Ken Rudin
Yesterday’s (Sept. 9th) defeat of Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee by Helena Foulkes in the Democratic primary was the first time a gov. lost renomination since 2018, when Jeff Colyer — who became governor of Kansas following the resignation of Sam Brownback — was defeated in the GOP primary by Kris Kobach. Kobach then went …
Former Kansas Congressman Dan Glickman, Democrat, remembers his longtime friend, Senator Nancy Kassebaum, Republican, who died last week. Plus: A visit to the Political Junkie archives for an interview with the late Walter Mondale.
Some interesting results in Tuesday’s Florida primaries, and while they may not turn into gains or losses for either party, there were surprises. First, in the Democratic primary for the Senate, a big upset. Alex Vindman, a retired Army lieutenant colonel who played a major role in Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial, and who vastly …
What the GOP faces with fewer than three months before the midterms. Plus, a farewell to Karoline Leavitt and disbelief that Max Miller is fighting to keep his job.
By Mike Rudin Graham is the name to watch in today’s special South Carolina Republican primary. It’s the first step in the process of replacing Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died July 11th. His sister, Darline Graham, was appointed to fill the seat by Gov. Henry McMaster, a temporary replacement at first, until she announced, in …
A look at Mitch McConnell’s health-related disappearance from Capitol Hill, as his Senate career comes to an end. And what to watch for in Tuesday’s special Republican Senate primary in South Carolina in the race to succeed the late Lindsey Graham.
Senate Judiciary Cmte voted 12-10 on party lines to send the nomination of Todd Blanche for Attorney General to the Senate floor. Two would-be holdouts, Thom Tillis and John Cornyn, earlier said their reservations about him on the anti-weaponization fund were over. Â Both senators’ careers ended thanks to Trump’s involvement, but let bygones, etc. etc. …
Some big primaries today, none more so than the Democratic contest for a Senate seat in Michigan; Dem incumbent Gary Peters is retiring. It pits Rep. Haley Stevens, a centrist, vs. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, an opponent of U.S. aid to Israel who is pro-Palestinian. Israel is not the only issue — El-Sayed also supports universal …
The Senate votes 51-47 to confirm Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence. All votes were on party lines; while Democrats were glad to see Bill Pulte, the acting DNI, replaced, any chance of them voting to confirm Clayton disappeared when he proved himself incapable of answering as to who won the 2020 election. Two …
Analysis by Mike Rudin UPCOMING PRIMARIES I know what you’re thinking — how did he get that sweet gig writing for The Political Junkie?! It wasn’t easy. First, I had to be a bona fide political junkie, which I am. And second, I had to grow up with Ken, which I did. If you have …