By
Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* Almost immediately after the presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign announced that it wants a second. Hours later, however, former President Donald Trump told Fox News, “I don’t know that I want to do another debate.”
* In Delaware’s primaries, state Sen. Sarah McBride easily won a statewide congressional primary, and if she prevails in November, the Democrat will become Congress’ first transgender member.
* In New Hampshire, former Sen. Kelly Ayotte won her Republican gubernatorial primary, and she’ll face former Manchester mayor Joyce Craig in the fall.
* On a related note, New Hampshire was also home to a competitive Democratic congressional primary, and the latest vote tallies suggest Maggie Goodlander, a deputy assistant attorney general in the Biden administration, easily defeated Colin Van Ostern, a former member of the state’s executive council.
* Despite local Republican officials’ best efforts, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that an amendment that would enshrine abortion access in the state’s constitution can appear on the state’s general election ballot.
* In North Carolina’s gubernatorial race, a WRAL poll conducted by SurveyUSA found Democratic state Attorney General Josh Stein with a big lead over Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, 51% to 37%. In March, the same pollster found the right-wing lieutenant governor trailing by only 2 points. (Click the link for information on the survey’s methodologies and margins of error.)
* Conspiratorial billionaire Elon Musk promotes so many misleading election-related claims that election officials are increasingly concerned about the impact his false statements are having on the public.
* While there was some chatter a few months ago about Republicans trying to keep Virginia competitive in November, the latest Washington Post-Schar School poll found Harris leading Trump in the commonwealth, 50% to 42%. (Click the link for information on the survey’s methodologies and margins of error.)
* After the presidential debate, pop star Taylor Swift issued a written endorsement backing Harris. Hours later, Trump said the artist will “probably pay a price for it in the marketplace.”