New Jersey holds governor primaries under shadow of unpopular Christie

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is barred by state law from running for a third consecutive four-year term this year, but the unpopular former Republican presidential candidate remains a central figure in the campaign to replace him. Voters head to the polls on Tuesday to choose Republican and Democratic nominees to succeed Christie, whose approval ratings have hit historic lows.

Kim Guadagno is New Jersey’s Best Hope To Defeat Phil Murphy

I'm voting for Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno in the Republican Primary tomorrow because I'm convinced she's the only candidate in the field who can defeat former Goldman Sachs banker Phil Murphy, the likely Democrat nominee, in November and prevent the return of unbridled government spending and taxation that will occur if Democrats regain control of the State Executive branch.

40,000 people show support for Israel at Manhattan parade

New York governor declares first Sunday in June as Shimon Peres Day in honor of 'one of Israel's founding fathers' Some 40,000 people from over 250 organizations took part in a parade along Manhattan's Fifth Avenue on Sunday to show their support for Israel. The "Celebrate Israel" parade was held under the banner of "Celebrate Israel All Together."

Pence backs up Trump’s economic efforts during visit to Iowa

Vice President Mike Pence waves to supporters Saturday as U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, speaks during her annual fundraiser in Boone. Vice President Mike Pence speaks during an annual fundraiser for U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, Saturday, June 3, 2017, in Boone, Iowa.

Trump will deliver, Pence tells Iowa GOP

Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday reassured Iowa conservatives, some of them cool to Donald Trump, that the president will deliver on his campaign promises to boost the economy. Speaking at the annual fundraiser of Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, Pence told more than 1,400 Iowa Republicans that, thanks to Trump, "American businesses are growing again, they are investing in America again."

Iowa Christian right cool to Trump as Pence rallies GOP base

Vice President Mike Pence is trying to solidify the Republican base in Iowa, where some conservatives are cool to President Donald Trump and party leaders say he's being undermined from within. Headlining Sen. Joni Ernst's annual summer fundraiser, Pence will promote steady job numbers under Trump, who campaigned last year on promises of economic growth.

The Latest: Mahlon Mitchell won’t run for governor

State Democratic Party spokesman Brandon Weathersby says Mahlon Mitchell was allowed to speak at the party's convention Friday because he told leaders he is not running for governor. Baldwin delivered the message to Democrats at their state party convention Friday night.

US agencies emphasize cooperation entering wildfire season

The heads of the two largest public land agencies in the U.S. signed a memorandum Friday emphasizing cooperation among federal, state, tribal and local agencies in battling wildfires as the main part of the wildfire season arrives. Secretaries Ryan Zinke of the Interior Department and Sonny Perdue of the Agriculture Department signed the document following a briefing at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise.

Mayor: Puerto Rican militant to step aside from parade role

A Puerto Rican nationalist recently freed from prison has agreed to step aside from any formal role in New York City's Puerto Rican Day parade, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Thursday. "Oscar Lopez Rivera agreeing to step aside from any formal role in the parade is a critical step forward in refocusing our city's attention on the more important issues facing Puerto Rico," the Democratic mayor said in a statement.

Nevada leaders deal blows to school vouchers, paid sick time

A feud between Nevada's political leaders is threatening to derail their top legislative priorities and delay the state budget. Democratic lawmakers and Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval exchanged potentially fatal blows to each other's policy initiatives on Thursday after an impasse on political negotiations surrounding Education Savings Accounts.

The Latest: Trump speaks with key leaders about Paris accord

This May 31, 2017, photo shows part of the Pittsburgh skyline with the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. President Donald Trump framed his decision to leave the Paris climate accord during a news conference on Thursday, June 1 as "a reassertion of America's sovereignty," he said, "I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris."

States seek to fill the void after Trump dumped the climate pact

Leaders of California, Washington and other states said Thursday they will work to fill the international leadership vacuum created by President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate change agreement. Even before Trump was elected, California Gov. Jerry Brown had joined with other states and governments in Europe, Canada and China to pursue reductions in greenhouse gas emissions greater than those called for in the Paris pact.

Trump budget dismays families hit by opioid addiction crisis

In a hall packed with Iowa voters, the presidential candidate looked the middle-aged truck driver in the eye and vowed to fight the opioid crisis that killed his only son two years earlier. "He promised me, in honor of my son, that he was going to combat the ongoing heroin epidemic," Moss said of the January 2016 interaction.

Wisconsin seeks to be first to drug test Medicaid applicants

Gov. Scott Walker wants to make Wisconsin the first state in the country to require childless adults applying for Medicaid to undergo drug screening, a move that could serve as a national model. Walker's plan, which needs federal approval, comes as he prepares to run for a third term next year.