Latest news with #PresidentialElection
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
RNC Chair Michael Whatley will run for Senate from North Carolina, sources tell CNN
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley is expected to run for the Senate in North Carolina, setting up a marquee race in next year's midterms, two sources familiar with Whatley's plans tell CNN. He will enter the race with President Donald Trump's backing, after Trump's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, opted against running for the seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. A North Carolina Republican consultant who has worked to set up Whatley's campaign told CNN on Thursday that a formal announcement is expected to come 'in the next week to 10 days.' Politico first reported Whatley's plans. The president preemptively threw his support behind Whatley in a post on Truth Social Thursday night where he also endorsed RNC treasurer Joe Gruters to succeed him as the committee's leader. 'Mike would make an unbelievable Senator from North Carolina,' Trump wrote. 'He is fantastic at everything he does, and he was certainly great at the RNC where, in the Presidential Election, we won every Swing State, the Popular Vote, and the Electoral College by a landslide! But I have a mission for my friends in North Carolina, and that is to get Michael Whatley to run for the U.S. Senate.' The RNC chairman's entry sets the stage for what's likely to be one of the best-funded, highest-profile Senate races on the 2026 midterm calendar. Former Gov. Roy Cooper, a popular Democrat who was term-limited after eight years and left office at the end of 2024, also plans to announce a Senate run in the coming days, sources told CNN. Lara Trump plans to remain in her in role as host of a weekly Fox News show and will also appear alongside Whatley at upcoming political events, a source said. 'I am deeply grateful for the encouragement and support I have received from the people of my home state whom I love so much,' she said in a post on X. 'While I am not running in this election, my passion for Making America Great Again burns brightly, and I look forward to the future, wherever that leads.' The clash in North Carolina comes as Democrats, who need to flip four Senate seats to claim the majority, look for opportunities to make races for Republican-held seats competitive on an unforgiving map in which North Carolina could be the only true toss-up. Democrats' Senate hopes of flipping GOP-held seats elsewhere could hinge on retirement and recruiting questions. In Maine, five-term Sen. Susan Collins has beaten back stiff Democratic challenges in the past. In Texas, Sen. John Cornyn faces a primary challenge from state Attorney General Ken Paxton, a scandal-plagued conservative firebrand who Democrats view as a much weaker general election candidate. In Iowa, Sen. Joni Ernst has not yet announced her reelection plans, though Republicans have several strong potential replacements if she opts out. In Ohio, Democrats hope former Sen. Sherrod Brown, who narrowly lost his seat in 2024, will attempt a comeback — this time challenging Republican Sen. Jon Husted. Democrats must also defend Senate seats in several swing states, including Georgia, where Sen. Jon Ossoff is seeking reelection and open seats in Michigan and New Hampshire. Whatley previously spent five years as chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party and the RNC's general counsel. He took the helm of the national party in 2024 after Trump's tensions with former RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. Gruters, who Trump on Thursday said 'will have my Complete and Total Endorsement' to succeed Whatley as chairman, was floated as a possibility for the leadership post in 2024 as well. 'I'm looking forward to advancing President Trump's America First agenda as the next Chair of the RNC,' Gruters said in a statement to CNN. 'He is the greatest President in our nation's history, and I'm ready to serve, fight, and win for our party and our country.' The Florida state senator is a longtime friend and ally of Trump, bucking the party line in the Sunshine State by backing Trump over Gov. Ron DeSantis in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. Their relationship predates Trump's time in office to when he was a celebrity developer still weighing a political future. In 2012, on the eve of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Gruters convinced Trump to headline a fundraiser for the nearby Sarasota GOP. Gruters, who was chairman of the local party at the time, named Trump the Statesman of the Year. Trump had endorsed Gruters in his bid to become Florida's chief financial officer, a cabinet-level position that is elected statewide. It's unclear if Gruters will drop out of the race. DeSantis recently passed over Gruters and spurned Trump when he filled a vacancy at state CFO with state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia. This story has been updated with additional information. CNN's Donald Judd and Steve Contorno contributed to this report.
Fox News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Pro wrestling great Ric Flair leads emotional tributes after Hulk Hogan dies following cardiac arrest
Pro wrestling legend Ric Flair was among the many that mourned the loss of fellow wrestling great Hulk Hogan, who died after suffering cardiac arrest at his home in Florida on Thursday. Hogan was 71. "I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend Hulk Hogan," Flair wrote in a statement on social media. "Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me. He Was Always There For Me Even When I Didn't Ask For Him To Be." He went on to thank Hogan for the kindness he showed him during his health battles, adding "Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend!" TMZ Sports first reported the news of Hogan's passing, citing a possible "cardiac arrest" at his home in Clearwater, Florida. His death came weeks after he had allegedly suffered a health crisis. The Clearwater Police Department later confirmed that emergency personnel responded to a medical call just before 10 a.m. Hogan was treated on site for a cardiac arrest before being transported to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. "WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away," the promotion later wrote in a statement on X. "One of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans." Hogan later joined the political scene when he appeared at the Republican National Convention during the 2024 Presidential Election. Months later, he appeared at a Trump rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Tributes from several lawmakers and other notable figures poured in on social media.
Bloomberg
21-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
CEO of Africa's Largest Stablecoin Company on Growth
Chris Maurice, CEO of Yellow Card, says the crypto industry has seen a great run in the months following the 2024 US Presidential election. He joins Romaine Bostick on 'Bloomberg: The Close' to discuss the growth of FinTech and cryptocurrencies in Africa. (Source: Bloomberg)
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DNC audit of 2024 election ignores Biden withdrawal, Harris campaign moves: NYT
The Democratic National Committee's review of what went wrong in the 2024 Presidential Election is drawing scrutiny for not looking into whether or not former President Joe Biden should have run for re-election and if former Vice President Kamala Harris was the right choice to replace him. Senior Advisor to Elizabeth Warren's presidential campaign Maya Rupert and MSNBC Political Analyst and Democratic Strategist Basil Smikle join Chris Jansing to weigh in.
RTÉ News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Who are the potential runners and riders in the race for the Áras?
The presidential election campaign has not yet caught fire, although flames are slowly being sparked. President Michael D Higgins' 14-year term ends on 11 November, with a date in late October mooted for polling day. The race is likely to pick up speed in autumn, leading to a short but intense campaign period. Here we look some of the potential runners and riders for the 2025 Presidential Election. Catherine Connolly Independent TD Catherine Connolly is highly expected to formally declare her candidacy for the Áras tomorrow. She has been steadily garnering support from left-leaning parties and TDs, already receiving the backing of the Social Democrats, while People Before Profit's two TDs also set to row in behind the Galway West TD. The former Leas-Ceann Comhairle has the backing of 12 Social Democrats, including Eoin Hayes, as well as the two People Before Profit TDs. Independent TDs Charles Ward, Seamus Healy and Brian Stanley have also confirmed they will nominate her. She is expected to easily surpass the 20 nominations threshold of support from Oireachtas members which is required. Labour Party The question remains whether other left-leaning Dáil parties, particularly the Labour Party, will row behind Ms Connolly and support her as a combined left contender. For Ms Connolly and Labour, it may be a case of letting bygones be bygones. Ms Connolly resigned from the party after she was denied her wish to contest the Galway West constituency as a running mate of President Higgins in the 2007 General Election. Ms Connolly was critical of Labour during the party's time in government, and once claimed the party had "lost its soul". This afternoon, Ms Connolly held a meeting with Labour's parliamentary party to set out her stall. Labour has also been exploring the prospect of running its own candidate, and has opened a two-week consultation period. On 31 July, the party will discuss the consultation and will then decide on its approach to the election. Sinn Féin For Sinn Féin, it is undecided if it will select its own candidate or support the united left-wing nomination. First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill is seen as many as an ideal frontrunner for the party, however, intrigue was created when Mary Lou McDonald recently refused to rule herself out of the contest. Ms McDonald has repeatedly said that Sinn Féin is considering its options when it comes to this year's election and that an internal process is under way, with a decision to be arrived at in a few weeks. The party has the electoral numbers to nominate its own candidate, and Belfast lawyer and MP John Finucane is also often touted as a potential runner. While former leader Gerry Adams could also be considered by the party, given he would be such a high-profile candidate on the ballot. Aontú and the Green Party One left-leaning party which likely will not be backing Catherine Connolly's nomination is Aontú, with party leader Peadar Tóibín saying it was important that other types of voices were in the contest. He added that he had spoken to two potential candidates and other Oireachtas members in order to build consensus. He said there was a danger that a contest solely between Ms Connolly and Fine Gael candidate Mairead McGuinness would mean that a section of the population did not have their values reflected in the debate. Asked whether Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mulloolly was one of the two people he spoke to, Mr Tóibín said that while he had spoken to the MEP, he was not suggesting him as a candidate. Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman said his party is open to a conversation with Ms Connolly about whether her vision aligns with Green values. But he said no decision had been made yet as to who the party might back in the election. Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly ruled himself out last week, paving the way for Ms McGuinness to be the party's only candidate. However, her candidacy will not be ratified until a party event in early September, leading many to believe Ms McGuinness will seek to avoid the public spotlight as much as possible over the summer months. But she is still expected to crisscross the country canvassing for votes. Fianna Fáil Fianna Fáil has not run a presidential candidate since 1997, when its candidate Mary McAleese topped the poll, and the party is still undecided whether to enter this year's contest. The party is still considering its options, and while Taoiseach and party leader Micheál Martin's name has been floated as a potential candidate, he is said to prefer to remain in his current role. If Fianna Fáil is to run a candidate, names linked to the party include former TDs Peter Power and Mary Hanafin. Ms Hanafin is on the record saying she would love the opportunity to run for president as Fianna Fáil's candidate and that she had spoken to Mr Martin about her desire to run. Two current Fianna Fáil MEPs have also been strongly linked to potentially representing the party – Billy Kelleher and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú. Former SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has said he is considering entering the race to become the next president, and had been mooted by some as potentially representing Fianna Fáil. However, Mr Martin said he was surprised to hear Mr Eastwood's name linked to the party, adding he was not aware of any engagement with the Foyle MP. Other names being touted It is understood that businessman Declan Ganley could soon throw his hat into the race. Mr Ganley, who founded the short-lived Libertas party in 2009, is understood to have been actively canvassing various independent TDs and senators looking for their backing. Dr Mike Ryan of the World Health Organization is another name linked with the presidency. 2018 candidate Peter Casey has declared an interest in running. His most likely path to the ballot paper would require the support of local authorities. However, this would likely prove to be very difficult given the local authorities are controlled by the three major parties. but he is also highly unlikely to be given the nod. Of course, it is still very much early days in this race and a slew of other hopefuls could still emerge over the coming weeks in hope of becoming Ireland's 10th Úachtarán na hÉireann.
