Richard Hudson

The town hall will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds in Rosenberg, which is about 40 miles southwest of Houston. It's being hosted by Powered by People, a grassroots volunteer organization founded by O'Rourke that aims to register new voters.

"We want (Tillis) to grow a heart like the Grinch," one speaker said during the town hall.

A Republican senator on Tuesday admitted that Republicans are not standing up to President Donald Trump or co-President Elon Musk because they are scared that the richest man on the planet will spend his fortune to kill their electoral prospects.Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, one of the few Republicans who has stood up to Trump and Musk's decimation of the federal government, made the comment at a Tuesday news conference at the Alaska Capitol."How come nobody else is saying anything? Well, figure it out. Because they're looking at how many things are being thrown at me and it’s like, Maybe I just better duck and cover,'" Murkowski said. "It's why you've got everybody just like zip-lip, not saying a word. Because they're afraid they're going to be taken down, they're going to be primaried, they're gonna be given names in the media. You know what? We cannot be cowed into not speaking up."xxYouTube VideoMurkowski's admission comes as Republicans across the country are facing angry constituents at town hall meetings. The constituents are demanding the GOP stand up to Musk, who is taking a chain saw to the federal government and, in the process, harming Americans.But even as anger swells, the town halls grow bigger, and polls show Trump’s approval rating sinking and that Musk's approval is in the toilet, Republicans are still refusing to criticize Trump and Musk's moves.In fact, they're praising Musk and demanding that Americans praise him too.“I think voters are going to reward us,” Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, told The Atlantic of Musk's efforts to cut the federal government through the so-called Department of Government Efficiency. “The Democrats have made a huge miscalculation by establishing themselves as the party defending waste, fraud, and abuse.”“I support Elon Musk and DOGE,” Republican Rep. Mike Flood of Nebraska said at a town hall on Tuesday as his constituents booed.Other Republicans are joining Trump in praising Musk's flailing Tesla car company as Musk whines to Fox News about how his work in the federal government is hurting his business.xThis may be the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.... pic.twitter.com/bW2sASszO6— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 14, 2025“I’m just here trying to make government more efficient," a misty-eyed Musk told Fox Business earlier in March.The Hill reported in February that Republicans were voting for Trump's unqualified Cabinet nominees and refusing to criticize DOGE because they were scared of Musk's threat to spend his fortune to defeat GOP lawmakers in primaries. In fact, Musk raised that specter again last week, when he was considering putting $100 million into Trump’s political operation for the midterm elections.But Murkowski's Tuesday comments appear to be the first time a GOP lawmaker has explicitly said Republicans are not doing what they know is right because of their fear of Musk."I'm not going to compromise my own integrity by hiding from my words when I feel they need to be spoken," Murkowski said. "I'm going to take the criticism that comes. And it may be that Elon Musk has decided he's going to take the next billion dollars that he makes off of Starlink and put it directly against Lisa Murkowski. And you know what? That may happen. But I'm not giving up one minute, one opportunity, to try to stand up for Alaskans." Thank you to the Daily Kos community who continues to fight so hard with Daily Kos. Your reader support means everything. We will continue to have you covered and keep you informed, so please donate just $3 to help support the work we do.

Welcome to What the Media Missed, where we dig into the many examples of legacy media malpractice that disgraced the nation’s front pages this week—while highlighting how Daily Kos goes past the spin to uncover the real horror stories of our new Trump era.Elon Buys the GOPTesla CEO and shadow President Elon Musk already owns most of the Republican Party. This week, he moved to buy what little remained in the form of a rumored $100 million “donation” to President Donald Trump’s political operation. But while mainstream media outlets reported on Musk’s unprecedented gift to his alleged boss, only Daily Kos dug into exactly what Musk would be buying with all that cash.When Trump turned the White House lawn into the world’s tackiest Tesla commercial, Markos Moulitsas reported that “Trump’s pathetic Tesla stunt proves he’s chosen billionaires over his base.” The event was Trump at his infomercial best, but even Fox News remarked on how out of place his marketing stunt felt amid an ongoing stock market meltdown. This is just real life now, folks.Musk has a good reason to buy his way to safety: As Daily Kos reported on Wednesday, Musk’s much-hyped cuts from his so-called Department of Government Efficiency haven’t reduced federal spending. In fact, total government spending is up, leading some White House insiders (especially an irate Secretary of State Marco Rubio) to call for Musk’s immediate humbling. Fat chance when Musk is on track to become the single largest donor in Republican Party history. As it turns out, being a nearly bottomless source of ethics-free financing makes you a pretty untouchable force in right-wing politics.For now, Musk’s fat wallet can still buy him a place at the decision desk. But with federal courts overturning his mass firings and Cabinet secretaries bristling under his bumbling mismanagement, Musk’s money is no longer a guarantee that anyone in the White House will be listening forever. As Musk’s star dims, Trump’s demands for cash will only increase—an impossible ransom, even for the richest man in the world.Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill on March 11, 2025.SchumeredOn Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer boldly predicted that Senate Republicans lacked the votes to pass their rotten government-funding package. As experienced Schumer watchers know, that kind of confidence is almost always followed by a betrayal of Democrats’ position. And just one day later, Schumer lived up to voters’ lowest expectations.Instead of using Republican dysfunction to showcase their incompetence to the American people, Schumer announced he would abruptly stop fighting and support Republicans’ nightmare bill. That announcement did more than just sow confusion among Schumer’s Senate colleagues—it once again reminded voters that even Democratic lawmakers don’t seem to know what they believe. And it gave nine other members of the Democratic caucus permission to join him in voting to end debate on Friday, including two senators who are retiring.Daily Kos called it what it was, quoting Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York: “outrage and betrayal.” Schumer’s clockwork caving to GOP pressure sent a wave of fury through the party as rank-and-file Democrats realized they were on the verge of surrendering yet another pivotal legislative fight to Trump and his MAGA cronies. Progressive Democrats, including Ocasio-Cortez, blasted Schumer’s gambit as “dangerous” and cited his spinelessness as an example of why Democratic voters are losing faith in their party. It’s hard to argue with that bleak diagnosis. Once again, Schumer’s sclerotic leadership has led Democrats into a trap that makes them look like weak-willed rubes. If Democrats can’t address their identity crisis, they may lose their chance to retake a chamber of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections, and the nation can’t afford that kind of worst-case scenario.Minnesota Gov. Tim WalzDemocrats (Slowly) Fill the VoidThe Beltway media went ballistic in early March, after National Republican Campaign Committee Chair Richard Hudson directed his House GOP colleagues to cancel upcoming town halls in an effort to avoid the ire of voters furious about trade wars and rising prices. But most outlets missed the news out of Minnesota, where Gov. Tim Walz offered to attend town halls in districts where Republican lawmakers had bailed.“If your Republican representative won’t meet with you because their agenda is so unpopular, maybe a Democrat will. Hell, maybe I will,” Walz posted on X. “If your congressman refuses to meet, I’ll come host an event in their district to help local Democrats beat ‘em.” As Daily Kos reported this week, Walz announced his first town hall stops in Iowa’s 3rd District, represented by Republican Rep. Zach Nunn, and Nebraska’s 2nd District, where Republican Rep. Don Bacon barely won reelection last year. Walz joins Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders as the first Democrats to fill the void left by Republican lawmakers. Which begs the question—where the heck is everyone else? It’s no surprise Republicans want to avoid their voters. Across the country, the GOP is now facing its most sustained unpopularity in years. Fifty-seven percent of voters, as well as a third of Republicans, now say Trump’s leadership is “too erratic” and Republican policies are hurting the economy. All that chaos is hopefully persuading exhausted Americans that it’s time to correct their electoral mistakes, starting with ousting the GOP’s dysfunctional House majority in 2026. Traveling town-hall tours are a great way to start.Headline WatchGood thing there’s no dark historical precedent for a fascist leader deciding who is and isn’t Jewish ...Politico, left, and Daily KosCampaign Action

WASHINGTON — The “squad” has shrunk.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A familiar scene has played out over and over in the U.S. House: Republicans, unable to approve federal funding legislation on their own, edge toward a risky government shutdown, until Democrats swoop in with the votes needed to prevent catastrophic disruptions.

House Democrats are heading to Republican districts to conduct town halls — a strategy designed to highlight the moratorium on those public events recently suggested by the head of the GOP’s campaign arm. “We’re filling a void,” Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), who is planning “a few” town halls in Republican districts, told reporters during the [...]

The GOP majority says they are 'exhilarated' by the work Trump and Musk have done with DOGE so far.

The story the Democrats have leveraged for years may no longer be as true.

The chairman of the House Republican campaign committee is already predicting his party will pick up seats in the midterm election that are some 20 months away. Republican Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina also says in an Associated Press...

Political opponents are still the congressman's constituents. Finstad doesn't represent just the people who voted for him.

Paul LePage, the former governor of Maine, is mulling a Republican run for Congress in the 2026 midterm elections in a key swing district.

It’s a pretty unserious argument that we can’t be a nation without borders, but will do just fine without laws.

The Lufkin Police Department did not release a daily media report Tuesday.

The Trump Vance Inaugural Committee has announced the initial groups who've accepted their invitation to participate in the parade.

“It’s a blessing to be sworn in once again as chairman of the great Lumbee Tribe ... I want to thank God almighty and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for allowing me the opportunity to serve my people each and every day. I pray for continued strength, guidance, health and wisdom as I carry out my duties as chairman for this magnificent tribe.”

Chamber music plays a vital role in our current musical fabric, not only because of its rich history of incredible classical music but the versatility and adaptability it provides —the kind of close-up and personal experience that cannot be accomplished...

The top offensive and defensive players from Class 5A high schools faced each other in a state championship game, with Edna Karr defensive lineman Corey Adams celebrating with teammates after defeating an Alexandria Senior High team led by running back...

The top offensive and defensive players from Class 5A high schools faced each other in a state championship game, with Edna Karr defensive lineman Corey Adams celebrating with teammates after defeating an Alexandria Senior High team led by running back...

WASHINGTON — After one of the most chaotic and least productive sessions in modern history, voters made a surprising choice in elections for the U.S. House— they overwhelmingly stuck with the status quo.

TOTOWA, N.J. (AP) — Patrons at Murph’s Tavern are toasting not just Donald Trump’s return to the presidency but the fact that he carried their northern New Jersey county, a longtime Democratic stronghold in the shadow of New York City.

Republicans have won full control of Washington, but Democrats will retain two key levers of power to shape legislative outcomes in Donald Trump’s second term.

Welcome to At the Races! Each week we bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call campaign team. Know someone who’d like to get this newsletter? They can subscribe here. By Daniela Altimari, Mary Ellen McIntire and Niels Lesniewski On Election Day, Democrats in key battlegrounds put their faith in familiar faces: candidates who [...]The post At the Races: The Leftovers appeared first on Roll Call.

There are still nine uncalled House races that will determine the size of the GOP majority in Congress after President-elect Trump won a second term in office.

A House Republican win in Arizona, alongside another in slow-counting California, gave the GOP enough victories to secure the majority.

National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chair Richard Hudson (N.C.) is seeking a second term as head of the House GOP’s campaign arm, ending speculation about his next move and setting the House GOP up to put its stamp of approval on its current leadership team for the next Congress. His decision comes as House Republicans [...]

Election Day is here. Voters are gearing up to head to the polls to cast their ballots for either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris in one of the nation’s most historic presidential races. They'll also be determining which party will...

Election Day is here. Voters are gearing up to head to the polls to cast their ballots for either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris in one of the nation’s most historic presidential races. They'll also be determining which party will...

Election Day is here. Voters are gearing up to head to the polls to cast their ballots for either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris in one of the nation’s most historic presidential races. They'll also be determining which party will...

The National Republican Congressional Committee chairman tells Fox News that the GOP has been "very successful" in their all hands on deck get out the vote efforts in North Carolina.

WASHINGTON (AP) — In some of the closest House races in the country, Democratic candidates are leaning into an issue that Republicans have made a centerpiece of their efforts to expand their majority — immigration.

In some of the closest House races in the country, Democratic candidates are leaning into an issue that Republicans have made a centerpiece of their pitch to voters — immigration

HUDSON, N.H. — Capt. Steven McElhinney, a 17-year veteran of the Hudson Police Department, has joined an elite group by graduating from the 291st session of the FBI National Academy, a rare honor achieved by only four department members over more than seven decades.

Republican North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson is denying involvement in a pornography scandal involving chat forums between 2008-2012.

A CNN report describes a series of racial and sexual comments Robinson posted on the message board of a pornography website more than a decade ago.

Many of the highest-profile races are underway in Montana, New York, California and beyond, far from the presidential battleground states contested by Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris.

The race for control of Congress is as close as ever. Lawmakers are returning to Washington for a three-week legislative sprint, away from the campaign trail where races have become “trench warfare” and a seat-by-seat slog. Fewer than two dozen...

The U.S. House's November battlefield continues to take shape as Republicans and Democrats battle for control of Congress at the polls.

'We will lose winnable seats'

Welcome to At the Races! Each week we bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call campaign team. Know someone who’d like to get this newsletter? They can subscribe here. By Mary Ellen McIntire, Daniela Altimari and Niels Lesniewski Editor’s note: At the Races will not come out on Aug. 29. It will return [...]The post At the Races: Can ‘joy’ give Democrats the House gavel? appeared first on Roll Call.

In the marathon that is an election year, Democrats are winning the cash dash — a reality that is putting pressure on House Republicans as they look to expand their majority in the lower chamber come November. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) raised $17.6 million in July — the month President Biden dropped out [...]

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana is scheduled to appear at a high-dollar fundraiser for Colorado congressional candidate Gabe Evans on Friday morning in Loveland, according to an invitation obtained by Colorado Politics.

The National Republican Congressional Committee announced Monday that the Republican nominees in Colorado's most competitive congressional races were named to the House GOP campaign arm's Young Guns program for top challengers in targeted seats.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) on Monday announced a slate of 26 Republican candidates as part of its “Young Gun” program, which highlights non-incumbent candidates and challengers in competitive districts. The initial list of 2024 candidates includes 24 Republicans who are either challenging incumbent Democrats or seeking a seat that a Democrat is vacating, [...]

WASHINGTON — With President Joe Biden’s announcement Sunday that he’s abandoning his reelection campaign, the Democrats’ freakout over the top of the ticket is over — at least for now.

I see it says, “Don’t make racist, sexist attacks on VP Harris.” I’m confused.