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Trump Makes Specific Demand Of Senate GOP Leader Candidates

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President-elect Donald Trump revealed what candidates for Senate Majority Leader will have to do if they hope to gain his endorsement.

Trump released a statement on X on Sunday where he claimed that any candidate seeking the position must agree to recess appointments so that his appointments can be approved in a “timely manner.”

“Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner. Sometimes the votes can take two years, or more,” Trump wrote to his followers.

He added, “This is what they did four years ago, and we cannot let it happen again. We need positions filled IMMEDIATELY! Additionally, no Judges should be approved during this period of time because the Democrats are looking to ram through their Judges as the Republicans fight over Leadership. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THANK YOU!”

Recess appointments sidestep the Senate’s confirmation process and could be used to temporarily install unpopular or unqualified nominees.

Florida Senator Rick Scott responded to Trump’s request just minutes later via X, where he vowed to push through his nominee’s “as quickly as possible.”

Despite Sen. Scott’s quick response Trump has yet to throw his support behind a specific candidate for the coveted position.

Elise Stefanik Bests Kathy Hochul In NY Governor’s Race Poll

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A new poll from the Manhattan Institute has delivered a political shockwave through Albany and beyond — showing Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), a rising conservative star and staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, narrowly leading incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul in a hypothetical 2026 matchup.

According to the survey, Stefanik holds a one-point advantage over Hochul among registered voters, 43% to 42%. The poll, which included an electorate heavily weighted toward registered Democrats, marks the first time in decades that a Republican candidate has outpolled a sitting Democratic governor in New York.

Stefanik’s Strength Among Independents and Suburban Voters

The findings suggest that Stefanik’s appeal extends beyond the GOP base, particularly among independents and suburban voters who have grown increasingly frustrated with the state’s high taxes, rising cost of living, and public safety concerns. The congresswoman also leads Hochul’s primary challenger, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, by six points (43%-37%) in a separate matchup included in the survey.

A recent internal poll from a Stefanik-connected political action committee (PAC) painted a similar picture of growing competitiveness in deep-blue New York. That poll showed Hochul ahead by five points (48%-43%) before respondents were presented with additional context — including Hochul’s controversial endorsement of Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a far-left “Democratic Socialist” who is considered a frontrunner in this year’s New York City mayoral contest. When voters were informed of that endorsement, Stefanik’s support edged ahead, 46.4% to 45.9%.

Conservative Momentum in a Traditionally Blue State

Political observers note that Stefanik’s early lead, even before a formal campaign launch, reflects a shifting political environment in New York. Years of Democratic dominance in Albany have coincided with record outmigration, skyrocketing taxes, and a steady decline in public confidence in state leadership.

The congresswoman, who represents New York’s 21st Congressional District and serves as House Republican Conference Chair, has been among the GOP’s most prominent figures in recent years. A vocal critic of the Biden administration, Stefanik has also been instrumental in recruiting female Republican candidates and raising the party’s national profile.

Her campaign released a statement on the Manhattan Institute poll, emphasizing the significance of the results:

“In a heavily Democrat-leaning state, an independent poll that is heavily weighted towards registered Democrat voters shows Republican Elise Stefanik leading Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul in a head-to-head match-up,” the statement read.

“This marks the first time in decades that any potential Republican gubernatorial candidate—and in this case, the likely nominee—is polling ahead of a Democrat incumbent governor, even before any official announcement.”

Hochul’s Controversial Alliances and Policy Struggles

Governor Hochul, who ascended to office following Andrew Cuomo’s resignation in 2021 and narrowly won a full term in 2022, has faced mounting criticism from both moderates and progressives. Her handling of public safety issues, including the state’s controversial bail reform laws, has sparked voter backlash.

Hochul’s endorsement of Mamdani — who has backed “Defund the Police” initiatives and higher taxes on businesses and homeowners — has only deepened the perception among many New Yorkers that the governor is out of touch with working families.

Stefanik’s campaign didn’t hesitate to highlight those divisions:

“In a decision that she will come to regret, Kathy Hochul lives up to her title as the Worst Governor in America when she chose to bend the knee and put New Yorkers LAST by desperately endorsing the Defund the Police, tax-hiking, raging Antisemite Socialist Zohran Mamdani who will destroy New York,” the statement continued.

New York at a Political Crossroads

Once a Republican stronghold, New York has not elected a GOP governor since George Pataki’s reelection in 2002. However, growing dissatisfaction with Democratic leadership — coupled with rising crime, energy costs, and the mass exodus of middle-class families to more affordable states — has given Republicans renewed optimism.

Recent statewide results show signs of shifting momentum. In 2022, Republican candidate Lee Zeldin came within six points of defeating Hochul, the closest gubernatorial race in two decades. Analysts believe Stefanik, with her higher national profile and disciplined messaging, could expand on that performance, particularly if economic and public safety concerns remain front of mind for voters.

The Road Ahead

Stefanik has not officially declared her candidacy, though speculation has intensified in recent months. Her allies say she is actively exploring the race, laying the groundwork for what could become one of the most closely watched gubernatorial contests in the nation.

Political strategists note that a Stefanik-Hochul matchup would offer New Yorkers a stark choice between two sharply contrasting visions: Hochul’s continuation of progressive, high-tax governance, and Stefanik’s promise of “commonsense conservative leadership” focused on affordability, safety, and economic revival.

As the congresswoman’s statement concluded:

“New Yorkers of all political parties are hungry for new commonsense leadership after decades of Hochul’s failed single-party Democrat rule. Elise Stefanik and the people of New York can and will win this righteous fight to Save New York.”

Marsha Blackburn Announces Gubernatorial Run Just Six Months Into Term

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Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

On Wednesday, Tennessee Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn announced she is running for governor despite only being six months into her current Senate term.

Blackburn has emerged as a close ally of President Donald Trump in Tennessee. Her opening pitch to voters in her gubernatorial run highlights her relationship with the president, saying Trump needs “strong conservative governors” to deliver his agenda.

“In his first six months, President Trump has made historic strides in Making America Great Again, but as he sends power back to the states, he’s going to need strong conservative governors who can bring that revolution home,” Blackburn said. “I’m running to serve as Tennessee’s next governor to ensure Tennessee is America’s conservative leader.”

Blackburn’s opening ad aligns with Trump’s priorities, pledging to deport illegal aliens “whether it takes planes, trains, or starships,” “define our boys and girls the way God made them,” and keep the momentum going for Tennessee, which is booming in popularity.

Watch:

“Tennessee is the greatest place in the world to rear a family and make a life and a living, and together, we can make our great state even better,” Blackburn says.

Blackburn, who lives in the Nashville area, has been a Tennessee lawmaker since 1999, when she was elected to the state legislature. Before being elected to the Senate, she represented Tennessee in the House of Representatives for nearly two decades.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee (R.), who is serving his second term, is term-limited and cannot run for re-election. The state has not been led by a Democrat since 2011.

Blackburn has been openly considering a run for governor since January, however, pressure to pass not only Trump’s signature legislation, but also confirm his nominees, has made launching a statewide campaign in Tennessee a challenge.

The senator is immediately the favorite, with near certainty that she’ll enter the primary with Trump’s endorsement.

Blackburn’s top competitor will be Republican Rep. John Rose, a wealthy businessman who declared in March and is expected to self-fund his campaign.

Dem Publicly Admits She Was DEI Hire For Public Defender Job In Stunning Display: Watch

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By Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America - Jasmine Crockett, CC BY-SA 2.0,

Democrat lawmaker Jasmine Crockett‘s comments have landed her in the spotlight once again…

On Wednesday, the Texas Democrat appeared to brag that her being Black was a leading contributor to getting hired as a public defender with no experience. 

Crockett relayed the story during a House Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight meeting on corruption in the FBI under the Biden administration. She used it as an argument to defend diversity in law enforcement.

“When I first became a public defender, I had no criminal defense experience. I walked in, and I told my boss, Charlie, I said, ‘Listen, you should hire me.’ He said, ‘Why?’ I said, ‘Because I’m Black.’ Charlie looked at me like I was crazy,” Crockett said.

She continued, “And I said, ‘Let me tell you something. When I walk in, I’m going to walk in with a level of rapport and understanding that maybe some of my other colleagues will not.’ Charlie offered me my job, and I worked my butt off and I worked really, really hard for all of my clients, not just those that look like me. That is what it looks like to serve.”

During the hearing, Crockett also defended the need for DEI in the criminal justice system, so victims see law enforcement who look like them.

“We want somebody to show up, and we don’t want them to look at us and act as if just because I’m Black or because I’m a woman that I am not worthy of having that case investigated,” Crockett said. 

She added, “Because we have an administration that is continuously railing against diversity, equity or inclusion or we don’t need people that show up that feel like diversity should not be valued. That is why we should have somebody that may show up and looks like me.” 

Public defenders are lawyers appointed to provide legal representation to people who can’t afford their own attorneys.

Rep. Crockett’s comments immediately caused a stir on social media:

Townhall Media Senior Editor Matt Vespa remarked, “This woman is a cartoon character.”

The Texas Democrat has been under fire recently over her stunning comments targeting the Lone Star State’s governor. (RELATED: Jasmine Crockett Says She’s Rooting For Canada, Mexico)

Speaking at the Human Rights Campaign‘s 2025 Los Angeles dinner, Crockett cracked a joke that immediately set off a wave of criticism. “We in these hot ass Texas streets, honey. Y’all know we got Governor Hot Wheels down there,” she said, referencing Abbott’s wheelchair. “And the only thing hot about him is that he is a hot ass mess, honey!” (RELATED: Jasmine Crockett Says She’s Rooting For Canada, Mexico)

Abbott, a Republican, was paralyzed in 1984 after a tree fell on him while jogging in Houston. The accident left him in a wheelchair, but it didn’t stop him from climbing the ranks of Texas politics—first as attorney general, then governor. He’s held that office since 2015.

Tell us what you think in the comments below!

New York Governor’s Race Shifts Toward Republicans

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Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Election forecasters have shifted another gubernatorial race towards Republicans with less than one month to go until Election Day.

On Saturday, RealClearPolitics shifted the New York gubernatorial race from “leans Democrat” to “toss up” as Republican candidate Rep. Lee Zeldin continues to close the gap between himself and New York Gove, Kathy Hochul.

The latest change comes just a week after the polling data aggregator shifted the race from “likely Democratic” to “leans Democratic.” In August Gov/ Hochul led Zeldin by as many as 24 points but another poll in September showed the governor up by 17. However new data suggest the Republican candidate has remarkably made it a competitive race in deep blue New York, according to The Daily Wire.

New York’s move to “toss-up” comes a week after a Trafalgar Group poll indicated that the race is neck-and-neck. One of the biggest reasons Hochul appears to be lagging among her own party and Zeldin is surging is the growing problem of crime in the state. Trafalgar Group chief pollster Robert Cahaly told The Daily Wire last week that crime is overwhelmingly the top issue for New York voters. “It’s the only state we’ve seen crime exceed the economy,” he said.

As Zeldin mentioned in his tweet, the Hochul campaign has not agreed to more than one debate that the governor wants to hold just two weeks before the election. In return, Zeldin refused to debate Hochul at all if she would not agree to more than one, meaning New Yorkers might not see the two gubernatorial candidates on stage together at all before the election.

“I am rejecting Kathy Hochul’s offer to one single debate at the very end of October,” Zeldin said during a virtual press conference, according to the New York Daily News. “I believe that it’s important for Kathy Hochul to come back with an offer to do multiple debates in multiple parts of this state.”

“I am not playing along with her games, I am not going to be playing along with this strategy that is an insult, disrespecting the voter of New York,” he added.

Zeldin’s surge in the polls follows a recent shooting in front of his home. The Republican Congressman has made the issue of rising crime a cornerstone of his campaign.

Trump Scores Endorsement From Iowa Attorney General

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Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Former President Donald Trump scored a significant endorsement on Monday as he seeks to shore up support in the Hawkeye State.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird (R) endorsed former President Trump during a campaign rally in Adel, Iowa.

“We need a new president in the White House. I am so glad to get to be here today to introduce Donald Trump, ’cause he will secure our border, who supports that?” she said to a crowd of Trump supporters.

“He will fight the terrorists. He will fix the economy. He will stand up for agriculture, and he will uphold our Constitution and our way of life,” she added.

Trump continues to lead in national and local polling, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis placing second in the RealClearPolitics polling index of Iowa surveys.

However, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) has yet to make a public endorsement in the GOP presidential primaries but has frequently campaigned alongside DeSantis.

The former president criticized her approach to the primary in July, writing in a post on his Truth Social platform, “I opened up the Governor position for Kim Reynolds, & when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, & she won. Now, she wants to remain ‘NEUTRAL.’ I don’t invite her to events! DeSanctus down 45 points!”

Multiple House Democrats Report Bomb Threats On Thanksgiving

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On Thanksgiving Day, three House Democrats reported receiving bomb threats prompting law enforcement to investigate the concerning trend.

In each case, Reps. Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Jim Himes (D-CT), and John Larson (D-CT) reported they were threatened with explosives early in the morning. After police got involved, each was deemed safe and the threats did not appear to be credible.

Himes said in a statement:

This morning, I was notified of a bomb threat targeting my home where I was celebrating Thanksgiving with my family. Thankfully, after a swift and thorough response from the United States Capitol Police, the Greenwich Police Department, and the Stamford Police Department, no evidence of a bomb was found. Mary, Emma, Linley, and I extend our utmost gratitude to our local law enforcement officers for their immediate action to ensure our safety. There is no place for political violence in this country, and I hope that we may all continue through the holiday season with peace and civility.

Hayes also released the following statement:

At 7:47am I was notified by Chief Edward Stephens of the Wolcott Police Department that they received a threatening email stating a pipe bomb had been placed in the mailbox at my home. State police, U.S. Capitol Police, and the Sergeant at Arms were immediately notified. The Wolcott Police Department and State Police responded and no bomb or explosive materials were discovered and the scene was cleared.

At this time the investigation is ongoing. I thank law enforcement for their swift attention to this matter, their actions demonstrate there is no place in our country for political violence. On this Thanksgiving, I am grateful for my family and loved ones. I plan to spend the day with them and hope you all do the same. May you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Larson said in a statement he was visited early Thursday at his home by officers in East Hartford.

“The police determined no bomb was present at the property and the Larson family is safe,” the congressman said. “I would like to thank the East Hartford Police Department for their swift and professional response in ensuring the safety of my family. I am grateful that my colleagues in the Connecticut Congressional Delegation, who received similar threats, are also safe. Thanks again to law enforcement at every level, from local, to state, to federal.”

The trio of threats comes days after incoming White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reported that multiple Trump Cabinet nominees have also received death threats.

Nearly a dozen of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees and other appointees tapped for the incoming administration were targeted Tuesday night with “violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them,” prompting a “swift” law enforcement response.

The “attacks ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting,’” according to Karoline Leavitt.

“[Tuesday] night and this morning, several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees and administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them,” she told Fox News Digital on Wednesday. “In response, law enforcement acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire Transition team are grateful for their swift action.” 

Longtime ACU/CPAC Leader David Keene Speaks Out After Vice-Chair’s Resignation

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Charlie Gerow speaking at the 2018 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland. [Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons]

Longtime Conservative leader Charlie Gerow has resigned as Vice Chairman of the American Conservative Union (ACU/CPAC) and as a Board Member of the ACU Foundation (ACUF).

His resignation follows several recent resignations of other officers and directors of ACU/CPAC/ACUF.

Like other former directors and officers, Gerow cited growing concerns with the sexual battery charges against ACU/CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp, financial questions, and internal management problems.

Gerow’s resignation comes on the heels of the organization’s Treasurer, former Congressman Bob Beauprez’s resignation 3 months ago who brought up questions of financial and office mismanagement in his letter to the Board of Directors. POLITICO.com also reported earlier today that attorney Tim Ryan also resigned earlier this week.

In resigning, Gerow issued the following statement:

“It is with deep sadness and true regret that I have joined several of my colleagues in resigning from the Board of ACU/CPAC. I have consistently exercised my fiduciary duties to the organization and have always done my very best to fulfill all of my responsibilities to this very vital organization. I know I have done the right things.
It was a great honor to serve the conservative movement in my leadership roles at CPAC/ACU/ACUF and I will continue to pray that the difficulties they are encountering will be dealt with openly and honestly.
Although I will not now be able to participate in the August Board meeting, I am calling on my former colleagues to authorize an independent investigation into the charges against Matt Schlapp, to conduct an independent forensic audit of the organization’s finances, to obtain a written opinion of counsel that the organization is in full compliance with its own by-laws and all applicable law and to thoroughly review all the exit interviews of the large number of staff who have recently left CPAC/ACU/ACUF.”

Gerow also cited his long record of service to the conservative cause.

The loss of Gerow is a great one for the ACU and the conservative movement as a whole.

Former ACU Chairman David A. Keene spoke exclusively to American Liberty News this evening about Gerow’s decision to depart his role on the CPAC board.

“Charlie has always spoken the truth as he sees it, and is a valuable part of both the ACU and the conservative movement as a whole. It is a shame that he feels that he can not be a part of it any longer.”

Keene served as Chairman of the ACU Board from 1984 to 2011 and his term overlapped with both Schalpp and Gerow’s respective tenure on the board. Keene was succeeded in his role as board Chairman by Al Cardenas, who served in the role until 2014. Schlapp has been Chairman for nearly a decade since then, when he was unanimously elected to the position.

Keene also noted that CPAC has changed in the era of Schlapp’s chairmanship and that the loss of Gerow is the severing of a link to the original Reagan era of the organization. Once, the annual CPAC conference was a gathering place for conservatives of all stripes. Keene observed that in the past dozen years, the event evolved into “more of a show than a conference” drawing many more corporate sponsors than traditionally conservative grassroots organizations and think tanks. In the past several years, it has been an event showcasing the likes of 45th President Donald Trump and Schlapp himself.

When asked if those golden days of CPAC can be returned to, Keene stated that the possibility exists, but that it would take “new leadership” to go back to a time when a more diverse group of conservatives could call CPAC home. Still, Keene believes that the gathering is a “vital part of the conservative experience” and those in charge have an obligation to make sure it stays that way.

The Editor-in-Chief of The National Pulse, Raheem Kassam noted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter that “Matt Schlapp has single-handedly made CPAC an irrelevant and corrupt sideshow.  He HAS TO GO.”

CPAC responded tweeting: “CPAC remains committed to compliance. Having a board that is unified toward the goal of defeating the left and winning on important issues and the next election is critical to saving America.”

In February of this year, the Washington Post reported that “Schlapp received a $150,000 payment in 2021 for ‘business services’ and he started receiving annual compensation of $600,000 in mid-2022 according to tax documents.” Those records also show that his wife Mercedes received $175,000 for “strategic communications”, per the Post.

It remains unclear if the remaining board members will support an investigation into Schlapp’s alleged misconduct in the wake of the recent resignations.

This article originally appeared in American Liberty News. Republished with permission. Continue to check back with American Liberty News for updates as this story develops.

Election Forecaster Predicts Trump-backed Murkowski Challenger Will Cruise to Victory

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Lisa Murkowski via Wikimedia Commons

RINOs beware.

Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski is on the edge of losing her seat in Congress to Trump-endorsed challenger Kelly Tshibaka according to election forecaster FiveThirtyEight.

Alaska’s 2022 race is operating on a 2020 ballot measure in which voters approved ranked-choice voting in the state’s elections, meaning both Tshibaka and Murkowski will appear on the ballot despite being members of the same party. The two women emerged as the top two candidates in the state’s August nonpartisan blanket primary. They will face off with Democrat candidate Patricia Chesbro in November’s general election.

The latest report from FiveThirtyEight revealed the GOP is more-than-likely going to win the seat this November and Tshibaka is considered most likely to emerge with the victory at 53%.

Tshibaka, the Trump-backed Republican challenger who previously served as a commissioner of the Alaska Department of Administration, opted to challenge Murkowski after the incumbent senator voted to impeach former President Trump following the Jan. 6th Capitol riot.

The Alaska Republican Party voted to censure Murkowski after her impeachment vote.

Originally appointed to the Senate in 2002, Murkowski has long been a swing vote during partisan senate battles, ranking in as the second most liberal Republican senator to a 2017 GovTrack analysis of lawmakers reported. Her ranking put her to the left of Sen. Joe Manchin, D-WVa., the senate’s most conservative Democrat, according to Fox News.

According to the latest poll from RealClearPolitics, Tshibaka was reported to have a nine-point advantage over Murkowski.

Third-Party Candidate Scores 3 High-Profile Endorsements

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Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr just scored three major endorsements.

NBA legend and 1992 “Dream Team” Olympian John Stockton, Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame member Ken Ruettegers and three-time North American Enduro mountain biking champion Kyle Warner are all endorsing Kennedy for president.

The athletes said they like the cut of Kennedy’s personality — all three pointed to what they say are the independent candidate’s genuineness, honesty and openness to conversations about policies as reasons they support him.

Fox News has more:

Stockton said he believes Kennedy “has been put on this planet for just this moment in time” and that there’s “a real need for him and his leadership.”

“There’s a need for very smart people in these positions that have integrity that [is] off the charts, that have the stamina and strength to be able to speak and be a leader 24/7, not just on occasion or on blips,” Stockton said.

Ruettgers said he has met Kennedy “a couple times” and that the independent presidential candidate’s “level of commitment to honesty” that he will “bring to our federal government, to the Oval Office, to the leadership position” is part of why he’s supporting Kennedy for president.

“I love the fact that he loves the Constitution and the Bill of Rights,” the Packers Hall of Fame member said. “Man, that seems to have been eroded in our culture over the last couple decades.”

Warner — who won the 2014, 2015 and 2016 North American Enduro Championships — said that he believes there’s “a level of elitism” currently in American politics, including with President Biden and former President Donald Trump.

“Whereas I think that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. … does a great job of being a populist and … understanding the plight of the common man,” Warner said. “I have had friends that have been in these big meetings at Facebook, at these censorship meetings with Robert, and they’re just normal people, everyday normal people, and he cares about them. He wants them to succeed.”