Latest news with #UnityDinner
The Hill
27-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Roy Cooper hints at 2026 Senate run
Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) hinted over the weekend that he plans to run for the open U.S. Senate seat in his state during the 2026 election cycle. The popular governor spoke at the N.C. Democratic Party's annual Unity Dinner Saturday night, amid reports that he plans to launch a Senate bid soon. 'Everybody who's planning to run for office next year, please stand up,' Cooper asked the crowd. He then added: 'I'm not sitting down, am I?' The crowd cheered and chanted, 'Run, Roy, run,' according to local reports. Many Democrats have been hoping Cooper would enter the race, after Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) announced he would not run for reelection, after bucking the president and voting against his massive tax and spending bill. The event comes shortly after local reporting surfaced that former Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-N.C.), who launched his campaign for Senate in April, is now mulling whether to suspend his bid and instead run for an open district attorney position in Wake County. Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Michael Whatley is running on the GOP side, with Trump's endorsement.
Yahoo
27-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Gov. Cooper to speak at NC Democrats Unity Dinner ahead of possible Senate run
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — At a sold-out, high-profile Raleigh dinner that will gather political leaders from all over the country Saturday, the spotlight is on one particular former governor. Roy Cooper, who was the governor of North Carolina from 2017 to 2025, is one of the speakers listed at the Unity Dinner hosted by the North Carolina Democratic Party. Other speakers at the event include Keynote Speaker Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, N.C. Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls, Senator Sydney Batch, Representative Robert Reives and NCDP Chair Anderson Clayton. PREVIOUS: Roy Cooper's decision on Senate run to be made in 'coming days' The dinner is the first public appearance since there have been talks of a possible U.S. Senate campaign by Cooper. CBS 17 previously reported that former governor Cooper could announce whether or not he will run for the U.S. Senate within the next 'coming days.' Senator Thom Tillis announced just last week that he will not seek reelection, leaving for a highly anticipated senatorial race. Aside from Cooper, there have been other names suspected of running for Senate that has roused up both the Democratic and Republican parties. RNC Chairman Michael Whatley, a North Carolina native, and Lara Trump, his former RNC co-chair and President Donald Trump's daughter-in-law, were both speculated to have been considering a run. Although Trump decided Thursday not to enter the race, Whatley announced he will run with the blessing of President Donald Trump. RNC Chairman Michael Whatley to launch campaign for Senate in North Carolina after Lara Trump rejects run: Sources For several months, Democrat and former U.S. congressman Wiley Nickel has put his hat back into the ring to run. However, sources close to the former congressman told CBS 17 on Friday that his campaign for the Senate seat will be suspended next week with plans to fully endorse Cooper. Nickel's camp said Friday he will run for Wake County District Attorney. Although the North Carolina Democratic Party does not endorse primary candidates, which would be Cooper's position with an announcement coming within the next few days. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
NBC News
23-07-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Former Gov. Roy Cooper plans to enter North Carolina Senate race
Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is planning to launch a run for Senate, according to two sources familiar with his plans, handing Democrats a top candidate in a state that will be central to the fight for the majority. Axios, which broke the news of Cooper's expected bid, reported that he is expected to officially enter the race next week, according to multiple sources. Morgan Jackson, Cooper's top political advisor, would not confirm Cooper's plans but said that the former governor would share more about his plans in the coming days. Cooper is also listed as a speaker at the North Carolina Democratic Party's 'Unity Dinner' on Saturday. Democrats have long touted Cooper, 68, as a formidable candidate, given his record of winning statewide races in the perennial battleground state. 'North Carolina is one of the most competitive races in the country and Roy Cooper would be a force to be reckoned with if he enters the field,' said Lauren French, a spokesperson for Senate Majority PAC, a Democratic super PAC aligned with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. Former Democratic Rep. Wiley Nickel launched a Senate bid in April, but it's not clear if he'll stay in the race if Cooper jumps in. Nickel told Spectrum News, 'We'll cross that bridge when we get there,' when asked about the prospect that Cooper could run for Senate. Cooper was first elected governor in 2016 after serving four terms as the state's attorney general. He defeated the Republican governor at the time, Pat McCrory, by around 10,000 votes even as President Donald Trump won the state by nearly 4 points. Cooper won a second term in 2020 by 4 points while Trump again carried North Carolina by 1 point. Term limits barred Cooper from running for a third term last year. Democrats all but have to win North Carolina to have any hope of netting the four seats they need to take control of the Senate next year, with Republicans defending a 53-47 majority. North Carolina and Maine are Democrats' two best pickup opportunities, with former Vice President Kamala Harris carrying Maine last year and losing North Carolina by 3 percentage points. After those two states, Democrats would have to flip two more that Trump won by double digits, while also holding onto their own seats in competitive states. The Republican field in North Carolina is in flux after Sen. Thom Tillis' surprise announcement that he would not seek re-election. Tillis had drawn Trump's ire for opposing the party's sweeping tax and spending bill, warning that cuts to Medicaid would harm North Carolinians. Republicans are watching to see if Lara Trump — the president's daughter-in-law, former Republican National Committee co-chair and current Fox News host — could run for the seat. She recently told NBC News that she plans to decide on a Senate campaign by Thanksgiving, noting the decision is especially weighty because of her young family. Other potential GOP candidates include current RNC chair Michael Whatley, who previously led the state party in North Carolina, as well as Republican Reps. Pat Harrigan and Greg Murphy.
Politico
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Pritzker's Carolina calling
TGIF, Illinois. I'll be cooking at the Edgewater Greek Fest this weekend. Be sure to say hi. 🎤🌈 Playbook is live at the Hideout next week: Headlining is Brian Johnson — a force in Chicago's LGBTQ+ scene. TOP TALKER SOUTHERN CHARM: Gov. JB Pritzker is headed to North Carolina later this month to keynote the state Democratic Party's Unity Dinner — another high-profile stop outside Illinois that will stoke chatter about a potential run for president in 2028. Officially, Pritzker is still focused on his home turf, seeking a third term in 2026 as Illinois governor. Geography quiz: But the location of his latest out-of-state appearance hints at a politician looking beyond Springfield. It's just dinner: Pritzker's team insists the Unity Dinner speech is business as usual. He often receives invitations to speak at Democratic sponsored events around the country, said a person close to his team, downplaying any questions about 2028. Pritzker does have a kinship with North Carolina. Long before his political rise in Illinois, he was a legislative aide to the late Sen. Terry Sanford of North Carolina, a connection he's referenced with voters there — including at a fundraiser there last year. So, there's a familiarity in his return to the Tar Heel state. But get real: A visit to North Carolina isn't just about party unity or personal nostalgia. It's a battleground state with 16 electoral votes drawing repeated visits from both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris during the 2024 campaign. Trump ultimately carried North Carolina, 51 to 48 percent. Point being: Pritzker's presence at the high-profile event for southern Democrats isn't just a trip down memory lane. It's a signal that the Illinois governor is keeping his eye on states that will matter if he enters the 2028 race. THE BUZZ SOUNDS FAMILIAR: A few years ago, Illinois ended a tax-credit program to fund scholarships for needy students to attend private and parochial schools. The move drew fierce criticism from families who benefited from the Invest In Kids program and from Republicans who accused Democratic lawmakers of doing the bidding of the teachers unions who'd prefer to see kids in public schools. Now the issue is back. President Donald Trump's megabill includes a federal school choice scholarship tax credit program that will launch in 2027. Much like Illinois' Invest In Kids, the federal program offers a 100 percent federal tax credit for individuals who donate up to $1,700 to Scholarship Granting Organizations that provide scholarships to students from families earning up to 300 percent of the area median income, explained to Republican state Sen. Andrew Chesney, who's cheering the legislation. 'This should be an easy choice for Gov. Pritzker,' Chesney said in a statement. 'There is no financial downside because participation in the program doesn't cost the state a dime.' There's one catch: Governors must opt in to the program in order for residents to benefit. No word on what he'll do but ... Pritzker has indicated he doesn't like the policy, saying in a statement that he sees it 'potentially reducing state and federal funding for public schools that experience a decline in student enrollment.' RELATED: Illinois tried to regulate homeschooling. But the backlash was huge, by Chalkbeat's Samantha Smylie WHERE'S JB No official public events WHERE's BRANDON At West Irving Park Road at 10 a.m. for the Jigzibik affordable housing groundbreaking — At the Chicago Hilton at 12:30 p.m. for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists conference — At West Chicago Avenue at 4 p.m. for the Take Back the Block event Where's Toni In Philadelphia for the National Association of Counties conference Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a (gasp!) complaint? Email skapos@ BUSINESS OF POLITICS — NEW in IL-02: State Sen. Willie Preston is talking to allies about jumping into the open 2nd Congressional District seat now held by U.S. Rep Robin Kelly, who's running for Senate. In an interview, Preston, a Chicago Democrat, said he wants to see his party work to 'defeat MAGA Republicans and Donald Trump.' Preston is chair of the Illinois Senate Black Caucus and said his focus is on making sure safety-net hospitals are properly funded. 'We don't need to fight over progressive or moderate politics,' he said. 'The Democratic party is a family and we need to find our voice.' — In IL-07: Attorney Richard Boykin has made it official. He filed paperwork to run for Congress in the seat now held by U.S. Rep. Danny Davis. Boykin is a former chief of staff to Davis and later served as a Cook County commissioner. And before all that he was a Congressional Black Caucus fellow with then-Sen. Carol Moseley Braun. — ENDORSEMENT: Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky has endorsed Ted Mason for Cook County commissioner in the 15th District. The seat is now held by Commissioner Kevin Morrison, who's running for Congress. In the announcement, Schakowsky said Mason's 'knowledge of Cook County government makes him the perfect candidate to be the next commissioner.' — In Cook County, Drake Warren, an engineer and consultant, is running for Cook County commissioner in the 10th District. He's is a self-described progressive Democrat who lives in a studio apartment, according to his launch video. His focus is on affordability and transparency. Warren is running against incumbent Commissioner Bridget Gainer, who's also a Democrat. — In Cook County: Lyons Township Assessor Patrick Hynes has launched his campaign for Cook County assessor. He's is a Democrat who will be challenging incumbent Democratic Assessor Fritz Kaegi. Hynes' team says he's running on a platform 'focused on accuracy, transparency and restoring public trust in the property assessment process.' THE STATEWIDES — DOJ wants to know how Illinois manages its voter registration rolls, by Democracy Docket's Yunior Rivas — 180 more Illinois ZIP codes at high risk for pediatric lead poisoning, state health officials say, by the Sun-Times' Violet Miller — Feds seek nearly 6 years in prison for Madigan's confidant, Mike McClain, by WTTW's Matt Masterson — Chicken Bristle and Oblong are among the 15 quirky town names you'll find in Illinois, writes the State Journal-Register's Steven Spearie CHICAGO — Pure Lithium Corporation is relocating its operations to Illinois: 'The next-generation battery technology company is bringing its entire operation from Boston to Chicago,' by WCIA's Ethan Holesha. — New developer announces revamped plan for part of the Lincoln Yards megadevelopment, by the Block Club's Quinn Myers — Several top CPS staffers leave the district following departure of former CEO Pedro Martinez, by the Tribune's Kate Armanini and Nell Salzman COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — Illinois attorney general investigation of DuPage County clerk a concern for county's Democratic growth: It's a battle between the Democratic clerk and the Democratic-led DuPage County Board and the 'labyrinthine world of budgetary control and power in county governance,' writes the Tribune's Rick Pearson. — Dolton closes on purchase of Pope Leo XIV's boyhood home at cost of $375,000, by the Daily Southtown's Mike Nolan — Casten says state and local governments may have to pick up the costs of feeding the hungry, by the Daily Herald's Briana Iordan — Arlington Heights officials mull rules after complaints of loitering downtown, by the Daily Herald's Christopher Placek TAKING NAMES — Larry David teams with the Obamas for HBO U.S. history sketch show for the nation's 250th, by The Associated Press' Andrew Dalton — Adam Pritzker, who co-founded The States Project and is part of the governor's extended family, has helped start The States Forum, which brings together state legislators and policy makers on state-level initiatives, via The New York Times. Reader Digest We asked what movie quotes you'd use in a political debate. Janyce Eviston: 'From 'The Wizard of Oz' with Judy Garland and Clara Blandick, who played Auntie Em, saying, 'Almira Gulch, just because you own half the county doesn't mean that you have the power to run the rest of us.'' Jason Baumann: 'From 'The American President' with Michael Douglas: 'We have serious problems to solve and we need serious people to solve them.'' John Donovan: 'From 'The Big Lebowski' with Jeff Bridges: 'This aggression will not stand, man.'' Mike Gascoigne: 'From 'Air Force One' with Harrison Ford: The debate would be light on policy ideas but you'd sound like a total badass.' Lucas Hawley: 'From 'The Big Lebowski: 'Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes, well, he eats you.'' Charles Keller: 'From 'Idiocracy': 'I can't believe you like money, too. We should hang out.'' Joan Pederson: 'From 'A Few Good Men' with Jack Nicholson: 'You can't handle the truth.'' Donovan Pepper: 'From 'Wall Street': I can see Donald Trump parroting Michael Douglas' Gordon Gekko saying 'Greed is good!'' Scott Simon: 'With a hat tip to 'The Godfather': 'I'll make President Xi an offer he can't refuse.'' Dale Swanson: 'From 'Pulp Fiction' with John Travolta: 'If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions.'' Timothy Thomas: 'From 'Scarface' with Al Pacino: 'I always tell the truth. Even when I lie.'' NEXT QUESTION: If politicians wore NASCAR-style suits with their donors' logos, whose outfit would stand out? SIDE NOTE: Given the interest in the Paul Powell story in Thursday's Reader Digest, you might be interested in singer-songwriter Steve Goodman's tribute to the former secretary of state. h/t Warren Silver. Listen here KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION — Sen. Tammy Duckworth has joined in introducing legislation requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to display clearly visible identification during public-facing enforcement actions. — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has joined in sending a letter to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention demanding an 'urgent briefing' to address a CDC committee refusing to approve certain flu vaccines. THE NATIONAL TAKE — Core DOGE staffers follow Musk out the door, by POLITICO's Sophia Cai and Daniel Lippman — Judge blocks Trump's order revoking birthright citizenship, by POLITICO's Josh Gerstein and Hassan Ali Kanu — Border czar Tom Homan says there will be 'no amnesty' for undocumented farmworkers, by POLITICO's Myah Ward — Vietnam thought it had a deal on its U.S. tariff rate. Then Trump stepped in, by POLITICO's Daniel Desrochers, Phelim Kine and Ari Hawkins TRANSITIONS — Ebony Scott-Anderson is now executive director of the Foundation for Homan Square. She most recently headed diversity, equity and inclusion partnerships at the Illinois Power Agency. The Homan Square foundation is an umbrella group of community organizations that serve Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood. EVENTS — Saturday: Peter Cunningham, a Chicago communications consultant, takes the stage at the Hungry Brain in Chicago for his side gig: playing with the Bread and Butter Band. Two sets starting at 7 p.m. — Sept. 6-7: The Printers Row Lit Fest will feature Pulitzer Prize winners Maureen Dowd, Kathleen Duvall, Jonathan Eig, Edda T. Fields-Black, Mary Schmich and Bill Healy. Details here TRIVIA THURSDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Ed Mazur for correctly answering that Florence Kelley was enlisted by the Illinois Bureau of Labor Statistics in 1892 to investigate sweatshop conditions in the garment industry, leading to the 1893 Factory Act — the U.S.'s first state law prohibiting the employment of children under age 14. TODAY's QUESTION: Who's the Springfield native who served as president of the Pullman Company? Email skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY Today: Champaign County Board member John Farney, lieutenant governor's office senior adviser Robert 'Rob' Baren, New Democrat Coalition Executive Director Anne Sokolov, political strategist and LGBTQ rights activist Richard Streetman, Tech Talent Project Comms Director Charity Greene, Investigative Project on Race and Equity Advisory Board Chair Susy Schultz and Expand Democracy board member Ra Joy Saturday: Skokie Board member Alison Pure-Slovin, CURE founding chair Susan Axelrod, Kooth Digital Health VP Aaron Lawlor (former Lake County Board chair), state Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl's Chief of Staff Angela Inzano, Bank of America Senior VP of Federal Government Relations Adam Elias, Illinois Power Agency DEI Partnerships Manager Ebony Scott-Anderson, librarian and self-described tax nerd Donna Tuke, master sommelier Fernando Beteta and journalist Ryan Lizza Sunday: Former state Sen. Suzi Schmidt, Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia and Farm Credit Administration's Michael Stokke -30-
Boston Globe
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Boston celebrates AAPI Heritage Month with events citywide
Players from the U-12 Boston Hurricanes youth basketball team high-five Red Sox mascot Tessie as they wait to take the field with Sox players before a game against the San Francisco Giants on May 1, 2024 at Fenway Park. Maddie Malhotra/BostonFOR JERSEYS AND JOY Fenway Park will host a special celebration of AAPI Heritage Month as the Red Sox play the Minnesota Twins. Before the first pitch, there will be an opportunity to watch cultural performances and enjoy special food and beverages. Guests who purchase tickets through the special offer will receive a Red Sox AAPI Celebration jersey featuring hibiscus flowers to honor the Pacific Islands and a red and yellow snake to acknowledge the Year of the Snake. May 2, 7:10 p.m . Ticket prices vary. Fenway Park, 4 Jersey St. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up CRAFTS AND CULTURE Celebrate heritage, tradition, and art at the Boston Children's Museum, which will offer exhibits, crafts, music, and dance to honor local AAPI artists and observe AAPI Heritage Month. Watch the Nüwa Athletic Club perform a Chinese lion dance, attend a reading with author Zain Bandali, or draw with Bren Bataclan. May 5-26, times vary. $22 . Boston Children's Museum, 308 Congress St. Advertisement Commonwealth of Massachusetts Asian American & Pacific Islanders Commission Unity Dinner. Lee-Daniel Tran HONORING AAPI EXCELLENCE The annual Unity Dinner honors the AAPI community across Massachusetts and encourages diverse fund-raising and advocacy. The celebration includes guest speakers, showings and performances, awards, and, of course, delicious food. The dinner seeks to recognize the accomplishments of AAPI individuals and their contributions, honoring new community leaders each year with Lifetime Achievement, Leadership for Diversity & Inclusion, and Unsung Hero Awards. May 10, 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $129.89. Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, 5400 Computer Drive, Westborough. VOICES FROM THE DIASPORA Boston Cecilia will close out its 149th season with performances of Asian and Asian-American choral music. Premiering in the US for the first time is Japanese composer Hina Sakamoto's 'Requiem.' The titular performance, 'The Tipping Point' by Indian-American composer Reena Esmail, anchors the performance. Giri Subramaniam will accompany on the tabla, a traditional Indian percussion instrument. Music from Turkey, China, and the Philippines will also be featured. May 17, 8 p.m. Tickets are $15-$62. All Saints Parish, 1773 Beacon St., Brookline. STRIDES FOR AAPI The Boston Road Runners will celebrate the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities by hosting a 5K run fund-raiser for local AAPI nonprofits. OCA New England, Asian Women for Health, and Asian Community Development Corporation are a few of the many charities partnering with the Road Runners for the event. May 18, 9 a.m. race start . Registration is $30 . Metropolitan District Commission Pavilion, 165 HarborWalk . Advertisement From a previous Asian American and Pacific Islander Celebration Weekend at the Museum of Science. Nic Czarnecki DANCES, DEMOS, AND DISCOVERY The Museum of Science will host a weekend of AAPI Month celebration featuring activities, speakers, community organizations, and performances of traditional dances such as Kuchipudi and lion dance demonstrations. Throughout the month, the museum will also share Suitcase Stories of migration and inclusivity by local AAPI storytellers. May 18-19, times vary. Tickets are $26 for children, $31 for adults. Museum of Science, 1 Science Park. Haley Clough can be reached at
