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    Former Florida Republican Announces Bid For Governor- As A Democrat

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    0
    Ron DeSantis via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    A former Republican congressman and outspoken critic of Donald Trump is running for office…but this time as a Democrat.

    David Jolly on Thursday officially launched his longshot campaign for governor as a Democrat. 

    “Let’s end the politics of division and return Florida to voters who simply want an economy that works, the best education system in the world, safe communities, and a government that stays out of their doctors’ offices and family decisions,” Jolly said in a press release. 

    “This is a different type of issues-driven, results-focused campaign, and it will be driven not by anger and division but by optimism and solutions,” he continued. “We are building a new coalition of Floridians who deeply care about their state and are desperate for real answers to real problems that are putting our quality of life at risk.”

    Jolly previously represented Florida’s 13th congressional district, which includes parts of the greater Tampa area, from 2014 to 2017. He lost his seat to former Gov. Charlie Crist (D), who like Jolly, left the GOP. Jolly officially left the Republican Party in 2018.

    The former Republican turned Democrat will face a fierce race in the Sunshine State that has become one of the most prominent red states in the country. Trump, who is now a Florida resident, won the state by 13 points in November. Republicans have also flipped a number of traditionally Democrat strongholds, including Miami-Dade County, and hold a voter registration advantage.

    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.), who is term-limited, defeated Crist in his 2022 reelection bid by nearly 20 points.  

    Jolly is the first Democrat to throw his name in the ring for governor. Former state Sen. Jason Pizzo (D-Fla.) is said to be mulling an independent run after leaving the Democratic Party last month. 

    On the Republican side, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) officially launched his bid for governor earlier this year. Florida first lady Casey DeSantis is also rumored to be considering a bid. 

    Trump Holds Back 2028 Endorsement As Vance Succession Talk Heats Up

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    0
    The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    President Donald Trump is keeping the race to inherit his political movement wide open—for now.

    Trump stopped short of endorsing Vice President JD Vance for president in 2028 when reporters confronted him about the Republican Party’s future leadership at Shannon International Airport in Ireland.

    Asked whether he was ready to “throw his weight” behind Vance, Trump quickly pumped the brakes.

    “It’s too early. I mean, it’s too early. I think he’s terrific. There’s so many terrific people,” Trump responded.

    When pressed about who could compete with Vance, the president again praised his vice president while declining to place him above the rest of the potential Republican field.

    Trump said the GOP has several strong prospective candidates, adding that Vance is “fantastic” and has performed well as vice president. The exchange was captured in an official White House video recorded before Trump departed Ireland.

    Trump Keeps His Options Open

    The answer was hardly a rejection of Vance, but it fell short of the coveted endorsement that could give the vice president a significant early advantage in the Republican primary.

    Trump’s comments also reinforced a message he has delivered before: He is not prepared to formally crown a successor nearly two years before the next presidential election.

    That caution could preserve Trump’s influence over a potentially crowded field while preventing the 2028 contest from distracting Republicans ahead of November’s midterm elections.

    The president has offered praise to several possible contenders, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas). When asked about Cruz’s possible presidential ambitions in August, Trump called the senator “very talented” and said he believed Cruz might enter the race, according to the Daily Caller.

    Vance Emerges As A Leading Contender

    The president’s latest remarks came days after Vance received an enthusiastic reception at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas.

    Vance used his convention appearance to defend the Trump administration’s record, urge unity among conservatives and position himself as a leading voice for the next generation of the MAGA movement. Attendees interviewed by the New York Post described the vice president as prepared to carry Trump’s political agenda forward.

    Vance, however, has yet to announce a presidential campaign.

    During a June interview with CBS News, he said he and second lady Usha Vance would discuss their future after the 2026 midterms. Vance also said he expected Trump to support whatever decision he ultimately made, although the two had not held a detailed conversation about a prospective campaign.

    “I try not to make [decisions] until I absolutely must,” Vance told CBS News.

    Mixed Signals From Trump

    Trump has sent conflicting signals about whether Vance is already his preferred successor.

    The Washington Post previously reported that Trump told donors during a private Oval Office meeting that Republicans would eventually need to elect Vance. The president subsequently disputed that account when questioned by the Daily Caller, saying it remained far too early to settle on a candidate.

    Trump has also reportedly asked advisers to compare Vance with Rubio, underscoring that the president continues to weigh the strengths of multiple possible contenders.

    Rubio has publicly attempted to cool speculation about a rivalry. During a May interview with NBC News, the secretary of state said he would support Vance if the vice president entered the race.

    For the moment, Vance remains prominently positioned—but Trump appears determined to make him wait for the endorsement that could reshape the entire 2028 Republican contest.

    Trump Issues Dire Midterm Warning To GOP: Win Or I’m Impeached

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    2

    President Trump warned House Republicans on Tuesday that losing the midterms would all but guarantee another impeachment push from Democrats, underscoring the high stakes of November’s elections.

    “You gotta win the midterms. Because if we don’t win the midterms…they’ll find a reason to impeach me,” Trump told the Republican conference during its retreat at the Kennedy Center.

    “I’ll get impeached,” he continued. “We don’t impeach them because you know why? They’re meaner than we are. We should have impeached Joe Biden for a hundred different things.”

    “They are mean and smart, but fortunately for you, they have horrible policy,” Trump added.

    Trump’s remarks reflect growing concern among Republicans that Democrats are prepared to weaponize impeachment once again should they regain control of the House. That warning has been echoed by GOP leadership.

    Watch:

    Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) issued a similar message late last month at Turning Point USA’s America Fest in Arizona.

    “If we lose the House majority, the radical left as you’ve already heard is going to impeach President Trump,” Johnson said. “They’re going to create absolute chaos. We cannot let that happen.”

    The concern is not hypothetical. Trump was impeached twice during his first term—first in 2019 after Democrats regained control of the House, and again in early 2021, just days before his administration ended. Both impeachments failed to result in a conviction in the Senate, reinforcing Republican claims that the proceedings were politically motivated rather than constitutionally grounded.

    Since then, impeachment has increasingly been used as a political threat rather than a last-resort constitutional remedy. Over the past year alone, Democrats have repeatedly floated impeachment articles against Trump and other Republican officials, often without clear legal grounding or broad party consensus.

    Most recently, some Democrats have suggested impeachment following the U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro last week—an operation praised by many Republicans as a decisive national security action. Critics on the left, however, have argued the move exceeds executive authority.

    “These individual actions are impeachable offenses in their own right, but their ever mounting cumulative impact on our country’s stability and health puts everything in a new light. I now believe that our Democratic Caucus must imminently consider impeachment proceedings,” said Rep. April McClain-Delaney (D-Md.), who is facing a primary challenge from former Rep. David Trone (D-Md.).

    The renewed calls echo earlier efforts that failed to gain traction. Progressive lawmakers previously introduced impeachment resolutions over Trump’s border policies, energy decisions, and foreign policy actions—none of which advanced beyond committee stages or garnered broad Democratic support.

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    Multiple House Democrats Report Bomb Threats On Thanksgiving

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    4

    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.” 

    Report: Herschel Walker is Leading Among These Key Voters

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    2
    Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Despite a series of scandals, Herschel Walker is still a favorite among voters.

    A new poll reports that while Latino voters are undecided on their choice for governor, they overwhelmingly support Republican candidate Herschel Walker over incumbent Democrat Sen. Raphael Warnock.

    According to The Washington Examiner:

    The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Georgia News Collaborative poll puts Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams at 49% and incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp at 48% among likely Hispanic voters, with a margin of error of plus or minus 5.6 percentage points. Walker’s lead over Warnock is greater, 47% to 41%, with Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver pulling in 11% of the vote.

    Georgia shattered early voting records on Monday, with nearly 123,000 in-person voters casting their ballots, according to state election officials.

    “This blows away the previous midterm first-day record of approximately 72,000, and we have lots of voting to go today,” Gabriel Sterling, the chief operating officer at the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, tweeted Monday.

    Republicans and Democrats have been making inroads with Hispanic voters over the years.

    DeSantis Jabs Trump-Endorsed Politician Amid Rumors His Wife Is Mounting Gubernatorial Bid

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    1
    Ron DeSantis via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    The race to succeed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is already heating up…

    Days after President Trump issued a preemptive endorsement of Rep. Byron Donalds for governor DeSantis seemingly took an underhanded jab at the Congressman amid rumors his own wife, Casey DeSantis is planning a run for the office.

    Speaking on Monday, the Florida governor reportedly snubbed Donalds for having spent time outside the state.

    “Byron hasn’t hasn’t been a part of any of the victories that we’ve had here over the Left over these last years. He’s been in other states campaigning,” DeSantis said during a presser, according to Floridian Press reporter Liv Caputo.

    In response to questions from reporters, DeSantis continued to praise his wife as a potential candidate, arguing “She would do better than me. She has the dedication to conservative principles – anything we’ve accomplished, she’d be able to take to the next level.”

    In a Thursday night Truth Social post, Trump gave Donalds his “Complete and Total Endorsement” if he decides to run, promising the congressman would have a “BIG Voice” in pushing the MAGA agenda. (RELATED: Trump Preemptively Endorses Byron Donalds For Florida Governor)

    “Byron would have a BIG Voice, and would work closely with me to advance our America First Agenda,” Trump wrote. “He will fight tirelessly to Secure our Border, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Military, Protect our Vets, Restore our Economic Power, Advance American Energy DOMINANCE, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”

    “RUN, BYRON, RUN!” the president added.

    According to a new poll about potential gubernatorial candidates by The University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) 57% of Republicans had a favorable opinion of Casey DeSantis – a higher rating than other names floated as possible candidates. 

    “Casey DeSantis was the top early pick for potential Republican primary candidates when we asked back in late 2023, albeit with only 22% support,” said Dr. Michael Binder, PORL faculty director and professor of political science. 

    Overall, 30% of respondents were favorable of the first lady, 22% unfavorable and 33% had never heard of her, according to the poll, which was conducted from Feb. 5–14.

    “She likely enjoys some favorability by association as Florida’s first lady,” Binder added, “but most of these potential candidates suffer from a lack of recognition—some suffering more than others. That said, I expect we’ll see a few of them become household names by the time the August 2026 primary rolls around.”

    The other speculative gubernatorial candidates included in the poll’s question included former Rep. Matt Gaetz, Sen. Ashley Moody, Rep. Byron Donalds and Florida commissioner of agriculture Wilton Simpson.

    Most respondents said they never heard of Moody (54%), Donalds (66%) and Simpson (79%), though those familiar with them found Moody and Donalds more favorable than unfavorable, and Simpson was split at 4% in both categories, the poll found.

    Gov. Ron DeSantis has previously shot down rumors surrounding a potential bid for office from his wife. 

    “If I had to characterize her interest in getting into the political thicket as a candidate, I would say, I would characterize it as zero,” DeSantis told reporters in May. “But, you know, I think it’s because she has had a front row seat on all the nonsense that goes on when you do it.”

    Dem Senator Leaves Door Open For Potential Presidential Run

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    0

    Could this no-nonsense Democrat be angling for a presidential bid?

    Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman (D) did not rule out a 2028 presidential run during a Wednesday podcast with political analyst Chuck Todd.

    When Todd pressed Fetterman on “The Chuck ToddCast” about whether he would run for the White House, the senator indicated he was unsure about whether he was paving the way for another independent-minded Democrat or considering his own bid.

    “I know we’re wrapping up, so I’m going to make you answer the ’28 question,” Todd said. “What would it take to get you to run for president?”

    “I am focusing right now on just the burgeoning kinds of chaos and trying to find a balance and find a way forward,” Fetterman replied. “And, you know, doing things that I know that will anger parts of my base. I hope that there is room in my party for someone who wants that kind of truth.”

    Todd pressed further, asking if Fetterman was attempting to “plow a path forward for somebody like that” or if he wanted to “take the path” himself.

    “I don’t know,” Fetterman responded before Todd cut him off, noting the senator was “not saying no” to a potential run.

    “I’m not afraid of being honest. And now if there is going to be blowback or I’m punished, I get that. But for me, I think it’s more important to be honest and to describe the danger of where we possibly are at,” Fetterman responded. “And we have to stop and think before we make another significant mistake that’s even more and more difficult to come back from.”

    Todd told the senator he would mark Fetterman “as not a no for ’28.”

    “What I’m saying is that there will be a 2028,” the senator responded.

    Watch:

    A Washington Post analysis from January this year listed Fetterman as one of “12 Democrats who make the most sense for 2028,” citing his independence within the Democratic Party.

    Others considered to be potential Democratic 2028 contenders include failed 2024 candidates Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, former Obama White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and a handful of Democratic governors — Gavin Newsom of California, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Wes Moore of Maryland. Polling generally suggests that Democrats are by far most interested in seeing Harris become the party’s nominee again, followed distantly by Buttigieg and Newsom, according to Newsweek.

    Todd on Sunday recommended Harris not pursue political office for the next several years.

    “If I were advising her, I’d tell her: go throw yourself into the rebuild of LA and get involved with the LA Olympic Committee,” he said. “Be above politics for a couple of years and come back maybe in 2030 or 2032.”

    Georgia Governor To Meet With Senate Leaders Amid 2024 Talks

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    2
    Georgia National Guard from United States, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

    A prominent Republican governor is preparing to meet with top Senate leaders this week.

    Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is meeting with two top Republican leaders in the Senate in Washington, D.C. over the next two days, a spokesperson for the governor confirmed to The Hill. 

    Kemp will meet with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday and National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chair Steve Daines (R-Mont.) on Wednesday. 

    The pair of meetings come after the Peach State governor told CNN’s Kaitlin Collins that he is “certainly” not running for president in 2024.

    “In politics, there’s always doors opening and closing. I got a great job right now. I personally feel like having more people in the race does not help us win and beat Joe Biden,” Kemp told Kaitlan Collins on “The Source.” “So, you know, I’m certainly not running for president. But there’s always doors opening in politics depending on how things play out, and we’ll see what happens.”

    The Georgia Governor reiterated that Trump should stop constantly referencing the 2020 election if he hopes to re-win the state.

    “If he continues to do that, he’s going to lose Georgia in November,” Kemp said, later adding, “There is no path for us to win the White House if we can’t win Georgia.”

    Republican Senator Calls For Stephen Miller To Be Removed From Trump Inner Circle

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    9
    President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

    Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said Sunday that White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller should be removed from President Donald Trump’s inner circle, arguing the longtime adviser wields too much influence over administration policy and has contributed to repeated controversies.

    Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, Tillis told host Jake Tapper that Miller has had an “outsized influence” on the administration and is “out of his depth” in his current role.

    When asked directly whether Miller should be relieved of his duties, Tillis replied, “Oh, of course I do.”

    “Not only does Stephen really want to just paint a picture. He’s not worried about substance. He’s more worried about form,” Tillis said. “But I also think that he has an outsized influence over the operations of the Cabinet. And I believe we have got qualified Cabinet members there that sometimes are doing less than what they want to because of his direction and his outsized influence.”

    Miller, one of Trump’s closest advisers since the president’s first campaign, has long been a key architect of the administration’s hardline immigration policies. He currently serves as deputy chief of staff and has played a central role shaping the White House’s approach to border enforcement and deportation initiatives.

    Tillis’s remarks come amid broader scrutiny of the administration’s immigration enforcement strategy and leadership at the Department of Homeland Security. The criticism follows a series of controversies, including the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis earlier this year.

    Tillis previously criticized Miller and then–Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after both officials suggested Good and Pretti were acting unlawfully before they were killed, assertions that drew backlash from lawmakers and civil liberties advocates. The North Carolina Republican has called for a thorough investigation into the incidents and greater accountability within DHS.

    The comments also come as the administration undergoes leadership changes at the department. Trump recently removed Noem from her post as homeland security secretary following mounting criticism of her tenure and controversies surrounding immigration enforcement operations.

    Tillis, who has announced he will not seek reelection, has been among the more vocal Republican critics of the administration’s handling of the Minneapolis incidents and broader immigration enforcement policies. On Sunday, he said the administration should rely more heavily on Cabinet officials rather than informal influence from White House advisers.

    “He’s a big problem in this administration,” Tillis said of Miller. “He has been from the beginning.”

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    Trump-backed Paxton Privately Says GOP Convention Hurt Republican Candidates

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    0
    Political representation of parties making money

    President Donald Trump’s Dallas convention was supposed to give Republicans a boost before November. Behind closed doors, one of his most prominent Senate candidates reportedly offered a far less encouraging assessment.

    Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for Senate, told conservative donors and lobbyists that the gathering had hurt his campaign’s numbers, according to an audio recording obtained by The New York Times.

    “So to be honest with you, the numbers — when we did that convention — it dropped our numbers. Everybody’s numbers dropped. Right now, yeah, not good,” Paxton said, according to the newspaper.

    The remarks put Paxton’s private assessment at odds with Trump’s public claim that the convention helped him. They also come as Republicans pour money into a surprisingly competitive fight to hold a Texas Senate seat.

    Private remarks draw a campaign rebuttal

    The Times reported that the recording came from a private Washington fundraiser on Sept. 24 attended by roughly a dozen people. An attendee who opposes Paxton’s campaign provided the audio and received anonymity because the remarks were private.

    In the recording, a questioner asks, “Do you feel like he’s a little bit of a drag?”

    The newspaper cautioned that the audio is muffled at times and does not clearly establish whom the questioner meant. Paxton’s response, however, specifically addressed the convention and what he described as declining numbers.

    Three other people with knowledge of the event confirmed Paxton attended, according to the Times. Two remembered the question, and one recalled his response about the convention’s negative consequences.

    Paxton’s campaign sharply disputed the report.

    Nick Maddux, a senior adviser, called it “more manipulated nonsense from The New York Times to create a story that doesn’t exist.”

    “Our latest poll from the last week has Ken Paxton leading by three points, and every serious pollster will tell you that our numbers have improved since early September,” Maddux told the newspaper.

    He added that Paxton expects to win and looks forward to “closing strong alongside President Trump.”

    Trump offered a different assessment

    Paxton has closely aligned himself with Trump, whose support helped him defeat Sen. John Cornyn in this year’s Republican primary, the Times reported.

    The Dallas convention gave Paxton a prominent platform in his home state and opportunities to connect with Republican donors. Trump praised him onstage, even while teasing his appearance.

    Afterward, the president offered an assessment that directly contrasted with Paxton’s recorded remarks.

    “The fact that we had such a successful convention really helped Ken Paxton,” Trump said, according to the Times. “He was a big part of it.”

    “The convention helped Ken Paxton a lot,” he added.

    Whether the gathering actually hurt Republican candidates remains unresolved. The Times reported that public surveys of the Texas Senate race did not appear to show a significant convention-related change.

    A costly fight in Texas

    The broader polling picture nevertheless shows why Republicans are concerned.

    As of Sept. 30, RealClearPolling’s average put Democratic state Rep. James Talarico ahead of Paxton, 47.6% to 44.7%, a 2.9-point advantage. That differs from the campaign’s claim of a three-point lead in its own poll.

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