Welcome to the AR/Intel Race Rundown, our weekly recap of the most important news happening in campaigns across the country. Sign up to get the Race Rundown delivered to your inbox every Friday morning here.
NATIONAL
For Our Future, the nation’s largest super PAC devoted to grassroots Democratic turnout, is launching its organizing efforts earlier than ever in seven swing states with its largest budget to date: $80 million to $90 million. (Politico, 5/31/19)
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced he will not challenge Donald Trump in a 2020 GOP primary. (Politico, 6/1/19)
PRESIDENTIAL
After facing intense pressure from his fellow 2020 contenders, Joe Biden reversed his long-held position in support of the Hyde Amendment, which bans federal dollars from being used for abortions. (Associated Press, 6/7/19)
WaPo: Joe Biden embraces Green New Deal as he releases climate plan (Washington Post, 6/4/19)Elizabeth
Warren’s presidential campaign has agreed to let workers unionize. (The Wall Street Journal, 6/4/19)
SENATE ALABAMA
The Senate Conservative Fund endorsed State Rep. Arnold Mooney in Alabama’s upcoming Senate race. (Yellow Hammer, 6/4/19)
SENATE IOWA
Democrat Theresa Greenfield, a businesswoman and president of a real estate company in Des Moines, launched her campaign Monday to take on Republican Sen. Joni Ernst. (Politico, 6/3/19)
- Following her announcement, Greenfield was endorsed by the DSCC, EMILY’s List, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). (Politico, 6/6/19; Politico, 6/6/19; Iowa Starting Line, 6/6/19)
Roll Call: “National Democrats Take Sides In Iowa Senate Primary” (Roll Call, 6/6/19)
AR/Intel Insiders: We’ve updated our Iowa Senate Race Brief to give you the most up-to-date information on candidates, news, and polling.
SENATE MAINE
According to a new Critical Insights tracking poll, Sen. Collins has an approval rating of 41% — down 10 points from last fall’s 51% and 17 points from last spring’s 58%. (NBC-Portland, 6/1/19)
SENATE MICHIGAN
Republican businessman John James announced he will challenge Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) in 2020. (The Associated Press, 6/6/19)
SENATE TEXAS
The Texas Tribune: “Texans To Beto O’Rourke: Run For Senate, Not President” (The Texas Tribune, 6/5/19)
HOUSE NATIONAL
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) is set to launch a political action committee that she says will support progressive challengers to incumbent House Democrats. (The Washington Free Beacon, 6/4/19)
BuzzFeed profiled Mckayla Wilkes, a 28-year-old student living in Maryland, who hopes to imitate Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s surprise win and unseat House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. (BuzzFeed, 6/6/19)
HOUSE CALIFORNIA
Fox News: “Inside The California GOP Plan To Retake House Seats After A Midterm Shellacking” (Fox News, 6/2/19)
HOUSE GEORGIA
GA-06: Marjorie Taylor Greene, owner of a commercial construction company, announced she is running in the Republican primary to challenge Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA). (The Atlanta Journal Constitution, 6/4/19)
GA-07: State Sen. Renee Unterman is expected to join the race for Georgia’s 7th District. (The Atlanta Journal Constitution, 6/5/19)
GA-07: Republican Harrison Floyd dropped out of the race for Georgia’s 7th District less than a month after launching his campaign. (The Atlanta Journal Constitution, 6/4/19)
AR/Intel Insiders: From the presidential election to Senate and House races — Iowa is shaping up to be extremely competitive next year. Get up to speed on all the races here.
HOUSE ILLINOIS
IL-03: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) endorsed Democrat Marie Newman in her primary challenge to incumbent Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinski. (BuzzFeed, 6/4/19)
IL-14: Jim Marter, the former Kendall County Republican Party chairman and a 2016 Senate candidate, announced that he is running in the Republican primary for a chance to unseat freshman Democratic Rep. Lauren Underwood. (WSPY News, 5/30/19)
HOUSE IOWA
IA-02: Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand endorsed Democrat Rita Hart’s campaign to succeed retiring Rep. Dave Loebsack. (Cedar Rapids Gazette, 6/3/19)
HOUSE MINNESOTA
MN-07: Republican Joel Novak, an Army veteran who served for nearly 30 years, announced he is running to challenge incumbent Rep. Collin Peterson. (Echo Press, 6/5/19)
HOUSE NEW JERSEY
NJ-05: Mike Ghassali, the Republican mayor of Montvale, announced he is running in the Republican primary to challenge Rep. Josh Gottheimer. (New Jersey Globe, 6/5/19)
HOUSE NORTH CAROLINA
NC-03: Politico: “Battle Of The Sexes: Republican Women’s Group Hits GOP Man In N.C. Primary” (Politico, 6/3/19)
NC-09: Democrat Dan McCready launched his first ad buy Monday in the do-over election in North Carolina’s 9th District, joining Republican Dan Bishop on the airwaves. (Politico, 6/3/19)
HOUSE PENNSYLVANIA
PA-12: Republican Fred Keller was sworn as the newest congressman for Pennsylvania’s 12th District on Monday. (Pennsylvania Capital-Star, 6/4/19)
HOUSE TEXAS
TX-21: At the Texas Observer Gala it was announced that former Texas gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis (D-TX) will run to challenge Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX). (Twitter, 6/7/19)
TX-23: Beto O’Rourke said he will “very likely” support the eventual Democratic nominee challenging one of his best friends in Congress, GOP Rep. Will Hurd, a reversal from his vow of neutrality in the 2018 midterm elections. (Roll Call, 6/6/19)
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