Republicans

Media Matters reports: Republican Senate candidate Lauren Witzke is continuing her outreach to white nationalists by promoting her campaign in a video interview with the white nationalist site VDare. The Delaware Republican Party has continued backing Witzke despite her appeals to far-right extremists. Witzke is running for the Senate in Delaware against Democratic Sen. Chris Coons. As Media Matters and …

Politico reports: GOP Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania will not run for reelection in 2022, two people familiar with his plans said. The decision by Toomey, a conservative who is currently serving his second term, will spark a competitive battle for his battleground-state seat in two years. Toomey had been contemplating running for another term or running for governor. Toomey’s …

The Austin Statesman reports: Top aides of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have asked federal law enforcement authorities to investigate allegations of improper influence, abuse of office, bribery and other potential crimes against the state’s top lawyer. In a one-page letter to the state agency’s director of human resources, obtained Saturday by the American-Statesman and KVUE-TV, seven executives in the …

The Independent reports: Chris Christie has checked into hospital as a “precautionary measure”, according to a tweet on his official account on Saturday. The former New Jersey governor, who has asthma, drove himself to hospital in his home state, CNN reported. “In consultation with my doctors, I checked myself into Morristown Medical Center this afternoon. While I am feeling good …

Politico reports: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Saturday that the full Senate will not return until Oct. 19 — two weeks later than planned — after three GOP senators tested positive for the coronavirus. But McConnell also vowed that the Senate would still move ahead with Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination, with the Senate Judiciary Committee set to …

CNN reports: Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who helped President Donald Trump prepare for the first presidential debate earlier this week, has tested positive for Covid-19, he announced on Twitter Saturday. “I just received word that I am positive for COVID-19,” Christie wrote. “I want to thank all of my friends and colleagues who have reached out to ask …

Multiple sources are Twitter are reporting that GOP Sen. Ron Johnson has tested positive for COVID and will “remain isolated until given the all-clear by his doctor.” Johnson is the third GOP Senator to test positive in the last 24 hours. Johnson’s news increases the chance that the confirmation vote for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett may not happen …

Fox News reports: North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, who is running for re-election, has become the fourth member of the Senate to test positive for COVID-19. Tillis’ news comes just hours after President Trump and the First Lady made the shocking announcement that they had tested positive for the coronavirus. Fellow members of the SenateRand Paul, of Kentucky, Bill …

The Wall Street Journal reports: Civil-rights and voter-advocacy groups have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block an order by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott that dramatically reduced the number of drop-off locations for mail ballots. The lawsuit filed late Thursday could be the first of many legal challenges against Mr. Abbott’s order that assigns just one drop-off location in each …

NPR reports: The House overwhelmingly approved a resolution condemning QAnon, the fringe movement that promotes wide-ranging conspiracies about the U.S. government and yet has enjoyed a rising tide inside conservative politics in part because of tacit encouragement from President Trump. The measure passed 371-18, with one GOP member voting present. QAnon is a “collective delusion, said House Rules Chairman Jim …

When it rains, it pours: Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) said on Friday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus, becoming the second senator known to do so. Lee, in a statement, said he took a coronavirus test on Thursday after experiencing symptoms similar to those he has had for longtime allergies. “Unlike the test I took just a few …

First, a reminder of her current situation: A poll of likely Georgia voters released Tuesday by Quinnipiac University showed Democrat Raphael Warnock ahead in the special election to complete the term of former Sen. Johnny Isakson, with Warnock pegged at 31%, Sen. Kelly Loeffler at 23%, and Republican Doug Collins at 22%. Democrat Matt Lieberman followed at 9%, with Democrat …

The Independent reports: Ronna McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee, tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday and has experienced mild symptoms from Covid-19,. the organisation has confirmed. A member of the GOP chief’s family had tested positive earlier this week, prompting her to get tested. She confirmed her diagnosis on Friday morning and has been isolating at home …

McClatchy reports: A Republican super PAC is preparing a massive ad blitz in South Carolina, hoping to boost GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham in a re-election campaign that has become unexpectedly competitive despite the state’s rightward lean. Senate Leadership Fund plans to spend $10 million over three weeks starting Saturday on TV and radio ads in the state, an enormous late …

Media Matters reports: Lauren Witzke, the Republican-backed Senate candidate running in Delaware, recently praised the neo-fascist Proud Boys for providing “free security” for her and her supporters at a rally. Witzke’s support for the group is the latest instance of her promoting and endorsing far-right extremism. The Delaware Republican Party and chair Jane Brady did not respond to a request …

The Washington Post reports: South Carolina Republicans asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to reinstate the witness signature requirement for mail ballots ahead of the November election, extending the legal turmoil over the rule even as tens of thousands of ballots have been sent to voters across the state. The request to the high court comes after the U.S. Court …

The Austin Statesman reports: Gov. Greg Abbott issued an order Thursday requiring counties to close multiple locations where voters can drop off completed mail-in ballots. As an election security measure, counties will be limited to one dropoff site where poll watchers — designated by political parties and candidates — must be allowed to observe ballot deliveries by voters, Abbott said. …

The Hill reports: The Republican National Committee and Trump campaign are signaling they will oppose changes to the presidential debate structure, after the nonpartisan commission that manages the events said it is exploring potential adjustments following the chaotic contest in Cleveland. Appearing on Fox News, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said that the commission should not make any adjustments …

Roll Call reports: A Republican super PAC, aligned with the party’s Senate leadership, will infuse $9 million into the Senate race in Michigan where incumbent Democrat Gary Peters faces GOP challenger John James. The Senate Leadership Fund is placing the buy Thursday, and the spots will air statewide beginning Saturday on TV and radio. Though Peters has held the edge …

The Hill reports: Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said on Wednesday that President Trump should have condemned white supremacists during the first presidential debate with Democratic nominee Joe Biden. “Of course,” Romney told reporters when asked. Trump refused to denounce white supremacy during Tuesday’s night chaotic debate. “I can’t tell you what impact that will have. I can say I watched …