Month: July 2017

New Voter Registration Numbers Are Out

Buck Banks

The new national registration totals for the United States, in the 32 jurisdictions in which the voter registration form asks the applicant to choose a party, according to Ballot Access News, are:

  • Democratic – 44,706,349 (40.30%)
  • Republican – 32,807,417 (29.57%)
  • Independent – 30,818,334 (27.78%)
  • Libertarian – 511,277 (.46%)
  • Green – 258,683 (.23%)
  • Constitution – 97,893 (.09%)
  • Working Families – 52,748 (.05%)

Democrats Fielding Record Number of House Challengers

Buck Banks

209

Brookings: “As of the end of June, 209 Democratic challengers had registered with the FEC and raised at least $5,000. That more than doubled the previous high mark since 2003. In 2009, the Republicans had 78 challengers with at least $5,000. The early GOP challengers in 2009 foreshadowed the party’s regaining majority control. The question is whether the same will hold true for the Democrats in 2018. … The number of challengers at six months is truly remarkable. And the candidates are not simply bunching up in a few primaries. Yes, there is some doubling up: six Democrats have filed so far against John Faso in New York’s 19th congressional district. But there is also a good spread. So far, 105 different Republican incumbents have Democratic challengers with $5,000.”

GOP Hit with $15 Million Ad Spend Against Healthcare Bill

Buck Banks

$14.8 million

NBC News: “The Republican senators whose votes are crucial to the fate of health care in America have faced a $15 million barrage of TV advertising from outside groups opposing the GOP legislation — and no air cover from any group backing the bills. … According to ad-buying tracker Advertising Analytics, groups opposing the GOP health care push have spent $14.8 million since May on TV ads targeting 13 key senators, with even more ad buys rolling in daily as the debate in the Senate reaches fever pitch. No groups have run ads in those states in support of the ever-evolving Republican legislation to repeal and replace parts or all of Obamacare.”

Trump Threatens Price If Healthcare Bill Fails

Buck Banks

“Are you gonna get the votes? He better get them. He better get them. Oh, he better, otherwise I’ll say, ‘Tom, you’re fired.’ I’ll get somebody.”

— President Trump, at an event for Boy Scouts, threatening to fire Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price if Congress does not repeal the Affordable Care Act, the Daily Beast reports.