Latest news with #re-election
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mike Lawler is not running for New York governor
The congressman said that he will be running for re-election to his current seat in the House, while Kathy Hochul and Antonio Delgado, who are running in the Democratic primary, reacted to his announcement. Solve the daily Crossword
Fox News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
After meeting with Trump, Republican in key House battleground announces major decision on 'Fox and Friends'
FIRST ON FOX: Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of New York will seek re-election in next year's midterms in his crucial battleground House district, which covers a large swath of New York City's northern suburbs. Lawler, who announced his news in an interview Wednesday morning on Fox News' "Fox and Friends," had been seriously mulling a bid for New York State governor. "There's no question Kathy Hochul is the worst governor in America," Lawler told Fox News' Brian Kilmeade, before adding, "In 2026, she needs to be defeated. But after months of deliberating over this and really working through it, I've decided the right thing to do for me and my family and my district is to run for re-election." His news is seen as a major relief to the White House and congressional Republicans, who are defending their razor-thin House majority in the 2026 midterms. Top House Republicans as well as President Donald Trump had urged Lawler to seek re-election, and Fox News confirmed that Lawler met with Trump last week at the White House to discuss his 2026 plans and other issues. "While I fundamentally believe I am best positioned to take on Kathy Hochul and offer New Yorkers a real choice for Governor, I have made the decision to run for re-election to the House and continue the important work I've been doing over the past two and a half years," Lawler shared in a statement with Fox News Digital Wednesday morning. Lawler, who represents New York's 17th Congressional District, is currently one of only three House Republicans who represent seats carried by then-Vice President Kamala Harris in last year's presidential election. Democrats are targeting his district in the midterms as they aim to retake the House majority. Their job in flipping the seat would have been made easier if Lawler had decided to run for governor. If he had run for governor, Lawler would likely have faced off for the GOP nomination against Rep. Elise Stefanik, who represents a district in northern New York. Stefanik, who is a top House Trump ally, is gearing up for her own campaign against Hochul, who Republicans consider vulnerable. Stefanik released a statement Wednesday morning as the news broke, calling Republicans "more unified than ever in our mission to fire the Worst Governor in America Kathy Hochul in 2026" and Lawler a "great, effective, and hardworking Representative for New York's 17th Congressional District." "As I have previously stated, I am focused on supporting strong Republican local and county candidates on the ballot this November to lay the groundwork with a strong team for next year. I will make a final decision and announcement after this year's November election which we are all focused on," Stefanik added. Trump in May endorsed Lawler's congressional re-election, in a move seen as a likely indicator of the president's support for a gubernatorial run by Stefanik, who represents a red-leaning House district. Lawler, a one-time Republican political strategist, won election in 2020 to the New York State Assembly by defeating a Democratic incumbent. He grabbed national attention in the 2022 midterm elections by narrowly defeating incumbent Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, who at the time was chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Lawler, who represents New York's 17th Congressional District, is currently one of only three House Republicans who represent seats carried by then-Vice President Kamala Harris in last year's presidential election. Democrats are targeting his district in the midterms as they aim to retake the House majority. Democrats were quick to criticize Lawler's decision Wednesday morning. "Mike Lawler caving to Donald Trump before his campaign even starts proves he's too weak to take on Governor Hochul – and he knows it," New York State Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs said in a statement, arguing New York voters will reject Lawler "no matter where his name shows up on the ballot." And Democratic Governors Association (DGA) spokesperson, Kevin Donohoe, trolled Lawler on Wednesday morning, "Donald Trump has officially killed Mike Lawler's dream of becoming governor of New York and given the GOP gubernatorial nomination to his top D.C. ally Elise Stefanik. Our condolences." Hochul herself chimed in, writing on X, "This is the same Mike Lawler who caved to Trump the minute he asked to rip away New Yorkers' healthcare. Of course he doesn't have the spine to face me," in reference to Medicaid reform included in Trump's "big, beautiful bill."
RNZ News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Gore mayor Ben Bell fires back on tough first term
Gore mayor Ben Bell has had a difficult first term in office but is seeking re-election. Photo: LDR / Otago Daily Times Gore mayor Ben Bell has labelled a recent account of his tumultuous first term as "bullying". On Wednesday, a story about the mayor's difficult few years in office was published by RNZ and re-used by other outlets. It covered a widely publicised fallout with the former chief executive, a near vote of no confidence in Bell, and dirty politics. The story said numerous attempts had been made to interview Bell - including a trip to Gore to meet him - but the mayor pulled out at short notice and stopped responding. Bell wasn't happy with what he read in the RNZ article. "I think it's an example of the bullying that I've experienced the whole way through," he said. "I don't think they've done a positive article on anything that we've done, and to get comments from the former mayor kind of shows their attitude towards us." Bell also felt it was misreported that he didn't want to speak for the story. "I've just actually been busy serving my community and schedules didn't line up and they didn't want to talk to me on the phone. "I think they said I was avoiding them, that's not the case whatsoever." In response, an RNZ spokesperson said the broadcaster stood by its article which included the perspective of a former mayor and the current deputy mayor of Gore. "As stated in the article, RNZ made numerous attempts to interview the current mayor Ben Bell, even travelling to Gore to meet with him. We also made clear to Mr Bell that we wanted to give him an opportunity to respond to the comments of others. "Mr Bell did not take up this opportunity and has not responded to RNZ's subsequent efforts to make contact," the spokesperson added. Former long-serving mayor Tracy Hicks was a key feature in the piece and took his opportunity to jab at the mayor. Hicks wondered what Bell had achieved, questioned the mayor's long-term commitment to the area, and said the council would have avoided reputational damage had he been re-elected. Bell disagreed with Hicks but said he was entitled to his opinion. The young mayor was seeking re-election and pointed to that decision as an example of his commitment to Gore. "In terms of my reflection, I think the first year and a half was a struggle. There was a lot of change brought about. A lot of councillors just getting used to me and my style," Bell said - a tamer view than what Hicks made of the first year: "a train wreck". Bell said progress was being made with the new chief executive onboard and momentum was building. When elected in October 2022, the then-23-year-old became the youngest mayor in New Zealand history. He thwarted Hicks' shot at a seventh term by just eight votes. Hicks told the Southland Times last election that he was running for the final time, but since indicated to RNZ he is reconsidering. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
World's oldest president eyes eighth term - at the age of 92
As the world's oldest head of state, Cameroon's president is seeking re-election in October in a move that would extend his 43 years in power. Currently 92 years-old, another seven-year term could see him remain in power until he is nearly 100. So far his tenure presents a mixed picture, marked by both support and criticism. President Paul Biya first took power in 1982 and has not lost an election in the central African nation since. Under his governance, Cameroon survived an economic crisis and moved away from one-party rule. Biya also claimed on X that his latest decision to run followed "numerous and insistent" calls across 10 Cameroonian regions and the diaspora. But during decades in power, his administration has faced backlash over embezzlement, corruption, bad governance and insecurity. In 2008, democratic backsliding led to the abolition of term limits - allowing his continuous re-election. Concerns have also been raised about his health and ability to govern. During a six-week mysterious absence from public eye last year, authorities banned the media from discussing the president's health. As rumours of ill-health quickly spread, interior minister Paul Atanga Nji said such stories 'disturb the tranquillity of Cameroonians'. The president's health was deemed a matter of national security and 'offenders' were threatened with legal action. Notorious for long periods of time spent abroad, Biya in 2018 held a cabinet meeting for the first time in more than two years. An investigation supported by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) found that Biya spent a third of the year abroad in some years, such as 2006 and 2009. Along the way he missed key events, including a 2016 train accident which killed 75 people and the violent repression of protests over the marginalisation of Anglophone minorities. The protests set off what later became a separatist insurgency in English speaking provinces, who have historically complained of discrimination in Francophone-dominated public institutions. This year's election also comes as Cameroonians face climbing living costs and high unemployment. Confirmation of Biya's candidacy in a post on X on Sunday followed a rift with long-term allies in northern regions, who had previously been key in securing northern votes. Prominent minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary and former prime minister Bello Bouba Maigari left the governing coalition and announced their candidacy separately. 'A country cannot exist in the service of one man,' Tchiroma said. If elected, Tchiroma has offered a referendum to devolve power as a solution to the so-called Anglophone crisis. Elsewhere Biya's supporters and members of the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement have publicly backed his candidacy since last year. Human rights groups have criticised the perceived crackdown on dissent. Parliamentary elections that were due to take place in 2024 were also delayed until 2026.
The Independent
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Camaroon's president, 92, wants another seven-year term
Paul Biya, the world's oldest head of state and President of Cameroon since 1982, is seeking re-election in October, which could extend his 43-year rule. If successful, the 92-year-old could remain in power until he is nearly 100, having never lost an election since taking office. His long tenure is marked by both achievements, such as economic recovery and moving away from one-party rule, and significant criticism over corruption, bad governance, insecurity, and the abolition of term limits in 2008. Concerns have been raised about his health and frequent long absences from Cameroon, including missing key events, with authorities previously banning media discussion of his health. The upcoming election occurs amidst rising living costs and high unemployment in Cameroon, and follows a rift with key northern allies who have now announced their own candidacies.
