Senate GOP Takes on Dems Grayson, Murphy

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio's last-minute decision to run for re-election - and a television take down of Democrat Rep. Patrick Murphy questioning his credentials and resume - is threatening to upend a crucial battle for Senate control, Politico reports . According to Politico, Republicans are looking to damage Murphy so badly that Democrats will be forced to overspend on his behalf ahead of the state's Aug. 30 primary, or abandon the race.

WashPost: Newt, Chris Christie Top Trump VP Choices

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is emerging as the leading vice presidential candidate for presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump, with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie running a close second, according to news reports. But more than a half-dozen other contenders remain in contention as the Trump campaign officially begins the vetting process, The Washington Post reports , based on conversations with "five people with knowledge of the process."

Civil Rights Icon, Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, Will Be Honored During DNC Watch…

Organized labor, elected officials and Black leaders from across the country will come together to lift up champions of the Black vote and pay homage to a true icon in the civil rights movement, Rev. Dr. Joseph E Lowery, during DogonVillage.com's Democratic National Convention Watch Party July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia.

Rank-and-file Republican activists hear Trump rail against Clinton on trade

State Republican Party Chairwoman Jennifer Horn described the group of 150 Granite Staters who sweltered in a vacant, crumbling asphalt lot outside of a shuttered lightbulb factory to hear Donald Trump as "good, solid New Hampshire voters." Horn was the highest-ranking state GOP official to attend the event at the former Osram Sylvania facility, along with a few state representatives and a group of well-known veterans leaders.

Governors sign agreement to launch bridge project

The governors of Kentucky and Indiana have signed an agreement to begin preliminary work aimed at building a new Ohio River bridge linking the two states along Interstate 69. Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said Thursday their states will split the approximately $17 million cost for preliminary design work and an environmental review for the proposed crossing. The governors signed the memorandum of agreement at an event outside Ellis Park race track at Henderson near the Ohio River.

The Latest: Trump hires chief of staff in Wisconsin

Donald Trump has hired the chief of staff of U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy to run his campaign operation in Wisconsin. Trump's campaign confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday that Pete Meachum has been hired to start immediately as state director.

Obama vows to move quickly to sign Puerto Rico bill

As Puerto Rico faces a major debt payment, President Barack Obama is vowing to move quickly to sign a last-minute rescue package for the financially-strapped U.S. territory and its 3.5 million Americans. In a rare election-year feat, the White House-backed legislation passed with strong bipartisan support in Congress.

Day of Action Against Gun Violence starts in Connecticut

Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty was among those taking part in that sit-in in the U.S. House last week and she says the momentum across the country is building daily to force the House leadership to bring up a vote on two gun control measures after the July 4th recess. There were events in over 100 congressional districts across the country today all with the same message and all motivated by shootings in places like Orlando, Aurora, and Newtown.

Two transgender candidates win primaries: Today’s number in politics

Democratic candidate for senate Misty Snow poses for a photograph Tuesday, June 28, 2016, in Salt Lake City. Primary voters in Utah and Colorado Tuesday selected transgender women, both named Misty, to run for spots in Congress next fall, reports Politico.

Idaho’s glass ceiling

A place for the writings and the ideas of the people in and around the Ridenbaugh Press. Now that Hillary Clinton is about to shatter the glass ceiling hanging over the White House' Oval Office, one has to ask when is Idaho going to get with the program? All of the states touching Idaho's border save Nevada, have had at least one female governor.

Herbert, Chaffetz cruise to wins in high turnout primary

Incumbent Republicans Gov. Gary Herbert and U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz are headed toward November as heavy favorites after primary voters turned out in record numbers and overwhelmingly endorsed their re-election bids. On the Democratic side of Utah's primary election Tuesday, Misty Snow, a grocery store cashier making her first foray into politics, faces a far steeper challenge against incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Lee as she tries to become the state's first openly transgender elected official.

In Senate split, $1 billion for Zika falls by wayside

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , joined by Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo.; Sen. John Thune, R-S.D.; and Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas, faces reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday about the Zika virus proposal. WASHINGTON -- The Senate split along party lines Tuesday and left a $1.1 billion proposal to fight the Zika virus in limbo.

Higgins pushes for direct pedestrian access to Canadian GO Train service

Congressman: Plans for new Canadian train service could provide WNYers direct link to Toronto, open new door for Canadian visitors to Niagara Falls Congressman Brian Higgins is advocating for a direct binational pedestrian connection to accommodate Canadian GO Train passengers and better facilitate cross-border tourism. Higgins' push comes following a June 28 announcement by Ontario's transportation minister of expanded GO Transit service between Toronto and Niagara Falls, Ontario.

‘Amazing Race’ contestant heads to Oklahoma primary runoff

Oklahoma cowboy turned reality show contestant Jet McCoy advanced to a runoff for the Republican nomination for an Oklahoma Senate seat while his brother and former partner on "The Amazing Race" lost narrowly in a campaign for the state House as a Democrat. Jet McCoy, 36, led the Republican field with nearly 44 percent in Tuesday's primary vote in state Senate District 13 and will compete Aug. 23 in a runoff against second-place opponent Greg McCortney.

Gov. Herbert secures GOP nomination in re-election race

Republican Gov. Gary Herbert easily defeated Overstock.com executive Jonathan Johnson Tuesday to win a closely watched primary race that helped boost voter turnout to the highest level in two decades. After results came in, Herbert told reporters that he was grateful and that he believed voters felt he had a positive track record that he could build upon for the future.

Espaillat declares victory in district 13 primary

With about 97 percent of votes reported, unofficial results from the Board of Elections in the City of New York showed Mr. Espaillat 283 votes ahead of the next closest contender, Assemblyman Keith Wright. "The voters of the 13th congressional district made history tonight," Mr. Espaillat said in a victory speech, according to patch.com.