Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* In Virginia, John Reid insists that he will move forward with his Republican campaign for lieutenant governor, despite pressure from his own party — including Gov. Glenn Youngkin — to end his candidacy. Reid, the Virginia GOP’s first openly gay candidate to seek statewide office, was accused of sharing pornographic material online, claims the candidate has denied.
* Three years after his failed re-election bid, former Gov. Paul LePage is apparently launching a comeback bid: The Maine Republican has filed the paperwork to run for Congress next year, setting up a possible showdown against incumbent Democratic Rep. Jared Golden in a red-leaning district.
* In Georgia, the latest Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll found Republican Gov. Brian Kemp with a narrow lead over Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in a hypothetical matchup, 49% to 46%. In a hypothetical matchup against Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Ossoff leads by 17 points. (Click the link for more information on the poll’s methodology and margin of error.)
* On a related note, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll also found Donald Trump’s approval rating in the state down to 43%. Last fall, the president won Georgia with 51% support.
* Looking ahead to next year’s midterm elections, House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters last week that he and his fellow Republicans will “of course” try to exploit some Democrats’ interest in trying to impeach Trump if they retake the majority in the chamber.
* Remember a few weeks ago, when John Bash, best known for his work representing Elon Musk, launched a Republican campaign in Texas’ attorney general race? Bash announced last week that he had a family health scare and decided to end his candidacy.
* On Capitol Hill, in the race to serve as Senate Democratic whip in the next Congress, Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii continues to pick up endorsements, even as others — including Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Patty Murray of Washington — are rumored to be interested in the leadership position.
* And in Kentucky, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, to the surprise of no one, confirmed last week that he’s considering a 2028 presidential bid. The governor, who was on the short list for his party’s vice presidential nomination last fall, made the acknowledgement during an interview with WDRB in Louisville.
