Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* In North Carolina’s 2026 U.S. Senate campaign, Democratic officials have spent months urging former Gov. Roy Cooper to launch a candidacy. The pleas apparently worked: Cooper will reportedly launch a Senate bid early next week, eyeing the seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis.
* On a related note, while there’s been ample chatter about Lara Trump running in the same North Carolina race, the presidential daughter-in-law has reportedly opted not to run, leaving Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley to pursue the Senate seat with Donald Trump’s blessing.
* In New York, Rep. Mike Lawler made little effort to hide his interest in next year’s gubernatorial race, but at the president’s urging, the Republican congressman has decided to seek re-election to the U.S. House, clearing the way for Rep. Elise Stefanik to launch a GOP bid for governor.
* On a related, Rep. Bill Huizenga made little effort to hide his interest in Michigan’s 2026 Senate race, but at Trump’s urging, he’s also going to run for re-election, clearing the way for former Rep. Mike Rogers, who narrowly lost a Senate bid last year.
* In the wake of Republicans approving the party’s far-right domestic policy bill, the Democratic National Committee is reportedly putting up billboards outside rural hospitals that are either closing or are poised to reduce services as a result of the GOP package.
* With only a few months remaining in New Jersey’s gubernatorial race, Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli now has a running mate: Morris County Sheriff Jim Gannon.
* And in Georgia, Rep. Mike Collins hasn’t formally held a kickoff event for his U.S. Senate campaign, but the Republican congressman said this week, “We’re in this race.” If Collins wins in a GOP primary, he’ll face incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff next year.
This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
