As Ellison departs Congress, Omar chases another first

In this June 5, 2018, file photo, State Rep. Ilhan Omar, the first Somali-American elected to a state legislature, files to run for the 5th district congressional seat that U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison is vacating to run for Minnesota attorney general, at the Minnesota Secretary of State's office in St. Paul, Minn. The race has pitted Omar, a rising star in the Democratic Party, against older, more established Democrats, echoing similar races nationwide as a younger generation heads to Washington.

4 primaries, Ohio special election promise key midterm clues

Voters in five states head to the polls Tuesday, and both parties are looking for signs of strength and unity in their ranks less than three months until the first major U.S. election since the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Kansas, Michigan, Missouri and Washington State all hold primaries Tuesday, but the special election in Ohio's 12th Congressional District is taking on particular significance because it's the last time Democrats and Republicans will face off directly until November.

Trump on midterm elections: It’s about me

To continue reading this premium story, you need to become a member. Click below to take advantage of an exclusive offer for new members: President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with 12th Congressional District Republican candidate Troy Balderson, left, during a rally, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018, in Lewis Center, Ohio.

Trump: I Only Destroy Careers of Republicans Who Say Bad Things

President Donald Trump on Saturday said he only destroys the career of Republican lawmakers after they say bad things about him, "and you fight back and they go down the tubes and that's OK." "A couple of them," Trump said during a rally in Ohio at the Lewis Center without mentioning names.

Trump casts midterm elections as a personal referendum

Embracing his breakneck return to campaign politics, President Donald Trump on Saturday argued that Republicans needed to control Congress by casting the midterms as a referendum on himself. In a raucous rally in a sweltering gymnasium north of Columbus, Ohio, Trump pitched for the GOP candidate up in a special election next week and defiantly questioned the idea that, historically, the party that controls the White House suffers in the midterms, declaring "but I say why?" "Why would there be a blue wave? I think it could be a red wave," Trump said of his party's prospects in November.

Portland prepares for right-wing, anti-fascist rallies

In this June 30, 2018, file photo, Joey Gibson, left, leader of Patriot Prayer, heads the group's rally in Portland, Ore. Portland is bracing for what could be another round of violent clashes Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018, between a right-wing group holding a rally here and self-described anti-fascist counter-protesters who have pledged to keep Patriot Prayer and other affiliated groups out of this ultra-liberal city.

New Mexican president will review security cooperation with US

Last month, Lopez Obrador said he would cancel the planned purchase of eight military helicopters from the US as part of cost-cutting measures Mexican president-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will review security agreements with the United States, including the US$2.9 billion Merida Initiative, and wants to refocus aid to social and economic projects, a senior security aide said on Friday.

Las Vegas gunman lost money, became unstable before shooting

The Latest on the final report into the Oct. 1 mass shooting in Las Vegas that killed 58 people : The girlfriend of the Las Vegas mass shooter told investigators that gunman Stephen Paddock didn't talk much about politics but expressed a dislike for President Barack Obama's administration and "was happy when President Trump was elected." Las Vegas police said in a report on the shooting made public Friday that Paddock told his girlfriend Marilou Danley that "he believed President Trump would do something to stop illegal immigration."

Mpls. mayor, council members condemn Pawlenty mailer with officers

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and several City Council members on Friday criticized a campaign mailer from Republican Tim Pawlenty that features several uniformed Minneapolis officers standing next to the candidate for governor in front of two squad cars. Frey said the mailer may have violated two city policies, calling it an unauthorized use of the Minneapolis police trademark and citing a prohibition on officers other than the union president or a designee appearing in a political advertisement.