Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* Sen. Marsha Blackburn had to fight a lot harder than she expected in Tennessee’s Republican gubernatorial primary, but she prevailed in a three-way contest, defeating fellow Rep. John Rose by roughly 10 points. She’ll face Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green, who won the Democratic nomination, in the fall.
Also in the Volunteer State, Justin Pearson, who generated national attention for his membership in the “Tennessee Three,” won a Democratic primary for Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District.
* In Michigan’s closely watched Senate race, Rep. Haley Stevens introduced Abdul El-Sayed at a “unity breakfast” Thursday morning, just two days after the congresswoman lost to the former state health official in a Democratic Senate primary. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who endorsed Stevens, also spoke at the gathering.
* As embattled Rep. Max Miller faces bipartisan condemnation, the Ohio Republican continues to try to salvage his re-election prospects, announcing plans Thursday to loan his campaign $1 million.
* In Texas’ closely watched Senate race, Democratic state Rep. James Talarico leads Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton by four points in the latest Texas A&M Bush School poll and three points in a new 254 Labs/YouGov poll. There have now been five polls in the last weeks that show Talarico ahead by small margins.
* Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia continues to pick up Republican supporters: Shortly after former Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona endorsed Ossoff, two GOP mayors in Georgia followed suit.
* In Maryland, the Democratic-led Legislature advanced a redistricting plan in a special session this week, and Democratic Gov. Wes Moore held a signing ceremony for the proposed amendment Wednesday. The issue now heads to the state’s voters, and if approved, a new map will be in place for the 2028 election cycle.
* Former pillow salesman and longtime conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell is leading in the polls in Minnesota’s GOP gubernatorial primary, but the state Republican Party doesn’t exactly seem eager to see him win: Party officials this week began questioning whether Lindell meets the state residency requirements.
The post Friday’s Campaign Round-Up, 8.7.26: Blackburn advances in Tennessee’s gubernatorial race appeared first on MS NOW.
