The Federal Tap: Seven of the year’s top ten Republican primaries take place Tuesday
From Ballotpedia
May 4, 2018Issue No. 111
THE WEEK IN REVIEW
Sunday, April 29
Bernie Sanders endorses Greg Edwards in PA-7 Democratic primary
- U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has endorsed Greg Edwards in the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania’s new 7th Congressional District. Edwards, a pastor from Allentown, Pennsylvania, is a Sanders supporter who backs many of the policies he promoted in the 2016 presidential campaign, including single-payer healthcare. Other Edwards supporters include Justice Democrats, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and the Pennsylvania Working Families Party.
- Edwards says that his support from progressive groups and individuals caused the DCCC to ask him to leave the race and run for a lower-level position. The DCCC denies that was its intent. He has two prominent opponents in the primary who come from different wings of the party.
- Former Allentown Solicitor Susan Wild is backed by Emily’s List and local officials in the area. Her policy positions—such as fixing the Affordable Care Act rather than expanding to a single-payer system—align with the mainstream Democratic Party.
- Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli is a conservative Democrat who opposes abortion and sanctuary jurisdictions. He says that his relatively moderate profile will help him win the general election.
- The new 7th District encompasses most of the old 15th District held by Charlie Dent (R) and voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 by 1.1 percentage points. Pennsylvania’s congressional lines were redrawn in February 2018 after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that the previous map was an unconstitutional Republican gerrymander.
Monday, April 30
Trump postpones steel and aluminum tariffs on EU, Canada, Mexico, and others
- President Donald Trump issued two presidential proclamations that delayed the implementation of steel and aluminum tariffs on imports from the European Union (EU), Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, and South Korea in order to give negotiators more time to work out agreements to permanently exempt the countries from the tariffs. Tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum were scheduled to take effect for these countries on May 1, 2018. The administration extended negotiations on permanent exemptions with Canada, Mexico, and the EU until June 1, 2018. The administration said that it completed a deal with South Korea for a permanent exemption and also said that it had agreements in principle with Argentina, Brazil, and Australia.
- On March 8, 2018, Trump signed paperwork to put the tariffs in place under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which "provides the President with authority to adjust imports being brought into the United States in quantities or under circumstances that threaten to impair national security.” Based on reports from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the administration concluded that foreign imports of aluminum and steel were weakening the domestic production of these materials and could result in the U.S. not being able to support infrastructure projects or produce weapons, tanks, and aircraft that ensure national security.
Democratic candidate draws ire from Democrats, Republicans, in run for Al Franken’s seat
- Richard Painter, a former ethics lawyer in the George W. Bush White House and current vice-chairman of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, announced he would challenge Tina Smith (D) in the Democratic primary for the Minnesota Senate seat previously held by Al Franken (D).
- Painter is a critic of President Donald Trump on Twitter and cable television. He has also criticized Republicans who support Trump. When announcing his run, he released the following statement: “The Republican Party insists that one must be loyal to Trump and his corrupt administration to run for federal office. My loyalties are to the United States of America. And I will make my message to the Republican Party very clear: I QUIT."
- Painter will not accept donations from super PACs or run negative campaign ads against Smith during the Democratic primary. He said he wanted the Democratic Party to go into the November election unified.
- After Franken resigned in January 2018 due to sexual misconduct charges against him, Gov. Mark Dayton (D) appointed Smith, who was serving as lieutenant governor, as his temporary replacement. The winner of the special election—which will occur alongside a regularly scheduled election for the U.S. Senate seat held by Amy Klobuchar (D)—will serve out the rest of Franken’s term, which ends in January 2021.
- Democratic attorney Nick Leonard, Republican state Sen. Karin Housley, and independent real estate developer Jerry Trooien are also running in the special election.
Republican Indiana Senate candidates spar over loyalty to Trump and party in fourth and final debate
- U.S. Reps. Luke Messer (R) and Todd Rokita (R) and former state Rep. Mike Braun (R) participated in the fourth and final Republican primary debate for the U.S. Senate in Indiana.
- The candidates kept up the personal attacks seen throughout the campaign as they debated the $1.3 trillion spending bill signed into law in March, Braun's Democratic voting record, and their commitment to the Trump administration's agenda.
- Pre-primary financial reports showed all three candidates have more than $1 million in cash on hand to spend in the final sprint of the race before the May 8 primary.
Tuesday, May 1
Pro-Trump group launches ad campaign against Jon Tester over Ronny Jackson allegations
- The pro-Trump super PAC America First Action released a television ad criticizing U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D) for his role in making public professional misconduct allegations against Ronny Jackson, President Trump’s now-withdrawn nominee for Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Tester is up for re-election in 2018.
- The ad claims that Tester spread false information about Jackson and that he betrayed Trump and the country’s veterans. The ad followed a series of tweets and public comments by Trump criticizing Tester for his role in Jackson’s withdrawal and his opposition to legislation that would have punished states that allow sanctuary jurisdictions.
- Jackson, who was Trump’s physician, denied the allegations, which included charges that he dispensed drugs without requiring prescriptions and crashed a government vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. He withdrew from the nomination process on April 26, saying he wanted Trump to be able to move forward. The allegations were released by the Democratic staff of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, where Tester serves as ranking member.
- Although his seat is rated “Lean Democratic” by election forecasters, Tester and outside groups have already been active ahead of the November election. In addition to America First Action, outside groups such as Americans for Prosperity and Restoration PAC have run ads opposing Tester. The American Bankers Association and the Senate Majority PAC have run ads supporting him.
- He will face the winner of a four-way Republican primary between State Auditor Matt Rosendale, former Judge Russ Fagg, businessman Troy Downing, and state Sen. Al Olszewski in the general election. Tester is one of 10 Senate Democrats defending a seat won by Trump in the 2016 presidential election. Trump won Montana by 20 points.
Blankenship criticizes Senate Majority Leader McConnell's ties to China, calls him "Cocaine Mitch"
- West Virginia Senate candidate Don Blankenship (R) intensified his criticism of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) with an ad labeling him "Cocaine Mitch."
- The ad was accompanied by the following statement explaining the nickname: "Mitch McConnell and his family have extensive ties to China. His father-in-law who founded and owns a large Chinese shipping company has given Mitch and his wife millions of dollars over the years. The company was implicated recently in smuggling cocaine from Colombia to Europe, hidden aboard a company ship carrying foreign coal was $7 million dollars of cocaine and that is why we’ve deemed him 'Cocaine Mitch.'"
- Blankenship previously questioned whether McConnell was putting America's interests first, given McConnell's familial connection to China through his wife, Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao (R), and her father.
- McConnell political adviser Josh Holmes responded, "The one consistency we've seen over the last decade is that the death rattle of a primary candidate is always a tendency to attack other Republicans because they know reporters will report it." Homes continued, "At this point what's clear is that voters are writing him off and so he knows that by attacking McConnell he'll get attention.”
- Blankenship's McConnell attacks began in earnest after Mountain Families PAC, a group with ties to the national Republican Party, launched a $700,000 ad campaign against him.
- See also: United States Senate election in West Virginia (May 8, 2018 Republican primary)
Texas and six other states file lawsuit to end DACA
- Texas and six other states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for continuing to administer the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The states argued that DACA is unlawful and requires them to spend more money on healthcare, law enforcement, and education. They also argued that DACA has resulted in increased competition for jobs in their states. Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina, and West Virginia joined Texas in filing the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
- In the lawsuit, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton argued that establishing DACA through an executive order was unconstitutional. The lawsuit stated, "The policy merits of immigration laws are debated in and decided by Congress. The Executive Branch does not exercise a lawmaking role. Its duty is to take care that the law is faithfully executed — substantive immigration law and procedural administrative law alike."
- The lawsuit said that although the court "has authority to immediately rescind and cancel all DACA permits currently in existence because they are unlawful," the states would be satisfied if the federal government was ordered to stop issuing new permits and renewing existing ones. This would lead to the end of the program within two years as existing DACA permits expire.
- DACA applies to individuals who were brought to the United States as children without legal permission. Read more about DACA here.
Lamborn put back on ballot
- Incumbent Rep. Doug Lamborn's (R) name will appear on the June primary ballot after all, a federal judge ruled today. Lamborn's re-election bid to Colorado's 5th Congressional District was initially blocked by the Colorado Supreme Court, but U.S. District Court Judge Philip Brimmer's decision overturned the original ruling.
- The lawsuit against Lamborn was originally filed by district voters disputing the validity of the signatures he submitted to qualify for the ballot.
Friday, May 4
Filing deadline for some Florida candidates
- Candidates running for certain races in Florida had to file by noon on this date. Candidates filed for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, judicial offices, state attorney, and public defender. Candidates running for a state executive office, state legislative seat, or a county seat have until June 22 to file.
- In the U.S. Senate race, Senator Bill Nelson (D) is seeking re-election. There are also elections for Florida’s 27 members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Florida is currently represented by 11 Democrats and 16 Republicans.
Congress is in session
The Senate will be in session Monday through Friday. The House will be in session Monday through Thursday.
SCOTUS is in session
The Supreme Court has finished its argument scheduled for the term. To learn more about this term, read our overview.
WHAT'S ON TAP NEXT WEEK
Monday, May 7
Candidate filing deadline in Ohio for independents
- To appear on the November 2018 ballot, Ohio independent candidates must file to run by May 7. Independent candidates cannot be affiliated with a political party and must meet the qualifications for the office they are seeking. Independent candidates who want “nonparty candidate” or “other party candidate” to be printed under their names on the ballot must request it when they file their paperwork.
- Potential candidates must file a declaration of candidacy, nominating petitions, and pay a filing fee. Signature requirements vary depending on the office being sought. Statewide offices such as governor and United States Senator require 5,000 qualified elector signatures. United States Representative and state legislature candidate signature requirements are based on the size of the district—if 5,000 or more electors in the district voted for the office of governor in the most recent election, candidates need signatures from 1 percent of the number of electors who voted; if less than 5,000 electors voted for said office, candidates need 5 percent of the vote or 25, whichever is less.
Tuesday, May 8
Indiana primary election
- Ballotpedia will cover a total of 138 federal and state seats up for primary election in Indiana in 2018. These include 10 congressional seats and 125 state legislative seats. Ballotpedia will also cover municipal elections in Allen and Marion counties.
North Carolina primary and general elections
- Ballotpedia will cover a total of 183 federal and state seats up for primary election in North Carolina in 2018. These include 13 U.S. House seats and 170 state legislative seats. Ballotpedia will also cover municipal elections in Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Mecklenburg, and Wake counties and school board elections in the Durham, Winston-Salem/Forsyth, Guilford, Johnston, and Union school districts.
Ohio primary election
- Ballotpedia will cover a total of 224 federal, state, and local seats up for primary election in Ohio in 2018. These include U.S. Congress, governor and other state executives, Ohio General Assembly, and Ohio state courts. Ballotpedia will also cover judicial and municipal elections across five counties: Cuyahoga, Fairfield, Franklin, Hamilton, and Lucas. Also up for vote will be Issue 1, a ballot measure regarding congressional redistricting in the state.
West Virginia primary election
- Ballotpedia will cover a total of 121 federal and state seats up for primary election in West Virginia in 2018. These include four congressional seats and 117 state legislative seats.
Top May 8 battleground primaries we're watching
- U.S. Reps. Luke Messer (R-Ind.) and Todd Rokita (R-Ind.) and former state Rep. Mike Braun (R) are competing in the Republican primary for the toss-up U.S. Senate seat in Indiana. The three candidates have accused one another of disloyalty to President Donald Trump (R) and the Republican Party, ethics violations, and state residency issues. All have aligned themselves with the Trump administration and agenda.
- The rise of former coal mining executive Don Blankenship (R) in the race for U.S. Senate in West Virginia has created a three-way battle for the Republican Party's nomination with Rep. Evan Jenkins (R) and state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R). Satellite groups have spent more than $4 million on the race.
- In the Democratic primary for Ohio’s open gubernatorial seat, both former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray (D) and former Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D) have attracted progressive support. Cordray is backed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and the Ohio AFL-CIO, while Kucinich has the endorsement of Bernie Sanders-affiliated group Our Revolution.
- The Republican primary to succeed term-limited Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) features Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor (R) and Attorney General Mike DeWine (R), who both have cast themselves as the conservative candidate in the race. DeWine is endorsed by the state GOP and a majority of Republican state legislators, while Taylor is supported by Gov. Kasich and out-of-state figures including Sens. Ted Cruz (R) and Rand Paul (R).
- The Republican primary to replace Luke Messer (R) in Indiana’s 6th Congressional District features Greg Pence, the brother of Vice President Mike Pence, and self-funded businessman Jonathan Lamb. Pence has raised over $1 million and gained the support of House Republican leaders. Lamb does not have similar endorsements, but he loaned his campaign $800,000.
- Ohio’s 16th District Republican primary pits former Ohio State football Anthony Gonzalez against state Rep. Christina Hagan. Gonzalez raised over $1 million and is supported by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Hagan based her campaign on her support for President Trump. She is supported by the House Freedom Caucus and former Trump official Anthony Scaramucci.
- State Sen. Troy Balderson (R) and businesswoman Melanie Leneghan (R) are competing against eight other Republicans in Ohio’s 12th Congressional District to fill Rep. Patrick Tiberi (R)'s vacant seat. Tiberi endorsed Balderson and Defending Main Street spent more than $400,000 on cable and digital ad buys supporting Balderson, while Leneghan rounded up endorsements from the House Freedom Caucus and Reps. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).
- Incumbent Rep. Walter Jones (R) faces two challengers in his re-election bid to North Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District. Both Craven County Board of Commissioners Chairman Scott Dacey and emergency response trainer Phil Law have been critical of Jones’ deviation from President Trump’s agenda. In the fourth quarter of 2017, Dacey outraised Jones by a factor of two, $97,000 to $45,000.
Wednesday, May 9
Trump’s CIA nominee, Gina Haspel, appears before Senate Intel Committee
- Gina Haspel, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Central Intelligence Agency director, will appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee for her confirmation hearing. On March 13, 2018, Trump announced that he would nominate Haspel as the next CIA director after he announced that he would nominate Mike Pompeo, then-CIA director, as secretary of state. In a tweet announcing the replacement of Pompeo with Haspel, Trump said, "Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen." She was formally nominated on April 17, 2018.
Where was the president last week?
- On Monday, President Donald Trump welcomed President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria to the White House.
- On Tuesday, Trump presented the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy to the U.S. Military Academy football team at the White House. He then met with the crew and passengers of Southwest Airlines Flight 1380.
- On Wednesday, Trump and Vice President Mike Pence participated in the formal swearing-in ceremony of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Trump and Pence then had lunch with Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. In the afternoon, Trump spoke at the National Teacher of the Year reception at the White House.
- On Thursday, Trump participated in the National Day of Prayer with a ceremony in the Rose Garden.
- On Friday, Trump spoke at the National Rifle Association’s Leadership Forum in Dallas, Texas.
Federal Judiciary
- 148 federal judicial vacancies
- 72 pending nominations
- 32 future federal judicial vacancies
About
The Tap covered election news, public policy, and other noteworthy events from February 2016 to February 2022.
