New York Times: “President Trump’s former press secretary has returned to Arkansas a bona fide star eager to play a new role in a post-Trump Republican Party.”
Sarah Huckabee Sanders Launches Website
Former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders rolled out a campaign website amid speculation that she is considering a run for Arkansas governor.
Scott Walker Rules Out Run for Office In 2022
Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) has accepted a full-time position running a national conservative youth organization based in northern Virginia, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Said Walker: “This would preclude me from running for governor in this next cycle or running for the U.S. Senate if Ron Johnson’s seat is open.”
Allies of Sarah Sanders Polled Possible Bid for Governor
“Allies of outgoing White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders commissioned a poll in her native state of Arkansas to test her support against likely primary opponents for a potential gubernatorial race,” sources close to Sanders tell CBS News.
“The results of the poll, conducted several weeks ago, showed Sanders ‘crushing’ any potential Republican rivals, including current Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin who has been eyeing a run.”
Sarah Sanders Serious About Running for Governor
Politico: “While Sanders and her associates have been quietly talking about the possibility for months, sometimes in jest, she has shown renewed interest in the prospect as she’s started contemplating her post-White House plans… Sanders and her allies have started making calls to donors and Republican operatives in the state.”
Sanders Has Discussed Running for Arkansas Governor
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders, who is leaving her role at the end of the month, has floated the possibility of running for Arkansas governor in recent private conversations, CNN reports.
“Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson was re-elected just last year, so unless he steps down early — or is appointed to something — the governor’s office in Little Rock isn’t open until January 2023.”
Democrats Expect Ocasio-Cortez to Run for Senate
Top Democrats tell Axios they expect Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) may eventually primary one of the two New York senators — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in 2022, or Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in 2024.
Baker May Seek Third Term as Massachusetts Governor
“Acknowledging he may seek a groundbreaking third term, Gov. Charlie Baker (R) is quietly putting together a robust staff of political aides, proven fund-raisers, and seasoned consultants who worked on his previous two victorious campaigns, including last year’s landslide reelection,” the Boston Globe reports.
“Baker and his advisers said they are keeping his political organization intact to allow him to consider a third consecutive four-year term in 2022 — something no Massachusetts incumbent governor has ever done — but that no decision has been made.”
Cuomo Will Seek Fourth Term
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) told WAMC he will run for a fourth term in 2022.
Said Cuomo: “I believe this state is doing great things at a time when a nation is floundering. I believe that. I believe we have the opportunity to set a standard for progressivity and normalcy. I know this job, I work seven days a week at it, and I think we have accomplishments.”
Mike Pompeo Opens Door to Future Run
Wichita Eagle: “He’s ruled out a U.S. Senate run in 2020. But on the eve of Pompeo’s first official visit to Kansas since his meteoric rise from congressman to secretary of state, the Wichita Republican propped open the door to a political future in his home state.”
Said Pompeo: “I try to just avoid ruling things out when there’s others who are in control. The Lord will get me to the right place.”
“Republicans in the state think that means one of two things — a bid for Senate or the governor’s mansion in 2022. That is, if Pompeo doesn’t decide to run for president in 2024 instead.”
LePage Floats Running for Governor Again
Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R), “who is living in Florida, has appeared on several radio talk shows, speaking repeatedly about running against” current Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) “in four years if she does not keep government spending under control,” the Portland Press Herald reports.
Scott Walker Says He May Run Again
Departing Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) told the Associated Press that he’s keeping his campaign accounts open and wouldn’t rule out running for governor again in four years.
He also said he would consider running for U.S. Senate in 2022 to replace Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), who has said he would not seek a third term.
Newly-Elected Lawmaker Already Running for Re-Election
“Members of the newly elected Congress are still waiting to be sworn in, but it looks like a 2020 battle is already heating up in Staten Island’s congressional district,” the Staten Island Advance reports.
“Rep-elect Max Rose (D) recently sent an email urging constituents to donate to his campaign, warning his base they needed to gear up because former Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY), who once held Rose’s seat, is planning to challenge him in 2020.”
Stacey Abrams Eyes Run for Senate or Governor
“Stacey Abrams said Monday that she is considering running for a Georgia Senate seat in 2020 or governor again in 2022,” Politico reports.
“Abrams’ drew national attention in her bid to become the first black woman governor in the United States, and the progressive political action committee Democracy for America included her in a presidential poll it opened online last week.”
Trump Says Murkowski ‘Will Never Recover’
President Trump predicted that Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) “will never recover” politically for her vote against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh as he celebrated his nominee’s ascension following an extraordinarily brutal confirmation process, the Washington Post reports.
He added: “I think the people from Alaska will never forgive her for what she did.”
For members: How Murkowski Could Decide Control of the Senate
Bonus Quote of the Day
“Hey Lisa Murkowski, I can see 2022 from my house…”
— Sarah Palin, on Twitter.
Isakson Already Planning for Re-Election Bid
Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) said he plans to run for re-election in 2022, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reports.
“In fact, the senator’s staff said he filed his paperwork last year so that he could raise funds for his next campaign. Isakson won his third term to the U.S. Senate in 2016, about a year after he announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.”
