Source: NY Times

Senator Robert Menendez, Democrat of New Jersey, returned Monday to Union City, the community where he rose to political prominence, to offer a clear answer to former allies who have called for his resignation in the face of federal bribery charges: No.

“The allegations leveled against me are just that — allegations,” Mr. Menendez said at a news conference at a community college not far from where he grew up, the child of Cuban refugees.

“I recognize that this will be the biggest fight yet,” he said, adding that once the judicial process concluded, he expected that “not only will I be exonerated, I will still be New Jersey’s senior senator.”

Speaking first in English and then in Spanish, Mr. Menendez, 69, reiterated much of the message he offered immediately after the indictment was announced. He said he was confident the case would be resolved favorably, and he urged patience “to allow all the facts to be presented.”

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/25/nyregion/menendez-bribery-charges.html

Kentucky: Current Party: Democratic - Popular Governor Andy Beshear is running for reelection, leading by 10 points or so, and is favored to win.

Louisiana: Current Party: Democratic - Open primary where the top two face a runoff in December if no one tops 50%. The Governor, John Bel Edwards, is term-limited, and the leading Republican, MAGA Attorney General Jeff Landry, is favored.

Mississippi: Current Party: Republican - The unpopular Governor, Tate Reeves, is running for reelection, and it appears to be close. Possible toss-up.

Any thoughts on these races?

Source: The Hill

California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill late Friday night that would have required judges to consider whether parents have affirmed the gender identity of their children amid custody disputes.

Newsom argued that other politicians could use it as a strategy to “diminish civil rights of vulnerable populations.”

The bill, introduced by state Assemblywoman Lori Wilson (D), would allow courts to consider each parent’s affirmation of the child’s gender identity when making decisions about custody and visitation.

Wilson said the legislation, called the TGI (Transgender, Gender-Diverse and Intersex) Youth Empowerment Act, would require courts to recognize that the consideration of gender identity is in the best interest of the child, in case a parent were to oppose a legal name change process.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4219960-newsom-vetoes-bill-gender-identity-custody-battles/

Source: CBS News

DALLAS (CBSNewsTexas.com) -- Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson is becoming a Republican, he announced in a Wall Street Journal article appearing on an Op-Ed page Friday morning. Johnson is in his second and final term as mayor, after receiving more than 98% of the vote in his reelection campaign last year.

Before becoming mayor in 2019, Johnson served five terms in the Texas House of Representatives as a Democrat, representing a district that includes South Dallas and parts of Oak Cliff and Pleasant Grove.

In the op-ed, Johnson argues that cities benefit from law and order and fiscal conservatism, which he says Democratic mayors in other major cities are overlooking.

"Unfortunately, many of our cities are in disarray. Mayors and other local elected officials have failed to make public safety a priority or to exercise fiscal restraint. Most of these local leaders are proud Democrats who view cities as laboratories for liberalism rather than as havens for opportunity and free enterprise," Johnson wrote.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/dallas-mayor-eric-johnson-joining-the-republican-party/

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Source: The Hill

Centrist Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is circulating a proposal to reestablish the Senate’s dress code, which Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) loosened over the weekend to allow senators to wear whatever they want on the Senate floor, according to senators familiar with the proposal.

One person familiar with the resolution said it would essentially return the Senate dress code to what it was last week, which required senators to wear coats and ties or business attire when on the Senate floor.

“I’ve signed it,” said one senator, who explained it would “define what the dress code is.”

Schumer’s decision appeared aimed at catering to first-term Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), whose hoodie was a signature look on the campaign trail in 2022 and who wore a dark short-sleeved collared shirt and dark shorts to work Thursday.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4216746-manchin-circulates-proposal-to-reverse-schumer-on-dress-code/

Read more...

Yikes...

Pardon my ignorance, but I didn't realize that the race was this year. After reading up, I see that popular Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is unfortunately term-limited.

So, is there a decent chance that it stays Blue? Who's our best bet? Are any extreme MAGA's running that give us a better chance?

Read more...

Short video here

Obviously a Republican will win, but who? Any Romney types running? What MAGA's might run? AG Sean Reyes has just announced today that he's running for re-election and won't run for the Senate. Jason Chaffetz could run, and he'd be a nightmare.

Source: Billboard

Former Smash Mouth singer Steve Harwell has died, a representative for the band confirms to Billboard.

Harwell, who performed as lead vocalist for the California pop-rock act until announcing his retirement from the group in 2021, passed away Monday (Sept. 4) at his home in Boise, Idaho, after being in hospice care. He was 56.

“Steve Harwell passed away this morning September 4, 2023 at his home in Boise Idaho. He was surrounded by family and friends and passed peacefully and comfortably,” reads a statement provided by Smash Mouth’s manager.

The message continues, “Steve Harwell was a true American original. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle. Steve should be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom. And the fact that he achieved this near-impossible goal with very limited musical experience makes his accomplishments all the more remarkable.”

Read more: https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/steve-harwell-dead-smash-mouth-singer-dies-obituary-1235405811/

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Very sad, so young...RIP.