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RandySF's JournalGOP leaders defend Cabarrus candidate after racist, anti-immigrant comments online
A Republican Cabarrus County commission candidate’s campaign video in a conservative-leaning Facebook group posted Jan. 12 drew a slew of racist comments and prompted vocal defenses from local GOP leaders. Krushani Patel, a candidate seeking a seat on the
Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners, posted the video in Cabarrus County Citizens Against Tax Hikes, an active 2,700-member group with posts and discussions about county politics from a mostly Republican perspective. Local elected officials, candidates and state lawmakers often comment and post in the forum.
Her video discussed the importance of civic engagement for building strong communities an urged people to get involved in local politics. Patel is one of 12 candidates running for three available commission seats.
Instead of staying focused on policy, Patel said, the discussion veered into personal attacks after commenters singled her out as an immigrant and speculated about her religion. Patel was born in India, she told The Charlotte Observer, and has lived in Cabarrus for nine years.
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article314412698.html#storylink=cpy
TX-SD09: Tarrant County officials close all polling locations Jan. 25, delay poll openings for Jan. 26
All early voting polling locations in Tarrant County closed Jan. 25 and the polling locations will have delayed openings Jan. 26 due to icy weather conditions from Winter Storm Fern.
A special election was called for the State Senate District 9 runoff race, with candidates Democrat Taylor Rehmet and Republican Leigh Wambsganss facing off for the position.
All 22 early polling locations in Tarrant County closed Jan. 25, and the county’s election website states that polling locations will open late Jan. 26 due to safety concerns stemming from the storm.
According to a message on the county’s election website, early voters should check back on Jan. 26 to see an updated list of open polling locations and the opening times for those locations.
https://communityimpact.com/dallas-fort-worth/keller-roanoke-northeast-fort-worth/election/2026/01/25/tarrant-county-officials-close-all-polling-locations-jan-25-delay-poll-openings-for-jan-26/
Dade City Election Scheduled for April 14
Dade City Commissioner’s seats held by Mayor Scott Black in Group 1 and Commissioner Ann Cosentino in Group 2 will be eligible to be voted upon on April 14, according to the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Office.
Black was honored last year for having served on the Dade City Commission for 35 years. Cosentino was elected to her first term on April 12, 2022.
The qualifying period for said election will begin at noon on Feb. 10, and will end at noon on Feb. 17. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes in Groups 1 and 2, respectively, during the election shall be deemed elected City Commissioner and shall serve for a term beginning with the first meeting after the certification of election results and expiring in April of 2030 unless such terms are changed by revisions to the City Charter. The election will be at-large and candidates won’t be registered to a specific political party.
Registered Dade City voters may cast ballots at the Dade City City Hall, 38020 Meridian Ave., beginning March 3 and ending on April 13, according to Dade City’s Municipal City Clerk, Angelia Guy.
https://www.hernandosun.com/2026/01/25/dade-city-election-scheduled-for-april-14/
NY-SD61L Spotlighting the upcoming special election for 61st Senate district
The Democratic and Republican candidates for the 61st Senate District are giving their final pitch to voters.
Democratic candidate Jeremy Zellner shares his experience as Erie County Board of Elections commissioner, emphasizing his role in early voting and election reforms. He highlights his top issues: reducing the cost of living, particularly through expanded child care programs, and protecting health care access amid federal attacks.
Republican candidate Dan Gagliardo is giving his final pitch to voters. Gagliardo discusses his campaign strategies, including knocking on 12,000 doors and engaging in phone calls and social media. He emphasizes his business experience and commitment to helping working families, highlighting issues like higher taxes and utility costs.
University of Buffalo associate professor Jacob Neiheisel also discusses the election. He advises candidates to focus on issues like affordability, health care and the local economy, which are top of mind for voters.
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/in-focus/2026/01/22/spotlighting-the-upcoming-special-election-for-61st-senate-district
TX-18: Harris County sued over CD-18 early voting closures as winter weather disrupts runoff election
A pair of voting rights organizations filed a lawsuit Sunday seeking an emergency court order to extend early voting in Harris County past Tuesday after severe weather forced the closure of polling locations in the runoff election for Texas' 18th Congressional District.
The Harris County Elections Department closed all early vote centers for the CD-18 special runoff election on Sunday and Monday, citing hazardous winter weather. In a statement, the department said the closures were a precaution to protect voters and election workers as freezing conditions affected the region. Early voting was slated to end Tuesday, and Election Day is Jan. 31.
"The safety of voters, election workers, and staff must come first," Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth said in the statement, adding that the decision was made in coordination with state and local emergency management officials. The clerk’s office said it would continue to monitor conditions and provide reopening plans as weather improves.
The Harris County Clerk’s Office has not yet responded to a request for comment regarding the lawsuit.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/cd18-runoff-lawsuit-21314691.php
MI-SD35: GOP linked to group touting 'progressive champ' in key Michigan Senate race
Lansing — A group with ties to Republicans has been spending money to influence a Democratic primary race this month, spurring concerns from top Michigan Democrats that GOP forces might be misleading voters in a special election that could sway control of the state Senate.
ProgressiveMI formed a political committee in Michigan on Nov. 24 and has funded mailers and digital advertisements, promoting State Board of Education President Pamela Pugh of Saginaw in the 35th Senate District's contested Feb. 3 Democratic primary.
Some Democrats contended that Saginaw Fire Captain Chedrick Greene has a better chance than Pugh of winning the general election in the 35th District in the Tri-Cities region if he can emerge from the primary.
But ProgressiveMI has touted Pugh, in ads, as a "progressive champion" who can "make Medicare for all a reality."
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2026/01/24/michigan-state-senate-special-primary-pamela-pugh-progressivemi-chedrick-greene/88315192007/
MI-SD35: GOP linked to group touting 'progressive champ' in key Michigan Senate race
Lansing — A group with ties to Republicans has been spending money to influence a Democratic primary race this month, spurring concerns from top Michigan Democrats that GOP forces might be misleading voters in a special election that could sway control of the state Senate.
ProgressiveMI formed a political committee in Michigan on Nov. 24 and has funded mailers and digital advertisements, promoting State Board of Education President Pamela Pugh of Saginaw in the 35th Senate District's contested Feb. 3 Democratic primary.
Some Democrats contended that Saginaw Fire Captain Chedrick Greene has a better chance than Pugh of winning the general election in the 35th District in the Tri-Cities region if he can emerge from the primary.
But ProgressiveMI has touted Pugh, in ads, as a "progressive champion" who can "make Medicare for all a reality."
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2026/01/24/michigan-state-senate-special-primary-pamela-pugh-progressivemi-chedrick-greene/88315192007/
DC-AL: Holmes Norton files to end reelection campaign
Washington, D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) on Sunday moved to end her reelection campaign after 35 years on Capitol Hill.
Holmes Norton, 88, filed a termination report with the Federal Election Commission on Sunday morning. The move, first reported by NOTUS, comes as the congresswoman has faced mounting calls to retire.
The Hill reached out to Holmes Norton’s office and campaign for comment.
Former senior aide of the D.C. Democrat, Trent Holbrook, launched a bid for her seat earlier this month, while Robert White, a member of the Council of the District of Columbia, announced his intention to run for the District’s sole nonvoting seat in September.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5705259-holmes-norton-ends-campaign/
Paige Bueckers pledges $50,000 to help children and families in Minneapolis area.
Paige Bueckers, the burgeoning WNBA superstar from Hopkins, has pledged a $50,000 matching donation to the Hopkins Strong Relief Fund to support children and families struggling with “the heightened stress and uncertainty” in her home state.
Bueckers was the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year last summer after averaging 19.2 points, 5.4 assists and 1.6 steals in her first professional season with the Dallas Wings. The Hopkins Education Foundation announced Bueckers’ donation in a release Thursday.
Hopkins Strong is a partnership between the Hopkins Education Foundation and the ICA Food Shelf to support the Hopkins Public Schools community. According to the release, Hopkins Education Foundation has raised $50,000 “and, with Paige’s help, hopes to reach $250,000 total to provide ongoing support.”
“With families in Paige’s childhood school district (especially immigrant families) facing food insecurity and struggling with rent and utilities due to the heightened stress and uncertainty in our state, Paige committed her matching donation to the #HopkinsStrong Relief Fund this week,” Hopkins Education Foundation said in its release.
https://www.twincities.com/2026/01/22/paige-buckers-pledges-50000-to-help-children-and-families-in-hopkins/
Detroit Red Wings add official 'Pride Night' title to final home game in April
The Detroit Red Wings are officially hosting a Pride Night game in the 2025-26 season, adding that specific tag to the team’s game against the New Jersey Devils on April 11.
The team made the change after criticism emerged online as to why the Red Wings were one of only three teams — alongside the Los Angeles Kings and the Utah Mammoth, the latter of which do not appear to have any themed games — to not schedule a Pride-related game during the season.
Pride Night will be held alongside the team’s “People of Hockeytown” night, to highlight the “diverse range of fans, cultures, and communities that make Hockeytown one of the NHL’s most passionate fan bases,” along with “Fan Appreciation Night,” as the game will be the team’s last regular season home game.
The NHL’s official promotional schedule for the team now lists “PRIDE Night” as a part of the April 11 game, but that is a recent change — archived versions of the website show that as of at least late December, that wording was not present on the page.
https://michiganadvance.com/2026/01/23/detroit-red-wings-add-official-pride-night-title-to-final-home-game-in-april/
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