Q&A: Ralph Northam Aims For the Governor’s Mansion in Virginia

The Virginia Democratic gubernatorial primary race between Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam and Tom Perriello provides the biggest political test yet for the Democratic Party forces that have been mobilized by President Donald Trump's assault on American political norms. Northam is a 10-year veteran of Virginia politics, with deep ties to the state's political establishment.

Governor, legislative leaders disagree over possible special election

There's increasing disagreement between Gov. Gary Herbert and fellow GOP legislative leaders over how to handle a special election to replace Rep. Jason Chaffetz, if the Republican congressman steps down before his term ends. Chaffetz, who two weeks ago surprised Utahns by saying he would not seek re-election and may not serve out his full term, could announce around Memorial Day that he's leaving Congress as early as June, sources told the Deseret News.

Alabama Secretary of State talks special election and campaign act violations

The deadline is this month for candidates to qualify, or pay their dues to get their names on the ballot, for the upcoming special election. Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill said his office is busy getting ready for the election, which Governor Kay Ivey moved up to this year from 2018.

Trump nominee for China ambassador promises firm line on Beijing

President Donald Trump's nominee for ambassador to China promised on Tuesday to take a firm line with Beijing on issues from North Korea to trade disputes and human rights, and seemed poised for an easy confirmation by the U.S. Senate. WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump's nominee for ambassador to China promised on Tuesday to take a firm line with Beijing on issues from North Korea to trade disputes and human rights, and seemed poised for an easy confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

NM Dem leader wants to unite Hillary, Berniea

The new chairman of the state Democratic Party plans to heal divisions within the party stemming from last year's presidential election. NM Dem leader wants to unite Hillary, Bernie supporters ALBUQUERQUE - The new chairman of the state Democratic Party plans to heal divisions within the party stemming from last year's presidential election.

Medicaid expansion obstacle for Ohio House budget

House Republicans on Monday threw up a bureaucratic obstacle for Gov. John Kasich's administration to get around to access the state's share of the cost of expanding Medicaid under the endangered federal health-care law. A proposed two-year budget, passed by the House Finance Committee, heads for a full House vote today.

Gov. Kasich revises execution schedule tied up in courts

Ohio's lethal-injection process remains tied up in court, so Gov. John Kasich unsurprisingly on Monday revised the state's schedule to resume carrying out executions that have been on hold more than three years. The earliest an inmate now could be put to death is July 26, assuming the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals lifts a stay that has blocked the state from moving forward.

Ohio governor delays 9 executions as court fight continues

Gov. John Kasich on Monday delayed nine executions as a court fight continues over the constitutionality of the state's lethal injection process, including a contested sedative used in problematic executions in at least three states. Kasich's announcement postponed next month's execution of child killer Ronald Phillips until July and pushed back eight other procedures.

Three-fourths of Americans regularly talk politics only with members of their own political tribe

Interpretation of the news based on evidence, including data, as well as anticipating how events might unfold based on past events Closer than most Americans get to the opposition? Painted tabletop models of the Republican elephant and the Democratic donkey, shown in March 2002. Film critic Pauline Kael is often quoted as saying after the 1972 presidential election some variant of "How can [Nixon] have won? Nobody I know voted for him."

N.Y. lawmakers devise law to see President Trump’s taxes

The proposed law requires the state to release five years of state tax information for any President or vice president who files a New York state return. ALBANY - New York Democrats have hatched a plan to get a look at Donald Trump's taxes by crafting legislation designed to get at his state returns that does everything but mention the President by name.

Biden returns to N.H. for Democratic dinner

Former Vice President Joe Biden is returning to New Hampshire to honor the nation's first all-female, all-Democratic congressional delegation. Biden is speaking Sunday night at the state Democratic Party's annual McIntyre Shaheen 100 Club Dinner.

At 100 days in, Trump seems both outsider and insider

At 100 days in, Trump seems both outsider and insider - KXXV-TV News Channel 25 - Central Texas News and Weather for Waco, Temple, Killeen . President Donald Trump speaks at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, Pa., Saturday, April 29, 2017, on the 100th day of his presidency.

Wagle key to wrapping up legislative session

Lawmakers will have a full plate when they return to Topeka this week to wrap up the legislative session. Resolving these issues will take strong leadership, particularly by Senate President Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, who needs to decide if she is siding with the public and the bipartisan majority of lawmakers or with Gov. Sam Brownback.