter with $10 million in the bank ready to spend. Stefanik is openly considering a run for governor and could take that money to her campaign against Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul. Stefanik's main opposition for NY-21 in the current landscape had a much less active quarter. Blake Gendebien, running as the leading Democratic candidate for 2026 after he was chosen as the party's preliminary pick for a special election to replace Stefanik that never happened. Gendebien entered the special election with momentum and a large campaign operation, but once Stefanik's elevation to President Donald J. Trump's administration was canceled, the runway for his campaign got a lot longer. According to his quarterly report, Gendebien raised $200,000, almost entirely from individual contributions, but spent $266,224. He ended the quarter with $1,961,649 in available cash on hand, plus about $6,000 in debts and obligations. Gendebien's filings show he was spending more heavily in the early weeks of the quarter — early April, just after it was announced that Stefanik would not be leaving her seat and would remain in the House. Records show the Gendebien campaign had 12 staff members paid directly, between $1,400 and $3,400, constituting a $28,171 payroll, paid out twice each month around April. More recently, the campaign slimmed down; just two people got a direct salary on June 27, the last payday included in this filing. Gendebien is not the only Democrat registered to run in NY-21 for 2025, nor is Stefanik the only Republican registered with the FEC. Because of the anticipated special election, over a dozen people expressed interest in running for Congress if Stefanik left her seat and registered to run. However, because Stefanik never left the seat, no election was formally called and all the interested parties registered to run for the 2026 election. There are 11 people registered to run for Congress in NY-21 in 2026; six have no registered financial activity, including Democrats Pamela Marshall, Justin M. Haller, Andrew Henson and John Gunther. Republican Otto D. Miller is also registered with no activity, as is Community Party candidate Richard Grayson. All of these individuals filed shortly after Stefanik was first nominated to join the Trump administration, so it's not clear if they plan to run in 2026. Registering with the FEC is only one step of seeking office, and registering with the FEC by no means ensures a candidate will actually make it to the primary or general election ballot. A handful of the other candidates do show some financial activity; Paula Collins, who ran against Stefanik last year, raised about $13,500 this year but is moving to close her campaign down. Anthony T. Constantino, an Amsterdam factory owner who self-funded a special election campaign with $2.6 million in money he won betting on Tesla in the stock market, filed a report showing he didn't take any donations, but spent $151,773 to maintain his campaign over the three-month period. The $2.6 million is recorded as a loan from Constantino to his own campaign; giving him the ability to pay it back with money raised in the future or write it off as a loss. It also shows he spent over $33,000 with his own company, Sticker Mule, for events including one $32,500 expense for food, beverages, management and donor mementos recorded on April 2, just before the special election was called off. The campaign recorded relatively small, routine operating charges through the remainder of the quarter, showing definite activity with payments for media production, consulting, software subscriptions, mailer creation, and similar transactions through May and June. One other candidate shows financial activity, although not anything significant in this quarter. Dylan Hewitt, a former Biden Administration staffer in the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, raised over $100,000 in the first quarter of this year, but didn't file anything for this most recent quarter. It also shows he recorded just under $3,000 in operating expenses and refunded close to everything he raised, leaving just $10,642 in his campaign accounts since April. Since April, his campaign recorded just $345 in fundraising and $91 in expenses. In a statement, Hewitt said he is still active in the district, touring the region and speaking with voters, but he isn't fundraising right now. "Tariffs are already driving up prices, and now experts say Elise Stefanik's deciding vote to gut Medicaid could mean a 114-mile stretch with no access to care between Glens Falls and Plattsburgh," he said in a statement to the Times. "It's a one-two punch that makes billionaires even richer while leaving our families with higher grocery bills and skyrocketing health care premiums. That's why, over the last three months, I didn't ask people for what's in their wallets, I spent that time traveling across the north country, asking my neighbors what's on their minds about their futures, their families, and their self-worth." Hewitt has not announced a plan to run for NY-21, which would entail a primary against Gendebien, but he's maintaining a presence at local gatherings, on social media and in local media.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrat Stevenson gets fundraising lead in Kentucky's 6th Congressional District
State House Representative and Minority Leader Cherlynn Stevenson leaves the stage after speaking on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, during the Mike Miller Memorial Marshall County Bean Dinner. (Austin Anthony for the Kentucky Lantern) In the race for money in Kentucky's 6th Congressional District, former Kentucky House Democratic caucus chair Cherlynn Stevenson has gained the lead. Stevenson surpasses the candidates who have announced so far in cash, with a campaign total of more than $210,000 in two months. That's all from contributions. Stevenson has not loaned her campaign any money. Congressional candidates were required to submit finance reports for activities for April through June with the Federal Election Commission by Tuesday. The primary election for the seat is in May. The incumbent, U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, is running for U.S. Senate in 2026. Stevenson's donors include several elected Kentucky Democrats, including state lawmakers Sen. Reggie Thomas, Rep. Erika Hancock and Rep. Adrielle Camuel. Former state lawmakers Rep. Angie Hatton and Rep. Rachel Roberts also contributed to Stevenson's campaign. Stevenson received a donation from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers PAC this quarter of $5,000. 'As this first round of fundraising reports shows, Cherlynn has real momentum right off the bat and is in a strong position headed into this next quarter,' Jason Perkey, Stevenson's campaign manager, said in a statement. 'We're not taking anything for granted — we have our foot on the gas, and we're not letting up.' Stevenson's campaign said 77% of the donations were $25 or less, and most of its donations were from Kentuckians. Donations came from more than half of Kentucky's 120 counties, including all the counties in the 6th Congressional District, the campaign said. Stevenson has raised more than any Democratic candidate in their first quarter in the congressional district within the last decade, her campaign added, including former Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath in 2018 and Josh Hicks, a Marine veteran and local attorney, in 2020. The campaign of David Kloiber, another Democrat vying for the seat, reported to the FEC that he has a total of $138,795 for the quarter. That includes $97,000 in self-loans from the candidate and about $42,000 in contributions. Kloiber is a former Lexington council member and announced his campaign in June. On the GOP side, Winchester state Rep. Ryan Dotson has garnered about $96,000 since getting into the race. According to Dotson's filing with the FEC, he received some support from two political action committees — $2,000 from the Louisville Apartment Association PAC and $5,000 from the National Apartment Association PAC. He raised more than $35,000 in contributions. Dotson loaned his campaign $60,000. In a phone interview with the Kentucky Lantern, Dotson called from Washington, D.C, Wednesday afternoon, where he has met with advisers to President Donald Trump, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson's political team, U.S. House GOP Whip Tom Emmer's team and more Republican politicos. Dotson's campaign formally kicked off in June, which is when he began fundraising, he said. 'We're on track to do really, really well, but we started off fundraising right at the end of the quarter. So, we have several fundraisers scheduled,' Dotson said. 'We have several donors, different groups of donors, that will be giving pockets of money.' As for his meetings in the Capital, Dotson said he's 'established some great relationships' and get more insight on his campaign. 'I'm very engaged when it comes to my stance on conservative issues,' Dotson said. 'So, I will be up here pushing back against the woke agenda. I'll be up here pushing back on things that I feel are detrimental to our nation and our families. A lot of that stuff does stir me up, and I've done it on the House floor in Frankfort, but I want to be able to come and do it here in Washington, D.C., as well.' Richmond Republican state Rep. Deanna Gordon announced her campaign after the reporting quarter ended, so her campaign did not have to file financial reports this time. Dr. Ralph Alvarado, the 2019 running mate of former Republican Gov. Matt Bevin, said in a social media post last week that he is considering a run for the seat. Alvarado had been serving as the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health but recently stepped down from the position. He is also a former Kentucky state senator. This story was updated with additional comments Wednesday afternoon.
Politico
4 days ago
- Business
- Politico
Reading the delegation receipts
BANK SHOT — There aren't any open congressional races in Massachusetts next year — at least not yet — but that hasn't stopped members of the all-Democratic delegation from getting their fundraising operations going. Let's dive into their latest Federal Election Commission reports: PRIMARY PROTECTION — Sen. Ed Markey topped the delegation's fundraising last quarter, with $713,745, ending June with more than $2.5 million in his campaign account. That's well over the $29,835 that Alex Rikleen, the first-time candidate and writer who's officially filed to run against him in the Democratic primary, has raised since getting in the race. Rikleen ended June with $10,675 on hand. Markey's haul is also a signal to anyone thinking about launching their own bid against the 79-year-old senator that he's prepared to put up a fight. On the other end of the spectrum, Reps. Jim McGovern and Bill Keating had the slowest quarters of the incumbents, raising $77,010 and $80,348 respectively. IS THE RACE ON? — Jamaica Plain Attorney Patrick Roath outraised Rep. Stephen Lynch. Roath pulled in $287,691, which includes $20,000 he loaned himself, more than the $167,439 the incumbent brought in in the second quarter of the year. It's a solid showing for the first-time candidate, but Lynch still has a serious cash advantage. The South Boston Democrat ended the quarter with more than $1.06 million in the bank. THERE'S ALWAYS A MASSACHUSETTS ANGLE — With former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown officially in the race for New Hampshire's open Senate seat, it's only a matter of time before Massachusetts becomes a punching bag. (Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas, who's also in the race, has already thrown some shade at Brown's Bay State ties in a video montage posted on X). But Pappas is still raking in some Massachusetts cash — his second quarter report featured a handful of Massachusetts-based donors. All told, Pappas raised more than $1.8 million and ended the quarter with more than $2 million on hand. We won't know much about Brown's fundraising until the fall; he filed with the FEC on July 1, after the second quarter had already ended. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Tips, scoops, FEC tidbits? Drop me a line: kgarrity@ TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu attend a Sail Boston event at 12:30 p.m. Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll swear in Rep.-elect Lisa Field at 1:15 p.m. at the State House. Healey attends an event an event announcing a new visitors center at Hanscom Air Force Base at 2:30 p.m. Driscoll chairs a Governor's Council meeting at noon at the State House. Wu speaks at the launch of the third day of senior programming at the Elks at 9:45 a.m. in West Roxbury and holds a campaign event on housing at 11 a.m. in Roslindale. Sen. Ed Markey co-hosts a hearing on access to birth control at 1 p.m. in D.C. Attorney General Andrea Campbell tours an affordable housing at 12:30 p.m. in Becket and visits with youth and staff at the Railroad Street Youth Project at 2:30 p.m. in New Barrington. DATELINE BEACON HILL SHOT — Healey wants to define when a beach becomes public. One of her wealthy donors has pushed a similar bill for years. by Matt Stout, The Boston Globe: 'Governor Maura Healey is resurrecting a proposal at the center of a long-running legal dispute between wealthy property owners on Martha's Vineyard's that, if passed, could redefine when a beach in Massachusetts is considered public. Healey tucked the measure into a $3 billion environmental bond bill she filed last month, using language that mirrors a proposal long pushed by Richard Friedman, a colorful developer and Healey donor who's slated to host a fund-raiser for Healey this weekend at his Edgartown home. Friedman for years has battled his neighbors in court over access to a stretch of barrier beach separating Oyster Pond in Edgartown, where he bought property four decades ago, from the Atlantic Ocean on the island's southern shore.' CHASER — Healey's Vineyard fundraiser this weekend is slated to take place at the Friedman Property on Sunday evening, according to the invite. Suggested contributions range from $250 for attendees to $5,000 for hosts. — Massachusetts emergency shelter spending just shy of $900M for FY25, latest state data shows by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: 'Gov. Maura Healey's administration spent just shy of $900 million on emergency family shelters and related services last fiscal year, but the final total is expected to increase to nearly $1 billion as the state settles the final bills for the past 12 months, according to a report released Monday. Taxpayers are on track to shell out more than $1.8 billion over the last two fiscal years on shelters housing homeless families with children and pregnant women. An influx of migrants in 2022, 2023, and 2024 spiked demand, but caseloads have fallen significantly since January.' — Lawmakers looking for tools to close gaps in life expectancy, disease rates by Katie Lannan, GBH News: 'Backers of state legislation proposing a broad approach to closing gaps in health care access and outcomes say now is the time for Massachusetts to double down on its commitment to health equity. Members of the Health Equity Compact, a group of leaders of color from across the health care realm, rallied outside the State House Tuesday before making their case inside the building to lawmakers holding a hearing on the bill.' — Lawmakers hear 'generational' tobacco ban bills by Matthew Medsgar, Boston Herald: 'You can't smoke 'em if you don't got 'em. That's the idea behind a pair of bills before the state Legislature which would ban tobacco sales to people born before 2006. The proposal went before a hearing of the Joint Committee on Public Health on Monday. If enacted, it would be the first such statewide law in the nation, though not the first implementation of the idea altogether. Residents of more than a dozen-and-a-half commonwealth communities already live under similar bans through local ordinances.' — Massachusetts legislators hear testimony on decriminalizing active ingredient in 'magic mushrooms' by Greta Jochem, MassLive. — Kate Walsh reflects on her time as Massachusetts health secretary by Martha Bebinger, WBUR. 2028 WATCH ISLAND TIME — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is heading to Nantucket this weekend for a Saturday night fundraiser, according to the invite. Suggested donations range from $1,000 to $10,000. THE RACE FOR CITY HALL — How Wu and Kraft plan to tackle housing affordability by Tréa Lavery, MassLive: 'Mayor Michelle Wu and mayoral candidate Josh Kraft butted heads Tuesday over what both said they consider one of the most significant issues of the campaign: the high price of housing in Boston. During a candidate forum hosted by the Massachusetts Affordable Homeownership Alliance in Roxbury on Tuesday evening, Wu and Kraft shared their respective visions and plans to reduce housing costs. Both candidates agreed that housing is too expensive in the city, but they disagreed on the most effective ways to tackle the problem.' One point of disagreement: The luxury real estate transfer fee that would tax real estate sales over $2 million. Wu proposed the tax early in her term, but it has yet to gain much support on Beacon Hill. Kraft said Tuesday he's opposed to the transfer fee, though he left the door open to revisiting it down the road. FALL RIVER FALLOUT — Did Fall River have enough firefighters for the Gabriel House fire? by Liz Neisloss, GBH News: 'Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said Tuesday he couldn't say for sure if more lives would have been saved if more firefighters had been at the scene of the devastating fire at the Gabriel House Assisted Living Residence — a claim made by fire union leaders.' — New Bedford senator urges thorough report on assisted living facilities after deadly fire via The Herald News: 'State Sen. Mark Montigny, D-New Bedford, is urging the Massachusetts Assisted Living Commission to extend its reporting deadline to the Legislature following the deadly fire at the Fall River Gabriel House that claimed the lives of nine residents. The commission was created in 2023 to examine health and safety standards in assisted living facilities. It was supposed to issue a report and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, by Aug. 1.' — Fall River Fire at Gabriel House what happened on Tuesday: 'Budgets are politics' by Dan Medeiros, Emily Scherny and Bailey Allen, The Herald News. MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS — Massachusetts health centers, Head Start worry federal change will imperil services to immigrants by Deborah Becker, WBUR: 'Massachusetts community health centers and Head Start leaders are among the groups worried about a federal policy change that would cut off services to immigrants in the country without authorization. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that it will narrow a policy that allowed many immigrants to receive federal benefits. The announcement specifically mentions community health centers and Head Start, which provides early education and other services for low-income children and their families.' PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — Over 450 MBTA riders evacuated from Blue Line train in tunnel under Boston Harbor by Asher Klein, NBC10 Boston: 'Hundreds of people were evacuated from an MBTA Blue Line train stuck in a tunnel that goes under Boston Harbor on Tuesday, the T confirmed. A communications wire was down in the tunnel between Aquarium and Maverick stations, which are on either side of the harbor, MBTA officials said. That was reported about 2:30 p.m., and it prompted trains to be held and shuttle buses to be brought in to replace service. About 465 people were escorted off the train stuck in the tunnel, which remained there as of about 4:45 p.m., by Boston firefighters, MBTA transit police and MBTA staff, according to the officials. No one was reported injured.' DAY IN COURT — In court testimony, Boston ICE official recalls pressure from above to arrest Rümeysa Öztürk by Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio, The Boston Globe: 'A top Boston immigration official testified in federal court Tuesday that supervisors instructed him to prioritize the arrest of Tufts PhD student Rümeysa Öztürk, the first time he's ever received such a directive from Immigration and Customs Enforcement in his career working at the agency. Patrick Cunningham, an assistant special agent in charge at the Homeland Security Investigations office in Boston, which is part of ICE, said his supervisors gave him the impression that he should focus on the arrest of Öztürk after her visa had been revoked.' — Galvin asks judge to reject lawsuit over voter rolls by Christian M. Wade, Gloucester Daily Times: 'The state's top election official is asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit from a conservative group with ties to Republican President Donald Trump that claims it was denied access to state voter registration records. The lawsuit, filed in October by the Ohio-based Voter Reference Foundation, alleges that Secretary of State Bill Galvin's office is violating a provision of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, requiring states to publicly share how they maintain their voter lists for a period of at least two years.' — Republic Services sues Teamsters over alleged actions on picket line as strike passes two week mark by Ally Jarmanning, WBUR: 'Trash company Republic Services is suing Teamsters Local 25 amid the union's ongoing strike in a number of Massachusetts towns and cities, alleging that union officials shouted slurs at replacement workers, slashed vehicle tires and may have stolen a truck. The company and the union have been at a standoff since July 1 when 450 local workers went on strike calling for better wages, benefits and stronger labor protections. The strike expanded last week, and now the Teamsters say more than 2,000 employees are striking or honoring picket lines nationwide.' FROM THE 413 — Judge in Springfield faces choice: Keep man detained? Or release him, only for ICE to deport? by Daniel Jackson, The Springfield Republican: 'The magistrate judge hearing the case of a Guatemalan man charged with illegal reentry said he would likely be deported if she released him ahead of his trial. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Noe Yolindo Ambrocio-Perez in Springfield at the end of May, two weeks after an ICE agent called 911 to report he had witnessed Ambrocio-Perez crash his van into a concrete pole. Springfield police had responded to the collision, learned that Ambrocio-Perez was driving with an open container of beer, and arrested him before he was later released.' THE LOCAL ANGLE — Billerica Select Board members signal intent to censure colleague by Peter Currier, The Lowell Sun: 'Tension flared up again in the Billerica Select Board Monday as some members signaled an intent to have a vote to censure member Dina Favreau for alleged conduct outlined in an outside investigative report. After a 4-0 vote, with Favreau recusing herself, to release the redacted exhibits from the investigative report, the board then considered a vote on possible actions to be taken against Favreau for her actions as described in the report. For this, Favreau participated from the podium with attorney Roland Milliard by her side.' — Attleboro City Council rejects tax break for developer by Rhianwen Watkins, The Sun Chronicle. HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH TRANSITIONS — Eva Millona has joined the Eastern Bank Foundation as a fellow. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Sheel Tyle, Andy Bromberg, Maddie Conway and Daily Hampshire Gazette alum Sarah Crosby. Happy belated to Conan Harris and Ché Anderson, assistant vice chancellor for city and community relations at UMass Chan Medical School, who celebrated Sunday.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Steny Hoyer raises $232,000 as he mulls reelection bid in Maryland
BALTIMORE — Maryland's oldest lawmaker hasn't announced whether he'll run for reelection. But if he doesn't, it won't be for lack of funding. Rep. Steny Hoyer, a Prince George's County Democrat, raised roughly $232,000 during the second fundraising quarter, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings. After expenses, the cash influx gives the 86-year-old congressman over $636,000 in cash on hand for his campaign. He started the quarter with over $573,000. The sum is roughly $60,000 less than Hoyer's fundraising numbers during the same quarter of the previous election cycle, when he raised over $291,000 and went on to win reelection to his long-held seat. While the quarterly report won't be among the largest in Congress — Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Montgomery County Democrat, raised roughly $1.2 million, for example — it's a fair amount for a long-tenured member in a safe blue seat. The fundraising boost comes during a precarious moment for veteran Democratic leaders like Hoyer. Age has remained a top-of-mind issue for Democratic voters since former President Joe Biden's presidential campaign fell apart last year after he struggled to answer questions during a debate with the then-presumed GOP nominee, Donald Trump, leading to Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the Democratic nominee. It's only become more prescient since Trump's election. Three Democratic lawmakers have died since March. Each was at least 70 years old. As a former member of the party's leadership, Hoyer remains an influential member of the Democratic caucus, the House Appropriations Committee, and serves as the ranking member of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee. Hoyer's office did not respond to a request for comment. The age debate isn't strictly about age, but health — whether aging lawmakers are healthy enough to fulfill the responsibilities of a member of Congress. Reps. Gerry Connolly of Virginia and Raul Grijalva of Arizona both suffered from cancer. Turner passed after experiencing a medical emergency. Their deaths reinvigorated questions about the party's emphasis on experience in leadership, particularly given the energy needed to keep up with the frenetic pace of the Trump administration. Being a Democratic lawmaker under Trump hasn't been relaxing. The president has blitzed a series of immense structural changes to the federal government that Democrats have decried, while Republican lawmakers have passed new policies that Democrats have detested — most recently, the partisan 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' that extended current tax rates while enacting cuts to social programs. Donations from political committees accounted for $140,500 of Hoyer's new funds, with contributions ranging from $1,000 to $7,500. Individual donations made up $84,700. The campaign spent over $169,000 during the past three months. Hoyer has held his seat since 1981. He is one of the oldest members of Congress and spent years as the second-ranking House Democrat before stepping down from his post of Majority Leader in 2023, saying that, 'The timing was right.' In August of last year, Hoyer suffered a mild stroke. Despite the health scare, he went on to win reelection, defeating Republican Michelle Talkington with 68% of the vote. He received 72% of the vote during the Democratic primary, defeating three younger challengers. At least one Democrat will challenge Hoyer in 2026: political newcomer Harry Jarin. Jarin's campaign disclosures weren't available prior to publication. -----------
