Politics

The New York Times reports: Former Vice President Mike Pence sought public financing for his failed presidential primary campaign, a highly unusual move that if successful would make him the first Republican in more than a decade to receive such funds, according to Federal Election Commission documents that have not previously been disclosed. Starting in the post-Watergate era, the federal …

Florida Politics reports: Smart & Safe Florida is going statewide with four ads over TV, streaming, radio and digital sites, worth more than $5 million to support Amendment 3. “A smart and safe Florida means a regulated marijuana market where Floridians no longer need to turn to illicit cartel-trafficked products on the streets,” Smart & Safe Florida spokesperson Morgan Hill …

Florida Politics reports: Florida’s Governor is speaking out about the First Lady potentially running to succeed him, downplaying Casey DeSantis’ interest in the job. Ron DeSantis said that if he “had to characterize her interest in getting into the political thicket as a candidate,” he would “characterize it as zero.” “But, you know, I think it’s because she’s had a …

The New York Times reports: Representative Ruben Gallego, running unopposed in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Arizona, placed a reservation on Monday for $19 million in television advertisements for the general election this fall, according to his campaign — the largest any Senate candidate in the country has made so far. Come fall, Mr. Gallego is likely to …

The New York Times reports: On Tuesday, Jim Justice is heavily favored to win the Republican Senate primary and cruise to victory in the general election, especially after the departure of the Democratic incumbent, Joe Manchin III. But now, as he wraps up his second term as governor and campaigns for a seat in the U.S. Senate, things are looking …

The Associated Press reports: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is now banned from entering nearly 20% of her state after two more tribes banished her this week over comments she made earlier this year about tribal leaders benefiting from drug cartels. The Yankton Sioux Tribe voted Friday to ban Noem from their land in southeastern South Dakota just a few …

The Hill reports: A major Democratic super PAC on Monday launched its first wave of ads as part of a $140 million campaign to target voters in key battleground states, using testimonials from voters to warn of the risks of a second Trump presidency. American Bridge 21st Century will air three ads in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, as well as …

The Associated Press reports: Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday delivered some of the Biden administration’s strongest public criticism yet of Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza, saying Israeli tactics have meant “a horrible loss of life of innocent civilians” but failed to neutralize Hamas leaders and fighters and could drive a lasting insurgency. In a pair of …

The Washington Post reports: After facing harsh questions about his judicial decisions and accepting lavish gifts from a billionaire, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas forcefully pushed back on his critics Friday — saying he and his wife, Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, have endured “nastiness” and “lies.” “What you are going to find, especially in Washington, is that people are going to …

Axios reports: Nikki Haley is under active consideration by Donald Trump’s campaign to be his running mate, two people familiar with the dynamic told Axios. The GOP rivals’ relationship remains chilly, but Trump could pick Haley if he were convinced she’d help him win the presidency, avoid a potential prison sentence and cover tens of millions in legal bills if …

Pro-DeSantis outlet Florida’s Voice reports: A new poll conducted in Florida found that the abortion ballot initiative voters will decide on this November could have enough support to pass. Released by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the poll placed the abortion initiative’s support at 61%. It found that 29% oppose, and 10% remain unsure. Amendments need 60% of the vote …

The Washington Post reports: Strategists for both major parties expect Democrats to raise and spend more than Republicans over the coming months, a dynamic that has been magnified by the significant legal costs Trump’s fundraising apparatus has absorbed to defend him in state and federal courts. The situation has alarmed GOP officials in key states like Arizona, Georgia and Michigan, …

Florida Politics reports: Support for legalizing recreation remains high, but is still shy of the threshold needed to amend Florida’s Constitution. That’s according to a poll released by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, which found 58% of Floridians ready to support Amendment 3 on the November ballot. About 37% of those polled oppose the measure and only 5% remain undecided. …

The New York Times reports: Amy Bernstein, a traffic court judge in Brooklyn, was heading home from work one night in late April when, she said, a young man carrying a clipboard approached her on the subway platform, asking if she would sign a petition to help place independents on the ballot in New York. The top of the petition …

CBS News reports: A federal appeals court on Thursday rejected a bid by Hunter Biden to dismiss federal gun charges brought against him by special counsel David Weiss last year. The three-judge panel said in an unsigned opinion that Hunter Biden failed to show that lower court orders denying his requests to toss out the indictment are appealable before final …

Axios reports: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded Thursday to President Biden’s threat to suspend military aid if Israel invades Rafah, declaring in a video: “If Israel needs to stand alone, it will stand alone.” Netanyahu’s defiance in the face of Biden’s “red line” will further exacerbate tensions between the Israeli government and the White House. Biden warned in an …

“President Trump and I’ve talked about this at length, but the challenge we’ll have is finding them. Brian, as you know, they’ve been spread out everywhere, the DHS, Department of Homeland Security, and Mayorkas, the reason we impeached him is because he’s an abject failure and they’re not keeping track of where these people are. So we will have the …

The Hill reports: Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is suggesting he wants to move on from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.)’s effort to oust him from his position. “I don’t hold grudges. I’ve got to work with everybody. I told her last night before she left the floor, let’s move on, Marjorie,” Johnson said Thursday in an interview with “FOX and …

The Orlando Weekly reports: In a case that could have far-reaching implications for the state’s public-records laws, an appeals court heard arguments Tuesday in a challenge to a judge’s ruling that “executive privilege” shields Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration from releasing records. The appeal stems from a public-records request, filed by someone identified in court documents as J. Doe, seeking information …

Axios reports: House Democrats aren’t committing themselves to saving Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) should Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) take another shot at removing him. Greene caught colleagues in both parties by surprise by forcing an ouster vote on Wednesday, leading some lawmakers to fear she’s not above repeated attempts. Democrats told Axios they expect – at minimum – to …