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Cruz, Allred trade barbs in heated Texas Senate debate: ‘Extreme,’ ‘threat to democracy’

Cruz, Allred trade barbs in heated Texas Senate debate: ‘Extreme,’ ‘threat to democracy’

The Texas Senate debate between longtime Republican incumbent Ted Cruz and Democratic challenger Rep. Colin Allred was not without its share of name-calling and fiery exchanges in the state’s first and only debate before the November election. Abortion, immigration and transgender issues brought out the most contention between the two candidates. While Cruz sought to destroy any attempt of Allred being portrayed as a moderate candidate by continually bringing up his voting record throughout the hour-long debate on Tuesday night, Allred painted Cruz as an “extremist” who opposes exceptions to abortions, like in instances of rape. ‘BOYS PLAYING GIRLS’ SPORTS’ AD LANDS TEXAS DEM IN HOT WATER WITH LGBTQ ACTIVISTS ON EVE OF PIVOTAL DEBATE “You’re not pro-life,” Allred said to Cruz. “It’s not pro-life to deny women care so long that they can’t have children anymore. It’s not pro-life to force a victim of rape to carry their rapist’s baby.” Cruz, during his opening statement, said, “In Texas, we overwhelmingly support that parents should be notified and have to consent before their child gets an abortion.”  “In Texas, we overwhelmingly agree that late-term abortions in the eighth and ninth months, that’s too extreme, and I’ll tell you, in Texas, we overwhelmingly agree that taxpayer money shouldn’t pay for abortions,” he added. At one point during the squabble over abortion, one of the hosts, WFAA’s Jason Whitely, repeatedly probed Cruz but did not do the same to Allred. “Why is this an issue you won’t address, about saying whether you support or oppose exceptions like rape or incest?” Whitely asked Cruz. “Why do you keep asking me that?” Cruz shot back. “But yet I’ve asked Congressman Allred twice about his voting record and the fact that he voted to strike down Texas’ parental notification law and parental consent law. You haven’t asked him about that.” Cruz said during the debate he supports abortion being left up to each state. TEXAS DEM’S SENATE AD FEATURES BORDER WALL HE ONCE BLASTED AS ‘RACIST’ When it came to border security, Allred contended that Cruz voted against the bipartisan White House deal – which Republicans tanked, arguing it didn’t actually address border security – earlier this year.  “In fact, he does worse than nothing when the toughest border security bill in a generation came up in the United States Senate, $20 billion for border security,” Allred said. “And you know, listen, this is not this is a pattern for him. He’s never there for us when we need him.” “He’s voted against the border wall, not once, not twice, but three times, every single time there’s a serious measure in the House to secure the border,” Cruz responded. “Colin Allred is Kamala Harris. Their records are the same.” During another part of the debate, Allred recounted his experience during the Jan. 6 riot, and said, “You’re a threat to democracy.” TEXAS DEM ALLRED SAYS HE OPPOSES ‘BOYS IN GIRLS’ SPORTS’ DESPITE PAST OF ALLOWING IT, FIGHTING PARENTAL RIGHTS Regarding the issue of trans women competing in women’s sports and sharing facilities – topics Cruz has targeted in several attack ads – Allred firmly reiterated that he does not support any of the “ridiculous things he’s talking about.” To escape the hot seat, Allred redirected the issue back to abortion. “But what he wants you thinking about is kids in bathrooms, so you’re not thinking about women in hospitals, because it’s indefensible,” Allred said.  Cruz, the two-term Republican who has held the seat for the last 12 years, kept pinning his main point on Allred at every turn: “He said not a word about his own record.” In October 2021, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law restricting transgender student athletes from playing on sports teams that align with their gender identity. Texas is one of 23 states with laws in place to prevent transgender inclusion in women’s sports. In June 2023, Allred co-sponsored a bill that would require public schools to permit biological male student athletes who identify as transgender on girls’ sports teams. The Texas Senate race is a likely GOP win, according to the latest Fox News Power Rankings. The most recent Real Clear Politics polling average shows Cruz with a four-point lead in the race. Fox News Digital’s Jackson Thompson contributed to this report. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

Voters to face climate-related ballot initiatives, such as repealing law to reduce emissions by 95% by 2050

Voters to face climate-related ballot initiatives, such as repealing law to reduce emissions by 95% by 2050

In 2024, voters in multiple states will decide on key ballot initiatives that will shape their climate and environmental policies for the next several years. Washington residents face a particularly important decision on whether to repeal the state’s major climate policy, the Climate Commitment Act, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 95% below 1990 levels by 2050. The measure, dubbed Washington Initiative 2117, would repeal the 2021 law and prohibit state agencies from implementing any carbon cap-and-trade system. Proponents of the bill have heavily criticized the law and claim the current carbon tax has increased energy costs. HARRIS DROPS MILLIONS ON PRIVATE JET SPENDING DESPITE CALLING CLIMATE CHANGE AN ‘EXISTENTIAL THREAT’ Let’s Go Washington, a political action committee (PAC) endorsing the measure, suggested that if the bill passes, voters will save on gas, groceries and on energy bills. “We are urging all Washington residents to vote yes, pay less on 2117 to finally hold [Gov. Jay] Inslee’s administration accountable for their arrogant and reckless policymaking,” Brian Heywood, Let’s Go Washington founder, told Fox News Digital in a statement. “The Climate Commitment Act is a deeply flawed and broken program that’s taken billions of dollars off the backs of everyday Washingtonians while doing nothing to reduce carbon emissions.” A group opposing the bill, however, tells Fox News Digital that passing the measure would mean “more pollution in our air and water.” LAWSUIT ACCUSES STATE DEPARTMENT, DOJ OF STONEWALLING FOIA REQUESTS REGARDING CLIMATE OFFICE PERSONNEL “I-2117 is a deceptive initiative opposed by more than 500 organizations across Washington, including small businesses and major employers, firefighters, doctors and nurses, the majority of federally recognized Tribal Nations in Washington state, because it would threaten our health and devastate investments in transportation,” said Kelsey Nyland, a spokesperson for the No 2117, a coalition campaigning against the measure. “By forcing $5.4 billion in cuts to our state’s transportation funding, it would hurt every corner of our state, putting major road and bridge projects addressing congestion, safety and freight mobility at risk of being delayed or even canceled.” California voters will also see a climate initiative on their ballots this fall.  If passed, Proposition 4 would create a $10 billion taxpayer-funded bond to finance climate projects in the state. Some of these include improving drinking water across the state, wildfire prevention efforts, and protecting coastal areas from sea level rise. Opponents of the ballot measure call it too pricey, suggesting that there would be financial implications to passing it. “Prop 4 is a Democrat political wishlist disguised as so-called ‘climate action,’ saddling taxpayers with nearly $20 billion in Wall Street debt. Rather than funding lasting infrastructure, it funnels money into pet projects like pop-up tents for farmers’ markets and zoo exhibits – far from the meaningful solutions Californians need,” Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones told Fox News Digital in a statement. “Don’t be fooled by claims of progress; Prop 4 won’t address any of the major issues facing our state, but will leave taxpayers bearing the cost of yet another massive loan.” The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (HJTA) also said the state should not take a loan-based approach to climate-related mitigation. “Clean water and fire mitigation are important priorities that should be funded in the budget, first, not last. Proposition 4 instead borrows $10 billion, which has to be repaid with interest. This is the most expensive way to pay for anything. Prop. 4 also funds billions of dollars of vague grants and programs, and these should never be paid for with borrowed money,” a spokesperson for HJTA told Fox.  Other states will vote on environmental initiatives this cycle. Question 4 on Rhode Island’s ballot will decide on a $53-million bond for land preservation in the state, while Amendment 1 in Minnesota seeks to earmark funds from the state lottery to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) for environmental projects. The future of climate and environmental policy will also weigh heavily on the presidential race, pitting Vice President Kamala Harris against former President Trump. A Pew Research poll found that 62% of Harris supporters believe climate change is a very important issue, compared to only 11% of Trump supporters who see it as a top issue.

North Carolina Democrat leader resigns after arrest for allegedly stealing Trump roadside signs

North Carolina Democrat leader resigns after arrest for allegedly stealing Trump roadside signs

A local Democratic Party chair in North Carolina resigned this week after he was arrested for allegedly ripping out and stealing roadside signs supporting former President Donald Trump.  Lowell Simon, the now former chair of the Moore County Democratic Party, who is also running for North Carolina House in November, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor larceny of political signs.  The Moore County Democratic Party announced in a Facebook post on Monday that 68-year-old Simon had resigned as chair “following recent allegations and arrest related to the theft of political signs.”  The Moore County Sheriff’s Office said a deputy working in the West End area observed Simon removing campaign signs from the roadside along Seven Lakes Drive at approximately 5:25 p.m. Thursday.  “The deputy, who was responding to an unrelated call at the time, later followed up at Simon’s residence, where the signs were found in his vehicle,” according to the office. “Simon admitted to removing the signs, which were then recovered and returned to their original owner.”  NORTH CAROLINA MAN ACCUSED OF THREATENING FEMA WORKERS WITH ASSAULT RIFLE AMID HURRICANE HELENE CLEAN-UP A warrant for Simon’s arrest was issued Saturday. He was released “under a written promise to appear in court,” according to the sheriff’s office, and his first court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 30.  “While we appreciate the hard work and dedication he has shown to the Democratic Party and the community, the Moore County Democratic Party cannot and will not condone the tampering of political signs or any other illegal activity,” the local party wrote on Facebook. “Mr. Simon has offered an apology for his actions, as well as his resignation, both of which have been accepted by the MCDP.” WRAL, the outlet that interviewed Simon over the phone after his arrest, said the local chair complained that signs he had already placed in support of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein, the state’s current attorney general running against Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, were obstructed by new signs later set up in front of them that read: “Trump low taxes, Kamala high taxes.”  RETIRED NORTH CAROLINA POLICE OFFICER DELIVERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN SUPPLIES, FOOD TO HELENE SURVIVORS “My worse angels got the better of me and I removed the signs,” Simon said. “I shouldn’t have done that. I didn’t do it in the stealth of night or anything. I did it when it was five o’clock in the afternoon.” “We believe in the importance of freedom of expression and speech, and hope that local law enforcement will continue to enforce such laws that protect those freedoms fairly and without bias across party lines,” the local party added. “As we move forward, our focus will remain on electing Democrats up and down the ballot in this critical election. Together, we are committed to promoting the values of justice, fairness, and freedom that our Party holds dear, and we look forward to building a better future for all in Moore County.” Last week, Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields, a Republican, also issued a reminder to the public after Simon’s arrest “that the removal or theft of campaign signs is a violation of North Carolina General Statute § 136-32(e), which protects the lawful placement of these signs during election periods.” 

Chinese investments, rebukes for ‘preaching’ take center stage at contentious Casey v. McCormick rematch

Chinese investments, rebukes for ‘preaching’ take center stage at contentious Casey v. McCormick rematch

Longtime Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey and Republican challenger Dave McCormick sparred over “lies” during their second debate on Tuesday, with McCormick saying he won’t “take any preaching” from his Democratic rival.  “I’m not going to take any preaching from a guy who spent 30 years in public office and hasn’t gotten much done. So I’m not going to take any preaching from you, Bob Casey, on that. And your lies, which are completely unworthy of you and your family and your service,” McCormick said Tuesday evening, while directing his attention to Casey.  McCormick’s remarks came as the two were questioned about their views on the escalating war in the Middle East, with Casey claiming McCormick, while working at the hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, invested funds in a Chinese arms manufacturer.  “We’ve got to continue to support Israel’s efforts, not just to defend itself, but to take the fight to those terrorists that are threatening them every single day. And I’ll continue to support Israel, as I always have,” Casey said regarding the war in Israel. “But a big difference in this race is, while I was doing that, supporting Israel all these years, my opponent was running that hedge fund in Connecticut. The largest hedge fund in the world. I mentioned the investments in China and Russia. He also invested in a Chinese arms manufacturer that had ties to Iran, and those weapons that they produced made their way to Hamas. That is disqualifying,” Casey said while discussing his support of Israel amid its ongoing war against Hamas.  ‘LIES THROUGHOUT’: TRUMP-BACKED CHALLENGER, LONGTIME DEM SENATOR FACE OFF IN HEATED BATTLEGROUND DEBATE McCormick shot back that Casey has consistently “lied” about his record and encouraged Pennsylvania voters to visit a website called CaseyLies.com for more information.  “I just want to say, I’m not going to take any preaching as a guy who went to West Point, went to Ranger school, was the honor graduate, went to the 82nd Airborne Division, went into Iraq in the first wave – when it looked like there will be tens of thousands of casualties – I’m not going to take any preaching,” McCormick shot back.  Casey commended McCormick for his military service, while adding “he’s just preaching at me.” “When Mr. McCormick said I was preaching, he’s just preaching at me. He mentioned his service. It’s commendable service to the people of our country. But this isn’t a race about his service or what we were doing at that age in our life. It’s about my work in the United States Senate and his work as a hedge fund CEO. And he doesn’t like the fact that I talk about his record as a hedge fund CEO,” Casey said.  The pair took the same debate stage for the second time this campaign cycle on Tuesday evening, where they sparred over abortion, immigration and the economy. The 60-minute debate was hosted by 6ABC in Philadelphia, and was moderated by Action News anchors Matt O’Donnell and Sharrie Williams, and Univision 65’s Ilia Garcia. MCCORMICK SEIZES ON PENNSYLVANIA SENATE RACE GAP, LAYING BORDER BLAME ON CASEY Casey has served in the Senate since 2008, ultimately becoming a stalwart within the Democratic Party, voting on legislation President Biden supported, for example, 98.5% of the time, according to FiveThirtyEight data.  BATTLEGROUND STATE DEM DISTANCES HIMSELF FROM DEFUND MOVEMENT, BUT POLITICAL RECORD SHOWS DIFFERENT STORY  The longtime senator, however, is facing what is described as his most difficult re-election effort to date.   McCormick is an Army combat veteran and former CEO of hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, who served as the under secretary of commerce for industry and security as well as under secretary of the treasury for international affairs under President George W. Bush’s administration.  The race was rated as “leans Democrat” by Fox News Power Rankings, with Casey himself acknowledging earlier this year that it will be a “close, tough race.” McCormick continued to defend his record as Bridgewater’s CEO and its investments, citing that they were approved by the U.S. government.  “I ran a great investment firm. It invested around the world, as many investment firms do. It had exposure to China. All the investments that were made were approved by the U.S. government. But the richness of a career politician. Bob Casey, as the treasurer of Pennsylvania, approved using Bridgewater, which was the firm I worked with and for, before I ever got there. All these investments that were happening, were happening under Bob Casey as treasurer,” he said, which Casey said was “not true.”  PHILLY VOTERS SOUND OFF ON ECONOMY: ‘EVERYBODY IS STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW’  During the debate, McCormick painted Casey as an out of touch career politician who has overwhelmingly voted in line with the Democratic Party, and who has flip-flopped on policies in order to keep pace with the party’s harder swing to the left. McCormick notably took issue with Casey’s “flip-flop” on abortion.  “There is no senator in the United States Senate who has flip-flopped more on this issue than Sen. Casey. Sen. Casey, previously as a senator, said that he wanted to overturn Roe v. Wade. Sen. Casey said that there should be only one exception: Life of the mother. Sen. Casey was one of the most pro-life senators in the Senate, and he has now moved his position, flip-flopped his position,” McCormick said.  Casey characterized McCormick as a Keystone State outsider and out-of-touch former CEO who spent years living in Connecticut before launching the 2024 campaign.  FOX NEWS POLL: HARRIS, TRUMP LOCKED IN TIGHT RACE IN BATTLEGROUND PENNSYLVANIA  “He’s also the candidate in this race, when he was a hedge fund CEO, who invested millions of dollars in the largest producer of fentanyl in China. And Chinese fentanyl is coming to our country,” Casey argued. McCormick has previously pushed back that Bridgewater’s investments in a Chinese phar­ma­ceu­ti­cal com­pany was for fentanyl’s le­git­i­mate med­i­cal use, not illicit products.  At a later portion of the debate, McCormick shot back that deaths attributed

Harris campaign celebrates Georgia judge blocking hand-count ballot rule

Harris campaign celebrates Georgia judge blocking hand-count ballot rule

Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign is celebrating after a Georgia judge temporarily blocked a rule that would have forced election officials to hand count ballots after they have been machine-tabulated. “From the beginning, this rule was an effort to delay election results to sow doubt in the outcome, and our democracy is stronger thanks to this decision to block it,” a joint statement to several media outlets read. “We will continue fighting to ensure that voters can cast their ballot knowing it will count.” The brief comments were released by Georgia Democratic Party Chair Rep. Nikema Williams, D-Ga., DNC acting Co-Executive Director Monica Guardiola, and Harris-Walz Deputy Campaign Manager Quentin Fulks. GEORGIA GOP CHAIR SHARES 2-PRONGED ELECTION STRATEGY AS TRUMP WORKS TO WIN BACK PEACH STATE The joint statement lauding the ruling is a reflection of how lockstep state and national Democrats have been in opposing the new measure. Slated to go into effect Oct. 22, the rule would have required three county elections officials at each polling place to manually count the ballots cast – not tally the votes themselves – after ballots were tabulated by a machine. It was passed in a 3-2 vote by the State Elections Board (SEB), which is now facing several lawsuits against the measure and other changes by the GOP-majority board. FORMER REPUBLICAN US SENATOR ENDORSES KAMALA HARRIS, SAYS ELECTION OFFERS ‘STARK CHOICE’ Democrats have argued that the rule was created to purposefully sow division and uncertainty in the presidential election in Georgia – which was decided by less than 12,000 votes in 2020. In Tuesday night’s ruling, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney did not take issue with the intent of the rule itself but criticized the SEB’s decision to make changes so close to Election Day. He noted that no training had been implemented or developed to prepare election workers for the new procedure, nor had funds been allocated for that purpose. “The administrative chaos that will – not may – ensue is entirely inconsistent with the obligations of our boards of elections (and the SEB) to ensure that our elections are fair, legal, and orderly,” McBurney wrote. GEORGIA DEMS CHAIR REVEALS MESSAGE TO UNDECIDED GOP VOTERS AS HARRIS WORKS TO BUILD BROAD BASE Georgia Republican Party officials and allies of former President Trump held up the rule as a fair guardrail to increase voter confidence in the election process. McBurney wrote that the rule “on paper” appeared consistent with the SEB’s goal to ensure fair and legal elections but added any new measure “that allows for our paper ballots – the only tangible proof of who voted for whom – to be handled multiple times by multiple people following an exhausting Election Day all before they are securely transported to the official tabulation center does not contribute to lessening the tension or boosting the confidence of the public for this election.” Fox News Digital reached out to the Trump campaign for comment on the ruling.

Texas can probe ‘vote harvesting’ through Election Day, appeals court rules

Texas can probe ‘vote harvesting’ through Election Day, appeals court rules

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton can continue investigating allegations of so-called vote harvesting through the November elections, a U.S. appeals court said Tuesday, a decision critics fear could have a chilling effect on voter outreach and turnout in the state. The three-judge appellate court for the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court on Tuesday granted a temporary stay for certain portions of S.B. 1, or the 2021 Texas voting law, including a provision of the law that allows Paxton’s office to continue its investigations into alleged illegal “vote harvesting” efforts at least through the Nov. 5 elections.  The stay will remain in place until a full appeal of the law is either granted or denied, according to the appellate decision. Their decision temporarily overturns the ruling issued by U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez late last month. Rodriguez ordered an immediate halt to the vote harvesting provision of S.B. 1, siding with plaintiffs in their contention that the provision is overly vague and a restriction of free speech. He also acknowledged their “widespread confusion” as to what constitutes the illegal practice of vote harvesting in Texas.  TED CRUZ WARNS TEXAS SENATE RACE IS ‘INCREDIBLY CLOSE’ Paxton had immediately vowed to appeal that decision, arguing that the vote harvesting component of S.B. 1 is crucial to protecting election integrity in Texas and preventing voter fraud. “Blocking our ability to investigate certain election crimes would have been a serious disruption to the electoral landscape with only a month left before Election Day,” Paxton said at the time. Still, the vaguely-defined scope of vote harvesting has prompted some advocacy groups and voter outreach groups in Texas to halt their canvassing, volunteering and other in-person election events altogether, citing fears of being swept up in a raid, or providing volunteers with food or transportation that could potentially be perceived as “compensation,” which is illegal under the law. In writing for the three-judge appellate court on Tuesday, Judge James Ho appeared to back Paxton’s contention, noting that the provision in question had been on the books for “over three years” before the federal judge’s decision last month. Still, plaintiffs in the lawsuit say their confusion remains over the vaguely worded definition of vote harvesting, which in turn they say has had a chilling effect on volunteer efforts in the state.  That is, in part, due to the steep punishment for individuals convicted of the crime, which is classified under S.B. 1 as a third-degree felony. BIDENS ON THE TRAIL: PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY CAMPAIGN IN THE BIGGEST OF THE BATTLEGROUNDS Individuals who give, offer, or receive some “compensation or other benefit” for so-called vote harvesting services can be convicted of the third-degree felony, S.B. 1 states, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. “Vote harvesting services” include any “in-person interaction with one or more voters, in the physical presence of an official ballot or a ballot voted by mail, intended to deliver votes for a specific candidate or measure,” according to the law’s text. Paxton’s office has said previously that “secure elections are the cornerstone of our republic.”  In August, his office’s Election Integrity Unit executed searches in three South Texas counties as part of the ongoing probe, which it says was conducted only after officials gathered enough evidence to obtain proper search warrants.  Plaintiffs, however, allege that his office has used the provision to carry out illegal “voter raids” against advocacy groups and organizers in Texas. Juan Proaño, the CEO of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, lamented the ruling, telling Fox News in an interview Tuesday his group would appeal the case all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary. “It’s really frightening to our community,” Proaño told Fox News of S.B. 1, noting the provisions have already had a “significant” chilling effect on voters and advocacy groups in Texas – which they have argued are both unjustified and used as a potential means of voter suppression. “There’s no data at all that actually would show that non-citizens are participating in the election process,” he said, adding that LULAC “stands for election integrity.” “And so we will continue to litigate that all the way up to the Supreme Court, if we have to.”