| | | | |  | | By Ryan Lizza and Eugene Daniels | | | With help from Eli Okun and Garrett Ross
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Rep. Nancy Mace, a freshman Republican who openly criticized former president Donald Trump, successfully fended off Trump-backed challenger Katie Arrington in South Carolina's GOP primary last night. | Meg Kinnard/AP Photo | | | | |  | DRIVING THE DAY | | JUST POSTED — Eric Cortellessa's six-month investigation for The Washington Monthly into Maryland transit policy under Gov. LARRY HOGAN. Editor Paul Glastris emails: "The piece reveals how [Hogan], who is currently considering a run for president in 2024, screwed up the construction of the 16-mile long Purple Line in the Maryland suburbs north of DC — in part by diverting funding to road building projects that would benefit real estate ventures that Hogan, a developer, had invested in. As a result of this and other decisions, the Purple Line will cost taxpayers an additional $1.4 billion and won't be completed until 2026 — more than four and a half years behind schedule." We got an early look. It's a terrific old-school Monthly piece that will be talked about on the campaign trail in 2024 if Hogan runs. ABOUT LAST NIGHT — Here's everything you need to know about Tuesday's elections, which included primaries in four states (Maine, Nevada, North Dakota and South Carolina) and a special election in Texas. — Republicans can survive crossing Trump, but rarely can they survive being anti-Trump … Trump went one for two in key South Carolina primaries last night. In the first district, Rep. NANCY MACE defeated Trump-backed challenger KATIE ARRINGTON, 53% to 45% in the first district. More from the Post and Courier's Caitlyn Byrd
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| But in the seventh district, Rep. TOM RICE, who voted for Trump's second impeachment, was defeated by Trump-backed RUSSELL FRY, 51% to 25% (we promise to spare you any "Fried Rice" puns).
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| What explains the difference? On last week's "Playbook Deep Dive" podcast, we talked to South Dakota Rep. DUSTY JOHNSON about the lessons he learned winning a Republican primary after voting against Trump. (In his case, the vote was about creating an independent January 6 commission.) "There are going to be times those votes cause you political discomfort," Johnson said. "Don't run away from them, but don't run away from the electorate either." So far this year, the Trump-targeted Republicans who have survived his wrath have run campaigns that embrace Trump even as he spurns them. Whether it's Idaho Gov. BRAD LITTLE, Johnson in South Dakota, or Mace in South Carolina these victors were all careful not to run against Trump. In South Carolina, Rep. Rice actually told voters what he thought. Trump, he said in a recent interview with Ally Mutnick, was "spiteful and petty and vengeful" and a "narcissist" who "craves attention." Rice lost. He ran away from the South Carolina GOP electorate. More: "Trump reshapes GOP primaries as party notches big win in House special," by Zach Montellaro — Republicans continue to make major inroads with Hispanic voters , especially in border areas of Texas … In the special election to replace Democratic Rep. FILEMON VELA, who resigned earlier this year to become a lobbyist, Republican MAYRA FLORES defeated Democrat DAN SANCHEZ, 51% to 43%.
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| Dems didn't spend much on the race because the district has been redrawn with friendlier lines and will be defended by Rep. VICENTE GONZALEZ in November. Still, the dynamics have to be worrying to Democrats. Sanchez was on defense in the majority-Hispanic district, and ran as a "conservative Democrat" and "pro-life." Flores, meanwhile, dabbled in QAnon conspiracy-mongering, and described the Rio Grande Valley as "under attack," per the Texas Tribune — and won with an outright majority. She also made history: Flores will be the first Mexican-born woman to serve in Congress. — 2020 election deniers are winning everywhere … It's becoming more common than not for Republicans who support false election fraud theories to win GOP primaries. In many places, it is now the establishment GOP position. Look no further than the Republican Senate primary in Nevada. ADAM LAXALT — who had the backing of MITCH MCCONNELL and Trump, and as the grandson of a former governor and senator, has a famous political last name — easily beat newcomer SAM BROWN , 55% to 36%. When they recently debated, one of their big fights was over whether Laxalt, Trump's 2020 Nevada campaign chair who repeated Trump's lies about the election, had done enough to challenge the 2020 results. He will face Sen. CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO, who is considered one of the most vulnerable Senate Democrats. Also in Nevada, election denier JIM MARCHANT easily won the GOP's nomination for secretary of state — raising the possibility "that a candidate who fundamentally distrusts Nevada's election system and believes the results have been fraudulent for decades could be in charge of running them," writes the Nevada Independent. Related read: "Far-Right Republicans Press Closer to Power Over Future Elections," by NYT's Reid Epstein and Nick Corasaniti Top takeaways: "Trump takes down his first impeachment victim: 5 takeaways from a big primary night," by David Siders, Ally Mutnick, Natalie Allison and Megan Messerly See all the results: Maine congressional districts … Nevada statewide and Nevada congressional districts … North Dakota statewide … South Carolina statewide and South Carolina congressional districts … Texas special election
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| Good Wednesday morning. Thanks for reading Playbook. Drop us a line: Rachael Bade, Eugene Daniels , Ryan Lizza.
| | | | A message from Amazon: Amazon's parental leave can be used by all new parents. The company offers six weeks of fully paid leave to adoptive parents and to supporting parents like Victor. "That allowed me to be there for a lot of the memories that I'm grateful I didn't have to miss," he said. | | | GEORGIA BOMBSHELL — "Herschel Walker Says He's a Model Dad. He Has a Secret Son," by The Daily Beast's Roger Sollenberger: "For years, former football star turned Republican senatorial candidate HERSCHEL WALKER has expressed an enormous pride and love for his adult son, while taking a principled stand against fatherless households and deadbeat dads — specifically in the Black community. … "What Walker hasn't publicly acknowledged is that he has a second son, who has apparently been estranged from his biological father since his birth a decade ago. The son, whose name The Daily Beast is withholding out of privacy concerns, has grown up more than 1,500 miles from Walker's Texas home. And the mother, whose name we are also withholding for privacy reasons, had to take Walker to court a year after giving birth in order to secure a declaration of paternity and child support." NEW POLLING ON GUNS — As Congress nears potential agreement on a bipartisan gun-safety bill, a new POLITICO/Morning Consult poll reveals widespread public support for many of the provisions raised in the talks — and some that did not make it into the framework.
- Requiring background checks on all gun sales: 89% strongly or somewhat support, 7% strongly or somewhat oppose. Net support: +82 points
- Banning assault-style weapons: 66% strongly or somewhat support, 27% strongly or somewhat oppose. Net support: +39 points
- Banning high-capacity ammunition magazines: 68% strongly or somewhat support, 23% strongly or somewhat oppose. Net support: +45 points
- Preventing sales of guns to people reported as dangerous to law enforcement by a mental health provider: 87% strongly or somewhat support, 7% strongly or somewhat oppose. Net support: +80 points
- Requiring a mandatory three-day waiting period after a gun is purchased: 80% strongly or somewhat support, 12% strongly or somewhat oppose. Net support: +68 points
- Requiring a person to be 21 in order to buy a gun: 79% strongly or somewhat support, 15% strongly or somewhat oppose. Net support: +64 points
Three other numbers you'll want to know:
- Biden's approval rating: 40% approve, while 56% disapprove.
- Right track/wrong track: 26% of voters say things in the country are generally headed in the right direction, while 74% say things are on the wrong track.
- The generic congressional ballot: If the election for Congress was held today, 44% of voters say they'd back the Democratic candidate, while 42% would support the Republican. Toplines … Crosstabs
| | | | A message form Amazon: Paid parental leave allowed Victor to spend time with his daughter. | | | BIDEN'S WEDNESDAY: — 9:30 a.m.: The president will receive the President's Daily Brief. — 12:15 p.m.: Biden and VP KAMALA HARRIS will have lunch together. — 4 p.m.: Biden and first lady JILL BIDEN will host a reception and deliver remarks to celebrate Pride Month. Harris, second gentleman DOUG EMHOFF, Interior Secretary DEB HAALAND and Transportation Secretary PETE BUTTIGIEG will also attend. HARRIS' WEDNESDAY: — 2 p.m.: The vice president will convene Dreamers and DACA recipients for a private meeting to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of DACA. Press secretary KARINE JEAN-PIERRE will brief at 3 p.m. The SENATE is in. Labor Secretary MARTY WALSH will testify before an Appropriations subcommittee at 9:30 a.m. The HOUSE will meet at 10 a.m. to consider the Financial Services Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Economic Justice Act. First/last votes are expected between 2:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | PHOTO OF THE DAY
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When you think Tim McGraw, I hope you think D.C.: The country music star and his wife, Faith Hill, took a tour of the Capitol on Tuesday, led by Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.), for whom their daughter, Maggie, works. | Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images | | | PLAYBOOK READS | | JAN. 6 AND ITS AFTERMATH WHAT TO EXPECT ON THURSDAY — The Jan. 6 select committee tweeted a video on Tuesday offering a preview of what Thursday's hearing will cover, and included a clip of testimony given by Trump White House attorney ERIC HERSCHMANN. In it, he says he received a phone call on Jan. 7, 2021, from JOHN EASTMAN, the lawyer who counseled Trump about overturning the results of the election, who asked him about "something dealing with Georgia and preserving something potentially for appeal." "And I said to him, 'Are you out of your f'ing mind?'" Herschmann recalled. "I said, 'I only want to hear two words coming out of your mouth from now on: orderly transition.'" After Eastman eventually did so, Herschmann continued: "I said, 'Good, John. Now I'm going to give you the best free legal advice you're ever getting in your life: Get a great f'ing criminal defense lawyer. You're going to need it,'" Herschmann recalled. "And then I hung up on him." Read more from Kyle Cheney … The 3:45 clip from the committee OK, THEN! — "'We're Coming for You, Bro!' Steve Bannon Loses It on Bill Barr After Jan. 6 Hearings," by Mediaite's Zachary Leeman THE WHITE HOUSE BIDEN STRAINS FOR ECONOMIC MESSAGE — The White House is trying to take a different direction in addressing inflation and voters' concerns ahead of the midterms. But it may be too little, too late for Biden. "The president stepped up efforts to draw contrasts with Republicans, unleashing a series of new attack lines Tuesday in a speech delivered amid a flurry of sobering headlines on rising costs and interest rates," Jonathan Lemire and Ben White write. "But with the midterms rapidly approaching, voters' patience appears likely to run out — and the president and party in power stand poised to pay the political price." STAFFING SHAKEUP — Biden is bringing in former Atlanta Mayor KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS to replace CEDRIC RICHMOND as one of his top advisers, Axios' Alexi McCammond scoops. "As director of the White House Office of Public Engagement beginning in the coming weeks, Bottoms will immediately have access to some of the most high-level planning and strategy sessions in the West Wing — and to the president himself." CONGRESS MCCONNELL LIKELY IN ON GUN DEAL — Senate Minority Leader MITCH MCCONNELL gave an encouraging sign to his colleagues' bipartisan efforts to pass gun safety legislation on Tuesday. "I'm comfortable with the framework, and if the legislation ends up reflecting what the framework indicates, I'll be supportive," McConnell told reporters, per NBC's Dareh Gregorian and Sahil Kapur. HOW IT HAPPENED — Burgess Everett and Marianne LeVine have the tick-tock on how the Senate's gun framework came together: "[T]he formation of the four-senator negotiating group was the most important moment in the gun safety talks, according to interviews with more than a dozen senators and aides. And after years of failed gun negotiations, the personalities and policy profiles of the foursome proved critical to success in a 50-50 Senate where progress is unusually swayed by 'gangs' of aspiring dealmakers. "There's [KYRSTEN] SINEMA, the centrist who sometimes seems closer to McConnell and [ JOHN] THUNE than her own party leadership, and [THOM] TILLIS, who's newly emboldened to cut deals after winning a second term in North Carolina. [CHRIS] MURPHY and [JOHN ] CORNYN, near-polar opposites on most issues, are now united by representing states wracked by mass shootings of children. 'I don't necessarily think a thought process went into saying: "These are the four people,"' Tillis said in an interview. 'That's how it worked out organically.'" FIRST IN PLAYBOOK I — President Biden is likely to sign an executive order at some point this year forgiving some amount of federal student loan debt. The fight to shape that policy has been raging since the first days of the administration. The latest attempt to press Biden is led by Rep. ILHAN OMAR (D-Minn.), who is sending a letter to Education Secretary MIGUEL CARDONA today demanding details, including a "comprehensive timeline" on how the administration intends to implement any debt cancellation policy. Fifty-six other members of Congress have signed the letter. They also want to know how borrowers will be notified of the benefit and the details of any plan for debt relief to be means-tested. Progressives and moderates in the Democratic Party have never come to a unified position on debt relief. Privately, some administration aides admit that no matter what Biden chooses to do, a substantial segment of the public won't be happy with the end result. Read the full letter
| | | | A message from Amazon:   Amazon's family leave policy gave Victor and his wife, Brisa, time to find their rhythm as new parents. | | | ALL POLITICS NEXT STOP ON TRUMP'S WARPATH — Trump's next big primary target is Rep. PETER MEIJER (R-Mich.), who is wasting no time shoring up his support. "Meijer — a first-term Republican who voted to impeach Trump — on Wednesday debuts his inaugural television ad of the cycle, shared first with POLITICO," Adam Wren reports. "Meijer's primary campaign is yet another test of whether Trump's endorsement can elevate a MAGA challenger not just with voters but among donors, and of the former president's sway in a district that skews suburban and Democratic." Watch the 30-second ad FIRST IN PLAYBOOK II — Rep. MONDAIRE JONES (D-N.Y.) is the first candidate in New York's closely watched 10th Congressional District to go up on the air. His new ad, called "Different", starts today on cable. "Do I stand out in Washington? Yes. Let's see: I'm a New Yorker. I grew up in section 8 housing and on food stamps, raised by a single mom. I'm Black, I'm gay, and damn proud to be different," Jones says in the spot. Given that one of his opponents is BILL DE BLASIO, Jones clearly needed to introduce himself to voters ASAP. Watch the 30-second ad EMPIRE STATE OF MIND — NYC Mayor ERIC ADAMS is getting in line behind Gov. KATHY HOCHUL just in time before early voting in New York begins, Sally Goldenberg reports. A BOY'S BEST FRIEND IS HIS MOTHER — BOB HEALEY JR.'s mother has dropped quite a haul of cash into a super PAC to help her son this fall. "Garden State Advance, which formed in mid-March, received a $2 million donation from ELLEN HEALEY of Wellington, Fla., according to filings with the Federal Election Commission," Matt Friedman reports. "Healey Jr. last week won the Republican primary in New Jersey's 3rd District and will take on two-term Democratic incumbent ANDY KIM in November." TRUMP CARDS WHO GETS PAID — BILL STEPIEN may be cooperating with the Jan. 6 committee and providing testimony that goes against Trump's false election claims, but the former campaign hand is still cashing checks from the former president. "Stepien never really left Trump, with his firm receiving $20,000 in both February and March of 2021, and as much as $30,000 and no less than $10,000 in every month since," HuffPost's S.V. Date and Jennifer Bendery report. "His work for Trump to this day, according to an adviser to the former president, is to coordinate Trump's political strategy, including Trump's efforts to defeat candidates who challenge his false claim that the election was stolen from him or, worse, voted to impeach him for inciting the Jan. 6 attack. Each week, Stepien is on an hourlong call with other top Trump aides, including DAN SCAVINO, JASON MILLER, and Trump's eldest son, DONALD TRUMP JR. The last such call was June 6; Monday's call was canceled because it conflicted with the Jan. 6 committee hearing." MEDIAWATCH MEET THE NEW BOSS — "'We Have To Be Ready': Steady And Calm Joe Kahn Takes Charge Of The Turbulent Times" by Vanity Fair's Joe Pompeo JOE KAHN on reporters' overuse of Twitter: "I think it's time for people to put [Twitter] into a bit more perspective, and frankly, to take a step back from an overreliance on Twitter as a place to vet grievances with your own news organization."
| | | | DON'T MISS DIGITAL FUTURE DAILY - OUR TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER, RE-IMAGINED: Technology is always evolving, and our new tech-obsessed newsletter is too! Digital Future Daily unlocks the most important stories determining the future of technology, from Washington to Silicon Valley and innovation power centers around the world. Readers get an in-depth look at how the next wave of tech will reshape civic and political life, including activism, fundraising, lobbying and legislating. Go inside the minds of the biggest tech players, policymakers and regulators to learn how their decisions affect our lives. Don't miss out, subscribe today. | | | | | | | PLAYBOOKERS | | Rudy Giuliani, in a now-deleted tweet, said that Bill Stepien and Jason Miller lied to the Jan. 6 Committee about his level of sobriety on election night 2020. "I REFUSED all alcohol that evening. My favorite drink… Diet Pepsi." Maxine Waters tested positive for the coronavirus. Her statement said she was alerted to a possible exposure at the Summit of the Americas. Kamala Harris and Kara Swisher said hello. Dean Baquet got a standing ovation from the NYT newsroom on his last day as executive editor. OUT AND ABOUT — SPOTTED: First lady Jill Biden and Valerie Biden Owens having dinner at Le Diplomate on Tuesday evening. Pic — SPOTTED at a party on Tuesday night hosted by Juleanna Glover and Winston Bao Lord for Appu Esthose Suresh and Priyanka Kotamraju's new book, "The Murderer, The Monarch and the Fakir: A New Investigation of Mahatma Gandhi's Assassination" ($22.50): Marcus Brauchli, Don Baer, James Hohmann, Annie Linskey, Silvia Foster-Frau, Kevin Chaffee, Adam Green, Michael Schaffer, Doug Rediker and Heidi Crebo-Rediker, Jonathan Winer, Mimi Lyons, Adam Green and Nina Rees. — SPOTTED at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems Charles T. Manatt Democracy Awards and 35th Anniversary Celebration held at the Four Seasons Hotel in D.C. on Tuesday night: USAID Administrator Samantha Power, Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova, Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Judy Woodruff, Ken Blackwell, Fred Humphries, Samah Norquist, Charlie Black, Suhail Khan and Frank Donetelli. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Matt Bai is launching a new publication, called "Bai Lines," on Meta's Bulletin platform, which will feature his "hot takes on politics, media, and culture." He is a contributing columnist at WaPo, and an NYT Mag and Yahoo alum. — At a preview for the Museum of the American Latino today, Board Chair Henry R. Munoz III is announcing a $1 million donation for the SOMOS Theatre at the museum. — The British polling firm J.L. Partners, helmed by former Theresa May chief pollster James Johnson and Tom Lubbock , has opened an office in the Washington, D.C. area. WHITE HOUSE DEPARTURE LOUNGE: FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Stephonn Alcorn is returning to Blackstone to be VP for policy and operations where he'll be primarily focused on Blackstone's U.S. housing portfolio. He most recently was associate director for racial justice and equity on the Domestic Policy Council at the White House. TRANSITIONS — Stephanie Parks is now senior adviser focused on health care policy for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's office. She previously was health subcommittee staff director for the Ways and Means GOP, and is a Paul Ryan alum. … Andrea Perera is now a principal at NEWCO Strategies. She previously was SVP of Oxfam America. … Christina Noel is now director of media relations at API. She previously was press secretary at the VA Department and is a Lamar Alexander and Marco Rubio alum. … Sarah Sonies is now a content strategist for AARP's comms and public affairs team. She most recently was a managing supervisor at CURA Strategies and is a Patrick Kennedy alum. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Reps. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) … CNN's Dana Bash, Bianna Golodryga and Karl de Vries … AP's Evan Vucci … NYT's Clifford Levy … MSNBC's Will Rabbe … PBS NewsHour's Ali Rogin … Dan Schwerin ... Sophie Vaughan … Marie Harf … POLITICO's Brian Faler, Claire Crawford and Katherine Tully-McManus … Eva Bandola … Joseph Brazauskas … Richard Edelman … S-3 Group's Reagan Lawn … Susan Toffler … Jana Plat … Wells Griffith … Jeff Green of J.A. Green & Company … former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine … former Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.) … former House Majority Whip Tony Coelho (D-Calif.) … Alyssa Farah Griffin … former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell … Anush Avetisyan … Eva Bandola Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up here. Send Playbookers tips to playbook@politico.com or text us at 202-556-3307. Playbook couldn't happen without our editor Mike Zapler, deputy editor Zack Stanton and producers Setota Hailemariam and Bethany Irvine.
| | | | A message from Amazon: Amazon's fully paid parental leave provides flexibility for both hourly and salaried employees, who have the power to choose what works best for their families during the weeks before and after such a big life change. That time helped Victor and Brisa become a team.
"If I didn't have that time that Amazon offered, I wouldn't have been able to be an effective parent," said Victor. | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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