State News Shot

KS: Republicans Push to Reject Health Care Law

Last Updated on Thursday, 10 February 2011 02:39 Written by rslcpol Thursday, 10 February 2011 02:39

From LJWorld.com:

House Republicans this morning pushed for a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at rejecting the federal health reforms signed into law by President Barack Obama.

The measure was set for debate later today.

Speaking to the House GOP caucus, House Speaker Mike O’Neal, R-Hutchinson, said a vote for the proposal “is one of the most important statements that the House can make in 2011.”

O’Neal said Republican success in the 2010 election was a “referendum on the restoration of state’s rights” against Washington, D.C.

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WA: Democrat Councilman and former Chess Champion to announce run for AG

Last Updated on Thursday, 10 February 2011 02:22 Written by rslcpol Thursday, 10 February 2011 02:22

From SeattlePI:

Chris Gregoire served three terms as AG before winning the governor’s office in 2004. Slade Gorton gained national recognition in the job, especially in arguing cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, before challenging and defeating longtime Democratic Sen. Warren Magnuson in 1980.

Others in the AG’s office – e.g. Republican Ken Eikenberry and Democrat John O’Connell – lost races for governor.

Ferguson is a former state chess champion. He has made numerous backstage moves to line up Democrats’ support and is expected to deliver a list of prominent endorsers when he announces.

In 2005, after wiping out Ferguson’s seat, several Courthouse insiders toasted their cleverness at the New Orleans Cafe in Pioneer Square. Ferguson took note, and picked the New Orleans Cafe for his victory celebration after unseating Edmonds.

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Governors Want Health Care Case Fast Tracked

Last Updated on Wednesday, 9 February 2011 02:56 Written by rslcpol Wednesday, 9 February 2011 02:56

From Hampton Roads:

Gov. Bob McDonnell is among 28 state chief executives who have signed a letter urging President Barack Obama to direct the U.S. Justice Department to back an expedited appeal of the health care litigation initiated in Virginia and Florida.

All of the signatories on the letter (a copy of which is below) are Republicans.

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who previously expressed his desire to fast-track the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, formally filed a petition to that effect last night. It can be viewed here.

Cuccinelli prevailed in the opening round of the health care challenge in federal court; a judge agreed with his argument that Congress exceeded its power to regulate interstate commerce by mandating that the uninsured obtain medical coverage or face a tax penalty.

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Tennessee Republicans Target Health Care Law

Last Updated on Wednesday, 9 February 2011 12:00 Written by rslcpol Wednesday, 9 February 2011 12:00

From The Tennessean.com:

Tennessee Republicans have proposed legislation that calls for the state to join an interstate compact challenging the new federal health-care law.

Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey and several members of the Tennessee Tea Party joined Senate sponsor Mae Beavers in announcing the measure on Monday.

The proposal would provide a waiver for each participating state to create its own health-care system. The legislation would have to be approved by Congress.

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LA Dem Blames National Democrat Party, Becomes a Republican

Last Updated on Tuesday, 8 February 2011 01:30 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 8 February 2011 01:30

From thenewsstar.com:

State Rep. Bubba Chaney of Rayville has become the latest Louisiana Democrat to switch to the Republican Party.

Chaney, who is serving his first term in the Louisiana Legislature, changed his party affiliation at the Richland Parish Courthouse late Monday afternoon.

“I just didn’t feel that my philosophy as a traditional conservative Blue Dog Democrat has a place anymore in the national party,” Chaney said. “The Republican Party better fits that philosophy and my personal values.

“This isn’t a reflection of my fellow Democrats in the Legislature. I have developed strong relationships and deep respect for my Democratic colleagues, and that won’t change. But for me, the national Republican Party better reflects my beliefs.”

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RSLC ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT AND BOARD MEMBERS

Last Updated on Tuesday, 8 February 2011 11:36 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 8 February 2011 11:36

Alexandria, Va. (February 7, 2011) – The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) announced today that Chris Jankowski will serve as the Committee’s new President and that the group added former Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum and former Ambassador David Wilkins as new board members. Jankowski previously served as Executive Director of the RSLC’s REDistricting MAjority Project, a program that saw the pick-up of nearly 700 legislative seats and 20 legislative chambers across the country.

“Chris was instrumental in the RSLC’s success in 2010 and we are thrilled that he will be leading the RSLC as President heading into an election cycle that will be instrumental to defending and winning even more races for attorney general, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and state legislator,” said RSLC Chairman Ed Gillespie.

As President of the RSLC, Jankowski will manage the day-to-day operations of the committee including overseeing a political operation that has a proven record of winning state-level races across the country since its 2002 inception. In January, current RSLC President Scott Ward announced he would be leaving the RSLC to return to the private practice of law where he will focus on campaign finance law and serve as outside counsel to the RSLC. Ward served as the President of the RSLC since January 2008 and oversaw the successful efforts of the Committee in the 2008 cycle and the 2010 cycle.

In addition to REDMAP, Jankowski played a pivotal role in Virginia’s 2009 landslide election of Governor Bob McDonnell, along with Republican victories for lieutenant governor, attorney general and a net Republican pick-up of six House of Delegates seats.

“Under Chris’s leadership, the RSLC hits the ground running in the 2011 election states and will continue its work with state caucuses, preparing for the 2012 elections and ensuring those states have the resources they need to continue Republican momentum,” said Gillespie.

Gillespie also welcomed two Republican leaders who joined the RSLC Board. Bill McCollum of Florida, former State Attorney General and member of Congress and David Wilkins, former US Ambassador to Canada and former Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives were elected to the Board. “The addition of these two leaders will strengthen our oversight of the Committee’s activities and be a source of great advice and strategy for the RSLC,” Gillespie said.

About the RSLC
The RSLC is the largest caucus of Republican state leaders and the only national organization whose mission is to elect down ballot, state-level Republican office-holders. Since 2002, the RSLC has been working to elect candidates for the office of attorney general, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and state legislator. The RSLC has more than 100,000 donors in all 50 states. The RSLC raised more than $30 million for the 2009-2010 cycle as part of an effort that picked up 20 legislative chambers, six Attorneys General, three Lieutenant Governors and seven Secretaries of State.

RSLC STATEMENT ON RNC CHAIRMAN’S RACE

Last Updated on Friday, 14 January 2011 08:55 Written by rslcpol Friday, 14 January 2011 05:33

Alexandria, Va. (January 14, 2011) – Republican State Leadership Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie issued the following statement after Reince Priebus was named Chairman of the Republican National Committee:

“I congratulate Reince Priebus on being elected by the Republican National Committee as the next Chairman. I am confident he will provide exemplary leadership for the party, prepare and equip the committee to be ready for the 2012 elections and support candidates and their message of smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom.

“On the heels of an election cycle that saw Republicans pick up 20 legislative chambers and win dozens of statewide constitutional offices, I look forward to another successful cycle with new leadership as we grow our majorities and elect more Republicans at all levels of the ballot.”

RSLC Chairman Ed Gillespie to Appear on CNN’s “State of the Union”

Last Updated on Friday, 7 January 2011 04:14 Written by rslcpol Friday, 7 January 2011 04:14

Check out Republican State Leadership Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie on CNN’s “State of the Union” this Sunday at 9:30am EST.

New Secretary of State in Kentucky

Last Updated on Friday, 7 January 2011 03:50 Written by rslcpol Friday, 7 January 2011 03:18

Republican Trey Grayson will leave office January 31st. he’s heading to Harvard University to head up the Institute of Politics.

From the Lexington Herald-Leader:

Gov. Steve Beshear will appoint Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker to replace Secretary of State Trey Grayson, who said Friday he will be leaving his state post to become director of Harvard University’s Institute of Politics, effective Jan. 31.

Grayson, who lost a bid last year for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, said in a statement that he will resign his position as secretary of state shortly before Jan. 31.

Beshear appointed Walker to serve the remaining 11 months of Grayson’s term at a 2:30 p.m. news conference in the Capitol.

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WV: Acting Governor says state needs a Lt. Governor

Last Updated on Friday, 7 January 2011 02:11 Written by rslcpol Friday, 7 January 2011 02:11

From Charleston Daily Mail:

Acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin believes West Virginia should elect a lieutenant governor to take over when its chief executive departs.

The West Virginia Constitution now gives the job to Tomblin as state Senate president. But an administration official tells The Associated Press that Tomblin plans to ask voters to amend the constitution and change that.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly.

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