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Iowa’s Sen. Ernst Repays $1,900 Tax Break Claimed In Error

Posted

February 13, 2019

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20 Up In 2020 News

DES MOINES, Iowa — Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa repaid $1,900 to the Office of Tax and Revenue two days after the Des Moines Register questioned her about a tax break she had been claiming on her condo in Washington for years.

“Senator Ernst clearly violated the law by seeking multiple homestead deductions,” said Amelia Penniman, a spokeswoman for American Bridge 21st Century, a liberal super PAC that tracks Republicans. “Millions of Iowans pay their taxes on time under penalty of law. Why is it that Senator Ernst will only pay hers when she’s caught red-handed?”

American Bridge identified Ernst’s improper tax deduction and provided the records to the newspaper.

It’s unclear if Ernst will face any penalty for the claim. She’s planning to run for a second term in 2020.

https://www.stripes.com/news/us/iowa-s-sen-ernst-repays-1-900-tax-break-claimed-in-error-1.568389

Schumer Recruits Famed Fighter Pilot To Challenge McConnell In 2020

Posted

February 12, 2019

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20 Up In 2020 News

Chuck Schumer is actively recruiting Amy McGrath, a Marine veteran-turned 2018 congressional candidate to take on Mitch McConnell in 2020 — a calculated act of aggression against a leading Republican foe.

McConnell, the longest-serving Senate GOP leader, is leaving little to chance. His political team has already begun compiling opposition research on McGrath, delving into video tracking footage of her, and mapping out a potential campaign against her.

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/12/schumer-amy-mcgrath-1167184

Ex-Astronaut Mark Kelly Announces Run For McCain Senate Seat

Posted

February 12, 2019

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20 Up In 2020 News

Retired astronaut Mark Kelly, who became a prominent gun-control advocate after his wife, former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, was shot in a failed assassination attempt, announced Tuesday he will run to finish John McCain’s last term in the U.S. Senate.

Kelly, 54, is a top Democratic recruit to take on Republican Martha McSally in one of the most closely contested Senate races of the 2020 election.

https://www.apnews.com/a359c4121c324ca78bfd5db673d02c66

https://markkelly.com

Cornyn Braces For Brutal Texas Reelection Battle

Posted

February 4, 2019

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20 Up In 2020 News

Sen. John Cornyn watched with alarm when Beto O’Rourke nearly won Texas’ other Senate seat last year — alarmed that it could be him on the losing end when he’s up in 2020.

Determined not to get caught off guard by shifting demographics and fired-up Democrats, Cornyn is revving up his reelection campaign earlier than ever after O’Rourke’s near upset of Sen. Ted Cruz. Cornyn has already stockpiled more campaign cash than any other senator: $5.8 million. He’s filling high-level campaign jobs. And crucially, Cornyn secured early endorsements from Cruz and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, two of the most prominent conservatives in the state, in a show of force to prevent a primary challenge.

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/04/cornyn-texas-reelection-battle-1142878

Tidal Wave Of Out-Of-State Money For Collins’ Campaign After Kavanaugh Vote

Posted

February 3, 2019

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20 Up In 2020 News

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) had the best fundraising quarter of her career after her pivotal vote to seat Brett Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court, according to documents filed with the Federal Election Commission.

After announcing her decision to vote in favor of Kavanaugh’s nomination during a speech on the Senate floor in early October, Collins raised $1.8 million in the final quarter of 2018.

FEC records show that of the nearly $900,000 Collins received from individual donors who contributed more than $200 to her campaign, just $19,000 came from individuals with Maine addresses.

In the quarter before her Kavanaugh vote, Collins had raised a total of $140,000.

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/tidal-wave-of-out-of-state-money-for-collins-campaign-after-kavanaugh-vote

McConnell Opposes Voting Rights – Again

Posted

January 31, 2019

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) took to the Senate floor Wednesday to rally against H.R. 1, the sweeping anti-corruption proposal House Democrats have put forward that includes a proposal to make Election Day a federal holiday. McConnell called the For the People Act the “Democratic Politician Protection Act” and said he sees it as a “power grab.” “This is the Democrat plan to restore democracy?” McConnell asked. “A brand-new week of paid vacation for every federal employee who would like to hover around while you cast your ballot?” 

Sen. Ted Lieu (D-CA) tweeted the criticism many on the left are levying against McConnell: “I’m sort of happy that McConnell fears making election day a federal holiday. It’s such a frank acknowledgement that the GOP’s ideas are not accepted by the majority of American voters.”

Mitch McConnell’s Russia Connections

Posted

January 28, 2019

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20 Up In 2020 News

Len Blavatnik, who is tied to Vladimir Putin and other Russian oligarchs, benefited when Trump and McConnell lifted Russian sanctions on Sunday. Mr. Blavatnik is one of Mitch McConnell’s major donors, which may well have guided McConnell’s recent vote to lift Russian sanctions. 

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/28/1830431/-Mitch-McConnell-now-tied-to-Putin-Oleg-Deripaska-and-Russian-companies-after-lifting-sanctions