VA-04: Rep. Bobby Scott Urges 4th District Residents to Vote for Jennifer McClellan for Congress

RICHMOND, VA: Today, Sen. Jennifer McClellan’s campaign for U.S. Congress released a new radio ad featuring longtime Virginia Congressman Bobby Scott. In the ad, Scott endorses McClellan, emphasizing her dedication to her constituents and encouraging Virginians to get to the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballot for their next Congressional representative in Virginia’s 4th District.

In 1993, Scott became the first African-American U.S. Representative from Virginia since Reconstruction. He was just re-elected to his 16th term in Congress, and previously represented the Richmond area.

“I know the dedication it takes to be a public servant,” Scott says in the ad. “I see that same passion and dedication in my friend, Democratic State Senator Jennifer McClellan. Voters in the 4th Congressional District , you have an important election this Tuesday December 20th. That’s right, this Tuesday. It’s important you vote for Jennifer McClellan.

“17 years in the General Assembly she lead the fight to pass landmark legislation to protect voting and abortion rights for all Virginians. In Congress, she’ll continue that fight to protect voting rights and the right to choose, expand access to healthcare, and improve our schools. That’s why leaders across Virginia have endorsed Jennifer McClellan for Congress. So make your voice heard on Tuesday, December 20th and vote for Jennifer McClellan who will be dedicated to serving us always.”




https://bluevirginia.us/2022/12/radio-ad-rep-bobby-scott-urges-4th-district-residents-to-vote-for-jennifer-mcclellan-for-congress

Innamorato, Fawcett Latest to Enter Allegheny County (PA) Executive Race

The race for the Democratic nomination for Allegheny County Executive has expanded to five with announcements by Dave Fawcett and Sara Innamorato in the last 24 hours.

The pair joins Michael Lamb, Liv Bennett and Erin McClelland in the ever-growing field.

Fawcett, 64, an Oakmont attorney with the Reed Smith law firm, has first-hand experience in county government, serving two terms as an at-large representative to the county council. A former member of the Republican Party, he switched registrations to Democrat more than a decade ago because of what he says is the GOP’s increasing polarization. As a litigator, Fawcett fought a winning battle against West Virginia coal baron Don Blankenship that led all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which handed down a landmark decision — following a ruling for Blankenship by West Virginia’s decidedly friendly top court — that said judges should not hear cases in which a party donated heavily to their election campaigns.

Innamorato, 36, who just won reelection to the state House in the 21st District, is one of the key figures in a progressive movement that has had an impact at almost every level of government in Allegheny County. “We will work with municipal leaders all over the County to provide solutions that we know get to the root causes of violent crime,” she said this morning at her announcement. “We will lean into mental health supports, youth programming, and investing in building strong communities that keep everyone safe.” She was endorsed by Pittsburgh mayor Ed Gainey.



https://www.politicspa.com/innamorato-fawcett-latest-to-enter-allegheny-county-executive-race/116413/

VA-04: Virginia sets special election to replace McEachin for February

A special election to fill the term of the late Rep. A. Donald McEachin will be held Feb. 21, and at least two Democrats are already signaling they’ll get into the race to succeed him.

Voters in the heavily Democratic 4th District, which backed President Joe Biden over Donald Trump by more than 36 points in 2020, will pick between nominees selected by a party-run "firehouse primary" on Dec. 20, the Richmond Democratic Committee announced on Twitter Monday night.

McEachin died last month after a long battle with cancer, just weeks after he won a fourth term.

State Delegate Lamont Bagby, who chairs the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, said Monday he would run for the seat.

He’s likely to face state Sen. Jennifer McClellan, who filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission last week and ran for governor in 2021. It’s not clear if any other Democrats would seek the seat, but the filing deadline is Dec. 23 at 5 p.m., per the writ of election released Monday by Gov. Glenn Youngkin.




https://rollcall.com/2022/12/12/virginia-sets-special-election-to-replace-mceachin-for-february/

Tweet of the Day

Tweet of the Weekend

Jewish man attacked in Central Park, assailant screams 'Kanye 2024′: NYPD

A Jewish man was attacked in Central Park by a suspect who screamed “Kanye 2024? and antisemitic slurs as he jumped his victim in what police are investigating as a hate crime.

The 63-year-old victim was walking through the park near Terrace Drive and East Drive about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday when the assailant, described as a white man in his 40s, crept up and struck him from behind.

“F--- You Jew!” the man screamed along with “Kanye 2024!” referencing rapper Kanye West’s recent antisemitic statements that cost him millions in endorsement deals. Adidas was among the many popular clothing brands that cut ties with West, who goes by the name Ye, following his repeated antisemitic comments in interviews and online.

Thursday’s unprovoked sneak attack sent the victim sprawling onto the ground, where he chipped his tooth and broke his hand, police said.


https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-anti-semetic-attack-central-park-20221217-jdjwxq2vjnaxlfibofbpe6jt4a-story.html

P-22, famed LA mountain lion, euthanized due to severe injuries

LOS ANGELES — The mountain lion P-22, who lived in the heart of Los Angeles for more than a decade and became the face of an international campaign to save California's threatened puma population, was "compassionately euthanized" Saturday morning, according to the California Department of Fish & Wildlife's director, because of the serious injuries he suffered earlier this week.

P-22 was thought to be about 12 years old.

Los Angeles' most famous mountain lion, known for roaming across freeways and making a sprawling urban park his home, was captured Monday by wildlife officials after he killed a dog that was being walked in the Hollywood Hills, according to the Associated Press.

Wildlife biologists with the National Park Service and the state's wildlife department captured the mountain lion after he began to exhibit increasing "signs of distress," including three attacks on dogs in a month and several near-miss encounters with people. Scientists tracked the big cat to a Los Feliz, Calif., back yard, where he may have been lying low after being hit by a car.

A series of health exams showed that P-22 was significantly underweight, with a thinning coat and damage to his right eye, possibly from being hit by a car. A local animal control department had received a call reporting a vehicle collision with a mountain lion, and P-22's radio collar placed him near the intersection where the crash was reported, officials said.




https://richmond.com/news/national/p-22-famed-la-mountain-lion-euthanized-due-to-severe-injuries/article_b3263801-f48a-5f69-a0f2-2ba495cf63e5.html?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_RTDNEWS

Trump Political Committee Paid $48,000 To Trump Publishing Company

One of Donald Trump’s political committees bought $48,000 worth of books from his son Don Jr.’s publishing company, which had released a coffee-table book by the former president.

On May 18, the Trump Save America Joint Fundraising Committee paid $48,000 to the Delaware-based Winning Team Publishing Inc., according to Federal Election Commission records. The transaction does not appear to have been previously reported.

Donald Trump Jr. cofounded Winning Team Publishing with former Trump campaign staffer Sergio Gor in 2021. Winning Team Publishing produced Trump’s coffee-table book “Our Journey Together,” which Trump Save America JFC is now offering in exchange for donations of $75 or more.

“Our Journey Together” was sourced largely with photos in the public domain, meaning the former president used a private family company to publish a work of mostly taxpayer-subsidized material, then boosted sales of that book by spending donor funds on it.

Update Dec. 11, 2022 1:25 pm: A spokesperson for Trump acknowledged that the committee did buy “Our Journey Together” to help raise funds. “All items purchased were heavily discounted and sold by the committee for a profit that benefits Save America,” the spokesperson said.




https://www.forbes.com/sites/zacheverson/2022/12/10/trump-political-committee-paid-48000-to-trump-publishing-company/?sh=15430f6c48d1&utm_campaign=socialflowForbesMainTwitter&utm_source=ForbesMainTwitter&utm_medium=social

Musk makes not so veiled threat against journalists.

Pa. Republicans fight to prolong House majority and pass far-reaching constitutional amendments

HARRISBURG — Republicans in Pennsylvania’s state House could hold a functional majority until at least mid-February thanks to Democratic vacancies — and they’re considering using that advantage to pass a handful of far-reaching constitutional amendments.

The strategy coincides with GOP leaders attempting to delay special elections in two heavily Democratic Allegheny County districts as long as legally allowed. On Thursday, GOP leader Bryan Cutler (R., Lancaster) attempted to formally order May 16 special election dates for those districts.

That’s the latest possible date allowed under state law. Democrats immediately criticized the move, saying that even after Democrats won more seats in the midterms, Republicans are trying to delay their switch to the minority party so they can “play politics and ram through extremist policies,” according to a spokesperson.

According to rank-and-file GOP lawmakers and lobbyists, there are murmurs within the caucus of plans to use their early advantage to pass at least two amendments to voters in May 2023. The amendments would impose voter ID requirements and make it easier for the legislature to override regulations.

“It just makes sense,” said one House Republican who asked for anonymity to talk about internal discussions. “We have to run them early because Democrats wouldn’t.”

But Republicans’ most prominent — and most controversial — proposed amendment is not in the running for passage. Four GOP sources told Spotlight PA that after November’s electoral backlash, the party will likely not attempt to pass an amendment that would ensure the state constitution doesn’t protect abortion access.




https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2022/12/republicans-pa-house-control-constitional-amendments-abortion/