POLITICS09/18/26

GOP Super PAC Spending in Red Territory

Trump-aligned super PACs are spending $150M+ in reliably Republican districts and states.

Photo: New Republic

FRAMING New Republic emphasized GOP Playing Desperate Defense; Washington Examiner emphasized Republicans Claim Offensive Strategy.

WHAT BOTH SIDES REPORT

▸Trump-aligned super PACs are spending heavily in deep-red House and Senate races that have become competitive. — NPR Politics, Washington Examiner
▸Republican spending in states like Kansas and Iowa signals a potentially difficult Senate map for the party. — Washington Examiner, NPR Politics

LEFT / CENTER-LEFT

▸MAGA Inc. is spending in at least 17 House districts Trump carried by over five points in 2024. — New Republic
▸Trump's unpopularity — driven by inflation, tariffs, and war — is forcing defensive spending in safe red seats. — New Republic
▸Six of the targeted districts were won by Trump by over 10 points, illustrating how broad the battlefield has become. — New Republic

RIGHT / CENTER-RIGHT

▸Republicans insist the spending represents offensive posturing ahead of November's midterms, not a defensive retreat. — Washington Examiner

DOJ California Voter Fraud Sweep

DOJ charged 28 noncitizens and arrested 11 in California under 'Operation Protect the Vote.'

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Thursday: The Justice Department gave California 48 hours to review flagged noncitizen voters or face emergency legal action.

Sunday: DOJ threatens criminal prosecution for processing noncitizen ballots

Tuesday: DOJ charges 28 noncitizens, arrests 11 in California

Left: Defendants say they never registered to vote.

Right: DOJ arrests 11, charges 28 noncitizen voters.

At a CNN town hall, Talarico defended his nine-day flu absence and criticized Paxton for conspiracy theories.

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Oct 12: Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico attributed a roughly two-week campaign absence to having the flu.

Thursday: Talarico defends flu absence, attacks Paxton conspiracy claims

Left: Paxton allies falsely called it a mental health crisis.

Right: Talarico says he'd handle his flu absence the same way.

The DOJ warned California officials that processing ballots from suspected noncitizens could result in criminal prosecution.

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Thursday: The Justice Department gave California 48 hours to review flagged noncitizen voters or face emergency legal action.

Sunday: DOJ threatens criminal prosecution for processing noncitizen ballots

Left: Feds pressure California mid-election with criminal threat

Right: Trump vows jail if noncitizen ballots are counted

Trump rallied in Dalton, Georgia, backing Senate and governor candidates Collins and Jackson.

Left: PBS: Rally hits a state split by Trump's claims

Right: Breitbart: NFL star Gurley joins Trump on stage