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PRESIDENT
Trump Campaign: Files FEC Complaint Against Harris
Former President Donald Trump’s campaign has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission arguing that Vice President Kamala Harris’ new campaign committee is not entitled to a direct transfer of the some $95+ million that President Joe Biden held in his campaign account.
Many believe that because she was on the presidential ticket, her campaign committee would have access to the funds.
The Trump lawyers point out, however, that the official name of the presidential committee is simply, “Joe Biden for President.” The committee name has been changed to “Harris for President,” which the Trump operation claims is premature and an infraction of campaign finance law.
Should the complaint before the Commission end in a three-to-three tie, with the three Republicans voting to affirm the complaint and the three Democrats against, the Trump campaign could then take the measure to court.
SENATE
Arizona: Gallego Expands Lead
Countering the last three July polls that found the Arizona Senate race tightening to within the polling margin of error, Public Policy Polling has released new data that shows US Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Phoenix) with a seven-point advantage — 49-42% — over former news anchor and 2022 Republican gubernatorial nominee Kari Lake.
The survey also showed Trump leading Harris, 46-40%, in Arizona — reaffirming the now-familiar pattern of the Republican Senate nominee dropping behind the GOP ticket leader. In terms of approval rating, Mr. Trump scored a 47:49% favorability index. This compares well opposite Ms. Harris’ poor 38:55% positive-to-negative ratio.
Nevada: Race Tightens
British pollster Redfield & Wilton Strategies has tested the Nevada Senate race and sees a tighter result than most other recent polls. The ballot test found Sen. Jacky Rosen (D) leading Afghan War veteran Sam Brown (R), 41-37%. Recently, after a barrage of Rosen advertising, the Senator had been posting leads as high as eight and 12 points.
New Jersey: Sen. Menendez to Officially Resign
Senator Bob Menendez (D), who was found guilty of bribery on July 16, announced yesterday that he will leave the Senate on August 20. Governor Phil Murphy (D) immediately indicated that he will appoint a replacement for the outgoing senator to serve the balance of the term. It is unlikely that he will appoint Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown), who won the Democratic nomination after Menendez decided not to seek renomination; and Gov. Murphy’s wife, Tammy Murphy, withdrew from the Senate race.
Senator Menendez then filed as an Independent for the Senate, but that was a move largely to qualify to legally spend his campaign money on legal fees. As a non-candidate, he could not have used the funds for such an expenditure. It is now likely he will also withdraw his Independent candidacy. Representative Kim is favored to defeat Republican businessman Curtis Bashaw in the November general election.
Jim Ellis is a 35-year veteran of politics at the state and national levels. He has served ss executive director for two national political action committees, as well as a consultant to the three national Republican Party organizations in DC, the National Federation of Independent Business, and various national conservative groups.
Born and raised in Sacramento, California, he earned a B. A. in Political Science from the University of California at Davis in 1979. Jim raised his daughter, Jacqueline, alone after his wife died following a tragic car accident. He helped establish the Joan Ellis Victims Assistance Network in Rochester, NH. Jim also is a member of the Northern Virginia Football Officials Association, which officiates high school games throughout the region.
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