RandySF
RandySF's JournalMinnesota caucuses draw big crowds as voters discuss priorities ahead of November elections
MINNEAPOLIS — Precinct caucuses across Minnesota on Tuesday drew historic crowds of people, according to Minnesota DFL officials. Minnesotans gathered at various locations across the state to discuss issues, show support for candidates and begin the process of determining party nominees ahead of the November general election.
The Minnesota DFL reported at least 30,000 attendees. The party's former chair Mike Erlandson said many were voicing concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.
"I think the number one issue is people have had enough of Donald Trump," he said. "I think the second issue is people are very nervous about what's happening on the streets of Minneapolis. You cannot have people gunned down and think that people are going to skip participating in the political process."
He noted that Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, who faces little opposition from other Democrats in the race for governor, was a popular name at caucuses. Other contests, including the U.S. Senate race and Hennepin County Attorney, received less attention, Erlandson said. Still, he anticipates that voters will maintain their momentum through the midterm elections.
https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/minnesota-caucuses-big-crowds-as-voters-discuss-key-issues/89-e0704714-6cfb-4326-bad1-a35cb41edc6d
Local politician fights disqualification ruling in Pulaski County election
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — After being removed from her Pulaski County Justice of the Peace seat in 2023, Kristina Gulley is attempting to keep her name on the ballot and represent District 10.
But a lawsuit claims that Gulley has been ruled ineligible due to two hot check convictions from the late 90s and early 2000s
The lawsuit alleges that Gulley has been found ineligible to run or hold public office, something that the plaintiffs say has been established in three other complaints. But Gulley says that the lawsuit is a waste of time and a political attack.
Another complaint filed against Gulley seeks to keep her ineligible to run and hold office.
https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/north-little-rock/local-politician-disqualification-ruling-pulaski-county/91-0110a00d-4789-4977-ba33-60de69ef9589
West Virginia House Judiciary Committee moves deadline to receipt of absentee ballots to Election Day
CHARLESTON – West Virginia law allows a buffer for county election officials to receive absentee ballots through the mail in time for canvassing and counting. But a new law being considered would move that deadline to Election Day, raising concerns about disenfranchising rural and older voters.
The House Judiciary Committee spent Tuesday and Wednesday considering House Bill 4600, requiring all ballots for primary and general elections to be received no later than the close of polls on Election Day. The committee recommended the bill for passage to the full House of Delegates Wednesday morning.
HB 4600 would require that any absentee ballot returned to a local county clerk via the U.S. mail or express shipping must be received by the county clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on the day of the primary or general election. It would apply to standard absentee ballots, military and overseas voters, and ballots submitted electronically.
“Essentially what it does is it syncs up the close of Election Day or the close of polls on Election Day as the time that the ballots have to be received,” explained one of the bill’s co-sponsors, Del. Joshua Holstein, R-Boone. “The effect of that is it eliminates the current postmark time in state code.”
https://www.newsandsentinel.com/news/local-news/2026/02/west-virginia-house-judiciary-committee-moves-deadline-to-receipt-of-absentee-ballots-to-election-day/
CA-40: Esther Kim-Varet (D) Holds Massive 14 to 1 Cash Advantage Over Democratic Opponents in Q4
COTO DE CAZA, CA — Esther Kim-Varet’s campaign to flip California’s 40th Congressional District received another huge boost from the latest FEC campaign finance disclosures. Kim-Varet’s campaign took in $2,363,643 in 2025, with an average donation of $28.91. The last quarter of 2025 closed out strong with $244,331 of contribution receipts. Kim-Varet ended 2025 with $1,161,617 of cash, more than 14X the cash-on-hand position of either of her remaining Democratic opponents. Democratic candidate Lisa Ramirez ended 2025 with $81,893 cash-on-hand. 40% of Ramirez’ 4th quarter contribution receipts came from Ramirez herself. The other Democratic candidate Joe Kerr ended 2025 with $9,789 cash-on-hand. The current cash advantage of Kim-Varet in the Democratic field is expected to widen exponentially.
In the first month of 2026, Kim-Varet’s viral social media accounts have averaged $8,000 a day in donations, with a new donation averaging every 8 minutes. There have been 30 million visitors to her accounts in the last 30 days alone. Kim-Varet is the only candidate in CA-40 with a campaign ready for political warfare in the digital age. Young Kim and Ken Calvert , the two corrupt MAGA incumbent Republicans both competing for the CA-40 seat, reported ending 2025 with cash positions of $5.5 million and $3.4 million respectively.
Despite the current cash advantage of the Republicans, Kim-Varet’s campaign released last week a significant new poll of 800 likely CA-40 voters that shows Kim-Varet TIED in a general election matchup against either Young Kim or Ken Calvert . The same poll projects Kim-Varet easily advancing to the general election. In a simulated June primary, Kim-Varet advances with 30% of likely voters, compared to 11% for all other Democratic and Independent candidates combined.
“Our latest polling data and fundraising results tell a clear story,” said Esther Kim-Varet. “In what was until now considered by many to be a safe Republican seat, polls show that I am already dead-even with the incumbents. My experience as an entrepreneurial small business owner helped me to build an innovative campaign that can actually achieve the visibility and funding needed to unite CA-40’s Democrats and connect with its large number of Independent voters. Let’s be for real: defeating the two deep-pocketed corrupt Republican incumbents running in this new district will require not only boldness, creativity, and integrity — but also substantial funding, media reach, and name recognition. Our campaign is the only one in this race with a viable path to flipping CA-40.”
https://theliberaloc.com/2026/02/03/esther-kim-varet-holds-massive-14-to-1-cash-advantage-over-democratic-opponents-in-q4-leading-the-field-to-flip-ca-40-house-seat-blue/
CA-40: Questions Dog Lisa Rameriz's (D) Candidacy
She’s pro-life. Not pro-choice. When asked a question if she supports a woman’s right to have an abortion, she says she supports Roe v. Wade. And I support the World Football League’s Southern California Sun who used to play in Angels Stadium but liek Roe v. Wade, neither exists today. When pressed, she supports a woman’s right to choose if a pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. That’s not good enough period. Her husband is a minister, which might explain it. But if elected to Congress and a bill to restore abortion rights nationwide would come up, I don’t trust how she’d cast a ballot. Sje answers the pro-choice question the way Trump’s cabinet members answer the question “did Trump lose the 2020 election?” It’s never a yes or no.
She’s a landlord, yet hypes affordability. Not sure how many single-family homes she owns or what they are, but when you’re a landlord, rents need to cover your mortgage payments, property taxes and maintenance, so are the rents market rate or below market rate? What is her rental income? If you want to advocate for affordability, are you walking the walk? I’ll bet tennents would like to know where they stand.
She’s a carpetbagger. She lives in Rep. Dave Min’s new district, not in CA40. That’s not a deal breaker, but I question her ties to CA40.
Her voter registeration shows inconsistency. She was a Democrat until she re-registered as NPP in September 2024 — weeks before election day. But she’s wants the party’s endorsement? She re-registered as a Democrat last summer prior to announcing her candidacy for CA40.
https://theliberaloc.com/2026/02/04/questions-dog-lisa-rameriz-cd40-candidacy/
CA-GOV: Republican Steve Hilton leads California governor fundraising as large pool of Democrats lag
Republican Steve Hilton is pulling in more campaign cash than nearly all other candidates in a tepid fundraising cycle for California governor in a wide-open race with no clear frontrunners, campaign finance reports filed Monday show.
Hilton, a commentator and former Fox News contributor who previously worked for conservative British Prime Minister David Cameron, brought in about $4.1 million in donations in the second half of 2025, according to campaign finance reports. He took a victory lap on social media over the figure, calling it “what momentum looks like.” But he also spent more than half that already, and started off 2026 with about $2 million on hand, only a little more than fellow Republican candidate, Riverside County sheriff Chad Bianco.
Still, his haul was higher than that of several prominent Democrats. Bay Area Rep. Eric Swalwell, boosted by donations from Hollywood entertainers like Jon Hamm, Robert De Niro and Sean Penn, raised about $3.1 million since jumping in the race in November. That’s more than the $3 million that former Rep. Katie Porter raised from nearly 12,000 mostly small-dollar donors from July to December. Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra brought in $2.6 million, in part by transferring money from prior campaign accounts for other offices.
Hilton was second bringing in campaign cash only to Democratic billionaire and self-funding candidate Tom Steyer, who has poured $28 million of his own money into the race since declaring he was running in November.
https://calmatters.org/politics/2026/02/governors-race-fundraising-reports/
A hex and prayers at Clay County GOP Caucus
None of the roughly 70 people attending the Clay County GOP caucus likely expected to be on the receiving end of a curse.
Seated around the Dilworth Elementary School Cafeteria, attendees listened as a volunteer read the results of the straw poll for the gubernatorial candidates.
Kendall Qualls led with 30 votes, the speaker announced, with Mike Lindell trailing by 23 votes.
As soon as Lindell’s vote tally was read, a cackle began to emerge from the far side of the room. It came from an unidentified person wearing a green cape with a cross dangling from a chain around their neck and carrying a red cane.
“Mike Lindell, 23, hahaha!” the bearded person crowed.
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/02/04/a-hex-and-prayers-at-clay-county-republican-caucus
Dem group launches first significant media buy in state Supreme Court race
The Dem group A Better Wisconsin Together Inc. has launched a seven-figure media buy targeting conservative candidate Maria Lazar, the first significant outlay in this spring’s state Supreme Court race.
The group said the statewide buy began Monday and will run on all major digital platforms.
The 15-second spots accuse Lazar of being “extreme” on abortion and supporting groups that want to ban books.
The narrator in the abortion spot says Lazar publicly opposed a woman’s right to the procedure and called overturning Roe v. Wade “very wise.”
https://www.wispolitics.com/2026/dem-group-launches-first-significant-media-buy-in-state-supreme-court-race/
SPOTLIGHT RACE: :Chedrick Greene for MI-SD35 (Special Election)
U.S. Marine Veteran, Fire Captain, son, brother, and father — Chedrick Greene is running for State Senate District 35 to make life more affordable and bring better opportunities to mid-Michigan.
Born and raised in Saginaw, Chedrick is a lifelong resident with deep community roots, a big heart for helping his neighbors, and the leadership needed to help Lansing work better for our families.
His dad worked as a short-haul trucker and drove buses for Saginaw Public Schools. His mom worked as a customer sales rep for a GM auto supplier. Chedrick’s parents raised him to value service, know hard work, and that there’s dignity in all jobs.
During a 30-year career of decorated service with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Chedrick served in a dozen nations, including deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He achieved the highest rank possible for enlisted officers — Sergeant Major E-9 — and earned multiple honors, including:
- MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL
- NAVY AND MARINE CORPS COMMENDATION MEDAL WITH COMBAT VALOR
- COMBAT ACTION RIBBON
Chedrick recently worked as District Assistant for our Michigan Senate District 35 Office— representing then-State Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet at meetings and events, monitoring legislative developments and constituent relations.
In March 2023, Governor Whitmer appointed Chedrick to serve a two-year term on the Statewide Housing Partnership under the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
Chedrick’s work and service experiences have given him:
- A deep understanding of the challenges families face
- A deep appreciation for how personal responsibility, collective action, government, and strong leadership all play a part in how we rise or fall.
Overlapping his military service, Chedrick has worked with the City of Saginaw Fire Department for more than 26 years, leading as Fire Captain and Community Relations Liaison.
In his liaison role, he has dedicated time to:
- East Side Soup Kitchen
- Muscular Dystrophy Association
- City of Saginaw
- Cathedral District’s Children’s Festival
- Saginaw Public Schools
- And more
Love of country and community defines Chedrick’s life’s work and will shape his leadership as the next State Senator serving Senate District 35.
He will lead on what we need most in this moment:
- LOWER COSTS
- BETTER JOBS
- STRONGER SCHOOLS
- SAFER COMMUNITIES
-PROTECTED FREEDOMS
https://chedrickgreene.com/
As Trump and congressional Republicans continue to sow doubt in Michigan elections, Dems hit back
As Michigan’s Republican representatives square off against Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, bringing doubts to the safety of the state’s elections, several top Democrats are rebuffing President Donald Trump’s suggestion to place federal officials in charge of state elections.
On Wednesday, U.S. Reps. Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet), John Moolenaar (R-Caledonia), Bill Huizenga (R-Holland Township), Tim Walberg (R-Tipton), Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte), Lisa McClain (R-Bruce Township), and John James (R-Shelby Township) sent a letter to Benson following up on claims from Macomb County Clerk and Republican secretary of state candidate Anthony Forlini that there are 15 noncitizens on the state’s voter rolls.
Benson reviewed the names provided by Forlini and determined that three were citizens; four had been previously removed from the voter rolls; four were under review by the Bureau of Elections to verify their citizenship; and four are apparent noncitizens, who the bureau said it would send a letter asking them to confirm their eligibility to vote. If they do not respond, the bureau will cancel their registration.
However, the Republican delegation remained unsatisfied, requesting additional information on Benson’s probe into Forlini’s claims, and slamming the secretary of state for refusing to comply with the Department of Justice’s request for voter registration data.
https://michiganadvance.com/2026/02/04/as-trump-and-congressional-republicans-continue-to-sow-doubt-in-michigan-elections-dems-hit-back/
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Gender: MaleHometown: Detroit Area, MI
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