An unexpectedly competitive race in deep-red Nebraska is complicating Republicans’ plans to flip the Senate. But first, you should know:
- Democrats in tight House races are reminding voters which party is responsible for kneecapping a popular tax break.
- Republicans asked the Supreme Court to block Pennsylvanians from voting a second time if their mail-in ballots are rejected.
- AI in politics typically invokes deepfakes and disinformation campaigns, but the technology can also be used for good, BGOV’s John Hewitt Jones writes in our latest Elevated Take.
Nebraska Senator in Tight Race Against Mechanic-Turned-Candidate
Incumbent Sen. Deb Fischer (R) is being outspent in Nebraska by a mechanic-turned-union-leader and first-time candidate, who’s running without a party’s backing.
Dan Osborn is still getting lots of help from a deep-pocketed super PAC in his bid to unseat Fischer, whos’ served for over a decade. The Retire Career Politicians PAC has spent more than $13 million on Osborn’s behalf, according to data from the broadcast and digital tracking firm AdImpact.
The Senate Leadership Fund responded with a final-weeks infusion of $3.1 million — a safety net that was extended right before an independent survey of likely voters showed Fischer with a lead that was within the Siena College poll‘s margin of error.
Their contest will help determine who controls the Senate while testing whether a pro-labor message from a blue-collar populist resonates in a state with a recent history of choosing only Republicans.
“The Fischer-Osborn race is more competitive than it should be,” said Randall Adkins, a University of Nebraska Omaha professor. “There’s just a lot being spent in Nebraska that one would not expect to be spent here normally.”
As he campaigns in diners, breweries, and other gathering spots, Osborn’s been emphasizing labor issues and his point of view as someone who doesn’t work in Washington, D.C.
He said he supports a federal $15 minimum wage, mandatory bereavement leave, lower tax rates for overtime pay, and laws that would make it easier to unionize. Read More
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GOP’s SALT Failure Gives Democrats Cudgel in Tight House Races
House Republicans fighting to keep seats in blue states are on defense over a federal cap on the popular state and local tax deduction — and Democrats are reminding voters how it came to be.
Members of both parties in Democratic-leaning states oppose the GOP 2017 tax law’s $10,000 deduction limit. But Republicans have had control of the House for two years, making them vulnerable to Democratic attacks for failing to change it.
In a New York district held by Republicans for a decade, incumbent Rep. Nick LaLota’s Democratic challenger has kept issues like SALT and abortion a core part of his message.
“Trump Republicans raise their taxes by taking away their fair share of the state and local tax deductions,” Democrat John Avlon said in an ad from his campaign. “I’ll fight to expand the child tax credit and restore that deduction.”
Republicans from high-tax states like New York, New Jersey, and California held disproportionate power in the GOP-led House this Congress. The party’s slim majority meant just a handful of unhappy lawmakers could jam leadership and grind business to a halt. But efforts by SALT opponents failed.
Now, inaction on the cap is plaguing Republicans defending some districts where nearly half of residents used the deduction in 2016. Read More
It’s Not all Deepfakes: Responsible AI Can Strengthen Democracy
Running for Congress costs millions. Even going for a local school board seat can cost in the tens of thousands. That’s not exactly conducive to our democracy.
Fortunately, AI tools have the potential to make a real difference, especially in state and local races, by lowering the costs of mundane but necessary tasks that help make campaigns so expensive.
Concerns about deepfakes and other misuses of AI are real, but if it can help attract more candidates with clearer messages and broader fundraising, it can’t help but be a positive for the electoral process. Read More
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