Wisconsin GOP Senate Hopes Rely on Underdog Leah Vukmir

Few gave the Republican U.S. Senate candidate from Wisconsin much of a chance of defeating her better-funded primary challenger last month, but she prevailed thanks largely to support from the party establishment. Now Vukmir faces another opponent with deeper pockets - Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin - in one of the most expensive Senate races in the country.

CALmatters Commentary: Feinstein, Harris pursue agendas in Kavanaugh hearings

As fate would decree, both of California's U.S. senators, Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris, sit on the Senate Judiciary Committee, both played starring roles in last week's confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, and both had personal political agendas. Feinstein is running this year for re-election and needed to be critical enough of President Donald Trump and Kavanaugh to avoid alienating fervently anti-Trump Democratic voters, while maintaining an air of senatorial decorum.

Ayyadurai files suit against UMass

Independent U.S. Senate Candidate Dr. Shiva Ayyadurai filed a federal lawsuit against the University of Massachusetts for what his campaign called attempting to rig the debates for the Senate election by keeping him off the debate stage, according a press release from his campaign Wednesday night. The complaint alleges violation of the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution and Article 16 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights and seeks an order asking that Ayyadurai be included in the debates, the press release states.

Papadopoulos says he’d testify in Senate Source: AP

George Papadopoulos, the former Trump campaign adviser who triggered the Russia investigation, is willing to testify before the Senate intelligence committee, Thomas Breen, his lawyer, said Wednesday. Now that the criminal case is resolved, Breen said, "we'll make him available upon a proper request."

APNewsBreak: Firm worked for Cordray’s agency, then campaign Source: AP

An advertising and media firm to which Ohio gubernatorial candidate Richard Cordray's agency gave government work while he was a federal official now is doing political work for him. Records reviewed by The Associated Press show Washington-based GMMB recently has been making Ohio ad buys for Democrat Cordray's gubernatorial campaign against Republican Attorney General Mike DeWine.

The Latest: Edwards wins; would be 1st black NH congressman Source: AP

A candidate endorsed by the Trump administration has won the Republican nomination for a U.S. House seat in New Hampshire, and he'd be the state's first black congressman if elected in November. Edwards is a Navy veteran who also served as a police chief and as chief enforcement officer for the state liquor commission.

In battle for the House, many Dems start from scratch

When the Democratic Party told Lauren Underwood she needed to raise $100,000 in six weeks to get her campaign for Congress off the ground, she wasn't sure what to do. The nurse from suburban Chicago had never run for office, and her fundraising experience was mostly limited to selling Girl Scout cookies for $4 a box.

Ap Fact Check: Obama doesna t always tell the straight story

Former President Barack Obama's recent denunciation of President Donald Trump's treatment of the press overlooks the aggressive steps the Justice Department took to keep information from the public during his administration. Obama also made a problematic claim that Republican "sabotage" has cost 3 million people their health insurance.

Making up excuses: Shaheen, Hassan oppose Kavanaugh

Utility companies in New Hampshire are keeping a close eye on Hurricane Florence and preparing for the possibility of sending local crews to the Carolinas to help restore power in the aftermath of... United States senators are under no obligation to give their consent to a President's nominees.

Rhode Island to vote as midterm primary season winds down Source: AP

Rhode Island's Democratic governor faces a spirited but poorly funded challenge in Wednesday's primary, while the mayor of the state's second-largest city is seeking the GOP nomination for another shot at the governor's seat in November. First, he has to defeat a state lawmaker making her first gubernatorial run.

Better late than never: Democrats pick Kelly for NH governor

A former state senator who jumped into the race for governor of New Hampshire more than a year after her Democratic opponent beat him in Tuesday's primary and will face Republican Gov. Chris Sununu in November. Molly Kelly, a former five-term state senator from Harrisville, defeated former Portsmouth Mayor Steve Marchand.

VA hospital renamed to honor Woody Williams

Ryan Fischer/The Herald-Dispatch J. Brian Nimo, Director of the Hershal "Woody" Williams VA Medical Center, speaks on the decision to rename the center as the Hershel "Woody" Williams VA Medical Center renaming ceremony takes place on Sunday, September 9, 2018, in Huntington.