Election ap

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 PHOENIX (AP) — A judge on Monday dismissed the only remaining legal claim in Republican Kari Lake’s challenge of her loss in last year's race for Arizona governor, affirming the election of Democrat Katie Hobbs. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Peter A. Thompson said Lake failed to prove her claim that Maricopa County did not verify signatures on mail ballots as required by law. Lake was among the most vocal of last year’s Republican candidates promoting former President Donald Trump’s election lies, which she made the centerpiece of her campaign. She has built a loyal following among Trump supporters and is openly considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Kyrsten Sinema, an independent and former Democrat. Lake is also often mentioned as a potential vice presidential pick for Trump. While most other election deniers around the country conceded after … [Read more...] about Judge dismisses Kari Lake’s final claim in election loss for Arizona governor

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has chosen a new leader for the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, a joint position that oversees much of America's cyber warfare and defense. Air Force Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh, the current deputy commander of Cyber Command, would replace Army Gen. Paul Nakasone, who has led both organizations since May 2018 and was expected to step down this year, according to a notice sent by the Air Force this week and confirmed by a person familiar with the announcement. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters not yet made public. If confirmed, Haugh will take charge of highly influential U.S. efforts to bolster Ukraine's cybersecurity and share information with Ukrainian forces fighting Russia's invasion. He will also oversee programs to detect and stop foreign influence and interference in American elections, as well as those targeting criminals behind ransomware attacks that have shut down hospital systems … [Read more...] about Biden picks new National Security Agency head, key to support of Ukraine, defense of US elections

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 11 AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Shaking up elections in Texas' largest county, the GOP-controlled Legislature on Tuesday approved abolishing a position in Harris County that oversees more than 2 million voters around Houston months before the city chooses a new mayor. At the same time, Republicans advanced a separate plan that would also have a singular impact on Harris County, a growing Democratic stronghold: allowing the state to take greater control over elections there if it is determined there is a “pattern of problems.” The push by the state's GOP majority resurfaced tensions over voting in the Texas Capitol, two years after Democratic lawmakers walked out for 93 days in protest of new voting restrictions that also targeted Harris County. At the center of proposed changes this time is last year's elections in Harris County, where local … [Read more...] about Texas governor sent bill abolishing position of Harris County elections chief

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper launched a campaign Monday to try to beat back education and tax legislation from the Republican-controlled General Assembly that he said if enacted would crush North Carolina's public schools and wobble the state's economic future. “It’s clear that the Republican legislature is aiming to choke the life out of public education,” Cooper said in a recorded speech released Monday. He urged voters to “take immediate action and tell them to stop the damage that will set back our schools for a generation.” In his video address, Cooper said he's “declaring this a state of emergency” for public education but pointed out it was not an official order. He called on residents to encourage their legislators to reject a spate of GOP-backed education bills in the final weeks of the chief work period for this year’s legislative session. The … [Read more...] about North Carolina governor says GOP teacher pay, voucher plans a public education ‘disaster’

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs announced plans to run for U.S. Senate next year and challenge first-term Republican Mitt Romney in what could emerge as a competitive primary battle in the deeply conservative state. Romney, 76, has not yet announced whether he plans to seek reelection, but his transformation from 2012 presidential candidate to a recurring critic of President Donald Trump has led many to believe Trump could be vulnerable in next year's Republican primary. “The only thing I've seen him fight for are the Establishment, ‘wokeness,' open borders, impeaching President Trump and putting us even deeper into debt,” Staggs says in an announcement video that highlights Romney's votes to impeach Trump. Staggs, 49, is one of several candidates expected to run to the right of Romney and, in the announcement, brands the incumbent as a … [Read more...] about Mitt Romney faces new challenger in GOP primary for Utah Senate seat

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Republican senators whose walkout of the Oregon Senate has prevented a quorum for almost three weeks said Tuesday they're not coming back until the very last day of the legislative session next month. The walkout, which began on May 3 ostensibly because bill summaries weren't written at an eighth grade level as required by a long-forgotten law, has derailed progress on hundreds of bills, including a sweeping measure on abortion rights and gender-affirming care that the conservatives particularly object to. An email from Republican leader Sen. Tim Knopp's office said the Republicans and Independent Sen. Brian Boquist would return on June 25, the end of the legislative session, to pass “bipartisan” budgets and bills. "We are the last line of defense to hold the majority accountable,” Knopp said. The crisis in Oregon’s statehouse is a microcosm of the deeply … [Read more...] about Boycotting Oregon GOP senators vow to stay away until last day of session

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 6 LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Former U.S. Rep. Robert Marion Berry, an Arkansas Democrat who served seven terms in Congress and was known for his blunt rhetoric and advocacy for farmers and older residents, has died. He was 80. Berry, who was known as “Marion,” died Friday, his family confirmed in a statement Saturday. A cause of death was not provided. “With his signature quick wit and way with words, he lived his life in service to others," said Berry’s son, Mitch. "He truly believed that the role of government was to help people, and it was a charge he took very seriously. He was generous with his time and talents as his dozens of mentees can attest.” Berry was first elected to Congress in 1996 but decided against reelection in 2010 for health reasons. He underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor in July 2011. A licensed pharmacist and farmer, Berry was elected … [Read more...] about Former Arkansas U.S. Rep. Marion Berry, who served 7 terms, dies at 80

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — As he launches his presidential campaign on Monday, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina is officially wading into a GOP primary battle already largely dominated by two commanding figures: former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Scott, the only Black Republican senator, will make his campaign announcement in his hometown of North Charleston after making it official last week with the Federal Election Commission. The late morning event is taking place at Charleston Southern University, Scott’s alma mater and a private school affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Then he'll spend Tuesday with donors in Charleston before a whirlwind, two-day campaign swing to Iowa and New Hampshire. Like others in the GOP race, including former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and “Woke, … [Read more...] about Tim Scott set to announce launch of his 2024 GOP presidential campaign

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 DOVER, Del. (AP) — Democratic Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware announced Monday that he will not seek reelection to a fifth term in the U.S. Senate. Carper's announcement paves the way for a wide-open contest for the seat he has held since 2001 in heavily-blue Delaware. It also ensures that his unblemished record of never having lost an election during more than four decades in politics remains intact. "If I ran for a fifth term in the Senate and won, it would be a record 15 statewide elections," Carper, 76, noted in prepared remarks at a Wilmington news conference. He said he and his wife, Martha, began talking months ago about what the future holds for them. “After a good deal of prayer and introspection, and more than a few heart-to-heart conversations, we’ve decided we should run through the tape over the next 20 months and finish the important work that my staff and I have begun … [Read more...] about Democratic Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware won’t seek reelection, opening up seat in liberal state