All articles tagged with #congressional seat
U.S. Rep. Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia announced he will not seek re-election and is leaving his congressional seat to his chief of staff, Patty Garcia, in a move that adds to the significant political shifts in Illinois ahead of the March 17 primary.
Jewish activists are urging the Republican Party to nominate Nassau County legislator Mazi Pilip, a former Israeli paratrooper, to run for the Congressional seat left vacant by expelled ex-Rep. George Santos. Pilip has garnered strong support in the Jewish community and attended fundraisers with prominent party donors. While Pilip is a registered Democrat, Republicans believe Jewish voters disillusioned with left-wing Democrats' support of the Palestinian cause could vote for their candidate. The Democratic Party has already nominated former Congressman Tom Suozzi, a strong supporter of Israel, for the special election. The GOP nominee is yet to be announced, with other potential candidates being considered.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has announced his resignation from Congress after being ousted as House speaker. In an opinion piece for The Wall Street Journal, McCarthy stated that he will depart from the House at the end of the year to serve America in new ways and support the next generation of leaders. McCarthy highlighted his accomplishments during his tenure, including passing legislation on border security, energy independence, and reducing the deficit. With McCarthy's departure, the House GOP margin will decrease to just two, making it crucial for Republicans to maintain unity in passing legislation.
Former congressman George Santos, who was recently expelled from Congress, has launched new ventures to potentially earn money, including a Cameo account offering personalized videos. However, his former communications director, Naysa Woomer, has advised him to start telling the truth and own up to his lies. Woomer, who resigned after Santos' first indictment, revealed that she initially believed he was ready to make amends with his constituents. Meanwhile, Michael Sapraicone, a candidate running for the vacant congressional seat, has distanced himself from Santos, calling him a "crook and a fraud." Both Republicans and Democrats are aggressively vetting candidates to fill the seat. Santos is due back in court next week.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer has taken a step towards challenging incumbent Rep. Jamal Bowman for the congressional seat in New York's 16th district. Latimer, a veteran Westchester Democrat, filed an FEC Form 2 to raise money for a potential run. He is expected to officially announce his candidacy this week. Bowman has faced controversy for his stance on the war in Gaza, while Latimer has been a staunch supporter of Israel. Latimer recently returned from a trip to Israel and emphasized the need to protect democracy in the United States.
Former US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, has not yet decided whether he will run for reelection in 2024. McCarthy, who was recently ousted as speaker by a coalition of fellow Republicans, cited the difficulty of executing his policy agenda as a rank-and-file member of Congress. His comments come after Republicans suffered losses in key races during the recent elections, leading some to view it as a potential indicator for the 2024 election. McCarthy was removed as speaker in October after failing to rally support for a spending bill, and the House eventually settled on Louisiana representative Mike Johnson as his replacement.
Long Island Democrat Thomas Suozzi has announced his bid to retake his former congressional seat currently held by scandal-plagued Republican Rep. George Santos. Suozzi, who previously held the seat for three terms, criticized Santos for remaining in Congress despite facing charges of financial crimes. Other Democratic contenders for the seat include Zak Malamed, Anna Kaplan, and Josh Lafazan. Santos also faces primary challengers from the Republican Party.
The Working Families Party (WFP) is endorsing progressive state lawmaker Raquel Terán for Arizona's 3rd congressional district, currently occupied by Democratic Senate candidate Ruben Gallego. WFP sees this race as a bellwether for progressives in the 2024 cycle and aims to expand its presence in Congress. Terán's endorsement reflects WFP's commitment to supporting grassroots candidates with authentic connections to their districts. The organization plans to endorse more candidates and is determined to recapture the House with Working Families candidates. Despite often being outspent, WFP believes in the power of grassroots organizing and values-driven campaigns.
Illinois Republican Darren Bailey has announced his candidacy for Illinois' 12th Congressional seat, currently held by Congressman Mike Bost. Bailey, who has previously served in the Illinois State House and Senate, is seeking support to reclaim the voice, values, and freedoms of Southern Illinois.
Former Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hughes is running for Congress in New York's 4th Congressional District as a Democrat, challenging Republican Anthony D'Esposito. Hughes, who grew up in Great Neck and won the gold medal in women's figure skating at the 2002 Winter Olympics, is finishing a graduate business degree at Stanford University and searching for a home in the district. This is her first run for public office. Other Democrats vying for the nomination include Laura Gillen, Patricia Maher, and Lawrence Patrick Henry.
California State Senator and Democratic candidate for Congress, Dave Min, has been arrested for drunk driving. Min, who is running for the congressional seat held by Democratic Rep. Katie Porter, apologized for his actions and accepted full responsibility. He has secured key endorsements and raised over $520,000 in the first quarter of 2023, as Democrats look to defend a seat that could be key to reclaiming the House.