Republicans

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 …

The Hill reports: The House adopted a resolution on Tuesday to affirm the chamber’s support for a peaceful transfer of power after President Trump last week declined to commit to it if he loses reelection. Lawmakers adopted the measure in a bipartisan 397-5 vote, with all of the votes in opposition coming from Republicans. Tuesday’s vote followed one last week …

The Mississippi Free Press reports: Canadian, Russian, South African and Ukrainian models appear in U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith’s first 2020 campaign ad for her Mississippi campaigns—but no Mississippians. Instead, the ad uses stock footage from foreign production companies as the senator talks about the work she has done to bring jobs and economic growth to Mississippians. “Two years ago when …

The Washington Post reports: Pennsylvania’s Republican legislative leaders asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday to stop a decision by the state’s high court to count mail-in ballots received up to three days after Election Day. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in Democrats’ favor on a number of mail-voting rules: permitting voters to turn in ballots via drop box in …

Reuters reports: The number of tests coming back positive for COVID-19 is topping 25% in several states in the U.S. Midwest as cases and hospitalizations also surge in the region, according to a Reuters analysis. North Dakota’s positive test rate has averaged 30% over the past seven days compared with 6% the prior week. The positivity rate has risen to …

The Washington Post reports: The main super PAC supporting the election of Democrats to the Senate is preparing to invest millions in South Carolina — a fresh signal that Democrats see the race against Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) as winnable. Senate Majority PAC will launch a new, $6.5 million ad campaign in South Carolina on Monday, marking the first …

Fort Lauderdale’s ABC News affiliate reports: On Fort Lauderdale Beach, those with months of quarantine-driven bar withdrawal showed up, showed off and toasted each other back to some semblance of normal life. “I’m healthy, I’m strong and I feel comfortable with all my friends,” Dan Gibby, who was out enjoying his Saturday at the Elbo Room, said. In an unexpected …