6 days ago
Tuesday's Campaign Round-Up, 6.3.25: Ernst gets rival after ‘we all are going to die' flap
Today's installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* In a highly unusual electoral dynamic, the Democratic lieutenant governor of New York, Antonio Delgado, is now taking on the state's Democratic governor, Kathy Hochul, in a Democratic gubernatorial primary. The move comes roughly three years after Hochul first tapped Delgado to serve in her administration.
* In the wake of Sen. Joni Ernst's 'we all are going to die' controversy, Democratic state Rep. J.D. Scholten launched a 2026 Senate campaign against her. Scholten is perhaps best known for narrowly losing to then-Republican Rep. Steve King in 2018, in addition to being a pitcher for the minor league baseball team in Sioux City.
* With a week remaining before New Jersey's gubernatorial primaries, Donald Trump headlined a telephone rally on Monday night in support of Jack Ciattarelli, a former Republican state legislator.
* With the Republicans' megabill pending in the Senate, the Koch-financed Americans for Prosperity has unveiled a $4 million ad campaign in support of the far-right legislative proposal.
* In Georgia, Rep. David Scott was already facing two Democratic primary rivals, and now he's facing a third: State Rep. Jasmine Clark joined the crowded field this week, amid ongoing questions about Scott's health and aptitude.
* In Virginia, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin has scheduled a special election to fill the congressional vacancy left by the late Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly. Candidates will have until July 11 to file for the race, ahead of a Sept. 9 special election.
* On a related note, Democratic Del. Irene Shin kicked off her candidacy to succeed Connolly in this heavily Democratic district in Virginia, joining a crowded field, which includes Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw, a former Connolly chief of staff who received the late congressman's endorsement after he announced his retirement plans in April.
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