Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* Despite recent rumors that Republican Rep. Darrell Issa might abandon his California district to run in Texas, Fox News is reporting that the GOP congressman is now saying he will seek re-election in the Golden State in 2026.
* Though there was some speculation that Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas might switch parties, especially after receiving a pardon from Donald Trump, the congressman confirmed to reporters on Wednesday that he’s running for re-election as “a conservative Democrat.”
* In Georgia this week, Democrat Mary Robichaux won the mayoral race in Roswell, defeating incumbent Republican Mayor Kurt Wilson, who enjoyed Republican Gov. Brian Kemp’s backing.
* Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley announced this week that while she considered a possible U.S. Senate campaign in Massachusetts next year, she will instead run for re-election. Incumbent Sen. Ed Markey is still, however, facing a Democratic primary challenge from Rep. Seth Moulton.
* Former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey’s comeback bid fell short this week: In Jersey City’s mayoral race, McGreevey lost badly to local councilman James Solomon. Both candidates were Democrats. * In Kentucky, Democratic state Rep. Charles Booker’s first two bids for statewide office fell short, but he’s hoping the third time is the charm: Booker kicked off a U.S. Senate bid this week, hoping to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell. * After Democratic Rep. Chuy Garcia timed his retirement announcement to benefit his handpicked successor, it sparked a controversy. Now, his chief of staff, Patty Garcia (no relation), is facing a new rival in the Chicago-area district: Mayra Macías, a lifelong Democrat who has worked on Latino advocacy, is now running as an independent. * And though this might seem difficult to believe, MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, a notorious conspiracy theorist, filed the paperwork this week to run for governor in Minnesota in 2026. If he moves forward with his candidacy, Lindell would run as a Republican.
Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past."
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