Politics - Parties, Candidates
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from politicians, candidates and interested parties - covering the U.S. political arena including state and national political parties.
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Green Party Joins International Humanitarian Groups Condemning US Landmines in Ukraine
WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 -- The Green Party of the U.S. issued the following news release:
The Green Party of the United States has joined international humanitarian groups condemning the US decision to supply Ukraine with anti-personnel landmines.
The decision was announced by the Biden administration this week in a reversal of an earlier pledge limiting the use of anti-personnel mines except on the Korean Peninsula.
Greens also warned that US support for Ukraine's firing of long-range US missiles into Russia escalates the risk of a global conflict.
The Green Party supports the 1997 Ottawa Convention
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 -- The Green Party of the U.S. issued the following news release:
The Green Party of the United States has joined international humanitarian groups condemning the US decision to supply Ukraine with anti-personnel landmines.
The decision was announced by the Biden administration this week in a reversal of an earlier pledge limiting the use of anti-personnel mines except on the Korean Peninsula.
Greens also warned that US support for Ukraine's firing of long-range US missiles into Russia escalates the risk of a global conflict.
The Green Party supports the 1997 Ottawa Conventionbanning the production, stockpiling, use and transfer of anti-personnel mines. The US has not signed the agreement.
"This reversal shows the continuing alignment of Democrats with Republicans on weapons proliferation. This decision will impact Ukrainian civilians for many years to come through indiscriminate death and maiming and the loss of land for the production of food and other industries," said Alfred Molison, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States.
Civilians were 84% of recorded landmine casualties worldwide in 2023. The World Bank estimates that demining Ukraine of already-existing US antitank and Claymore mines and anti-personnel mines set by Russia will cost more than $37 billion.
The US has been one of the world's biggest producers and exporters of anti-personnel landmines and continues to stockpile millions of them.
"Biden's approval for the mines along with allowing Ukraine to use long-range US missiles on targets in Russia represents a dangerous escalation of hostilities, as Russia has lowered its threshold for the use of nuclear weapons in retaliation. The Green Party calls for an immediate ceasefire, negotiations for peace, and an end to weapons shipments to Ukraine," said Madelyn Hoffman, co-chair of the Green Party's Peace Action Committee (GPAX).
"Let's be clear here," said Cassandra Lems, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. "The United States should not be supplying landmines to anyone. All landmines do is kill innocent civilians, sometimes for decades to come."
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Original text and links presented by source here: https://www.gp.org/gp_joins_international_humanitarian_groups
Democratic Party of Georgia: Governor Brian Kemp Under Fire for Disbanding State Maternal Mortality Review Board
ATLANTA, Georgia, Nov. 23 -- The Democratic Party of Georgia issued the following news release:
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Georgia has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country.
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Governor Brian Kemp is under heavy fire today with multiple news outlets reporting that he disbanded the Georgia Maternal Mortality Review Committee. This fall, the committee determined that two Georgia women, Amber Thurman and Candi Miller, died as a direct result of Georgia's six-week abortion signed by Kemp in 2019 and put into effect with the Dobbs decision in 2022.
"Rather than acknowledge the deadly consequences
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, Nov. 23 -- The Democratic Party of Georgia issued the following news release:
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Georgia has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country.
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Governor Brian Kemp is under heavy fire today with multiple news outlets reporting that he disbanded the Georgia Maternal Mortality Review Committee. This fall, the committee determined that two Georgia women, Amber Thurman and Candi Miller, died as a direct result of Georgia's six-week abortion signed by Kemp in 2019 and put into effect with the Dobbs decision in 2022.
"Rather than acknowledge the deadly consequencesof his extremism, Governor Kemp is trying to cover up the grave danger his abortion ban poses for Georgia women," said DPG Chair Congresswoman Nikema Williams. "Disbanding the mechanism for reporting maternal deaths is not going to bring back the women Gov. Kemp's abortion ban has killed. It is a gross injustice that Georgia women's health and wellbeing will suffer because the governor refuses to take accountability for his dangerous policies."
The committee's work is now on hold indefinitely as the state looks to replace all 32 committee members. While the Georgia Department of Public Health claimed in a letter released Nov. 8 that this "will not result in a delay in the MMRC's responsibilities," precedent from other states that have disbanded their maternal mortality committees isn't encouraging. Idaho let their committee lapse in July of 2023 and only reseated new committee members last Friday, November 15 -- a gap of a year and a half.
Georgia has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country. Advocates have also questioned whether new committee members will be able to work freely knowing the board is susceptible to political interference by Gov. Kemp or his administration.
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Original text and links presented by source here: https://georgiademocrat.org/governor-brian-kemp-under-fire-for-disbanding-state-maternal-mortality-review-board/
National Republican Congressional Committee: Day 1 of Christina Bohannan's Bogus Recount
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee issued the following news on Nov. 21, 2024:
Today is Day 1 of extreme Democrat Christina Bohannan's bogus recount and she is 803 votes away from her pipe dream of winning -- an increase of two votes for Rep. Miller-Meeks.
Meanwhile, Iowa taxpayers will be forced to cough up tens of thousands of dollars for county auditors to do the recount as Bohannan continues to peddle her election denial claims.
"Christina Bohannan refuses to admit she's a two-time loser because Iowa voters have rejected her extremism once again. Election
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee issued the following news on Nov. 21, 2024:
Today is Day 1 of extreme Democrat Christina Bohannan's bogus recount and she is 803 votes away from her pipe dream of winning -- an increase of two votes for Rep. Miller-Meeks.
Meanwhile, Iowa taxpayers will be forced to cough up tens of thousands of dollars for county auditors to do the recount as Bohannan continues to peddle her election denial claims.
"Christina Bohannan refuses to admit she's a two-time loser because Iowa voters have rejected her extremism once again. ElectionDenier Bohannan must finally concede and save Iowa taxpayers their hard-earned money from being spent on her phony recount." -- NRCC Spokesman Mike Marinella
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Original text and links presented by source here: https://www.nrcc.org/2024/11/20/day-1-of-christina-bohannans-bogus-recount/
NEW: Trump's MAGA Ally Launches Project 2025 Bill to Abolish Department of Education
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The Democratic National Committee issued the following news release:
In response to MAGA GOP Senator Mike Rounds introducing a bill to follow through on Project 2025's plans to abolish the Department of Education, DNC Rapid Response Director Alex Floyd released the following statement:
"Donald Trump is hellbent on abolishing the Department of Education and his MAGA lackeys are already pushing legislation to make his disastrous Project 2025 plans a reality. Between naming unqualified billionaire Linda McMahon Education Secretary and launching dangerous broadsides against
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The Democratic National Committee issued the following news release:
In response to MAGA GOP Senator Mike Rounds introducing a bill to follow through on Project 2025's plans to abolish the Department of Education, DNC Rapid Response Director Alex Floyd released the following statement:
"Donald Trump is hellbent on abolishing the Department of Education and his MAGA lackeys are already pushing legislation to make his disastrous Project 2025 plans a reality. Between naming unqualified billionaire Linda McMahon Education Secretary and launching dangerous broadsides againsteducation funding on the campaign trail, Trump has made crystal clear he'll put our public schools at risk on day one. No matter what shameless attacks Trump and his MAGA enablers lob at students and teachers, Democrats will always fight back to protect public education."
NEW: Trump lackey Senator Mike Rounds introduced a bill to abolish the Department of Education, and is "pleased" and "excited" to work with Donald Trump to pass it.
Fox News: "Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., debuted the 'Returning Education to Our States Act' in the Senate, which would abolish the Education Department and charge various other departments with certain responsibilities and programs that are currently administered by it.
"'For years, I've worked toward removing the federal Department of Education. I'm pleased that President-elect Trump shares this vision, and I'm excited to work with him and Republican majorities in the Senate and House to make this a reality. This legislation is a roadmap to eliminating the federal Department of Education by practically rehoming these federal programs in the departments where they belong, which will be critical as we move into next year,' [Rounds] continued."
Trump and JD Vance have repeatedly promised to carry out Project 2025's extreme plan to eliminate the Department of Education.
CNN: "Trump wants to close the Department of Education, joining calls by GOP rivals"
Associated Press: "Trump has pledged to terminate the Department of Education, but he also wants to exert enormous influence over local school districts and colleges."
Vance: "I've reviewed a lot of [Project 2025]. There are some good ideas in there."
The Week: "Many of Trump's indicated plans for a second term fall in line with the Project 2025 outline."
Axios: "This is undeniably a Trump-driven operation. The biggest tell: Johnny McEntee one of Trump's closest White House aides, and his most fervent internal loyalty enforcer is a senior adviser to Project 2025. One of the most powerful architects is Stephen Miller, a top West Wing adviser for the Trump administration."
CNN: "Trump claims not to know who is behind Project 2025. A CNN review found at least 140 people who worked for him are involved"
Project 2025, p. 319: "Federal education policy should be limited and, ultimately, the federal Department of Education should be eliminated.
"Ultimately, every parent should have the option to direct his or her child's share of education funding through an education savings account (ESA), funded overwhelmingly by state and local taxpayers."
Project 2025, p. 331: "The new Administration must take immediate steps to rescind the new requirements and lessen the federal restrictions on charter schools."
Project 2025, p. 350: "Title I is the largest portion of federal taxpayer spending under this federal education law, and the section provides additional taxpayer resources to schools or groups of schools in lower income areas. ... Over a 10-year period, the federal spending should be phased out and states should assume decision-making control over how to provide a quality education to children from low-income families."
Project 2025, p. 332: "... the current Administration has drastically expanded BDR, CSLD, and PSLF loan forgiveness ... The new Administration must quickly commence negotiated rulemaking and propose that the department rescind these regulations."
Trump's promise to abolish the Department of Education is consistent with his long history of attacking funding for the department and for critical programs during his first term.
NPR: "President Trump's Budget Proposal Calls For Deep Cuts To Education."
Inside Higher Education: "President Trump called for a $7.1 billion cut to funding at the Education Department with a proposed budget that retreads familiar higher education ideas for this White House. ... The proposal marks the third straight year that President Trump has asked Congress for major cuts to education spending the proposal would mean a 12 percent cut for the Education Department from fiscal year 2019 and to overall discretionary expenditures."
Center for American Progress: "Trump's proposal also means that over 490,000 teacher positions could be eliminated--14 percent of K-12 public school teachers nationwide. This would have a terrible effect on the U.S. economy."
K-12 Dive: "President Donald Trump announced his proposed 2021 fiscal year budget Monday afternoon, once more suggesting cuts to the Department of Education and its notable K-12 programs.
"Overall, the budget allocates $66.6 billion for the Department of Education, 7.8% or $5.6 billion less than the previous year.
"Among proposed changes is a push to restructure the Elementary and Secondary Education Act into a block grant of $19.4 billion, which would consolidate major programs into its fold, including the Every Student Succeeds Act's Title I and Title II, and amount to $4.8 billion less than what Congress approved for 2020."
Washington Post: "The proposal would cut $3.6 billion about 5 percent from the Education Department by eliminating several discretionary programs, including one that funds after-school activities for needy children and another that covers teacher training."
Washington Post: "Trump's budget request again seeks to cut popular programs, including one that supports after-school activities for children in impoverished communities and another that offers wide-ranging grants that underwrite textbooks, equipment, counseling services and other needs for schools. That pool of money the Student Support and Academic Enrichment grant program also underwrites school safety efforts, including mental-health services and school safety equipment."
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Original text here: https://democrats.org/news/new-trumps-maga-ally-launches-project-2025-bill-to-abolish-department-of-education/
Maine Dems Call for the Immediate Resignation of Rep. Lucas Lanigan
AUGUSTA, Maine, Nov. 22 -- The Maine Democratic Party issued the following statement on Nov. 21, 2024:
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Maine Democratic Party Chair Bev Uhlenhake released the following statement:
"Representative Lucas Lanigan has won by only one vote in a district that leans heavily Republican, and where nearly a quarter of all ballots cast were received before news broke of his warrant, arrest, and pending criminal trial for felony domestic violence aggravated assault. The alleged incident, in which Rep. Lanigan reportedly strangulated his wife, is disturbing and disqualifying for anyone purporting to
... Show Full Article
AUGUSTA, Maine, Nov. 22 -- The Maine Democratic Party issued the following statement on Nov. 21, 2024:
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Maine Democratic Party Chair Bev Uhlenhake released the following statement:
"Representative Lucas Lanigan has won by only one vote in a district that leans heavily Republican, and where nearly a quarter of all ballots cast were received before news broke of his warrant, arrest, and pending criminal trial for felony domestic violence aggravated assault. The alleged incident, in which Rep. Lanigan reportedly strangulated his wife, is disturbing and disqualifying for anyone purporting torepresent the people of Maine.
"While Rep. Lanigan is entitled to his day in court; the people of Shapleigh, Newfield, and Springvale deserve better. I call on Maine's Republican Party & House leadership, Chairman Joel Stetkis & Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, to join me in demanding Rep. Lanigan's immediate resignation from the Maine State House."
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Original text here: https://www.mainedems.org/media/maine-dems-call-immediate-resignation-rep-lucas-lanigan
Donald Trump's MAGA Lackeys in Congress are Railing Against Expanded IVF Access for Service Members
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The Democratic National Committee issued the following news release:
In response to Donald Trump's MAGA minions in Congress attempting to stop the expansion of IVF access for service members, DNC Rapid Response Spokesperson Aida Ross released the following statement:
"Donald Trump's extreme anti-choice allies in Congress are trying to rip away provisions that would expand IVF access for service members trying to start or grow their families while the future of IVF is already at risk because Trump overturned Roe v. Wade. Make no mistake: Trump's loyalists are laying the
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The Democratic National Committee issued the following news release:
In response to Donald Trump's MAGA minions in Congress attempting to stop the expansion of IVF access for service members, DNC Rapid Response Spokesperson Aida Ross released the following statement:
"Donald Trump's extreme anti-choice allies in Congress are trying to rip away provisions that would expand IVF access for service members trying to start or grow their families while the future of IVF is already at risk because Trump overturned Roe v. Wade. Make no mistake: Trump's loyalists are laying thegroundwork for him to implement his dangerous and wildly unpopular Project 2025 plans on day one to rip away our reproductive freedoms. But no matter what dangerous attacks Trump and the GOP launch against our fundamental rights, Democrats will keep fighting back at every turn."
Two Donald Trump-endorsed House Republicans, Matt Rosendale and Josh Brecheen, are trying to gut provisions that would expand IVF access for service members critical treatments they attack as "ineffective" and a "destruction of innocent human life."
The Hill: "A pair of House Republicans are asking House and Senate Armed Services committee leadership not to include provisions expanding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the annual defense authorization bill. ...
"Lawmakers specifically asked committee leaders to exclude a House-passed provision for 'assisted reproductive technology' for certain armed forces members under Tricare.
"'Section 701 is a dramatic expansion of IVF that will cost taxpayers approximately $1 billion per year. While we have great sympathy for couples who are having difficulty starting a family, IVF is ineffective, leads to the destruction of innocent human life, and does nothing to treat the root cause of a couple's infertility,' Rosendale and Brecheen wrote. ...
"Rosendale has been a leading critical voice against IVF in Congress and has filed multiple amendments to bills to stop funding from being spent on IVF. But with Rosendale having opted out of a reelection bid, Brecheen's name on the letter indicates that IVF skepticism will remain in the GOP on Capitol Hill."
Trump made attacks on IVF access possible by "proudly" overturning Roe v. Wade and then made the "objectively absurd" claim that he's the "father of IVF."
Caitlin Huey-Burns, CBS: "Trump's claim that he is the 'father of IVF' is not only false, it's objectively absurd. In the same town hall, he said that he had to ask Sen. Katie Britt to explain IVF to him. Those two statements are completely at odds with one another."
Edward-Isaac Dovere, CNN: "'I'm the father of IVF,' Trump said at his Fox town hall.
"IVF was first done successfully in 1978.
"The only reason IVF access became an issue now is b/c of Dobbs, made possible by [Trump's] appointments.
"In September, Vance skipped the vote on a 'Right to IVF' bill on the floor."
CNN: "How the reversal of Roe v. Wade led to the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos are children"
New York Times: "[The Alabama ruling was] made possible by the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade in its 2022 Dobbs decision, which was a result of Mr. Trump's appointment of three justices."
Trump: "I was proudly the person responsible for the ending of Roe v. Wade."
Trump: "For 54 years they were trying to get Roe v. Wade terminated, and I did it, and I'm proud to have done it. ... Nobody else was going to get that done but me, and we did it, and we did something that was a miracle."
Trump: "I was able to kill Roe v. Wade ... Without me there would be no 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 15 weeks, or whatever is finally agreed to. Without me the pro Life movement would have just kept losing. Thank you President TRUMP!!!"
Rolling Stone: "Trump Claims Credit for All Abortion Bans"
Trump's MAGA minions in the Senate including his running mate JD Vance have repeatedly blocked legislation to codify IVF access.
Independent: "JD Vance didn't even show up to vote on [IVF protections]."
The Hill: "Senate Republicans block legislation to codify IVF access"
Republicans who voted against include: JD Vance.
Vanity Fair: "On Wednesday, Senate Republicans are expected to object to Tammy Duckworth's Right to Build Families Act, because, surprise: They don't actually care about families and aren't 'pro-life.'
"'It's idiotic for us to take the bait,' Senator JD Vance told Politico, as though the measure were some kind of political trap. (He also noted that he had not actually read the bill yet.)"
Associated Press: "Republicans block Senate bill to protect nationwide access to IVF treatments"
The Hill: "Republicans block bill to protect access to IVF"
"Senate Republicans blocked an effort Wednesday to pass legislation that would federally protect access to in vitro fertilization (IVF)."
Trump has deep ties to anti-choice extremists working to rip away access to IVF.
HuffPost: "Donald Trump Has Deep Ties To Anti-IVF Movement"
"Like many Republicans, Trump's words of support don't align with his past actions on IVF. The current Republican presidential nominee who has repeatedly bragged about his role in repealing federal abortion protections has deep ties to extreme right-wing organizations that actively oppose IVF.
"During his time as president, Trump appointed several extreme anti-IVF advocates to positions of power ...
"Abortion rights advocates have warned that the anti-choice movement would come for IVF and fertility treatments once Roe v. Wade fell. Currently, more than a dozen states are considering laws that would enshrine fetal personhood, threatening IVF and other fertility treatments."
The Trump-Vance Project 2025 agenda would threaten IVF access for millions of women, and their extremist allies are already plotting the best ways for Trump to restrict it.
Politico: "Anti-abortion advocates worked for five decades to topple Roe v. Wade. They're now laying the groundwork for a yearslong fight to curb in vitro fertilization.
"Since the Alabama Supreme Court ruled last month that frozen embryos are children, the Heritage Foundation and other conservative groups have been strategizing how to convince not just GOP officials but evangelicals broadly that they should have serious moral concerns about fertility treatments like IVF and that access to them should be curtailed."
Media Matters: "The Heritage Foundation quietly released draconian new IVF policy recommendations for the next GOP president"
"Heritage has been a staunchly anti-IVF voice, supporting Alabama's controversial Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos cultivated through IVF treatment have the same rights as living children, and that a person can be held liable for destroying embryos.
"The list of policy suggestions in the recent blog post echoes the MAGA-backed Project 2025, a comprehensive plan Heritage has spearheaded for the next GOP presidential administration that includes calls to eliminate the term 'reproductive health' from federal rules and regulations and to tighten restrictions on abortion rights and access to certain emergency contraceptives. In its pieces on IVF, Heritage expands on the extreme conservative agenda outlined by Project 2025."
The Nation: "Project 2025 Has Bad Medicine for HHS"
"And by declaring that life begins at conception, his manifesto appears to commit HHS to finding ways to outlaw IVF, which relies on generating multiple embryos, most of which are not implanted."
Axios: "[Project 2025] is undeniably a Trump-driven operation."
Vance: "I've reviewed a lot of [Project 2025]. There are some good ideas in there."
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Original text here: https://democrats.org/news/donald-trumps-maga-lackeys-in-congress-are-railing-against-expanded-ivf-access-for-service-members/
DCCC: Washington Post - "How Democrats Won in Districts Trump Carried"
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee issued the following news release:
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Republicans are on track to hold the smallest House majority in over half a century
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Across the national battlefield, House Democrats outperformed the top of the ticket by running authentic, locally-focused campaigns, as highlighted in new reporting from the Washington Post.
House Democrats' focus on pocketbook issues, putting an "emphasis on border security," and "defying" the national party in support of their communities helped them win competitive races - despite top-of-ticket
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee issued the following news release:
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Republicans are on track to hold the smallest House majority in over half a century
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Across the national battlefield, House Democrats outperformed the top of the ticket by running authentic, locally-focused campaigns, as highlighted in new reporting from the Washington Post.
House Democrats' focus on pocketbook issues, putting an "emphasis on border security," and "defying" the national party in support of their communities helped them win competitive races - despite top-of-ticketheadwinds. So far, "at least nine House Democrats... won in districts that Trump carried this year" as a result of this work.
Washington Post: How Democrats won in districts Trump carried (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/11/21/how-democrats-won-districts-trump-carried/)
Theodoric Meyer and Leigh Ann Caldwell | November 21, 2024
* Kristen McDonald Rivet was not surprised President-elect Donald Trump won her district. [...] But McDonald Rivet also won -- by seven points. She's one of at least nine House Democrats who won in districts that Trump carried this year, according to a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee analysis of election results to date -- and there are almost certainly more.
* Those Democratic victories helped deny Republicans a more comfortable House majority... They also offer clues about what it might take for Democrats to start winning again in the Trump era.
* "They really focused on pocketbook issues and talking to their communities about their priorities and how they're going to get things done," Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene (Washington) said of the Democrats who won Trump districts.
* Three Democrats represent districts that Trump carried in 2020 and won again this year: Reps. Jared Golden (Maine), Marcy Kaptur (Ohio) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Washington).
* But other Democrats -- including McDonald Rivet, Cuellar and Reps. Tom Suozzi (New York), Vicente Gonzalez (Texas), Susie Lee (Nevada), Gabe Vasquez (New Mexico) and Don Davis (North Carolina) -- won districts that Biden carried in 2020 but that Trump flipped this year...
* Suozzi also credited his emphasis on border security with helping him survive even though Trump won his district on Long Island, which voted for Biden by 11 points in 2020.
* "I'm a Democrat," Suozzi said. "I'll always be a Democrat, but I've leaned into some topics that Democrats have not talked about for a long time and we've got to get more comfortable [with] as a party."
* Vasquez said he defeated former Republican congresswoman Yvette Herrell in a New Mexico district that went for Trump the old-fashioned way: bringing money home to his district.
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Original text and links presented by source here: https://dccc.org/washington-post-how-democrats-won-in-districts-trump-carried/
