Romanian Assets Rally on Election With Budget Woes Now in Focus
The Black Sea nation's currency and dollar bonds led gains across emerging markets on Monday, and stocks also rose, after Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan's victory over far-right leader George Simion promised to keep the country on a pro-European path. Sunday's runoff was the culmination of months of turmoil — the gravest political crisis since the collapse of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu's regime in 1989.
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Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Trump's super PAC reports nearly $200 million war chest
The main super PAC affiliated with President Trump reported nearly $200 million in the bank as it looks ahead to the 2026 midterms in which control of Congress will be up for grabs. MAGA Inc., which was key in promoting Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, reported $196.1 million in cash on hand in a midyear filing to the Federal Election Commission, having raised almost $177 million through the first half of 2025. The large sums show the group's preparations for future elections even as Trump himself won't be on the ballot and can't run in another presidential contest. The filing shows significant donations from top Republican donors like Jeff Yass, a GOP megadonor who also is a major investor in TikTok, and Elon Musk, who had been a close Trump ally before he and the president had a falling out and engaged in a war of words on various issues, including Trump's 'big beautiful bill' that he signed into law last month. Yass donated $16 million, while Musk gave $5 million to the super PAC, the filing shows. Various other donors with ties to Big Tech also gave significant amounts. Musk's donation came June 27, after tensions cooled and Musk expressed regret for his criticism of Trump. But the feud picked up again within days over the 'big, beautiful bill,' with Musk saying he would back primary challengers to Republicans who supported the legislation. Musk also said he would support Rep. Thomas Massie (Ky.), who was one of the only Republicans who bucked his party to vote against the bill and has faced attacks from Trump. With so much money in reserve, the super PAC could play a critical role in primaries like Massie's and in the general election in which Republicans and Democrats will battle for congressional majorities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Governor races are set to be major referendums on Trump vs. Democrats
Forget who controls Congress, consider how the nation's gubernatorial election cycle over the next 16 months will be chock-full of significant implications for the country's political future. There will be at least nine tightly contested elections, starting with sprints in New Jersey and Virignia this fall, that will either strengthen or weaken President Donald Trump's agenda, and show if the Democratic Party has gotten its groove back with voters. Plenty of potential 2028 presidential contenders, such as JB Pritzker of Illinois and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, are looking to secure new terms that will keep their national profiles high. Similarly outgoing governors with White House aspirations − think Florida's Ron DeSantis − who will need their party to hold power less their own presidential narratives be crushed. And then there's the potential return of Kamala Harris, who could end up controlling the globe's fourth-largest economy while on a collision course with her 2024 rival. From California to Wisconsin to Virginia to Arizona, more than three-dozen states will choose governors who are going to be at the frontlines of a divided nation amid Trump's controversial upheaval in Washington that has touched various economic, cultural and institutional nerves since January. Whether that's absorbing the fallout of the 'one, big beautiful bill" and its changes to Medicaid or other assistance programs, resisting or assisting the Trump administration's expanding immigration crackdown that has seen tense, sometimes violent clashes in the streets or dealing with the massive federal worker layoffs, here are the governor races worth watching − and why. Trump set to be 'major factor' in early Virginia, N.J. races this fall Both parties are hoping to flip the governor's mansion in the odd-year races in Virginia and New Jersey in 2025, which are leaning slightly in Democrats' favor, according to Sabato's Crystal Ball and the Cook Political Report, which forecast elections. In Virginia, where Republican incumbent Glenn Youngkin is term-limited, reports underscore the GOP is a bit nervous about Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears given her anemic fundraising hauls and internal campaign combustion that one conservative talk radio host described as a "clown car." A July 16 Virginia Commonwealth University poll showed Earle-Sears trailing the Democratic nominee, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, by a 12-point margin among registered voters. That is giving Democrats a confidence boost as they plan to focus on affordability and economic issues, but particularly the impact of the Trump administration's cuts to the federal workforce. Virginia is home to about 152,300 federal workers. Democratic incumbent Phil Murphy is also term-limited in New Jersey, where Republican Jack Ciattarelli looks to put his past Trump criticisms in the rearview and bulldoze his right-leaning populist over Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill. Ciatterelli, who the president has endorsed, came within 3 percentage points of winning the governorship in 2021 when he kept Trump at arm's length. This time around his firebrand style is something GOP strategists are confident can keep Democrats on defense in a blue state. A Rutgers-Eagleton Poll released July 2 showed their is high enthusiasm for both candidates, but that at the moment Sherrill holds the advantage with 51% of voters saying they cast their ballot for her compared to 31% saying the same for Ciattarelli. Other surveys have the election closer, but what's telling in the Rutgers poll is how large Trump shadow looms with 52% of voters saying the president is a "major factor" in their decisions for governor versus 30% who say he isn't a factor at all. Swing states governors race a test of Trump policies, Dems messaging Most of next year's gubernatorial races will be centered on the six swing states, of which four are currently controlled by Democrats and two by Republicans. Trump won all of them in the 2024 presidential race, and he is expected to play a significant role whether as an asset or liability for GOP contenders. "I look forward to working with each and every one of you as we complete the mission of saving America," he told the Republican Governors Association in February. "We've made a lot of progress... we've had a lot of fun doing it, too" the president added. "We just rip down whatever (Democrats have) done." Political forecasters give Democrats and Republicans a relatively even chance at prevailing in five of the six battleground gubernatorial races. Only in Pennsylvania, where incumbent Gov. Josh Shapiro, a 2028 hopeful, is expected to announce his reelection bid soon do Democrats hold an expected edge. Incumbents are expected to face stiff challenges in Arizona and Nevada, and the open races in Wisconsin, Michigan and Georgia are still taking shape as different candidates emerge. After weeks of public debate, largely about his age, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers bowed out of seeking a third term in next year's gubernatorial race, leaving a critical seat open in a swing state Democrats would have preferred to be a safer bet. There's now expected to be a crowded primary that will provide a window into how Democrats have settled on crafting a tougher messaging strategy going into the midterm elections. Democratic Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, for instance, entered Wisconsin governor's race on July 25 by calling Trump a "maniac" in her campaign launch video. "His tariffs are killing our farmers," she said in the video. Supporters emphasize Rodriguez, who is looking to be the state's first woman governor, is running with an emphasis on lowering costs, helping businesses and workers thrive and improving child access to early education. "(Democrats) should still have a decent chance to hold it in context of 2026, but incumbency is still valuable in (governor) races, so there's added variability now," Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said in a July 24 post on X. The Democratic brand is likely to see its biggest test in Arizona. No current governor is considered more vulnerable than Democrat Katie Hobbs, who many believe will see a tough reelection bid after a razor-thin victory against Republican Kari Lake in 2022. Unlike other Democratic governors, Hobbs, a former social worker and secretary of state, has kept with her low-profile approach this year which has aggravated the political left on certain issues, such as standing up against Trump on immigration. A breakdown on the left could give the GOP an opening in the Grand Canyon State, if they can minimize the damage from next year's Republican primary that is expected to be contentious featuring two Trump-backed two contenders in Rep. Andy Biggs, a populist-minded member of the House Freedom Caucus, and developer Karrin Taylor Robson, who saw former Trump advisors leave her campaign earlier this year. Democrats are also hoping that diving into unpopular parts of Trump's mega-bill can win back Nevada where Republican incumbent Joe Lombardo had an upset win in 2022. When the Republican Governors Association, for example, showcased almost two-dozen governors were offering "strong support" for the mega-bill, Lombardo, a former sheriff, didn't sign the letter. Shake up from the Trump administration's signature legislative achievement means hundreds of thousands will be tossed off Medicaid and food assistance programs. That will give Republicans a difficult balancing act of selling the president's wins, such as extending tax breaks to tipped workers, while absorbing Democratic attacks. Republicans will also have to play defense in Georgia, where the immensely popular incumbent Brian Kemp is term limited. He comfortably defeated Democrat Stacy Abrams in back-to-back contests. But the Peach State has a purple hue and if the GOP picks a lightning rod nominee, such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a MAGA darling who has flirted with the idea, the election could become a national focal point. At least four other Democrats have signed up, including former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who worked in the Biden administration but many are still speculating if Abrams will take a third bite. That tension underscores how Democrats have their own problems as many remain skittish about their party's health due to an emerging left-leaning populism that appears to be taking hold amid ongoing frustrations with the party establishment. That is on full display in the Michigan governor's race, where popular incumbent Gretchen Whitmer is term limited, and Democrats are expected to have a heated primary. The beginning narrative came from Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who made headlines when he decided to ditch the Democratic Party and run as an independent for governor further underscoring the party's woes. His campaign announced on July 25 an impressive $3.2 million fundraising haul in the past six months, which almost matches the $3.5 million raised by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, who is considered the big dog in the Democratic primary. "We're feeling the momentum," Duggan said in a statement. Don't forget outlier contests and Harris' possible return in California One feature of the 2026 gubernatorial races could be the return of Kamala Harris to the national stage, as the former vice president continues to contemplate a run for California governor. Doing so would put Harris right back in the fight and a major figure in the resistance movement against Trump, particularly on immigration. The former VP hasn't announced, but a University of California, Irvine released this month shows 41% of voters in the Golden State would choose her over a generic Republican. There are already big names, including former Democratic Rep. Katie Porter, former Health Secretary Xavier Becerra and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, but the bombshell everyone is bracing for is Harris' return bid whether for California governor or a third run at U.S. president. "Things are hard right now," she said in a July 4 post on X. "They are probably going to get worse before they get better. But I love our country — and when you love something, you fight for it. Together, we will continue to fight for the ideals of our nation." There's a similar compelling narrative in Florida, where Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, a probably 2028 contender, is term-limited but might be gearing up for proxy intra-party spat with Trump. A July 24 survey by the University of North Florida shows Casey DeSantis holding a slight edge over Rep. Byron Donalds, who is endorsed by the president. Other polls, however, have given Donalds a better lead over Casey DeSantis, who has remained cryptic about running, in such a hypothetical matchup. Democratic and Republican operatives with knowledge of the larger strategies going into next year's races for governor tell USA TODAY they believe there are chances for picks outside the swing states, too. For Republicans the easiest chance for a flip in their eyes looks to be Kansas, where incumbent Laura Kelly, who is term-limited, is one of the last red state Democrats in the country. Forecasters rate that contest as leaning for the GOP and at least eight contenders, including former Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer. Conservative operatives also grin when asked about New York, which is at the moment considered a "likely" Democratic hold by Gov. Kathy Hochul. But Republicans are holding out hope that Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., a Trump confidant, will join the fray and make that contest more competitive. "I will make a final decision and announcement after this year's November election which we are all focused on," Stefanik said in a July 23 statement after Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., announced he will seek re-election instead of running for governor. Outside of Virginia, there is a small chatter of hope among Democrats when broached about flipping an open seat in Iowa after GOP incumbent Kim Reynolds passed on another term earlier this year. State Auditor Rob Sand, the only statewide Democratic official, has entered the race. The prediction there doesn't look good as multiple Republicans have signaled they're running in the Hawkeye State, which is rated as either "leaning" or "likely" for the GOP to keep. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Governor races set to be major referendums on Trump vs. Dems
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Seminole residents puzzled by elections office postcard asking for address
Hundreds of thousands of Seminole County voters — regardless of political party — received postcards in their mailboxes this week from the Supervisor of Elections Office requesting them to verify their addresses, sign their names and mail a portion of the card back. The cards — which went out to all 350,697 registered voters in Seminole — state in blue type: 'You are receiving this card because we want to ensure we have your correct name and address in our records.' It then reads in bold underlined type: 'Please respond within 30 days.' Despite what appeared to be a warning and a hard deadline, Seminole Supervisor Amy Pennock said voters are not required to return the forms, 'but it is encouraged.' 'There is no penalty' if they don't respond, she said, and their voter eligibility would not be affected. Instead, the cards are meant to comply with a 2024 state law that mandates each county periodically update its list of registered voters and make sure mailing addresses are correct, Pennock said. 'If we have the wrong information in our system for a voter, and they don't update it, there could be issues when they show up to vote if they are at a wrong polling location,' Pennock said Thursday. 'Or a requested vote by mail ballot may go to the incorrect address.' Pennock said voters were asked 'to respond within 30 days to create a sense of urgency and encourage action' because a majority of voters do not notify her office whenever they move or change names. 'Keeping voter information current is essential to running smooth and secure elections,' she said. 'It helps to reduce delays, prevent confusion and build trust in the process.' If voters don't want to spend 78 cents for a stamp and a trip to the post office, they also can visit to verify or correct their address online, Pennock said. Still, the 11-by-6-inch white postcards unsettled a few Seminole voters at a time when many Americans are suspicious of elections after President Donald Trump falsely claimed the 2020 presidential election was rigged. 'It certainly makes you feel like you won't be able to vote if you don't do anything,' said Larry Furlong, a longtime Seminole resident and former county commissioner, said after he received the postcard on Thursday. 'That should have been clearly stated in that card, that it's not required, and it's not.' Another Seminole woman said in an email to the Orlando Sentinel on Friday she was puzzled when she received 'a strange card' from the Elections Office asking her to confirm her address. 'I have lived here over ten years and have never received anything like it,' she wrote. 'I always vote. There should be no question that I am an active member of the voter rolls. The card does not indicate what happens if not returned.' In Orange County, all 820,530 registered voters will receive similar address confirmation requests by early September, according to Blake Summerlin, an office spokesman. But adding to the confusion, in Lake and Osceola counties, only registered voters who had not voted in 2022 and 2024 were sent cards requesting a similar address confirmation last spring. Voters who didn't respond to those requests, however, were then placed on an inactive voter list. The Florida law requires county elections offices to periodically update the information on their voter rolls, either by contacting all voters — as Seminole is doing — or by reaching out only to voters who have not voted in the past two elections. 'When you are considered an inactive voter, we stop sending you mail,' said Kari Ewalt, administrative services director for Osceola's Supervisor of Elections Office. 'But you can still vote. You can still do all the things that an active voter can.' This year, the Osceola Supervisor of Elections Office moved about 28,000 of the total 221,390 registered voters to the inactive list. To regain active voter status, 'all it takes is to call us or show up to vote,' said Alan Hays, Lake's supervisor of elections. His office sent out notices to about 19,000 inactive registered voters. But after four years of an inactive voter neither casting a ballot nor notifying the elections office, they are purged from the voter rolls, Hays said. Solve the daily Crossword
