Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* In Texas’ closely watched U.S. Senate race, Democratic state Rep. James Talarico’s campaign released its first-ever negative ad, targeting state Attorney General Ken Paxton over the Republican’s alleged corruption.
The ad debuted Saturday during the season opener for Texas Christian University’s football team.
As for Paxton, the day after the ad began airing, the scandal-plagued Texan appeared on “Fox News Sunday,” where he was asked about his ownership of 15 homes. Paxton replied that he was a “successful business guy” while serving in private practice before holding statewide office, which might be a more compelling answer were it not for the fact that he bought so many homes after he became state attorney general, not before.
* We’re one day out from Massachusetts’ Democratic Senate primary, in which Sen. Ed Markey is facing a challenge from Rep. Seth Moulton, who is 32 years younger than the incumbent and running on a platform of fresh leadership. There hasn’t been a lot of polling, but the available data suggests Markey is the favorite.
* Elon Musk’s super PAC is just now starting to flex its financial muscle, launching digital ads in three key Senate races: Maine, Michigan and New Hampshire.
* In Michigan, the latest EPIC-MRA poll found former Democratic state health official Abdul El-Sayed leading former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers in the state’s closely watched Senate race, 47% to 43%.
The survey data coincided with El-Sayed attending a Democratic Jewish Caucus event and apologizing for remarks he made in March after an attack on a synagogue outside Detroit.
As for the state’s gubernatorial race, the same poll showed Jocelyn Benson, Michigan’s Democratic secretary of state, leading Republican Rep. John James by a similar margin, 45% to 41%.
* So far this election cycle, no incumbent governors have lost in primary races, but there’s reason to believe that might change in Rhode Island next week, as Democratic Gov. Dan McKee faces a highly competitive race against Helena Foulkes, a former CVS executive. The New York Times reported that the abrupt closure of a crucial Rhode Island bridge in 2023 has become a key issue in the race.
* And in his latest appearance on a conservative outlet, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania told Newsmax last week, “I can’t explain where I’m at anymore. I don’t understand it. I’m more popular with Republicans. I don’t know why Democrats are upset with me.” The latest Times/Philadelphia Inquirer/Siena University poll, released last week, showed the senator’s support among Pennsylvania Democrats sinking to just 22%.
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