Republicans

Former GOP Rep. Joe Walsh writes for The Bulwark: It’s time to plant our flag, take ownership of where many American voters are, and begin down the difficult road of building a new political party. A “radically centrist, common sense, let’s get shit done party.” A party that is populist in tone and centrist in policy outcomes. A party that’s …

Axios reports: Americans of all ages, education levels, genders, races and political parties say they’re more likely than not to get the coronavirus vaccine — except Republicans. Vaccine hesitancy is higher among white Republicans than any other demographic group, and it hasn’t been improving much as the vaccination effort continues, according to Civiqs polling. 41% of Republicans say they don’t …

The Hill reports: Susan Wright, the widow of the late Rep. Ron Wright (R), announced Wednesday she will run for her husband’s vacant seat in Texas’s 6th Congressional District. Ron Wright first won his seat in 2018 before winning reelection in 2020. He died on Feb. 7 after battling both the coronavirus and lung cancer. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) …

The Orlando Sentinel reports: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, speaking Wednesday at a senior community in Hernando County, lashed out again at criticism of pop-up sites for coronavirus vaccines in wealthy, white neighborhoods. “There’s some people who are more upset at me for vaccinating seniors than they are at other governors whose policies have killed seniors, and that is a joke,” …

Politico reports: McConnell rejected a draft version of Pelosi’s proposed commission that would give Democrats a 7-4 majority on the panel, and he said any large-scale review of the insurrection must also include an analysis of broader political violence — a nod to GOP complaints about a wave of riots across the country last summer that followed the death of …

The Washington Post reports: Asked whether Trump should address CPAC, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters at the Capitol, “Yes, he should.” By contrast, Rep. Liz Cheney (Wyo.), the No. 3 House Republican, said she believes that Trump should not play a role in the party’s direction but that the decision is up to the conference organizers. “That’s …

The Wall Street Journal reports: Nearly 20 years ago, Texas shifted from using full-service regulated utilities to generate power and deliver it to consumers. The state deregulated power generation, creating the system that failed last week. And it required nearly 60% of consumers to buy their electricity from one of many retail power companies, rather than a local utility. Those …

“It’s very important, especially for us as Republicans, to make clear that we aren’t the party of white supremacy. You certainly saw anti-Semitism, you saw the symbols of Holocaust denial, for example, at the Capitol that day. You saw a Confederate flag being carried through the Rotunda. “And I think we as Republicans in particular have a duty and an …

The New York Times reports: Senator Mitt Romney of Utah said on Tuesday that he believed Donald J. Trump would win the Republican nomination for president if he ran for his former office in 2024, another indication of Mr. Trump’s perceived strength in the party. “I don’t know if he’ll run in 2024 or not, but if he does, I’m …

Reuters reports: Top directors of Texas’s electric grid operator, who faced sharp criticism from a massive failure of the state power system that left millions last week without light, heat, and water, resigned on Tuesday. The board’s chairman, vice chairman, two directors and a board nominee of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), all of whom live outside of …

From Senate Republican Committee Chair Rick Scott: At the very same time these far-left radicals are trying to remake America in their image, and lead us into a disastrous, dystopian, socialist future, we have a parade of pundits and even Republican voices suggesting we should have a GOP civil war. NO. This does not need to be true, should not …

David Corn reports at Mother Jones: On Tuesday morning—shortly before he appeared at a congressional hearing and thanked Capitol Police officers for facing the “violent criminals” of January 6—Hawley sent out a fundraising email that featured a lovely photo of him, his wife, and their three young children. He told the recipients that “Biden and his woke mob are coming …

From the CPAC 2021 FAQ page: All event participants are expected to behave in accordance with professional standards and applicable laws. Per Orange County, Fla. Executive Order and Hyatt face coverings mandate, face coverings are required in all public areas of Hyatt Regency Orlando with only very limited exceptions (noted below). Face Shields are an acceptable face covering. Face masks …

The Hill reports: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) will gladhand with Republican donors at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort next month amid speculation that she plans to run for president in 2024. A source familiar with the matter confirmed to The Hill that Donald Trump Jr. and his girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle will host the fundraiser for Noem’s gubernatorial campaign on …

The Queens Daily Eagle reports: A Republican district leader from Queens was arrested for storming the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, federal prosecutors said Tuesday. FBI agents arrested Philip Grillo, a former candidate in the special election for Queens Council District 24, at his girlfriend’s home in Glen Oaks after identifying him by a Knights of Columbus jacket he …

The Dallas Morning News reports: Texas power retailer Griddy is the target of a class action lawsuit filed in Houston state district court Monday alleging the company participated in price gouging after winter storm Uri cut power to millions across the state. The lawsuit was filed by a Chambers County resident Lisa Khoury whose electricity bill from the week of …

Mediaite reports: Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) asked some simple yes or no questions designed to removed some opacity over what happened on that historic day and what really was going on during the deadly attacks led by Trump supporters. “Based on what we know now, including the recent department of justice indictments, do you agree that there is now clear …

The Hill reports: Sens. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on Tuesday rolled out proposal to increase the minimum wage to $10 an hour over four years and tighten enforcement on hiring undocumented workers. “For millions of Americans, the rising cost of living has made it harder to make ends meet, but the federal minimum wage has not been …

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports: Former U.S. Sen. David Perdue will not launch a comeback bid next year, clearing the way for other Republicans to enter what could be a crowded 2022 race against Democrat Raphael Warnock. Perdue announced the decision Tuesday just days after filing campaign paperwork exploring a challenge against Warnock, who won a Jan. 5 runoff against former …

Politico reports: Conservatives know they likely don’t have the votes to block President Joe Biden’s pick to run HHS, Xavier Becerra. But they’re launching new ad blitzes and pressure campaigns targeting Senate Democrats up for reelection and others they believe can be swayed, aiming to make a vote to confirm him a political liability. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), who has …