For Democrats, the Don Blankenship dream is over. The coal-mining baron and ex-con was a pleasant diversion—the prospect of yet another train-wreck Republican candidate was exactly the kind of opponent that Sen. Joe Manchin needed in his dicey reelection campaign in West Virginia—but now it’s back to the reality of a merciless map that offers little hope for Chuck Schumer’s dream of becoming majority leader. It may be the cruelest irony of the Trump era. During an election season when the House seems to be a lost cause for Republicans and nearly every indicator suggests massive Democratic gains in November, the outlook for wresting the Senate away from the GOP remains grim. Story Continued Below The long list of flipped state legislative seats since Donald Trump’s election (40 at last count), the supercharged Democratic turnout in recent special congressional elections, the avalanche of small-donor cash, the geyser of grass-roots energy — none of it … [Read more...] about Why the Democrats Just Lost the Senate
Democrats
Baltimore County Executive, Democratic candidate for governor Kevin Kamenetz dies
Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz — a Democratic candidate for governor and a fixture in state and local politics for nearly a quarter century — died Thursday morning of cardiac arrest, officials said.Baltimore County police issued a statement saying that Kamenetz, 60, had been transported by ambulance early this morning to University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center where he was declared dead of a cardiac arrest.“Kamenetz was at his home in Owings Mills, asleep, when he awoke at about 2 a.m. and complained of feeling ill,” police said in a statement. “He was transported by the Garrison Fire Station’s Medic 19 to St. Joseph, where doctors pronounced him deceased at 3:22 a.m.”The news stunned his friends and colleagues."I am just sitting in my office numb,” said Don Mohler, his longtime aide.The two-term county executive is survived by his wife, Jill, and the couple’s two sons.Kamenetz’s running mate, Valerie … [Read more...] about Baltimore County Executive, Democratic candidate for governor Kevin Kamenetz dies
We recommend Andrew Morris in the Democratic runoff for Texas House District 64
His thoughtful ideas on how to elevate the working poor were also impressive. In addition to backing a living wage, he supports strengthening paid family leave policies to reduce financial pressures on parents. Best of all, he says he'd convene stakeholders to determine the best course for further reductions to the controversial margins tax.Additionally, the U.K. native has an inside view of immigration issues as a result of his seven-year journey to become a U.S. citizen in 2015.Pruneda, 46, seems earnest but less well-rounded. He described himself as a "firebrand," which could make him less effective in finding common ground with a GOP-dominated body to deal with Texas' thorniest problems. The winner of this runoff will face incumbent Republican Lynn Stucky in November.Ready to vote?Part of a series of Dallas Morning News recommendations in the primary runoffs:Early voting starts: May 14 Election Day: May 22Voters Guide: Compare candidates' answers to … [Read more...] about We recommend Andrew Morris in the Democratic runoff for Texas House District 64
We recommend Carl Sherman Sr. in the Democratic runoff for Texas House District 109
We like that he has a firm grasp of the state's complicated school finance system and would make improved funding for public schools a priority. It's impressive that he would focus criminal justice reforms on better mental health services. And he understands he'd have to reach across the aisle to be effective in the GOP-dominated Legislature.During his time as DeSoto mayor, Sherman is credited with pushing business growth that increased sales tax revenue in tough economic times. DeSoto was also one of the first Texas cities to provide body cameras to all police officers.Dallas County commissioners thought highly enough of Sherman to appoint him to the board of directors of the North Texas Tollway Authority. That transportation experience would come in handy in Austin.Lockhart Jones, 47, is a familiar face in DeSoto, having served three terms on the city council. She has a good record of community involvement, but her experience doesn't measure up to … [Read more...] about We recommend Carl Sherman Sr. in the Democratic runoff for Texas House District 109
Democrats begin net-Neutrality bid
WASHINGTON -- One after another, 15 Democratic senators -- nearly a third of their caucus -- stepped to a microphone on Capitol Hill on Wednesday to call for tough rules to protect Net neutrality. The turnout showed they believe that they could win politically on the issue even if they ultimately fail in their long-shot attempt to reinstate the rules. Democrats collected enough signatures on a petition that forced a Senate vote to employ the Congressional Review Act which, if passed, would be the first step toward overturning the FCC's action and reinstating the rules that were designed to ensure the uninhibited flow of data online. The 1996 act allows Congress to overturn a federal agency rule by a simple majority vote in each chamber. Signatures from 30 senators require the Senate to hold a vote that can't be filibustered or blocked by the majority leader. The Senate vote is expected next week and must be held by June 12. Republicans and conservative activists who oppose the Net … [Read more...] about Democrats begin net-Neutrality bid