Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* Late last week, the Republican National Committee elected Florida’s Joe Gruters as its new chair to succeed Michael Whatley, who’s now running for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina. After the RNC election, in which Gruters ran unopposed, Donald Trump wrote online that he’d “very strongly Endorsed” his choice to lead the party.
* As Texas Republicans’ redistricting scheme awaits Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature, California’s Democratic-led legislature passed the Election Rigging Response Act legislative package, setting the stage for a statewide vote on a related redistricting plan.
* Once Texas’ newly rigged map becomes law, Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett plans to retire.
* With Election Day in New Jersey just 10 weeks away, the latest Rutgers University poll found Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill leading former Republican Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, 44% to 35%. With leaners included, her lead reaches double digits, 47% to 37%.
* Election Day in Virginia is also just 10 weeks away, the latest Roanoke College poll found former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger leading Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, 46% to 39%.
* In Pennsylvania’s 2026 gubernatorial race, state Treasurer Stacy Garrity launched a Republican gubernatorial campaign last week, while state Sen. Doug Mastriano, who badly lost his statewide race in 2022, is reportedly eyeing a second attempt. Incumbent Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro is seeking a second term next year.
* In Alabama, with Republican Rep. Barry Moore running for the Senate, Republican former Rep. Jerry Carl is launching a comeback bid. Carl lost to Moore in a member-vs.-member primary last year after the state’s map was redrawn.
* And remember when Republican megadonor Elon Musk announced plans to create a new political party called the America Party? Those efforts don’t appear to be going especially well.
This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
