Political dirty tricks upend midterms |
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| Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Stock: Getty Images |
| This year’s midterms are becoming a watershed election for primary meddling, mysterious super PACs, alleged straw candidates and all manner of political shenanigans, Axios’ Andrew Solender and Stef W. Kight write. Why it matters: With fewer battleground House districts after redistricting and the fight for the Senate extremely tight, each of these schemes could have an outsized impact on control of Congress. Green Party spoilers: Democrats are accusing the Green Party nominee in Pennsylvania’s 7th District of trying to aid Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pa.) by siphoning progressive votes from Democrat Bob Brooks. Lawsuits allege the candidate, Andrew Tupone, was a registered Republican until February and had help from Republicans getting on the ballot. Seeing double: In Alaska’s primary today, there will be two Dan Sullivans on the ballot — Sen. Dan S. Sullivan (R-Alaska) and former teacher Dan J. Sullivan. Democratic dropouts: Democratic Senate candidates in Nebraska, Idaho and South Dakota have dropped out at the last minute to lift independent candidates’ chances of ousting Republicans. 11th-hour switcheroos: Rep. Chuy García (D-Ill.) and Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) both drew criticism for dropping their reelection bids just before the filing deadlines to ensure their chosen successors would not face primary opposition. Primary meddling: Federal Election Commission filings revealed Republicans were behind a series of “pop-up” super PACs with names like “Lead Left PAC” and “Progressive Champions PAC.” The groups bought ads propping up left-wing or scandal-tarnished Democratic primary candidates. AIPAC: The pro-Israel group, whose brand has become reviled by Democratic primary voters, also supported candidates through obscure super PACs. In Illinois, it boosted a preferred House candidate through groups called “Chicago Progressive Partnership” and “Elect Chicago Women.”Share this story. |
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Political dirty tricks upend midterms
Green Party spoilers: Democrats are accusing the Green Party nominee in Pennsylvania’s 7th District of trying to aid Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pa.) by siphoning progressive votes from Democrat Bob Brooks. Lawsuits allege the candidate, Andrew Tupone, was a registered Republican until February and had help from Republicans getting on the ballot.
Seeing double: In Alaska’s primary today, there will be two Dan Sullivans on the ballot — Sen. Dan S. Sullivan (R-Alaska) and former teacher Dan J. Sullivan.
Democratic dropouts: Democratic Senate candidates in Nebraska, Idaho and South Dakota have dropped out at the last minute to lift independent candidates’ chances of ousting Republicans.
11th-hour switcheroos: Rep.
AIPAC: The pro-Israel group, whose brand has become reviled by Democratic primary voters, also supported candidates through obscure super PACs. In