POLITICS08/12/26

Larson Primary Upset in Connecticut

Luke Bronin defeated 14-term Rep. John Larson in Connecticut's Democratic primary.

Photo: Axios

FRAMING Axios emphasized Record Democratic Incumbent Losses

WHAT BOTH SIDES REPORT

▸Larson suffered a widely publicized freeze-up during a House floor speech, later attributed to a seizure. — Axios, Breitbart News
▸House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries backed Larson; the state Democratic Party backed Bronin. — Axios, Breitbart News

LEFT / CENTER-LEFT

▸Axios noted Bronin out-raised Larson, $3.1M to $2.7M, as of July 22. — Axios
▸Axios reported VoteVets, backing Democratic veterans, was Bronin's largest outside spender. — Axios

RIGHT / CENTER-RIGHT

▸Fox News quoted Larson yelling at colleagues about Elon Musk during a House committee markup. — Fox News Politics
▸Breitbart reported Bronin won with 53.6% of the vote to Larson's 34.5%, per AP with 75% reporting. — Breitbart News
▸Breitbart noted Larson campaigned on Social Security and had major labor union support. — Breitbart News

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.

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

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.

Trump held a campaign rally in Wichita, Kansas, Monday to boost Sen. Roger Marshall.

Left: sees slurs, hecklers, and a troubled race.

Right: sees a packed arena and roaring crowd.