Brett Kavanaugh denies allegation of sexual misconduct in school
Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Friday denied an allegation of sexual misconduct from when he was in high school, seeking to defuse a potential threat to his confirmation as a handful of key senators remained silent on whether they would vote for him. In a statement released by the White House, Kavanaugh said: “I categorically and unequivocally deny this allegation. I did not do this back in high school or at any time.” Senate Republicans insist Kavanaugh’s confirmation remains on track. But the allegation has inflamed an already intense political battle over President Donald Trump’s nominee. It also pushes the #MeToo movement into the court fight, less than two months before congressional elections that have seen a surge of female Democratic candidates. The New Yorker magazine reported that the alleged incident took place at a party when Kavanaugh, now 53, was attending Georgetown Preparatory School. The woman making the allegation attended a nearby school. The magazine says the woman sent a letter about the allegation to Democrats. A Democratic aide and another person familiar with the letter confirmed Friday to The Associated Press that the allegation is sexual in nature. Two other people familiar with the matter confirmed it concerned an incident alleged to have occurred in high school. They were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The AP has not confirmed the details of the incident alleged in The New Yorker’s account. Rallying to Kavanaugh’s defense, 65 women who knew him in high school issued a letter saying Kavanaugh has “always treated women with decency and respect.” The letter was circulated by Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee. “We are women who have known Brett Kavanaugh for more than 35 years and knew him while he attended high school between 1979 and 1983,” wrote the women, who said most of them had attended all-girl high schools in the area. “For the entire time we have known Brett Kavanaugh, he has behaved honorably and treated women with respect.” The show of support for Kavanaugh was organized by his former law clerks. Three women reached by AP said they were first asked to sign the letter on Thursday. The swift pushback comes after the Senate Judiciary Committee’s top Democrat, Dianne Feinstein of California, notified federal investigators about information she received about the nominee. Feinstein won’t disclose the information publicly, but the FBI confirmed it has included it in Kavanaugh’s background file at the committee, now available confidentially to all senators. Kavanaugh’s nomination has divided the Senate and the new information complicates the process, especially as key Republican senators, including Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, are under enormous pressure from outside groups seeking to sway their votes on grounds that a Justice Kavanaugh might vote to undercut the Roe v. Wade ruling. One activist group favoring abortion choice, NARAL, called on Kavanaugh to withdraw from consideration. The Judiciary Committee, which has finished confirmation hearings for Kavanagh, still plans to vote next Thursday on whether to recommend that he be confirmed by the full Senate, a spokesman said. The White House called Feinstein’s move an “11th hour attempt to delay his confirmation.” Collins held an hour-long phone call with Kavanaugh on Friday, her spokeswoman confirmed. It had been a previously scheduled follow-up to an initial visit that Kavanaugh made to her office in August. It was not immediately clear if they discussed the new information. If Collins or Murkowski should vote for Kavanaugh, he is likely to be confirmed. Every other Republican in the Senate is expected to vote yes — and some Democrats from Trump-won states may join them — though it remains to be seen if the misconduct allegation will cost him any support. Feinstein said in a statement Thursday that she “received information from an individual concerning the nomination.” She said the person “strongly requested confidentiality, declined to come forward or press the matter further, and I have honored that decision.” The FBI confirmed that it received the information Wednesday evening and included it in Kavanaugh’s background file, which is maintained as part of his nomination. The agency said that is its standard process. Feinstein’s statement that she had “referred the matter to federal investigative authorities” jolted Capitol Hill and threatened to disrupt what had been a steady path toward confirmation for Kavanaugh by Republicans eager to see the conservative judge on the court. Feinstein, who is up for re-election this year, has held the letter close. Democratic senators on the panel met privately Wednesday evening and discussed the information, according to Senate aides who were not authorized to discuss the situation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Some senators, including the No. 2 Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, learned about the information for the first time at the meeting, according to one of the aides. A spokeswoman for Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., declined to confirm reports that the congresswoman had forwarded a letter containing the allegations to Feinstein. The spokeswoman said the office has a confidentiality policy regarding casework for constituents. A White House spokeswoman, Kerri Kupec, said the FBI has vetted Kavanaugh “thoroughly and repeatedly” during his career in government and the judiciary. She said Kavanaugh has had 65 meetings with senators — including with Feinstein — has sat through over 30 hours of testimony and publicly addressed more than 2,000 questions. “Not until the eve of his confirmation has Sen. Feinstein or anyone raised the specter of new ‘information’ about him,” she said. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the second-ranking Republican and a member of the committee, was also skeptical. “Let me get this straight: this is statement about secret letter regarding a secret matter and an unidentified person. Right,” he tweeted. Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, was unaware of the information until it was made public, according to a GOP committee aide. Kavanaugh has undergone six federal background checks over his time in government, including one for the nomination, the aide said. Republished with permission
Kay Ivey awards $1.89M to help victims of domestic violence, elder abuse
The Alabama Governor’s Office announced $1.89 million in grants funding to support organizations and programs that help victims of domestic violence and elder abuse throughout the state. Gov. Kay Ivey made the announcement on Friday. “No one should ever have to experience the horrors of domestic violence or elder abuse, but there is hope for those who unfortunately do become victims,” Ivey said. “The programs supported by these grants will help ensure that professional assistance is available and that justice is obtained for the survivors.” The grants breakdown $1.56 million grant: awarded to the Alabama Department of Human Resources to support their Adult Protective Services division that provides emergency in-home services and temporary placement option for victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation. Two grants, totaling $250,781: given to support the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence as they serve their member programs and shelters throughout the state. The organization provides training, education and outreach on domestic violence issues, and their member shelters provide counseling, support groups and other vital services. $80,000 grant: allotted to help the Alabama Office of Prosecution Services to train law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, domestic violence shelter staff and other criminal justice agencies that investigate and prosecute abusers or assist victims of domestic violence. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is administering the grants from multiple funding sources, including the U.S. Department of Justice, the state’s General Fund and the Domestic Violence Trust Fund, which was created through the state marriage license fee. Those funds are used to provide shelter for victims and to conduct educational and prevention programs. “Gov. Ivey understands the important roles these agencies play in helping domestic violence and elder abuse victims,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join her in supporting these programs that provide important assistance to victims at a time they need it the most.”
Science is clear: It’s time to end corporal punishment in our schools
I was quite surprised to see earlier this week that Georgia has re-instituted corporal punishment in the school system. Whew! I thought that was disturbing. More disturbing was when Alabama Today looked into it and found that Alabama law allows corporal punishment in schools and most districts have allowed it. There are several things wrong schools implementing corporal punishment, so I’ll just hit the top three. 1) Corporal punishment doesn’t work. There are few things that have been studied as much in early childhood development as the use of spanking and corporal punishment, and not a single study has found that it does anything except erode the trust between children and adults, and exacerbate the problems versus address the underlying issues of the behavior. Don’t believe me here’s a few places to look: The Spanking Debate is Over published in Psychology Today By Noam Shpancer, Ph.D. Feb. 05, 2018 The case against spanking published in the American Psychological Association By Brendan L. Smith, April 2012, Vol 43, No. 4 Physical punishment of children: lessons from 20 years of research published in Canadian Medical Association Journal By: Joan Durrant, PhD and Ron Ensom, MSW RSW 2) The idea that if you spare the rode, spoil the kid is sincerely outdated. There are ways in which you can raise a healthy, happy, disciplined, un-wild child without ever spanking them. This has been proven using methods of positive reinforcement. So we don’t just get rid of spanking and allow children to run buck wild, we hold them accountable for their actions at young ages. We hold their parents accountable for helping them evolve emotionally and developmentally into young people that understand actions have consequences and that their behavior matters. We need to focus on the positive aspects and ways we can have children develop self-discipline and respect. There are school programs around the country that are working effectively to address children’s developmental needs. Some are having incredible results. How One Middle School Cut Discipline Referrals By 98 Percent in Just One Year By Sabrina Holcomb 3) School administrators should not be expected to be parents. We have to re-assess the idea that ‘where we are failing at home, that teachers and administrators of a school should step in.’ And that of course includes, taking major disciplinary actions against our children. Prevent Child Abuse America set a resolution regarding the use of corporal punishment in schools. Their resolution covers these issues plus some. Corporal punishment, such as spanking, has detrimental effects on the development of children. Prevent Child Abuse America has taken a position on this issue. A Resolution on the Use of Corporal Punishment in Schools and Institutions Whereas, age-appropriate discipline may be necessary in school and institutional settings, nonviolent means of discipline, such as giving time-outs, explaining rules, or taking away privileges, have been shown to be more effective than violent discipline. Whereas, the use of physical punishment teaches children how to use physical violence to control others rather than peaceful means of solving problems.1 Whereas, 365,508 school children were subjected to corporal punishment during the 1997-1998 school year.2 Whereas, currently nearly 50 percent of all states (23) allow corporal punishment in schools.3 Whereas, the use of physical force against an adult is considered a crime of battery or assault. Therefore, be it resolved, that Prevent Child Abuse America supports: Banning, in every state, the use of corporal punishment against children in all schools and institutions. Providing initial and ongoing training to all teachers and staff on alternative means of discipline. Promoting positive and appropriate behavior in school by teaching children appropriate behavior and coping skills through effective and proven educational and school-based programs that award good behavior and encourage accountability and peer mediation. A school should be a safe-haven for children to learn. It should be somewhere that they’re excited to go and look forward to going and seeing their friends, and learning and experiencing things. School should not just be a glorified daycare or a place for secondary parenting. We need to do better and expect more.We need to stop corporal punishment not just in our schools, but in our homes as well.
Alabama AG’s office says triple murder suspect was ‘improperly categorized’ for parole
After spending over 30 years in prison Jimmy Spencer was paroled in January 2018. Months after being released, he has found himself behind bars yet again, accused of slaying three people in Guntersville, Ala. — 65-year-old Martha Dell Reliford, 74-year-old Marie Kitchens Martin and Martin’s great-grandson, 7-year-old Colton Ryan Lee. Now, the Alabama Attorney General’s office is saying Spencer was paroled only because he was mis-categorized as a “non-victim” offender in the system. “Mr. Spencer was improperly categorized as a ‘non-victim’ offender,” said Mike Lewis with the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, according to WHNT News 19. “As a result, our Office of Victim Assistance was not alerted to his violent past. This case also raises concerns with the Paole Board’s risk assessment procedures and whether the implementation of this process is failing the public. The Attorney General grieves the loss of life and is working with prosecutors and law enforcement from around the state on a solution to the issues raised in this case.” Spencer’s criminal past From the Alabama Department of Corrections: Spencer, 52, was first sentenced to prison in July 1984 to one year for third-degree burglary in Franklin County. Later he was charged and convicted of a prison escape in September 1984 and received a 10-year sentence. Spencer again received another 10-year sentence to run consecutively with his prior sentences for a second escape conviction in May 1985. Spencer was paroled by the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles in July 1988. His parole was revoked in January 1989 for a second-degree burglary conviction in Franklin County. He received a life sentence in February 1990 following the conviction. Spencer again escaped from prison on March 14, 1993, and was recaptured May 16, 1993. He was charged and convicted of unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle and third-degree burglary during his escape and received two 16-year sentences for each conviction to run consecutively with his life sentence.” While serving his prison sentence, Spencer was charged and convicted of second-degree assault of an inmate and received a 15-year sentence. Spencer received a second parole from the Board of Pardons and Paroles and was released from prison on January 22, 2018. He now stands charged with seven counts of murder in his killing of three victims. Murder during the commission of a first-degree robbery, for the murder of Reliford Capital murder for a murder committed while serving a life sentence, for the murder of Reliford Murder during the commission of first-degree robbery, for the murder of Martin Capital murder for a murder committed while serving a life sentence, for the murder of Martin The murder of two or more people at one time, for the murders of Martin and Lee The intentional murder of a child under 14-years-old, for the murder of Lee Capital murder for a murder committed while serving a life sentence, for the murder of Lee Consequences of the Parole Board’s decisions The Parole Board has made headlines as of late as they’ve been scrutinized for decisions beyond that of granting Spencer parole. Two Florence, Ala. men, Michael Prater and Darnell Rice, were both released this year despite objections from prosecutors. Prater, who pled guilty to aggravated stalking and escape and was sentenced to 15 years, only served four before the Parole Board released him. Meanwhile, Rice only served seven years of a 20 year sentence for shooting a man. Meanwhile Kayla French was released just last month after serving only two years of a 13 year sentence for stabbing her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend four times — including once in the heart.
Richardson, Snider: Alabama must vote yes on Proposed Statewide Amendment Two
According to Pew Research, the only state that is more pro-life than Alabama is Mississippi. Our status as one of the leading states in the pro-life movement is both a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing in that our state has successfully passed legislation curbing abortion. It is a curse, however, in the sense that a pro-life failure here could spell disaster for the cause at the national level. This is why, in November, Alabama must set the standard and show the world just how strong the pro-life movement is–by voting yes on Proposed Statewide Amendment 2. The amendment, if approved, would add language to the state constitution acknowledging the sanctity of unborn life and stipulating that the state constitution provides no right to abortion. That’s the technical explanation. In a recent call with the Alabama Policy Institute, however, Representative Matt Fridy, the sponsor of the amendment, described both its intention and impact. Fridy explained that the amendment is not meant to immediately eliminate abortion, but to prevent a problem faced by our northern neighbor. The problem? In 2000, the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled that their state constitution provided higher protection for abortion than the federal constitution. As a result, an array of the state’s pro-life measures were struck down by the court, which argued that they were unconstitutional on the state level. The Volunteer State later passed an amendment–similar to the one we will vote on in November–to specify that their constitution did not, in fact, guarantee any such right. Fridy wants to eliminate any opportunity for what happened in Tennessee to happen here, and this amendment would be effective in that vein. Any further impact, however, would require change on the national level. Alabamians should wholeheartedly support this amendment because we, as a state, overwhelmingly believe in the sanctity of life. For many of us, this belief stems from our Christian values. King David reminds us in Psalm 139 that God knits each of us together in the womb. We are unable to ignore that reality. We also acknowledge the truth described in Genesis, that humans bear the imago dei–the image of God–and are worthy of dignity and respect. Others of us are pro-life because of a non-religious understanding that each member of our species is due protection, including the least developed of us. We protect the lives of the unborn just as we do those recently born, children, and individuals with disabilities–because of their humanity. Regardless of why, we at API are proud that most Alabamians are pro-life. It’s not always easy to hold this opinion, however. Supporters of abortion often highlight the differences between the unborn and born based on physical appearance or mental capacity, suggesting that the unborn are not yet human. These arguments, at times, can seem convincing. Even so, we reject these appeals, recognizing a) the value of all human life and b) that the same dehumanization that euphemizes abortion today was employed in Nazi Germany and 1990s Rwanda to make mass murder seem tenable. It is not unknown to Alabamians that the stakes are high, and we do not lazily adopt this position. Being pro-life leads us to action: I am a mother to four children, including an adopted child with special-needs. Other Alabamians are foster parents, volunteers at local crisis pregnancy centers, or benefactors of pro-life organizations that fight daily for the dignity of all. We also, and this must not be ignored, vote as if unknown multitudes of lives hang in the balance–because they do. Although Proposed Statewide Amendment 2 will not ban abortion within our borders, its unqualified passage will signal to the nation and the wider world that abortion is unacceptable, morally repugnant, and, as many like to say, on the wrong side of history. We must not squander this moment. ••• Nikki Richardson is Executive Vice President of the Alabama Policy Institute and Parker Snider is Policy Relations Manager. API is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit research and educational organization dedicated to strengthening free enterprise, defending limited government, and championing strong families.
Tommy Battle proposes a balanced FY19 budget to Huntsville City Council
Huntsville, Ala. Mayor Tommy Battle proposed a balanced budget for the FY 2019 fiscal year during Thursday night’s regular City Council meeting that provides level funding for most municipal departments and outside agencies. Battle proposed a $254.4 million operating budget that represents a modest $12.2 million increase over the FY 2018 budget. It includes $209.7 million in general fund operations, of which roughly 72 percent goes toward personnel expenses, and $144.5 million in capital projects. “We continue to see strong growth in jobs and, therefore, steady growth in our population. This budget sustains our annual investments in infrastructure and expanding services needed to stay ahead of the growth in our community,” said Battle. “The fiscal responsibility with which our administration and the City Council have approached the management of our grow is reflected in our dual triple-A credit ratings.” The Mayor is asking Council to continue prudent capital expenditures in the City’s infrastructure and public facilities including over $41 million in road construction and maintenance, approximately $27 million in parks and recreational facilities, and $7.8 million and public safety facilities and equipment. Additionally, this budget sustains the steady growth in the City’s discretionary contribution to local funding of Huntsville City Schools, topping $24 million for the first time. Late in FY18, the City Council added 10 police officer positions to be filled during FY19. Battle’s budget also adds critical positions to the Public Works Department needed for increased sanitation services and road maintenance. Highlights of the FY19 budget include: $41 million for road construction, repaving, and maintenance $27 million for public park and recreation projects $25 million for City Hall construction $24.5 million for Huntsville City Schools $24.7 million for outside agency special appropriations 1% Cost of Living increase for City employees Council members will consider the budget for final approval at their regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 27, ahead of the start of the 2019 fiscal year on Oct. 1.
Chris Sims of Birmingham’s Sigao talks about need for rural internet in Washington
Chris Sims, the CEO and co-founder of Birmingham’s tech-startup, Sigao Studios, was in Washington D.C. Tuesday to join a panel discussion about the need for sufficient access to broadband internet. At the briefing hosted by ACT The App Association — a Washington-based trade group for app-makers that is sponsored by Apple — and U.S. Reps. Austin Scott and Mark Pocan, Sims explained access to broadband Internet is “critical” for business. “Sufficient access to broadband Internet is a critical need for us as a company, our customers and employees. We need as many consumers as possible gaining access to high speed Internet, so they can access the software we build for our customers whether it be case management solutions for special needs children or speech therapy across a teletherapy platform,” said Sims. “Likewise, given the nations developer workforce crisis we need to open the potential market for people throughout the nation, especially in underrepresented and rural areas to be able to participate in today’s App economy.”
More taxpayer money goes down the drain, nearly $200k in state property lost in Q3 2018
According to Alabama’s 2018 Q3 Loss Report, state agencies were unable to account for nearly $200,000 of state property in the latest quarter. Compiled by State Auditor Jim Zeigler — whose office is tasked with providing accountability to the taxpayers of Alabama by maintaining accurate records of all personal property valued at $500 and above by conducting property and equipment audits for all 176 agencies statewide — the report reveals 81 items were lost in Q3 alone. Released Sept. 5, Zeigler’s report cited stolen computers and wrecked state vehicles atop the list of losses. “The total loss to the state, and thus to taxpayers, was $199,689.09 from 81 assets with a depreciated value of $108,345.50 due to the age of some of the items,” Zeigler said. Forty items, half of the losses, were categorized as lost — no one is able to explain where these items were or what happened to them. “This is concerning,” stated Zeigler. He believes the losses are “unacceptable.” There were 33 items stolen, some from offices and others from employee vehicles or residences. Eight items were destroyed. Five of those were wrecked vehicles, totaling a whopping $118,874.30. Three items were broken and thrown out without completing the proper paperwork to scrap the items. Breakdown of the losses Burglary/theft: 34 items Purchase price: $44,924.16 Lost: 39 items Purchase price: $34,313.63 Destroyed: 8 items Purchase price: $120,451.30 “One of our biggest problems is that not all agencies hold employees accountable for missing items. Items reported as stolen require a police report,” explained Zeigler. “For all items, whether stolen, lost or destroyed, the agency director must decide whether negligence was involved on the part of the responsible employee. When agency directors deem negligence is involved, they are required to seek repayment from the employee. However, if the employee is no longer employed with the state, there is no recourse for restitution.” Zeigler continued, “The way current law is written, when the Auditor’s Office finalizes a property audit and there are assets reported as lost, stolen or destroyed, a report is sent to the Attorney General’s Office to investigate further. Responses from the AG’s Office usually state that the dollar amount of the losses isn’t great enough to offset the cost associated with investigation and recovery to the state, so no further action is taken.” “Once my office completes an audit, I have no enforcement powers,” he said. Holding agencies accountable Zeigler says he may introduce a bill in the 2019 regular legislative session to give enforcement powers of the state audits to the State Auditor rather than another agency. “Unless something changes, no one will be held accountable for the losses that result from negligence by employees. That is not acceptable,” Zeigler said Thursday. “Not enforcing the audits eliminates the deterrent effect.”
Takeaways from the 2018 primary season
The stage is set for a November brawl that could loosen President Donald Trump‘s grip on Washington. Elections in New York Thursday marked the end of a long, dramatic and sometimes tumultuous primary season that reshaped both parties going into the midterm elections. Democrats have a younger, more liberal, and more diverse slate of candidates they believe can flip control of the House and reclaim several governor’s offices. Republicans, meanwhile, have doubled down on being the party of Trump. Here are some takeaways from primary season as the focus shifts to the Nov. 6 general election. DEMOCRATS ARE ENERGIZED, BUT THE GOP BASE ISN’T ASLEEP An avowed democratic socialist upset a House Democratic leader in New York. A self-styled progressive knocked off a former congressman in a Nebraska swing district. An unabashed liberal won the Democratic nomination for governor in Georgia and is a serious contender for the fall race. Single-payer health insurance advocates came out on top and are aiming for House seats from West Virginia to California and in governor’s races in Maryland and Florida. Elsewhere, Democrats opted for more centrist candidates — but many of them still further left than the old Blue Dog Democrats booted from Congress during President Barack Obama‘s two terms. And in a series of House special elections in more conservative districts, Democrats managed much narrower margins than usual even in defeat, with raw vote totals much closer to their typical presidential election turnout than what Republicans produced. In short: The political left has exploded since Trump’s election. If all these trends hold nationwide in November, Democrats would benefit. Yet it’s not accurate to say the Republican base is depressed. The president’s approval rating among self-identified Republicans typically exceeds 90 percent. Democrats set primary turnout records this year in Florida and Texas — only to watch Republicans do the same. In perennial battleground Florida, for example, there were at least 100,000 more GOP ballots despite both parties having competitive primaries for governor. All of that together means Democrats are poised to make gains in November. But the difference in gaining limited ground and having anything approaching a wave election will depend on independents and moderates who didn’t cast a primary ballot at all. FOR REPUBLICANS, IT’S ALL TRUMP, ALL THE TIME Alongside Democrats’ leftward shift, the GOP has even more consistently held to their core supporters: the Trump base. Crossing those voters proved perilous for Republicans such as Rep. Mark Sanford of South Carolina, who lost his primary race this summer to an opponent who pledged her loyalty to Trump. Rep. Martha Roby of Alabama, who criticized Trump in the final weeks of the 2016 campaign, avoided a similar fate after promising voters she backed the president. But now Republicans have to thread a needle in the general election to reach moderates who dislike, for example, Trump’s policy of separating immigrant children from their parents at the nation’s southern border. It’s an especially delicate balance for candidates such as former Rep. Ron DeSantis, nominee for Florida governor; Rep. Barbara Comstock, seeking re-election in a Virginia district that Trump lost big; and Mike Braun, an Indiana businessman trying to unseat Sen. Joe Donnelly. Trump put the tightrope on full display Thursday with his evidence-free rejection of the revised death toll in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. In Florida, which has seen an influx of displaced Puerto Ricans added to voter rolls, DeSantis and outgoing Gov. Rick Scott, now a Senate candidate, had to release statements assuring voters they support the Puerto Rican recovery and do not dispute new estimates that almost 3,000 people died because of the storm. TRUMP’S MIDWESTERN WALL AT RISK The pendulum could swing against Trump in the band of Great Lakes and Rust Belt states that delivered him to the Oval Office. Aided by a court-ordered redraw of congressional districts, Democrats will pick up at least a few seats in Pennsylvania. Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and Iowa each have multiple GOP House districts where Democrats have nominated competitive, if not favored, candidates. Republican governors in Wisconsin and Iowa are at-risk, and open GOP seats in Michigan and Ohio are toss-ups. Meanwhile, Democratic senators across the region are either favored or in re-election tossups — but none are considered underdogs. EVEN WITH GOP-FRIENDLY MAP, THE SENATE IS IN PLAY Republicans began the cycle with hopes of expanding their 51-49 Senate majority. After all, 10 Democratic senators face re-election in states Trump won — five of them by wide margins. Yet senators like Joe Manchin in West Virginia and Jon Tester in Montana are reminding Republicans why they were elected in the first place: They’ve proven adept at establishing their own brands and they raise lots of money. Florida Sen. Bill Nelson is the only one of the 10 who’s collected less money than the GOP challenger — and Gov. Rick Scott’s advantage comes from his personal fortune. Handicappers in both parties don’t think Democrats will hold all 10 seats, but they also agree that GOP prospects of big gains have diminished if not disappeared. Meanwhile, Republicans always expected to have tough races defending Arizona and Nevada, but now must pay attention to the surprisingly competitive contests in Texas and Tennessee. IT REALLY IS THE YEAR OF WOMEN … Women make up less than a fifth of Congress and fill just six governor’s chairs, but those numbers are almost certain to go up. The Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University counts a record 239 women nominated for House seats (187 Democrats, 52 Republicans). That obliterates the previous high mark of 167 set two years ago; the new record includes 47 open-seat candidates (34 Democrats, 13 Republicans) and 121 challengers (99 Democrats, 22 Republicans). More than half the candidates on national Democrats’ priority list (those viewed as most likely to flip a GOP House seat) are women. There are 12 new female nominees for governor, in addition to four incumbents seeking re-election. Several high-profile races involve two women, headlined by
