Latest news with #Ain'tNoStoppin'UsNow
CNN
02-07-2025
- Business
- CNN
Youngkin wrote a GOP playbook for winning Virginia. Republicans hope Earle-Sears can follow it
On a Tuesday evening in northern Virginia, Republicans on edge across the state finally got their wish: a campaign event featuring gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears, backed by incumbent Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who beat a Democrat four years ago. A racially diverse crowd was packed into a firehouse waving signs that read 'Axe the Tax,' a nod to an Earle-Sears campaign pledge to eliminate the state's car tax. Youngkin lauded Earle-Sears' biography and work as the state's lieutenant governor. At the end, he appeared on stage with the entire GOP ticket, clapping along to the tune of the classic disco song 'Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now.' 'We haven't come this far to only go this far,' Earle-Sears told the crowd. But things are much different from four years ago, when Youngkin beat Democrat Terry McAuliffe as a businessman and first-time candidate tapping into voter frustration with the Covid-19 pandemic and the handling of race and diversity in schools. Earle-Sears faces headwinds caused by some of President Donald Trump's policies – and concerns among some in her own party about whether she's running an effective campaign. 'The environment is just different and the things that are outside of a candidate's control are worse for Republicans in 2025 than they were in 2021,' said Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia. Earle-Sears is facing Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former congresswoman who has outraised her so far. Kondik also cited Earle-Sears' lack of personal wealth to self-fund her campaign as Youngkin did and her past comments minimizing the impact of these federal cuts as potential drawbacks. Lining the sidewalk outside of the firehouse Tuesday night were demonstrators calling attention to the proposed federal cuts to Medicaid. The US Senate just hours earlier had passed Trump's far-reaching domestic policy bill that could cause millions of people to lose coverage. 'I cared for a lot of people and now I'm in a situation where I may not have a roof over my head,' said Laura Lynn Clark, a 62-year-old former home care provider of Richmond. Earle-Sears' response to these critics sounded a more sympathetic note than what she previously said about federal workers and suggested a shift in her approach. 'What I love about America, as an immigrant, that people can protest and let their government know how they feel about everything,' she told CNN. 'Whatever comes down, we're ready. We have the ability. We're going to make sure that people are made whole,' she added. Earle-Sears, 61, was born in Jamaica and immigrated to the United States when she was six. She later served in the U.S. Marine Corps and directed a Salvation Army homeless shelter. Core to Earle-Sears' election argument is that she is part of a winning team that has delivered the past four years in Virginia on everything from pro-business deregulation to reopening schools after the pandemic. In her allies' telling, she would be an extension of the state's prosperity. That's despite Virginia being one of 17 states with separately elected lieutenant governors. 'We have a winner. We have a Marine who knows how to fight, who understands what America is about, because she understands that everything that she values today, everything she thanks an almighty God for, came from this country. Winsome Sears loves America,' Youngkin told the crowd Tuesday night. But Earle-Sears has been intentional about drawing contrasts with Youngkin during her time as his deputy, tacking to the right of him on everything from same-sex marriage to access to abortion. She has also held few public events, particularly compared to Spanberger. Instead, she's mostly gone to private events that have been closed to the media. Some chairs of county parties have publicly questioned whether she's doing enough, particularly in a state that leans Democratic in national elections. Trump lost Virginia by nearly 6 points last November, an improvement from his 10-point defeat in the state four years earlier. 'Every single soul can look and see all the places I have been,' Earle-Sears told CNN in a recent phone interview as she was driving between campaign stops. 'I used to have to drive myself to every place, racking up miles here and there, because I do not get a driver. The governor does. I don't get security. The governor does. And so I've been doing a lot of it myself.' 'I don't know what other people are seeing, but it's going to be all right,' she said. Ken Nunnenkamp, executive director of the Virginia Republican Party, defended Earle-Sears and said it would take time for her to reach all parts of the state. He also argues Earle-Sears' candor would be appreciated by voters. 'Whether or not you agree with Winsome, you sure as heck know where she stands,' he said.
Daily Mail
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Comedian Sandra Bernhard panics audience with 'heart attack' on stage
Sandra Bernhard began her five-night residency at Café Carlyle in New York City on Tuesday evening. During her debut performance, the 69-year-old comedian — who once counted Madonna as a close friend — revealed to the audience she recently had open-heart surgery. 'It was a planned surgery; it wasn't that dramatic,' the actress noted before mentioning other patients in the hospital who were in grave condition. 'This s**t is crazy. I'm gonna pull through and get the f*** out of here,' she said, according to an account from Billboard. Bernhard moved the show along, before later returning to the subject to use it as an unexpected punchline. She clutched her chest and slumped over, simulating a heart attack before quipping, 'That's a new party trick.' In addition to cracking jokes, the multihyphenate entertainer sang a selection of cover songs with her Sandyland Squad Band. Together, they covered recognizable tunes including McFadden & Whitehead's Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now and Lana Del Rey's Young and Beautiful. Sandra's partner of more than two decades, Sara Switzer, was part of the 90-person audience during opening night. On Wednesday she took to Instagram, where she boasts nearly 200,000 followers, and reflected on her first show. Last night @cafecarlyle [was] fun as hell. The band was beautiful, the crowd divine. I'm there tonight through Saturday. Won't you come join us?' she captioned. 'I would if I were you!' she added before crediting her band and her hair and makeup team. For the occasion the Michigan-bred beauty wore a coordinating orange and red top and skirt covered in large round sequins. Her shoulder-length ginger-toned locks were parted down the middle and styled in bouncy ringlets. Cafe Carlyle also promoted her stint at the venue with a supportive social media post. 'Sandra Bernhard made her Café Carlyle debut last night and brought the house down with her one-woman show,' the Instagram account touted. The note continued, 'With her signature mix of cabaret, comedy, and cultural commentary, she delivered razor sharp wit and unapologetic satire.' The post concluded, 'There's only one @sandragbernhard and she's live through May 3.'
Daily Mail
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Iconic comedian fakes cardiac arrest onstage after revealing she had open-heart surgery
Sandra Bernhard began her five-night residency at Café Carlyle in New York City on Tuesday evening. During her debut performance, the 69-year-old comedian — who once counted Madonna as a close friend — revealed to the audience she recently had open-heart surgery. 'It was a planned surgery; it wasn't that dramatic,' the actress noted before mentioning other patients in the hospital who were in grave condition. 'This s**t is crazy. I'm gonna pull through and get the f*** out of here,' she said, according to an account from Billboard. Bernhard moved the show along, before later returning to the subject to use it as an unexpected punchline. She clutched her chest and slumped over, simulating a heart attack before quipping, 'That's a new party trick.' In addition to cracking jokes, the multihyphenate entertainer sang a selection of cover songs with her Sandyland Squad Band. Together, they covered recognizable tunes including McFadden & Whitehead's Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now and Lana Del Rey's Young and Beautiful. Sandra's partner of more than two decades, Sara Switzer, was part of the 90-person audience during opening night. On Wednesday she took to Instagram, where she boasts nearly 200,000 followers, and reflected on her first show. Last night @cafecarlyle [was] fun as hell. The band was beautiful, the crowd divine. I'm there tonight through Saturday. Won't you come join us?' she captioned. 'I would if I were you!' she added before crediting her band and her hair and makeup team. For the occasion the Michigan-bred beauty wore a coordinating orange and red top and skirt covered in large round sequins. Her shoulder-length ginger-toned locks were parted down the middle and styled in bouncy ringlets. Cafe Carlyle also promoted her stint at the venue with a supportive social media post. 'Sandra Bernhard made her Café Carlyle debut last night and brought the house down with her one-woman show,' the Instagram account touted. The note continued, 'With her signature mix of cabaret, comedy, and cultural commentary, she delivered razor sharp wit and unapologetic satire.' The post concluded, 'There's only one @sandragbernhard and she's live through May 3.'
CBS News
25-02-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
High early voter turnout for Dolton, Illinois primary with embattled Mayor Tiffany Henyard on ballot
Embattled Dolton, Illinois Mayor Tiffany Henyard is running for reelection, and will face a village trustee in a primary on Tuesday. Dolton is one of many Illinois communities with primary elections on Tuesday. Residents of the south Chicago suburb emphasized the importance of the primary. Along Sibley Boulevard in Dolton, a crew has been trying to convince anyone going grocery shopping to get out and vote. Under the brand "Clean House," Dolton Village Trustee Jason House is running against Henyard. House and Henyard were part of the same ticket in 2021. Now they are rivals. On Monday night, House and his campaign staff were out leafleting and encouraging Food 4 Less customers to vote for him. Meanwhile, one woman took issue in particular with a recent brawl that happened during a meeting of the Thornton Township Board, which is a separate governing body from the Village of Dolton, but of which Henyard is also supervisor. "We need prayer, you all, because Dolton came down," said one woman who already voted early. "I'm just really upset about the fight." The woman is not alone, Dolton has experienced a high early voter turnout. "I think we're up to 1,500 votes — 1,500 people that have early voted," said House. "Last time, there was only 2,800 people that voted." According to election records, only 9.5% of registered voters cast a ballot in 2021 when Henyard won her first term. House said he expects the numbers to be vastly higher this time around. "We're thinking we'll get up to between 4,500 and 5,000 voters," he said. "I think we'll have some record numbers coming in at that, and people will, their voice will be heard." While House and his campaign were out rallying up final supporters even the night before the election, Henyard has been absent from the campaign trail for weeks. "It means she's running from her responsibilities," he said, "and I mean, I figure if you want to pass the buck with the trustees, you can pass the seat with it." On Monday night, Henyard was a no-show to a Thornton Township meeting she herself called. Yet Henyard has made herself seen and heard online making rap videos. Henyard won the Dolton mayoral race in 2021 as a reform candidate. In 2022, Henyard was the subject of a failed recall effort. Voters cast their ballots in favor of recalling Henyard in June of that year, but Henyard fought the referendum in court, and the Illinois Appellate Court threw out the recall votes. This ruling resulted in Henyard breaking into her rendition of the 1979 disco hit "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" by McFadden & Whitehead. This happened at a village board meeting in October 2022. But the trouble has persisted for Henyard. Her village hall has become the focus of an FBI probe. Village trustees also brought in former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who found Henyard mismanaged finances through lavish spending while regularly avoiding questions about it. "There was a concerted, systematic effort on behalf of Mayor Henyard and others in her administration to hide the true financial condition of the Village of Dolton from the trustees and from members of the public," Lightfoot said as she presented the findings of her investigation in January. Controversy has dogged Henyard in her role as Thornton Township supervisor too. When a critic took the mic and used an expletive to describe her last month, fists flew and chaos broke out at the township board meeting — the first she had attended in a while. Meanwhile, will not be on the April 1 ballot for reelection as Thornton Township supervisor, following Democratic Party Caucus for the township in which Illinois state Sen. Napoleon Harris won the ballot spot. Henyard fled a lawsuit over this decision, but the lawsuit was dismissed by a judge. On Tuesday, Dolton voters will decide if they want to stick with Henyard or move forward.
