New: On the verge of a potentially staggering Senate flip, Kirsten Gillibrand is quietly having a political resurgence that could keep her in charge of the party's campaign arm through 2028, sources told @TheWashingtonSun.
After facing the wrath of the left over contentious Senate primaries, Gillibrand and Democratic leaders have worked to boost progressive nominees in the sprint to the finish line.
In Michigan, Schumer endorsed Haley Stevens, but Gillibrand and the DSCC stayed neutral. Gillibrand called Abdul El-Sayed the day after his primary victory, offering her + the DSCC's full support. She also urged Democratic colleagues to pump money into the race. The DSCC and Schumer-linked Senate Majority PAC have since spent heavily supporting El-Sayed.
The DSCC has raised more than $200 million this cycle and borrowed $15 million earlier this month, just weeks before Election Day. Gillibrand's allies point to her fundraising as central to the party's unexpected path to a majority.
They also say she's learned how to work alongside Chuck Schumer, who remains deeply involved in Senate campaigns, without competing with him for the spotlight. Schumer spox told me Gillibrand has been an "outstanding partner."
One major donor told me that if Democrats win the Senate, the question isn't whether Gillibrand would be offered another term running the DSCC, but whether she'd accept it. A victory also likely strengthens Schumer's standing as Democratic leader.
It's a remarkable turnaround from the aftermath of 2024, when few Democrats could articulate a path back to the Senate majority in a single cycle. And a potential political revival for Gillibrand, who has attracted plenty of critics over her role in Al Franken's resignation, her ties to the crypto industry and her leadership of the DSCC.
Not everyone is impressed. Some Democrats still argue a Senate majority would come in spite of Gillibrand and Schumer, not because of them.
More on the unlikely resurgence:
washingtonsun.com/congress/kirst…
After facing the wrath of the left over contentious Senate primaries, Gillibrand and Democratic leaders have worked to boost progressive nominees in the sprint to the finish line.
In Michigan, Schumer endorsed Haley Stevens, but Gillibrand and the DSCC stayed neutral. Gillibrand called Abdul El-Sayed the day after his primary victory, offering her + the DSCC's full support. She also urged Democratic colleagues to pump money into the race. The DSCC and Schumer-linked Senate Majority PAC have since spent heavily supporting El-Sayed.
The DSCC has raised more than $200 million this cycle and borrowed $15 million earlier this month, just weeks before Election Day. Gillibrand's allies point to her fundraising as central to the party's unexpected path to a majority.
They also say she's learned how to work alongside Chuck Schumer, who remains deeply involved in Senate campaigns, without competing with him for the spotlight. Schumer spox told me Gillibrand has been an "outstanding partner."
One major donor told me that if Democrats win the Senate, the question isn't whether Gillibrand would be offered another term running the DSCC, but whether she'd accept it. A victory also likely strengthens Schumer's standing as Democratic leader.
It's a remarkable turnaround from the aftermath of 2024, when few Democrats could articulate a path back to the Senate majority in a single cycle. And a potential political revival for Gillibrand, who has attracted plenty of critics over her role in Al Franken's resignation, her ties to the crypto industry and her leadership of the DSCC.
Not everyone is impressed. Some Democrats still argue a Senate majority would come in spite of Gillibrand and Schumer, not because of them.
More on the unlikely resurgence:
washingtonsun.com/congress/kirst…
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Stephen Neukam retweeted
NEW - In Iowa, cancer upended the midterms.
An Iowa GOP strategist called it a "liability" for the party that's held one-party control for a decade.
In '26, $20M+ spent on ads mentioning cancer. In '22, it was less than $200K.
washingtonsun.com/campaigns/iowa…
An Iowa GOP strategist called it a "liability" for the party that's held one-party control for a decade.
In '26, $20M+ spent on ads mentioning cancer. In '22, it was less than $200K.
washingtonsun.com/campaigns/iowa…
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Stephen Neukam retweeted
News: Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy has become a key ally to Jim Jordan and has been working behind the scenes as an informal advisor to the House Judiciary Chair.
One time foes, the two now speak often and have discussed the contours of a potential leadership bid from Jordan.
Should Republicans lose the majority, it is expected there will be a heated battle for minority leader between Jordan, House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise.
W/ @kadiagoba
washingtonsun.com/campaigns/kevi…
One time foes, the two now speak often and have discussed the contours of a potential leadership bid from Jordan.
Should Republicans lose the majority, it is expected there will be a heated battle for minority leader between Jordan, House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise.
W/ @kadiagoba
washingtonsun.com/campaigns/kevi…
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RT @ec_schneider: NEW - The presidential primary starts in one week.
- DNC to announce debate framework "earlier than ever." Expect before…
- DNC to announce debate framework "earlier than ever." Expect before…
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Stephen Neukam retweeted
NEW: Republicans redrew #FL22 to make it more red, but the race is now seen as a toss up
Dem Pia Dandiya is running against Republican Casey Askar, who’s nowhere to be seen
I went down to the district and looked everywhere for him — here’s what happened
washingtonsun.com/campaigns/repu…
Dem Pia Dandiya is running against Republican Casey Askar, who’s nowhere to be seen
I went down to the district and looked everywhere for him — here’s what happened
washingtonsun.com/campaigns/repu…
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Stephen Neukam retweeted
Big news from @washingtonsun Congress team! Helmed by @igorbobic and @ReporterOriana this will indeed be a must read. And of course it'll be jam packed with all the best reporting from @kadiagoba @stephen_neukam @pkcapitol @reesejgorman @avanidkalra as well. SUBSCRIBE!!
Introducing “The Stakeout,” a new afternoon newsletter helmed by Sun congressional reporters @igorbobic and @ReporterOriana.
Subscribe today: washingtonsun.com/congress-newsl…
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Stephen Neukam retweeted
Exclu: The next Congressional Black Caucus chair is putting Pete Hegseth on notice over his removal of Black and female officers from promotion lists.
“We will have subpoena power, and he can test it if he wants to" @RepTroyCarter told us.
w/ @kadiagoba washingtonsun.com/congress/hegse…
“We will have subpoena power, and he can test it if he wants to" @RepTroyCarter told us.
w/ @kadiagoba washingtonsun.com/congress/hegse…
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Do you like Congress? Do you like @igorbobic? Maybe @ReporterOriana?
Then subscribe to @washingtonsun's new Congress newsletter, The Stakeout, here: washingtonsun.com/congress-newsl…
Then subscribe to @washingtonsun's new Congress newsletter, The Stakeout, here: washingtonsun.com/congress-newsl…
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Eight days before the midterms, House Judiciary Committee Dems released a report this morning examining Trump's ties to Epstein
The report includes a new allegation from a Swiss model who claimed the president raped her during a 1993 beauty pageant in NY. The woman previously of sexual assault, but not rape.
The White House says "none of these allegations are true."
More on the Dem report in @washingtonsun morning NL:
The report includes a new allegation from a Swiss model who claimed the president raped her during a 1993 beauty pageant in NY. The woman previously of sexual assault, but not rape.
The White House says "none of these allegations are true."
More on the Dem report in @washingtonsun morning NL:
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Democrats, sizing up a House (Senate?) majority, fight the balance between affordability and anti-corruption in first 100 days agenda
Rep. Debbie Dingell told @washingtonsun the party is planning a 100 hour and 100 day agenda, saying it plans to reverse cuts to Medicaid and other social programs that were sliced by GOP.
"But at the same time, we’re going to hold corrupt officials accountable, because what they’ve been doing is significantly contributing to increased costs," Dingell said
Reversing those cuts and finding potential pay-for's, though, could take more time to negotiate than some corruption-related legislation
more w/ @igorbobic 🐐
washingtonsun.com/campaigns/demo…
Rep. Debbie Dingell told @washingtonsun the party is planning a 100 hour and 100 day agenda, saying it plans to reverse cuts to Medicaid and other social programs that were sliced by GOP.
"But at the same time, we’re going to hold corrupt officials accountable, because what they’ve been doing is significantly contributing to increased costs," Dingell said
Reversing those cuts and finding potential pay-for's, though, could take more time to negotiate than some corruption-related legislation
more w/ @igorbobic 🐐
washingtonsun.com/campaigns/demo…
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Stephen Neukam retweeted
I mean, just an all-time TV segment. Making Chuck do Who He Play For multiple times in a row with the same players is a brilliant idea and I was legit crying laughing by the end, my god.
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Stephen Neukam retweeted
SCOOP: The State Dept has started asking career diplomats up for promotion if they voted for Trump in 16, 20, 24.
Federal law prohibits politically based hiring for career staff.
State tells @washingtonsun it's screening for "fidelity" and execution of the president's vision👇
Federal law prohibits politically based hiring for career staff.
State tells @washingtonsun it's screening for "fidelity" and execution of the president's vision👇
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Stephen Neukam retweeted
For @testudotimes, @JudeWilkenfeld and I were outside Jones-Hill House trying to get players to comment. An athletics staffer took pictures of us, and a police dispatch was called for suspicious activity; a cop and 2 cop cars pulled up, and officers ID’d us and asked us to leave.
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The Mike Locksley era ended the exact moment Dontay Demus' leg was broken at home against Iowa in 2021.
Downhill from there.
Downhill from there.
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As a Ravens fan I know how it feels to blow a 10 point lead and it sucks
NEW: Republicans are increasingly worried that NC-11 - a district Trump won by nearly 10 - is already lost.
Said a NC GOP operative: "The rating in the 11th District should be likely Democrat, not lean Democrat.”
Sign of how deep the Dem wave could go
washingtonsun.com/campaigns/nort…
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Stephen Neukam retweeted
Scoop - DCCC pouring out its week 2 ad buys, $16M in 49 districts.
*new* districts added >>
AZ-02 (Trump +15)
OH-10 (Trump +8)
SC-01 (Trump +13)
washingtonsun.com/campaigns/dccc…
*new* districts added >>
AZ-02 (Trump +15)
OH-10 (Trump +8)
SC-01 (Trump +13)
washingtonsun.com/campaigns/dccc…
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Stephen Neukam retweeted
👀 As @kadiagoba and I reported, House Dems want to establish a caucus rule to require committee leaders to pay DCCC dues:
"We want our leaders to be in good standing, and that includes doing everything possible to ensure a House Democratic majority"
washingtonsun.com/congress/house…
"We want our leaders to be in good standing, and that includes doing everything possible to ensure a House Democratic majority"
washingtonsun.com/congress/house…
News: Three returning House Democratic committee leaders had not paid their DCCC dues in full as of last month, according to a draft of the DCCC's September report seen by @semafor: Waters, Morelle and DeSaulnier.
Craig and Velázquez are also behind but retiring.
With co/Lcp62LZ9c4
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Stephen Neukam retweeted
NEW: Leger Fernandez and Cammack want the House to vote on ethics reform
But members doubt Mike Johnson will prioritize it in the lame duck
“I don’t know how much of an appetite there is for ethics reform,” one R said
“Not holding my breath,” one D said
washingtonsun.com/congress/house…
But members doubt Mike Johnson will prioritize it in the lame duck
“I don’t know how much of an appetite there is for ethics reform,” one R said
“Not holding my breath,” one D said
washingtonsun.com/congress/house…
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