In this edition of the Electing Women Insider, we have an alarming new Senate development in Maryland, a look at the first official House-endorsed Democratic challengers of the cycle, and another update on abortion ballot measures.
US Senate: Shakeup in Maryland
Last week, former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination, immediately transforming a US Senate race that has largely flown under the radar but has major implications for women’s representation in Congress. While Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks is locked in an expensive primary with US Rep. David Trone—who is self-funding and out-spending Angela 12-to-1—Hogan is the only serious Republican in the race. And as a popular, moderate Republican, he represents a credible threat to Democrats’ Senate control if he wins the nomination. Still, with Maryland coming in as Trump’s third-worst state in 2020, it’s an uphill battle for Hogan. It just means that now the Dems, hopefully led by Angela, will have to fight for it.
🔖 Bookmark: Senate Race Ratings [Cook Political Report]
Headlines
Hogan’s Surprise Entrance Moves Maryland Senate to Likely Democrat [Cook Political Report]
Alsobrooks hits the airwaves in a Senate race transformed by Hogan [Maryland Matters]
Angela Alsobrooks wants to boost ‘first chances’ so the economy can thrive. Business Insider]
Larry Hogan lives down the road. Does he know where he’s going? [Baltimore Maryland]
Andy Kim sinks Tammy Murphy in NJ Senate race’s first Democratic convention [Politico]
Can Schiff Pull Off Grand Slam Over Porter in Jungle Primary? [Cook Political Report]
US House: Challengers Coming into Focus
At the beginning of this month the DCCC launched its first official “Red to Blue” list of challengers it will be supporting to flip Republican-held seats. Unfortunately, only six of the 17 candidates are women, including:
- Kirsten Engel, AZ-06, Toss-Up
- Christina Bohannan, IA-01, Likely Republican
- Monica Tranel, MT-01, Likely Republican
- Janelle Bynum, OR-05, Toss-Up
- Michelle Vallejo, TX-15, Likely Republican
- Missy Cotter Smasal, VA-02, Lean Republican
These primaries are mostly safe, but Democratic candidates in nine contested primaries are getting help too—an endorsement from Democratic Majority for Israel. Women make up more than half of these endorsees:
- Luz Rivas, CA-29, Solid D
- Joanna Weiss, CA-47, Lean D
- Monica Tranel, MT-01, Likely Republican
- Janelle Bynum, OR-05, Toss-Up
- Michelle Vallejo, TX-15, Likely Republican
- Eileen Filler-Corn, VA-10, Likely Democrat
See more information about these races in our 2024 Primary Tracker.
🔖 Bookmark: DCCC Red to Blue Districts [DCCC]
Headlines
Democrats launch their first slate of challengers in the fight for the House majority [NBC]
The Race for the House, Part Two [Sabato’s Crystal Ball]
Previewing the Primaries in California’s Republican-Held Seats [Cook Political Report]
New York could elect the second Black Republican woman to Congress [The 19th News]
Pro-Israel group wades into several contested Democratic primaries [Politico]
Lateefah Simon Discusses Her Run To Succeed Her Mentor Rep. Barbara Lee [Forbes]
After Three Decades, Sheila Jackson Lee Faces a Real Challenger [Texas Monthly]
State & Local: Legislatures Clap Back
The Florida Supreme Court heard arguments last week on whether the language of a proposed abortion rights amendment is too broad to appear on the ballot. They seem inclined to let the amendment go forward, but anything could happen, as the Court is dominated by conservatives. The Court’s ruling is due April 1.
State legislatures are also getting in on the abortion amendment fight: In South Dakota, lawmakers are scrambling to pass legislation “clarifying” the state’s abortion ban and criticizing the proposed ballot amendment. And in Virginia, Republicans skittish about going hard-right on abortion in a bluish-purple state voted down their own anti-abortion bill.
🔖 Bookmark: When & Where to Watch State of the State Addresses from Every Governor [National Governors Association]
Headlines
FL justices skeptical about arguments for rejecting abortion amendment [Florida Phoenix]
Opposition to abortion-rights measure passes legislative committee [South Dakota Searchlight]
Va. House GOP forced to reject own member’s anti-abortion bill [Virginia Mercury]
As Missouri abortion advocates gather signatures, lawmakers mull their options [KCUR]
Group investing $40 million in electing Democrats, including in NH [NH Bulletin]
Black women leading the Democratic Party in the early primary states [Black Enterprise]
National & Women: Kamala is ‘Ready to Serve’
The big campaign news of the moment is, unfortunately, another national meltdown about the President’s age, thanks to politically motivated language in the special counsel’s report on his handling of classified documents—a report that exonerated him, unlike the special counsel report on Trump, who is currently being prosecuted for his handling of classified documents.
The Vice President was more than happy to come out swinging against this narrative, in between stops on her reproductive freedoms tour.
Kamala Watch
Kamala Harris Says She Is Ready to Serve as Biden Faces Age Scrutiny [WSJ]
‘Gratuitous’: Harris slams Hur report, defends Biden [Politico]
Harris says special counsel report on Biden was “politically motivated” [Axios]
Biden, Harris celebrate Black History Month with ads touting promises kept [The Hill]
Kamala Harris speaks in Savannah on abortion rights [Georgia Public Broadcasting]
President Biden Hosts Black History Month Reception at the White House [C-SPAN]