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Republican Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke wins re-election in state’s 1st Congressional District

Republican Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke wins re-election in state’s 1st Congressional District

Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., will win re-election in Montana’s 1st Congressional District, defeating Democratic candidate Monica Tranel, The Associated Press reports. With 95% of the vote reported as of Wednesday morning, Zinke led with 52% of the vote, compared to Tranel’s 45%, which is on track to expand on his margin of victory in 2022. Zinke, a former Navy SEAL, is a fifth-generation Montanan who served 23 years in the military before entering politics to complete another mission of “upholding the Constitution and doing what is right for Montana and America.” Zinke served as Secretary of the Interior under former President Donald Trump for several years before launching a successful bid for Montana’s newly drawn district in the 2022 midterms.  MONTANA SENATE RACE, WHICH COULD DETERMINE MAJORITY, SEEING ‘INTENSE GROUND GAME OPERATION’: NRSC CHAIRMAN The race was rated Lean Republican in the Fox News Power Rankings. The Democratic nominee in the race, Tranel, worked as an attorney, previously competed in two Olympics, and won a World Championship Gold for the U.S. Women’s Rowing Team. The race was a rematch of the 2022 midterms, in which Zinke defeated Tranel in the race for the Big Sky State seat by 49% to 46%.

Democrat projected to defeat Trump-backed challenge in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District

Democrat projected to defeat Trump-backed challenge in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District

Former Democratic Michigan State Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet is projected by the Associated Press to defeat former Trump administration official Paul Junge on Tuesday in the open race for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District. McDonald Rivet received 217,390 votes, or 51.25%, while Junge received 189,238 votes, or 44.61%. That’s with 98.68% reporting. The race in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District was to replace retiring Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., who has served in Congress since 2013. Along with the race for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, the contest for the 8th District was seen as one of the most competitive in the country. PAUL JUNGE WINS GOP PRIMARY FOR MICHIGAN’S 8TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT McDonald Rivet focused her campaign on her local ties, accusing Junge of coming from wealth and attempting to buy a U.S. House seat anywhere in the state. “I have spent my life doing big things that helped our community, helped our schools and helped the economic stability of families,” she told the Detroit News in September. “He has been jumping from district to district trying to buy a seat in Congress.”  WHAT MIKE ROGERS TOLD FOX NEWS DIGITAL ABOUT HIS SENATE SHOWDOWN IN MICHIGAN Junge, meanwhile, attempted to paint himself as an outsider who could disrupt the status quo in Washington. “I share with people that five of the top seven counties in the United States of America for average income are all in and around Washington, D.C.,” Junge told the Detroit News. “To me, that’s an indicator that money flows to Washington and then stays here, instead of either not flowing to Washington, or having it be in places like Michigan’s 8th District.” Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

The ‘Squad,’ Warren and Sanders among prominent political figures who cruised to re-election victories

The ‘Squad,’ Warren and Sanders among prominent political figures who cruised to re-election victories

The four progressive Democrat members of the “Squad” and Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders cruised to re-election victories as American voters have chosen to keep familiar faces in Washington.  For House Republicans, Speaker Mike Johnson sailed to victory in Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District, while Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Republican Conference Chairman Elise Stefanik also won in Louisiana’s 1st Congressional and New York 21st Congressional Districts, respectively.  Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries was the winner in New York’s 8th Congressional District. In California, Nancy Pelosi won her 20th term after being voted in by the electorate of California’s 11th District.  The “Squad” also won their re-election bids: Ilhan Omar in Minnesota, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York, Rashida Tlaib in Michigan and Ayanna Pressley in Massachusetts, who ran uncontested.  LIVE UPDATES: DONALD TRUMP ELECTED AS THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES  In Texas’ 21st Congressional District, Rep. Chip Roy emerged as the winner there, while James Comer and Jim Jordan – the chairmen of the House Oversight and House Judiciary Committees — won their respective races in Kentucky and Ohio.  Prominent Prominent Democrats also are heading back to Washington in the Senate.  Elizabeth Warren was re-elected in Massachusetts, while Adam Schiff won the race in California for Dianne Feinstein’s former seat.  NEW MEXICO DEMOCRATIC REP. GABRIEL VASQUEZ PROJECTED TO BEAT TRUMP-BACKED GOP CHALLENGER  In Vermont, Independent candidate Bernie Sanders secured his fourth term.  For Republicans, Ted Cruz defeated Colin Allred in a hard-fought race in Texas, while Josh Hawley was the winner in his race in Missouri.  All of these politicians will be gearing up for another term as Donald Trump is projected by Fox News to become the 47th President of the United States. 

Republican lawmakers react to projected Trump victory: ‘Welcome back’

Republican lawmakers react to projected Trump victory: ‘Welcome back’

Reactions rolled in on Wednesday as Republican lawmakers hailed former President Donald Trump’s projected win in the widely-watched 2024 White House contest. “America didn’t want what Kamala was selling,” Sen. Mike Lee of Utah tweeted. “I guess Ukraine’s electoral votes weren’t enough to help Kamala,” he joked in another post. “Harris had celebrities,” Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida tweeted. “Trump had hardworking everyday Americans,” he added. “The hardworking Americans won.” DONALD TRUMP ELECTED AS THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES Trump previously won the 2016 White House contest before losing his re-election bid in 2020.  But Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia claimed on Wednesday, “Donald Trump has just been elected President for a THIRD time.” “I am so excited!! America will no longer tolerate this communist regime, ripping our border wide open, turning our kids trans, and promoting abortion as reproductive rights. The American people are fed up with a weaponized government. President Trump is going back to the White House!” Greene declared in another post on X. TRUMP VOWS TO LEAD ‘GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA’ IN VICTORY SPEECH: ‘FIX EVERYTHING’ Rep. Kat Cammack of Florida hailed the news of Trump’s projected win, writing, “Yes! Yes! Yes! Let’s gooo!” Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama tweeted, “Welcome back Mr. President!” “Welcome back, 47,” Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona wrote. “I am in awe of him and his team,” Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said of Trump in a post on X. “Tonight is not about the biggest come back in American history. It is about the biggest come back for peace and prosperity at home and abroad. We have a lot to do and a short time to do it. Well done, Mr. President. See you on the golf course!” TRUMP WHITE HOUSE VICTORY CALLED ‘THE GREATEST POLITICAL COMEBACK IN AMERICAN HISTORY’ The Fox News Decision Desk also projected that Republicans won control of the Senate.  “FINALLY, with a Republican Senate majority we can focus on controlling spending, limiting gov, and putting America 1st! Looking forward to a dedication to fiscal responsibility. Cheers to the Senate leading the charge for a streamlined government focused on the Constitution!” Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said in a post.

Essence of Leadership: Insights from Ankur Saini

Essence of Leadership: Insights from Ankur Saini

From visionary thinking to emotional intelligence and adaptability, leadership requires a delicate balance of skills. Here are my thoughts on the essential qualities that make a leader truly effective.

NY Rep. Mike Lawler secures critical win for House GOP, beating progressive ex-lawmaker

NY Rep. Mike Lawler secures critical win for House GOP, beating progressive ex-lawmaker

First-term Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., is projected to survive his first re-election bid in his suburban 17th Congressional District. He defeated former Rep. Mondaire Jones, D-N.Y., delivering a much-needed victory for House GOP leaders as they seek to hold onto their razor-thin margin of control over half of Congress, according to The Associated Press, which called the race after 5 a.m. ET Wednesday. Through his first term, Lawler staked out a reputation as one of House Republicans’ more moderate members, frequently working across the aisle. He was ranked the fourth-most bipartisan member in the Lugar Center and Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy’s annual index. Before coming to Congress, he was a longtime Republican operative and served in the New York State Assembly. ERIC ADAMS CHANNELS TRUMP AS HE RAMPS UP REVENGE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, EXPERT SAYS  New York’s 17th District is just north of New York City and is one of several areas represented by Republicans in the House that President Biden won in 2020. But uneasiness over crime, spurred by New York City’s progressive criminal justice policies, led to a suburban backlash that was key to House Republicans securing control over one half of Congress. Meanwhile, this latest race saw Jones’ evolution from a progressive lawmaker who once backed calls to “defund the police” into a more moderate candidate calling out fellow Democrats for being critical of Israel. MOST NEW YORK CITY RESIDENTS WANT INDICTED MAYOR ERIC ADAMS TO RESIGN: POLL  Earlier this year, the New York Democrat angered his progressive allies, including the Congressional Progressive Caucus’ campaign arm, which rescinded its endorsements, when he endorsed a “Squad” Democrat’s more moderate primary challenger. Jones came out in support of George Latimer, a longtime Westchester County official, while rebuking Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., for his criticism of Israel’s response to the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Latimer wound up beating Bowman in the primary for the safe blue seat. But that was not enough to win back his old seat in the New York City suburbs. Jones represented the 17th Congressional District under its previous boundaries from 2021 through 2023. Redistricting then pitted him against former Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-N.Y., who switched from his 18th District even if it meant forcing Jones out, a controversial move given Maloney’s role at the time as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Jones did not challenge Maloney but ran in the 2022 Democrat primary for the more urban 10th Congressional District, where he lost to Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y. Maloney wound up narrowly losing re-election to Lawler.

Fox News Voter Analysis: How Trump regained the White House

Fox News Voter Analysis: How Trump regained the White House

After a bitterly contested presidential campaign full of unprecedented twists and turns, voters returned Donald Trump to the White House after four years out of power. In an election where voters across the country wanted change, they chose Trump’s outsider appeal over Kamala Harris’ promise to “turn the page” on the Trump era. Trump’s victory was powered by his strength on the economy and immigration – two of voters’ top concerns. He was seen as a stronger leader than Harris in a time of turmoil, and voters remembered his presidency more fondly than their evaluations of the current administration. Trump ran up the score with his base while narrowing traditional Democratic advantages among Black, Hispanic, and young voters. Harris came close in her bid to become the first woman elected to the presidency but was unable to make enough gains in the ideological middle of the electorate to offset defections among groups that traditionally vote Democratic. CHECK OUT THE LATEST FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS IN THE 2024 ELECTION Preliminary data from the Fox News Voter Analysis, a survey of more than 110,000 voters nationwide, highlights the campaign’s key dynamics. Voters headed to the polls believing the country was on the wrong track (70%, up from 60% who felt that way four years ago) and seeking something different: most wanted a change in how the country is run, with roughly a quarter seeking complete and total upheaval. Those seeking complete change in the country’s affairs voted for the former president by a wide margin. Voters’ frustrations with Joe Biden’s administration were a drag on Harris’ candidacy, as nearly 6 in 10 disapproved of the job Biden has done. Voters had rosier recollections of Trump’s time in office, with half approving of the job he did as president. Four years ago, 47% approved of the job Trump had done. This desire for change was coupled with split views on the role of government. Slightly more than half felt the government should be doing more to solve the country’s problems, a modest decline from 2020 (57%). Some 45% felt the government was doing too many things better left to the private sector. The nation’s deep divides – by gender, education, and area of residence – were on vivid display. Men backed Trump by 10 points, while women went for Harris by 8 points. The 18-point gender gap was a touch wider than 2020 (17 points). In 2020, Trump won men by 5 points and Biden won women by 12. This divide was readily apparent in views of societal gains for women. Some 4 in 10 Trump supporters (43%) were concerned that society’s focus on gains for women had come at the expense of men; just 14% of Harris felt that way. Overall, 29% were concerned. Voters without a college degree went for Trump by 12 points; college-educated voters went for Harris by 15 points. Harris’ showing among college-educated voters was 1 point worse than Biden’s 2020 showing among college-educated voters, while Trump bettered his 2020 numbers among noncollege voters by 4 points. Trump had a particular advantage among White voters without a degree (+29 points), thanks in large part to his 38-point edge among noncollege White men. Harris won college-educated Whites by 8 points and college-educated White women by 16 points – both in the ballpark of Biden’s 2020 margins (+7 points and +21 points, respectively). Overall, White voters backed Trump by 12 points, exactly the same as his 12-point advantage in 2020. Trump ran up the score in rural areas (+26 points, up from a 22-point edge in 2020), while Harris ran slightly behind Biden’s 2020 numbers in urban areas (+28 points, compared to Biden +33). Suburban voters backed Harris by 6 points, less than Biden’s 10-point margin four years ago. Suburban women, a major source of strength for Biden (+19 points), went heavily for Harris (+16 points) – but she lost ground among suburban men (Trump +5 points, compared to +1 for Biden). While the election was, in part, about the deep divides in American society, Trump’s success in attracting traditional Democratic constituencies was also a defining feature. He improved on his 2020 numbers among Hispanics (41%, +6 points), Black voters (15%, +7 points from 2020), and young voters (46%, +10 points). FOX NEWS PROJECTS DONALD TRUMP DEFEATS KAMALA HARRIS TO BECOME 47TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES These rightward shifts were particularly notable among Hispanic men (+8 points), Black men (+12 points from 2020), and men under 30 (+14 points). Seniors, who backed Trump by 3 points in 2020, were once again in the former president’s column. Trump won Catholics by 9 points and Protestants by 22 points, while Harris held the edge among Jewish voters (+34 points), Muslims (+32 points), and the religiously unaffiliated (+40 points). White Catholics favored Trump by 20 points, while White evangelical Christians broke for Trump by a massive 59-point margin. Voters similarly divided along lines of religious attendance: Trump won those who regularly attend services (of any denomination) by 22 points; Harris won those who infrequently or never attend by 13 points. The vice president won union households (+12 points, down from Biden’s 14-point edge in 2020). As he did in 2020, Trump had an advantage among military households (+13 points) and gun owner households (+26 points). Overall, Trump’s strongest support came from White evangelicals, rural voters, Whites without a college degree, conservatives, and men. Harris’ best groups included college-educated women, Black voters, liberals, and urban voters. That each candidate successfully appealed to their base is hardly surprising in a hyper-partisan political environment. Most Democrats (95%) backed Harris; slightly fewer Republicans (92%) backed Trump. Nearly three-quarters of Republicans (73%) considered themselves part of the MAGA movement. And while the Harris campaign touted endorsements from prominent Republicans, she was unable to convince enough non-MAGA Republicans to cross the aisle. Just 7% of voters self-identified as true independents, meaning they do not lean toward one party or another. Harris had a 7-point advantage with this

Republican projected to take key Michigan open House seat held by Slotkin

Republican projected to take key Michigan open House seat held by Slotkin

Former Republican State Sen. Tom Barrett is projected to defeat Democratic former state Sen. Curtis Hertel in the race for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, according to a call by The Associated Press. The two candidates were vying to replace Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., who gave up the House seat to pursue Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat in the 2024 cycle. Barrett, a former Army helicopter pilot who served in the state legislature for eight years, twice pursued the critical Michigan seat, having lost to Slotkin by five points during the 2022 race.  DEM HOPING TO REPLACE SLOTKIN SUPPORTS LETTING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CALL THE SHOTS ON ICE DEPORTATIONS Hertel was making his first run for the U.S. House after leaving the State Senate in 2022 due to term limits. MICHIGAN REPUBLICANS CONTINUE TO SPAR WITH DEMS OVER DEAL WITH CHINESE EV COMPANY IN KEY HOUSE RACE Hertel spent much of the race outspending Barrett, according to an October Detroit News report, which noted at the time that Hertel had raised $4.2 million to Barrett’s $2.8 million.  Hertel was also the beneficiary of millions in ad spending by outside groups, including television, digital media and mail advertisements, the report noted. The race was seen as one of the most competitive in the country leading up to election day. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

Trump says life was spared to ‘restore America to greatness’ during victory speech

Trump says life was spared to ‘restore America to greatness’ during victory speech

Projected President-elect Donald Trump said “God spared [his] life for a reason” during his victory speech at Trump Headquarters early Wednesday morning. Trump, who has been the target of two assassination attempts since July, shared his appreciation for a second presidency during his 25-minute speech from West Palm Beach, Florida. “Many people have told me that God spared my life for a reason, and that reason was to save our country and to restore America to greatness,” Trump said. “And now we are going to fulfill that mission together.” He continued: “The task before us will not be easy, but I will bring every ounce of energy, spirit, and fighting that I have in my soul to the job that you’ve entrusted to me.”  FOX NEWS PROJECTS DONALD TRUMP DEFEATS KAMALA HARRIS TO BECOME 47TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES The first assassination attempt on Trump’s life took place at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. A 20-year-old gunman fired off approximately eight shots in Trump’s direction, grazing the 45th president’s ear and leaving firefighter Corey Comperatore dead. Two other men attending the rally were also wounded. Trump returned to Butler on Oct. 5 and began his rally where it ended three months prior by addressing immigration and border security. FOX NEWS PROJECTS TRUMP VICTORY OVER HARRIS IN PENNSYLVANIA The second attempt on Trump’s life came while he was playing golf at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15.  He was rushed off the course after Secret Service agents noticed a man in the bushes pointing the muzzle of an AK-47 through a chain-link fence one hole ahead of where Trump was playing. Trump ended up securing the key battleground state of Pennsylvania on Tuesday in a major victory that propelled him over the 270 electoral votes needed to win the 2024 presidential election. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.