Democrats

Politico reports: President-elect Joe Biden will travel to Georgia next week to stump for Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock ahead of their Jan. 5 Senate runoffs. Biden’s transition team announced Thursday that the president-elect will visit Georgia on Dec. 15 to campaign for the two Democratic candidates. The president-elect has traveled sparingly in both the lead up to and …

Axios reports: President-elect Biden will name former National Security Adviser Susan Rice to head the Domestic Policy Council, two people familiar with his plans tell Axios — a significant change from her previous roles that would put her in charge of major portions of his “Build Back Better” plan. Between the lines: Rice was previously considered for Cabinet positions including …

CNN reports: All 50 states and the District of Columbia have now certified their presidential results, according to CNN’s tally, as the Electoral College process moves forward with the meeting of electors on Monday. West Virginia became the final state to certify its presidential election results Wednesday, formally declaring that President Donald Trump is entitled to the state’s five electoral …

Just in from Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf: “During a routine test yesterday, I tested positive for COVID-19. I have no symptoms and am feeling well. I am following CDC and Department of Health guidelines. Frances has been tested and, as we await the result, is quarantining at home with me. “I am continuing to serve the commonwealth and performing all …

NBC News reports: Former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe will announce Wednesday morning that he will run again for his former seat, according to aides involved in his emerging campaign. McAuliffe, who entertained a run for president in 2020, is up against three other Democrats, all of whom are Black: current Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax, state senator Jennifer McClellan and former …

Axios reports: President-elect Joe Biden is considering a high-profile ambassadorship for Pete Buttigieg, possibly sending him to China, people familiar with the matter tell Axios. Why it matters: The 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, whom Biden has compared to his late son, Beau, played a key role in Biden’s nomination. Letting him deepen his foreign policy chops could …

The New York Post reports: Tech entrepreneur and one-time Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang could shake up the crowded 2021 field to replace Mayor Bill de Blasio if he opts to jump in the race, according to a poll obtained by The Post. The survey also shows that Yang’s entry into the race would complicate city Comptroller Scott Stringer’s efforts …

Axios reports: President-elect Joe Biden plans to nominate former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack as his agriculture secretary, people familiar with the matter tell Axios. Why it matters: The selection of Vilsack is another example of Biden turning to a trusted friend to serve in a key role.Biden’s choice of Vilsack indicates he wants the USDA to stay more focused on …

Politico reports: President-elect Joe Biden has selected Rep. Marcia Fudge to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development, according to two people with knowledge of the decision. The next HUD secretary will take over amid an acute housing crisis, as millions of tenants walloped by the pandemic-driven economic crisis face eviction and massive back-rent bills. The Biden administration is …

NBC News reports: Alabama Sen. Doug Jones is the leading contender to be nominated for attorney general by President-elect Joe Biden, three sources familiar with the discussions tell NBC News. Biden is also considering Judge Merrick Garland of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, who was denied a seat on the Supreme Court in 2016 by …

Colorado Public Radio reports: Gov. Jared Polis’ office announced Sunday evening that first gentleman Marlon Reis has entered the hospital because his COVID-19 infection appears to be growing more severe. The press release said that in the previous 24 hours, Reis experienced shortness of breath and a worsening cough. Polis drove him to the hospital in his personal vehicle. The …

The Associated Press reports: Candidates for one of two U.S. Senate seats still hanging in the balance will face off in a debate that is drawing strong interest beyond Georgia. That is because the seat — now held by incumbent Republican Kelly Loeffler and being challenged by Democrat Raphael Warnock — is one of two that will tip control of …

Politico reports: Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney was elected Thursday to lead the House Democrats’ campaign arm, charged with steering the caucus through an exceedingly perilous midterm with their control of the chamber on the line. Maloney, who represents a New York battleground district, defeated Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.) in a hard-fought — and closely watched — contest to lead the …

The Washington Post reports: Former president Barack Obama will try to boost the fortunes of the two Democratic Senate runoff candidates in Georgia with an appearance Friday at a virtual get-out-the-vote rally. The event comes in advance of a Dec. 7 voter registration deadline in the state for those who want to participate in the twin runoff elections on Jan. …

CNBC reports: Former President Barack Obama said Wednesday that he will take a coronavirus vaccine once one is available and may film it to build confidence in the U.S. about vaccine safety. “I will be taking it and I may take it on TV or have it filmed so people know that I trust this science,” he told SiriusXM’s “The …

PBS NewsHour reports: Arizona Democrat and former astronaut Mark Kelly was set to be sworn into the Senate on Wednesday, an ascension that will narrow GOP control of the chamber while underscoring his state’s shift from red to blue. Kelly was expected to be sworn into office by Vice President Mike Pence. Among those planning to watch were his wife, …

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports: The Democrat leading Wisconsin’s elections board confirmed Joe Biden’s victory in the state Monday as Republicans contended she should have waited to act because of a likely lawsuit from President Donald Trump. Ann Jacobs, the chairwoman of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, verified Biden’s win by about 20,700 votes a day after the completion of a …

ABC News reports: Sen.-elect Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) will be sworn in on Wednesday, according to a senior Democratic aide. Kelly defeated GOP Sen. Martha McSally (Ariz.) during the election earlier this month and the results of the race are expected to be certified on Monday, clearing the way for him to join the Senate. The swearing-in of Kelly, who is …

The Washington Post reports: Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris on Monday are scheduled to receive their national intelligence briefing, known as the Presidential Daily Brief, as they push forward with formally announcing key members of the administration, including an economic team. The briefings are among the activities that were delayed by the refusal of the Trump administration to …

The Washington Post reports: President-elect Joe Biden sprained his right foot Saturday while playing with his dog, his transition team said Sunday after Biden was taken to an orthopedist “out of an abundance of caution.” Biden, 78, slipped while playing with his dog Major, one of his two German shepherds, his office said. Late Sunday afternoon, Biden visited Delaware Orthopaedic …