AP News reports Democrat Taylor Rehmet secured a victory in a special election for the Texas state Senate, flipping a traditionally Republican district. Rehmet, a labor union leader and veteran, defeated Republican Leigh Wambsganss with a significant margin, marking another successful special election for Democrats. This win highlights increasing Democratic motivation to reject GOP candidates, a trend further emphasized by previous victories in other states. The seat was previously held by a Republican who resigned, and although Rehmet’s term is temporary, this win is a concerning sign for Republicans.
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Former South Carolina state lawmaker RJ May received a 17.5-year federal prison sentence for distributing child sexual abuse material, a sentence the judge deemed the most severe she had seen. May, a former Republican representative, pleaded guilty to five counts related to the distribution of explicit videos shared with users across multiple states and countries. His sentence also includes lifetime sex offender registration and 20 years of court supervision, with prosecutors emphasizing that no one is above the law. May admitted to using aliases and deleting apps to conceal his activity, which included a sexual interest in child sexual abuse, while also serving in the State House.
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The State Department has come under fire from Republicans, including Representative Tim Burchett, following reports of a $45 million cash transfer to the Taliban in Afghanistan. Burchett, who introduced a bill to prevent U.S. tax dollars from reaching the Taliban, argues that despite previous assurances, funds have allegedly been used by the group. Concerns were previously raised by John Sopko, who admitted that he could not assure the House Oversight Committee that American taxpayers weren’t currently funding the Taliban. Burchett’s bill aims to address these issues by increasing oversight of funds sent to Afghanistan and other nations.
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The upcoming special election in Tennessee’s 7th congressional district, a Republican stronghold, has become surprisingly competitive. Democrats are pouring significant resources into the race, aiming to capitalize on a shift in political dynamics. Despite the Republican candidate, Matt Van Epps, leading in polls, the race is tightening, evidenced by a recent poll showing a narrow lead. The shift is also reflected in the fact that the Republican candidate is distancing himself from Trump. A close result could signal trouble for Republicans in other districts, highlighting the potential consequences of Trump’s declining favorability in the area.
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U.S. Representative Troy Nehls, representing Texas’ 22nd Congressional District, has announced he will not seek reelection. His twin brother, Trever Nehls, immediately declared his candidacy for the seat, signaling a continuation of the district’s conservative leanings. The announcement comes amidst uncertainty regarding the district’s boundaries, as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule on a contested redistricting map. This marks the sixth Republican in Texas’ congressional delegation to retire this cycle, highlighting shifts in the political landscape.
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Democratic candidates gained ground in school board elections, countering Republican messaging on issues like book bans and transgender policies. The wins, which took place across multiple states, suggest a shift away from the conservative focus on cultural clashes. These results were partially driven by voter concerns such as the economy and school safety. Liberal groups that supported the candidates plan to expand their efforts in preparation for the next round of school board elections.
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Mark Epstein has alleged that the highly anticipated Epstein files are being edited to remove the names of Republicans, claiming the release is a “sabotage” of the documents. He stated an unnamed source informed him that the Trump administration is scrubbing the files to protect Republican officials, a claim that follows former President Donald Trump’s shift in encouraging their release. Additionally, Mark claimed that his brother had damaging information on Trump during the 2016 election cycle, further adding to the controversy surrounding the files. These allegations have surfaced amidst growing calls for transparency regarding the documents and the circumstances surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s death.
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Cory Bowman, half-brother of J.D. Vance, failed to win the Cincinnati mayoral race, according to the Associated Press. The Republican candidate was up against incumbent Democrat Aftab Pureval and received only 18% of the vote. Bowman, who founded The River Church in Cincinnati, announced his campaign in February and focused on public safety, despite facing allegations of voting fraud. Bowman was endorsed by his half-brother, but his chances were slim as a Republican hadn’t been on the mayoral ballot since 2009.
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Elizabeth Ann Davis was convicted of voter fraud in Colorado for submitting ballots on behalf of her deceased ex-husband and son during the 2022 general election. She was found guilty of two counts of forgery and one count of impersonating an elector. This case highlights the rarity of voter fraud, with the election process in place meant to detect these types of crimes. Davis, who has previous forgery convictions, faces potential penalties ranging from probation to up to three years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for January 9th.
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John Reid, the Virginia Republican lieutenant governor nominee, is facing calls to withdraw from the race after allegations linked him to a Tumblr blog that reposted Nazi-themed pornography and violent sexual content. The blog, which has since been deleted, amplified content from other accounts featuring white supremacist slogans, sexual violence, and Nazi fetishism. Reid, who uses the same handle on other platforms, has denied ownership of the Tumblr account, calling the revelations a “coordinated smear.” Democratic lawmakers have condemned the alleged activity, while Reid has framed the backlash as antigay bigotry and vowed to stay in the race.
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John Q. Hosedrinker