Federal judge refuses to recuse himself from Minnesota DHS, ICE case
A federal judge in Minnesota declined to step aside from an immigration-related case despite a conflict-of-interest challenge tied to his spouse’s legal work. The U.S. Department of Justice plans to appeal the judge’s order, which called the government’s motion “improper, untimely, and lacking merit.” Last week, the DOJ formally moved to disqualify U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan, arguing his impartiality could reasonably be questioned because his wife serves as Minnesota’s solicitor general under Democrat Attorney General Keith Ellison and is leading a separate lawsuit against federal immigration enforcement actions at issue in Bryan’s courtroom. In its filing, DOJ emphasized that federal law requires recusal when “a judge’s impartiality might reasonably be questioned,” noting the standard is meant to avoid even “the appearance of partiality” — noting that “public perceptions of partiality can undermine confidence in the courts.” APPEALS COURT DISMISSES DOJ MISCONDUCT COMPLAINT AGAINST FEDERAL JUDGE The motion pointed to significant overlap between the habeas case before Bryan and the state’s lawsuit led by his spouse, both of which challenge the legality of Operation Metro Surge, a large-scale federal immigration enforcement effort. According to the filing, both cases allege that federal agents conducted “warrantless arrests,” engaged in “racial profiling,” and “terrorized, assaulted, and harassed” individuals. DOJ stressed that the issue is not whether Bryan is personally biased, but whether a reasonable observer could question his neutrality given the circumstances. “The Court must consider whether the public might reasonably question Judge Bryan’s impartiality,” U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen’s filing concluded. The department also noted that Bryan “did not disclose his marriage relationship” to the parties, arguing that disclosure is a prerequisite for any waiver of potential conflicts under federal law. READ THE ORDER ON MOTION FOR DISQUALIFICATION – APP USERS, CLICK HERE: Judge Bryan denied the recusal request, allowing himself to remain on the case. The DOJ has indicated it will appeal that decision, setting up a potential higher court review of the recusal standards and their application in politically charged immigration litigation. The dispute comes amid broader legal battles over Operation Metro Surge, which plaintiffs claim involved unconstitutional enforcement tactics, while federal officials have defended it as a lawful exercise of immigration authority. Fox News’ David Spunt contributed to this report.
New audit exposes flawed system critics say let Minnesota fraud slip through cracks: ‘Didn’t act for years’
A new state audit investigating the massive fraud scandal in Gov. Tim Walz’s Minnesota revealed that the state’s Department of Human Services (DHS) failed for years to properly investigate Medicaid kickback allegations while incorrectly claiming that they did not have the authority to do so. The Office of the Legislative Auditor report released on Tuesday, titled “Department of Human Services Investigations of Alleged Kickbacks in the Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention Program,” found that DHS’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) has long possessed the legal authority to pursue kickback cases independently, contradicting the agency’s own claims. Instead, DHS officials operated under the belief that they could only investigate kickbacks if they were tied to other forms of fraud, such as billing abuse or theft, prompting a rebuke in the report. “We disagree with DHS’s assertion that it did not have the authority to investigate allegations of kickbacks alone,” the report states. “Based on our analysis, DHS has had the authority to investigate allegations of kickbacks in MA since the late 1990s.” TOP 5 WILDEST MOMENTS AS GOP LAWMAKERS CLASHED WITH WALZ, ELLISON IN HEATED FRAUD HEARING: ‘UNBELIEVABLE’ The audit found DHS declined to investigate three specific kickback allegations from 2021 to 2023 after concluding it lacked authority. “In the three cases that we identified in this review, they did not refer any of the three cases to law enforcement or any other investigation agency,” Deputy Legislative Auditor Katherine Theisen said, according to KARE 11 News. She added that DHS also declined to flag the cases for further review. The report also identified a decades-old error in DHS administrative rules that may have limited the agency’s ability to suspend payments during kickback investigations. The Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) program, which provides autism services, has faced scrutiny over fraud risks as the program’s budget jumped from $3 million in 2018 to nearly $400 million in 2023. Kickbacks were a key component of fraud schemes uncovered in the state’s autism services program, with prosecutors describing how providers used financial incentives to attract and retain families in order to maximize Medicaid billing, CBS News reported in December. In one case, investigators said an autism center operator fraudulently billed millions while using tactics that included offering payments or benefits tied to enrollment, illustrating how kickbacks helped drive inflated claims and contributed to large-scale misuse of public funds intended for children with autism. The audit recommended that DHS “should amend its administrative rule defining ‘fraud’ to clearly include kickbacks” and said the legislature should intervene if that doesn’t take place. MINNESOTA HUMAN SERVICES OFFICIALS SKIP FRAUD HEARING AS WALZ PROMISES REFORM The department responded in a letter included in the report, saying, “We agree with the recommendation that fraud should be defined to more clearly include kickbacks.” In a press release, Minnesota House Fraud Prevention Committee Chair Kristin Robbins, a Republican state representative running for governor, wrote, “The continued lack of accountability for the rampant fraud in this state is astounding.” “DHS has been complicit in fraud because they have repeatedly failed to investigate credible allegations of fraud in multiple programs over many years. This OLA report provides the latest proof of their failure to provide proper oversight in the EIDBI (autism) program.” Robbins added that “if DHS had corrected an error in its administrative rules, two other decades-old state law provisions would also have permitted DHS to suspend payments during an investigation for kickbacks.” Fox News Digital reached out to Walz’s office for comment. The report’s findings quickly sparked outrage from conservatives on social media. “The feds need to step in immediately,” Townhall columnist Dustin Grage posted on X. “Despite claiming they had no authority, a new OLA report confirms DHS could investigate fraud in autism services,” Minnesota House Republicans posted on X. “The Walz administration didn’t act for years. How much did it cost Minnesotans?” “Contrary to Walz administration claims, they have always had the legal authority to address kickback schemes,” Minnesota Republican state Rep. Walter Hudson posted on X. “They simply choose not to.”
Blue state Dem candidate who made ‘affordability’ a key issue in campaign ripped for charging $13 for water
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., is facing online mockery after his Senate campaign’s election night watch party charged customers exorbitant prices for water, despite claiming to champion affordability issues. Krishnamoorthi, a five-term House lawmaker, narrowly lost to Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in a bruising Democratic primary Tuesday night. Krishnamoorthi supporters had to pay nearly $13 for water and $22 for a glass of wine at an event at a Chicago hotel while watching the returns come in. Online observers noted the irony of the steep prices as Krishnamoorthi’s Senate campaign was one of the most prolific fundraisers in the country. The congressman reported a haul of more than $30 million during the campaign, far outpacing nearly all Senate candidates across the country. Krishnamoorthi also benefited from the cryptocurrency industry’s main super PAC, Fairshake, spending aggressively in an attempt to take down Stratton. PRITZKER FLEXES POLITICAL MUSCLE IN ILLINOIS SENATE PRIMARY AS 2028 BUZZ BUILDS “Dude hired three pollsters (that we know of) and is still charging $13 for a water,” Democratic pollster Adam Carlson wrote on X. “Thanks, volunteers, for working for me. Now pay $13 for water,” Republican strategist Collin Corbett wrote on social media. “I guess, based on how Raja treats his staff, this shouldn’t be surprising.” “That’s worse than some stadium prices,” Politico Playbook wrote in response to the $13 water. Even a popular Chicago bar account mocked the congressman’s cash bar prices. “I’m professionally and personally horrified,” the account wrote. ESTABLISHMENT DEMOCRATS FEND OFF FAR-LEFT INFLUENCER IN PRIMARY TO SUCCEED REP JAN SCHAKOWSKY Krishnamoorthi sought to aggressively brand himself as an affordability champion during the campaign. When asked by Chicago’s PBS station about the most pressing issue facing Illinois voters, Krishnamoorthi said rising costs. “Life has become simply too expensive,” Krishnamoorthi said. “The cost of living has skyrocketed, opportunity has stalled, and it’s affecting every Illinoisan — whether they’re 8 years old or 80. Democratic candidates nationwide are seeking to capitalize on voter unease about cost-of-living issues as the party seeks to flip control of Congress during November’s midterm elections. Stratton’s watch party — held at a different Chicago venue — notably offered attendees an open bar. The event also offered attendees free sandwiches and sliders. Fox News Digital reached out to Krishnamoorthi’s campaign for comment.
Two dozen House Republicans go to war with Senate GOP over SAVE America Act
FIRST ON FOX: A group of House conservatives is putting Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., on notice: quickly pass a Trump-backed election bill or expect the House of Representatives to block every Senate measure. Two dozen House Republicans, led by Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., are vowing to oppose any Senate bill until the House-passed Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act clears the upper chamber. “We made a promise to the American people. It’s time to deliver,” the Republicans wrote in an open letter to Thune, first obtained by Fox News Digital. “Consider this our filibuster.” It’s a notable division between Republicans controlling the majorities in both houses of Congress. REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: TRUMP’S SAVE ACT ULTIMATUM RUNS INTO SENATE REALITY House Republicans have threatened for weeks to derail Senate legislation until President Donald Trump signs the measure into law. The SAVE America Act would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo identification for voters at the ballot box. It comes as the Senate kicked off a marathon process Tuesday to debate the SAVE America Act, though the measure is ultimately expected to fail given unanimous opposition from Senate Democrats and Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Thom Tillis, R-N.C. The group of House conservatives is calling on Senate leadership to pursue a talking filibuster to steer around the 60-vote requirement and pass the bill with a simple majority. However, internal divisions among Republicans have kept the conference from pursuing that approach. Thune has also warned a talking filibuster could backfire on Republicans if Democrats were to saddle the bill with Democratic-authored amendments. REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: GOP WEIGHS ‘NUKING’ FILIBUSTER TO PASS TRUMP’S SAVE ACT Despite clear math problems in the Senate, the group of House conservatives said they would continue to ratchet up the pressure. They also slammed Thune for beginning debate on the bill without having the votes to advance the measure to a vote on final passage. “Continuing the same old kabuki shows is unacceptable, and the American people deserve better,” Fine told Fox News Digital in a statement. “Majority Leader John Thune can say whatever he wants about my colleagues and me holding the line, but we won’t tolerate Washington’s games any longer.” “In the last election, the American people overwhelmingly elected President Trump and gave him and the Republican Party a mandate to Make America Great Again. Core to that mandate was a promise to restore confidence in the security of our elections — to guarantee that only Americans vote in them,” the House lawmakers wrote in the letter. It’s not clear the defecting group has the numbers to immediately derail Senate legislation with significant bipartisan support. Forty-one conservatives revolted Tuesday on the House floor against Senate legislation that would reauthorize a program supporting small businesses. The measure still sailed through the House after nearly all Democratic lawmakers backed it. However, House conservatives’ threats could still hamper efforts by Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to steer party-line legislation through the chamber. TRUMP URGES CONGRESS TO PASS SAVE AMERICA ACT, FULLY FUND DHS AS TSA WORKERS GO WITHOUT PAY With just a razor-thin majority, Johnson can currently only afford to lose one House Republican on any legislation that does not have Democrats’ support. “On Sunday, President Trump announced that he will not sign any additional legislation until the SAVE America Act is passed out of the Senate. The President has also called on the Senate to use the talking filibuster to secure passage of the SAVE America Act immediately, superseding everything else. We agree,” the letter said. “Until that occurs, we, the undersigned, are prepared to vote NO on any Senate bill on the House Floor.” A Senate GOP aide shot back at the House Republicans over their effort, saying, “Republicans fighting Republicans over congressional procedure is definitely a recipe for midterm success.” It comes weeks after a group of House Republicans pushed Johnson on a lawmaker-only call to reject any Senate-led legislation until the SAVE America Act was passed. “If we’re going to go to war against our own party in the Senate, there may be implications to that,” Johnson said at one point, according to people on the call. “So we want to be thoughtful and careful.” The letter notably did not make a carve-out for a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill, despite the White House assuring that Trump would make an exception for a spending bill to end the partial government shutdown.
DNI Tulsi Gabbard says Trump acted because he concluded the Iranian regime ‘posed an imminent threat’
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Tuesday issued a post on X in which she noted that President Donald Trump targeted Iran based on his conclusion that the regime “posed an imminent threat.” She issued the post in the wake of Joe Kent’s resignation from his role as National Counterterrorism Center director over his opposition to the Iran war that Trump launched more than two weeks ago in conjunction with Israel. “Donald Trump was overwhelmingly elected by the American people to be our President and Commander in Chief. As our Commander in Chief, he is responsible for determining what is and is not an imminent threat, and whether or not to take action he deems necessary to protect the safety and security of our troops, the American people and our country,” Gabbard noted in her post. WHITE HOUSE, AFTER TOP COUNTERTERRORISM OFFICIAL QUITS, SAYS TRUMP HAD ‘STRONG’ EVIDENCE IRAN WOULD ATTACK US “The Office of the Director of National Intelligence is responsible for helping coordinate and integrate all intelligence to provide the President and Commander in Chief with the best information available to inform his decisions,” she added. “After carefully reviewing all the information before him, President Trump concluded that the terrorist Islamist regime in Iran posed an imminent threat and he took action based on that conclusion,” Gabbard wrote. TRUMP BIDS GOODBYE TO INTEL OFFICIAL WHO RESIGNED OVER IRAN: ‘GOOD THING THAT HE’S OUT’ Kent publicly shared his resignation letter on Tuesday, asserting that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the U.S. “I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” Kent wrote. “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,” he asserted in the resignation letter. TOP COUNTERTERRORISM OFFICIAL RESIGNS IN PROTEST OF US WAR AGAINST IRAN Trump pushed back on Tuesday, saying that “it’s a good thing that he’s out because he said that Iran was not a threat. Iran was a threat. Every country realized what a threat Iran was. The question is whether or not they wanted to do something about it.”
Dem congressional candidate Bobby Pulido depicts lewd behavior in controversial music video for his song
Latin Grammy-winning singer Bobby Pulido, now the Democratic nominee in Texas’ 15th Congressional District, appeared in a controversial music video depicting lewd behavior. In a 2010 music video for his song “Dias de Ayer,” Pulido portrayed a character wrapped in a red blanket engaging in indecent acts and appearing to expose himself to a woman seated next to him on a plane. According to the New York Post, Pulido faced questions from the Mexican press about his sexuality following the release of the video. “People are opening up more. I can even tell you that when I started my career, I saw the whole situation (of gays) very differently. At first, they said I was gay; there were rumors that I was like that,” Pulido said in a 2010 interview with the outlet El Norte, translated from Spanish. CORNYN CLASHES WITH PROGRESSIVE REP GREG CASAR IN HEATED AIRPORT FACE-OFF OVER DHS SHUTDOWN Pulido responded to comments about sexuality in several posts, including a 2019 post on his personal X account: “Igualmente amigo, no homo.” In a 2015 post, Pulido taunted pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli, who later served a seven-year prison sentence, writing, “Don’t drop the soap a–hole.” After announcing his campaign last fall, Pulido faced scrutiny over resurfaced posts linking to explicit websites on his personal X account, as well as a post that appeared to show him urinating on President Donald Trump’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star. DEM OFFICIAL PLEADS GUILTY TO CHILD ABUSE FOR DRIVING DRUNK AT TRIPLE LEGAL LIMIT, ENTERS DIVERSION PROGRAM The Democratic nominee also drew backlash over past vulgar attacks against Trump, including posting the Spanish translation of “f— your mother.” “I’d like to give you the biggest ‘f— you,’ you piece of s—, a–hole, d— head, son of a b—-,” Pulido wrote in another post. Pulido also drew attention after previously describing himself as a “winter Texan” for spending much of the year in Mexico. Pulido is vying for the seat currently held by Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas, a two-term incumbent. Fox News Digital has reached out to Pulido for comment. Fox News Digital’s Leo Briceno contributed to this report.
AIPAC-backed Chicago Democrat loses primary despite outside spending blitz
Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Evrvin failed to defeat a crowded field of Democratic candidates Tuesday for a deep-blue House seat, despite the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) spending aggressively to put her over the top. Conyears-Ervin’s loss represents a notable defeat for the pro-Israel group, which frequently intervenes in Democratic primaries. State Rep. LaShawn Ford, D-Ill., won the 13-way primary ballot after weathering a torrent of attack ads powered by the cryptocurrency industry. Ford touted the endorsement of Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill, who represented the district incorporating parts of the city’s South Side and western suburbs for nearly three decades. AIPAC and its affiliates spent more than $5 million boosting Conyears-Ervin. The Chicago Democrat also had the support of the city’s influential teachers’ unions and the cryptocurrency industry. Ford’s GOP opponent will face a steep battle to win the general election in the Democrat-heavy district. In 2024, former Vice President Kamala Harris won more than 80% of the vote in the district, where Black Americans constitute a plurality. Conyears-Ervin previously came up short in a primary challenge against Davis in 2024, though her campaign was marred by allegations that she misused city funds for personal use and retaliated against whistleblowers. The Chicago Democrat paid a $30,000 fine in 2025 to resolve the charges brought by a city ethics panel. AOC RAISING MONEY BY USING PRO-ISRAEL GROUP’S ATTACK ON HER ‘SQUAD’ ALLY Eleven other Democratic candidates were on the ballot in a free-for-all contest to replace Davis. Jason Friedman, a real estate developer and philanthropist, also failed to receive a sizable share of votes despite outraising the field. AIPAC’s main super PAC spent tens of thousands of dollars attacking his candidacy. Progressive activist Kina Collins and several other left-wing candidates appeared to split the vote among voters hailing from the party’s leftward flank. WHERE SANDERS AND AOC BACKED PROGRESSIVE CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE ANALILIA MEJIA STANDS ON KEY ISSUES AIPAC, a frequent player in congressional races, has had mixed success intervening in 2026 primaries so far. In February, the group was successful in torpedoing former Rep. Tom Malinowski’s comeback bid in a New Jersey special election, but a Democrat with even more hostile views toward Israel narrowly won the primary. That candidate, Analilia Mejia, who is endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is on track to win the general election in April in the Democrat-held seat. The group also spent heavily against several other Illinois Democrats running in other primary contests who have views critical of Israel, including media personality Kat Abughzaleh. Conyears-Ervin has served as Chicago’s city treasurer since 2019 and previously did a one-term stint in the state legislature. Chicago has faced an array of fiscal challenges during Conyears-Ervin’s tenure. Two rating agencies downgraded Chicago’s credit rating in February over the city’s sizable budget deficits.
Pritzker scores big: Stratton wins Illinois Senate primary in test of governor’s clout
Democratic Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton of Illinois is now a giant step closer to becoming only the fifth Black woman elected to the Senate in the nation’s history. Stratton on Tuesday topped Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, her top two rivals among a crowded field of contenders, in a contentious and extremely expensive Democratic Senate primary, the Associated Press reports. Stratton, a former state lawmaker who has served two terms as lieutenant governor under Gov. JB Pritzker, a fellow Democrat, will now be considered the clear frontrunner in blue-leaning Illinois to succeed Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, who’s retiring at the end of the year after three decades in the Senate. PRITZKER FLEXES POLITICAL MUSCLE IN ILLINOIS’ SENATE PRIMARY The Democratic Senate primary, as well as down-ballot battles for a quartet of Chicago-area open House seats, were hotbeds for contentious party disagreements over battling illegal immigration and policy towards Israel, how best to push back against President Donald Trump‘s unprecedented second-term agenda, and the generational struggles among Democrats. HEAD HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS COVERAGE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL Krishnamoorthi, who was born in India and immigrated to the U.S. with his family as a child, was the clear fundraising frontrunner in the Democratic primary, and spent big bucks to run ads. And a super PAC funded by crypto titans has shelled out nearly $10 million in support of Krishnamoorthi. But Stratton was backed by Pritzker, who had plenty on the line in the Senate primary. That’s because the billionaire governor and potential 2028 White House contender, who was unopposed for his party’s nomination as he seeks to become the first Democrat to serve three terms steering the nation’s sixth-most populous state, dipped into his large war chest to dish out millions to fund a super PAC supporting Stratton The Senate primary was viewed as a test of Pritzker’s political clout in Illinois as he likely gears up for a 2028 presidential run. The governor has seen his national profile skyrocket over the past 14 months as he’s become a top Democrat leading the resistance to Trump.
Establishment Democrats fend off far-left influencer in primary to succeed Rep Jan Schakowsky
Far-left social media influencer and former Media Matters journalist Kat Abughazaleh has lost her bid to replace a longtime House Democrat in Illinois. Abughazaleh was one of 15 people running in a crowded primary to replace Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., who is retiring after nearly 30 years in Congress. She lost to Daniel Biss, the mayor of Everston, Ill., and a former state lawmaker. SENATE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN CHAIR REVEALS HOW MANY SEATS HE’S AIMING FOR IN 2026 The race to replace Schakowsky in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, a safe blue seat, has been a battle of the ages. Abughazaleh, 26, is part of an increasingly politically active coterie of left-wing Gen Z activists who have been critical of the Democratic establishment. Her campaign website touts “a new type of Democratic campaign,” warning, “If you’re a right-wing billionaire or a member of the Democratic consultant class, this campaign isn’t for you.” SOCIALIST WINS PILE UP AFTER GOP’S BRUTAL 2025 OFF-YEAR ELECTION LOSSES She notably said during a primary debate that she did not support the continued leadership of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. The progressive influencer also got indicted on federal charges late last year related to an incident in which agitators allegedly attacked an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle outside a Chicago suburb holding facility. Fine, who is supported by groups linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), said she would back Jeffries. She was the most moderate of the three front-runners. Biss did not weigh in. He was the only candidate backed by Schakowsky in the race. Before becoming mayor of the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Biss ran for governor but lost his primary to Illinois’ current leader, Gov. JB Pritzker. The 9th Congressional District includes part of Chicago and its northern suburbs and is rated D+19 by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. The winner of Tuesday night’s primary was all but assured to win the general election in November.
Former congresswoman wins primary to take back former suburban Chicago seat
Melissa Bean, the former congresswoman who represented Illinois’ 8th Congressional District more than a decade ago, has won Tuesday’s primary election to retake the seat from retiring Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., who is running for Senate. Bean entered Tuesday with a reported fundraising advantage of more than $1 million in the primary in the district, a Democrat-friendly zigzag of Chicago suburbs in Cook, Kane and DuPage counties west of the city proper. Bean last represented the district from 2005 to 2011, when she was upset during the Tea Party wave as now-former Rep. Joe Walsh — one of President Donald Trump’s biggest GOP critics — eked out a victory by less than half a percentage point. Walsh was eventually defeated by now-Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., who herself was replaced by Krishnamoorthi, a native of New Delhi, India. ILLINOIS DEM SENATE CANDIDATES SPLIT ON BACKING SCHUMER AS LEADER Krishnamoorthi hopes to be the latest senator elected from the district, as he vies to replace the retiring Land of Lincoln Democratic mainstay Sen. Richard Durbin. Prior to Bean’s first tenure, Republican Phil Crane held the seat beginning in 1969, and before him, future Bush Pentagon chief Donald Rumsfeld — reflecting a marked political lurch to the left in the Chicago area in recent years. IT consultant Junaid Ahmed faced off against Bean and other candidates in Tuesday’s race, running on a more progressive platform. Ahmed’s platform included “realizing self-determination for Palestine and ending the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank,” according to the local CBS affiliate, as well as Medicaid expansion, green energy investments and canceling student loan debt. WEALTHY ELITES BANKROLL DEM SENATE CANDIDATE WHO HAS REPEATEDLY TOUTED ‘GRASSROOTS’ CAMPAIGN Candidate and former Krishnamoorthi aide Yasmeen Bankole was endorsed by Durbin. Bankole is currently a trustee for the village of Highland Park, Illinois, and also supports a Medicare-for-all plan, undoing President Donald Trump’s tariffs and raising the minimum wage, according to the outlet. Other candidates in the race included business executive Sanjyot Dunung, activist Neil Khot, Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, Army JAG officer Dan Tully and ex-DOJ counterterrorism staffer Ryan Vetticad. The Democratic victor is expected to be moderately favored in November given the current political makeup of the D+5 district, and will face the winner of the Republican primary. Candidates there included accountant Kevin Ake, software company owner Jennifer Davis, retired Chicago cop Herbert Hebein, and business executive Mark Rice.