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Michael Adams, who defended his states election system from claims of fraud, goes on to face Buddy Wheatley in November

Tue 16 May 2023 19.57 EDT

Kentuckys Republican secretary of state, who had earned widespread praise for increasing his states voter turnout during the coronavirus pandemic and for expanding opportunities to vote, won his primary on Tuesday.

Michael Adams faced a primary challenge from two Republicans who align themselves with the growing faction within the GOP who believe elections are frequently rigged and stolen. Adams will now face Buddy Wheatley, a Democrat and former state representative, in November.

During his time in office, Adams has shot down conspiracy theories about the 2020 election and defended his states election system from claims of fraud, a stance that he said earlier this week could cost him his job.

In an interview, Adams said it would absolutely be worth it if he lost the race to have defended and expanded Kentuckys elections, but he was hopeful that Kentucky Republicans understood the ways his reforms had benefited them.

Im not surprised that I have a primary, but I also think in my gut that if these Republicans utilized early voting and absentee voting, then theyre not going to hold it against me that I implemented those things, he said.

The race marks the latest in what is likely to be a long series of primary contests in which more moderate, mainstream Republicans are challenged by candidates to their right who are allied with Trump and who deny the results of the 2020 election.

There wont be a GOP primary that doesnt have election denialism as part of it, said Ben Ginsberg, a conservative elections lawyer, at a recent conference for election officials in Washington DC.

The Republicans challenging Adams were Stephen Knipper, an information technology project manager who has twice run unsuccessfully for secretary of state, and Allen Maricle, a former state legislator. Knipper is endorsed by Mike Lindell, the MyPillow CEO, who has spread conspiracy theories about Trump winning the 2020 election. Knipper has also said he has serious doubts about the 2019 victory of Kentuckys Democratic governor, Andy Beshear, and alleges that voting machines were hacked.

Maricle has said he disagrees that the states elections are rigged, but he has maintained that voter fraud affects them.

Both challengers wanted Kentucky to join the eight states that have recently left the Electronic Registration Information Center (Eric), a national database used by a majority of states to compare voter rolls and keep them accurate. Fueled by false claims and conspiracy theories about the networks ties to the liberal donor George Soros, Republicans who once praised Eric now claim it does not protect election integrity.

Adams has defended Kentuckys participation in Eric and has said Kentucky will remain a member as long as it is beneficial and worth the dues. Prior to the last couple of months, when critical states have pulled out, Eric has been a godsend for us in helping us get people off the rolls, he said.

Since taking office in 2020, Adams has worked with Beshear and the GOP-controlled legislature to expand absentee and early voting. During the height of the pandemic, he worked to open countywide polling supercenters in large venues. The work helped Kentucky see a primary turnout record in 2020 and earned him praise from Democrats.

Adams said his biggest reason for running was to protect the expansions he has made to voting.

I do think if I get beat, that will send a message to other Republicans in the legislature, especially, that doing things the way Ive done them is bad politics, and Im afraid theyll dismantle expanded voting and absentee voting for political reasons.

That desire overpowers his reluctance to continue serving in a job he calls miserable given the environment of threats and harassment for election officials.

I didnt especially want to run again, he added, but I felt like I had to do it to protect what weve done.

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Republican who expanded Kentucky voting opportunities wins primary - The Guardian US

Cameron was the frontrunner for the GOP nomination since announcing his bid this time last year, picking up an early endorsement from Trump before his main opponent even got in the race.

He will face popular incumbent Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear in November. Republicans acknowledge that beating Beshear will be tough. Defeating a popular incumbent governor is generally one of the hardest things to do in politics.

But they argue that Cameron, a rising star in Kentucky Republican politics, is the best positioned to do so.

Daniel has a strong case for being the advocate for people who feel like they were disenfranchised or not listened to or just trampled upon during Covid, said Scott Jennings, a prominent Republican consultant in the state who was neutral in the primary. I mean small business owners, churches, parents. Theres a lot of people out there that are still pretty sore about that.

It is something that Cameron himself has signaled he was going to lean into. His opening ad for the primary went after Beshear, saying he ignored the Constitution and shut churches down.

Republicans argue they have significant structural advantages. Republicans officially overtook Democrats in voter registration totals last summer, capping off a long-running trend of ancestral Democrats voting for Republicans at the federal level.

But perhaps most importantly, one of the biggest things Cameron has going for him is that he is not Matt Bevin, the deeply unpopular Republican incumbent that Beshear narrowly defeated in 2019. Bevin was incredibly confrontational with even members of his own party, and he was dogged by a bevy of scandals that ultimately led to his undoing.

The most bipartisan thing Matt Bevin ever did was be disliked by everybody in both parties, said Jennings. People just didnt like the guy and Daniel does not have that problem.

Cameron will, however, have to unite the party after a particularly brutal struggle for the nomination.

Craft and her allies pummeled Cameron for months, ranging from ads that labeled him as establishment teddy bear before literally morphing a photo of him into a stuffed bear, along with other ads that tried to tether him to Beshear and President Joe Biden.

Cameron began fighting back in April, firing shots at his deep-pocketed rival. It was ultimately successful for Cameron, but it came with a cost: Campaign finance data indicate his campaign account has just over $340,000 left in its coffers as of the beginning of this month. The Republican Governors Association is expected to spend significantly, and has already run an ad taking an early shot at Beshear.

Beshear has stockpiled over $7 million, and the Democratic Governors Association has signaled it would spend heavily to boost the only incumbent Democratic governor on the ballot this year.

DGA executive director Meghan Meehan-Draper told POLITICO last month defending Beshear is the committees number one priority.

Democrats argue that Beshear is also well positioned from his tenure as governor. Beshear has had the duty of overseeing recovery efforts for several major tragedies, from the pandemic to a major mass shooting to significant natural disasters. It has placed him regularly in front of Kentuckians, where he positioned himself not as a partisan fighter but as a steady hand to helm the state through uncertain moments.

He has been a rock solid governor, he has led the state with integrity and with dignity, he has ushered in a dramatic transformation in terms of our economy, said Colmon Elridge, the chair of the state Democratic Party.

Democrats have signaled they planned to try to tie Cameron to Bevins administration, arguing the two men share similar political networks, with Elridge saying he is unprepared to lead and he is too self-involved to lead our commonwealth.

The race could also bring early signs of the larger political environment heading into next years presidential election. Although Kentucky will not be competitive on the presidential level, it is the biggest off-year contest this year and has long been seen as a messaging testing ground.

Trey Grayson, a former Kentucky Republican secretary of state, noted that for decades the Kentucky gubernatorial election has helped shape national party messaging the next year, like when Beshear successfully targeted Kentucky suburbs in 2019 before his nail-biter of a win.

The swing suburbs of Pennsylvania look like the swing suburbs of Kentucky, he said.

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Trump-endorsed Daniel Cameron wins Republican nomination for ... - POLITICO

A Republican nominated to chair Fulton Countys Registration and Elections Board has withdrawn his name following swift backlash from Democrats in Georgias most populous county.

After an hour of public comment, the Fulton County Commission instead approved lawyer Patrise Perkins-Hooker, who currently serves as the election boards attorney.

Democrats quickly mobilized against the first pick by Fulton County Commission Chair Robb Pitts, a Democrat. The appointment of Lee Morris, a former GOP county commissioner, would have given Republicans majority-control of the elections board in heavily-Democratic Fulton County.

It is clear that my nomination has become divisive, and that my service would continue to be divisive, which is the last thing that I want for our county, Morris wrote in a letter, which Pitts read aloud at Wednesdays meeting.

Perkins-Hooker will succeed Cathy Woolard, whose two-year term ends June 30.

Perkins-Hooker was the first African American president of the State Bar of Georgia and has served as general counsel for the Atlanta BeltLine and county attorney for Fulton County, in addition to decades in private practice.

Fultons elections department has historically been plagued by problems like long lines at polling places. A state investigation recently recommended against a state takeover of the board under Georgia election law, citing significant improvements in recent elections. The State Election Board is expected to decide whether to take action this summer.

Still, Fulton has been a top target for election deniers since the 2020 election, including former President Trump. Thats one reason Democrats raised red flags about Republicans controlling the board.

In addition to a chair nominated by Pitts, the local Republican and Democratic parties each suggest two members, which have to be approved by the board.

Per the Washington Post, Republicans nominated Jake Evans, a former Congressional candidate endorsed by Trump who has questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 election, and Jason Frazier, who is known for submitting thousands of voter challenges in Fulton County.

Fulton Countys two Republican commissioners chided Democrats for rushing to judgment about Morris, who has bucked many in his party by making it clear the 2020 election was not stolen.

Personally I think he was the right person at the right time for our county, our state and our country, Commissioner Bob Ellis said. I think this was a missed opportunity and a loss for all Fulton County citizens.

During public comment, Atlanta resident Lauren Waits questioned why Pitts had nominated a Republican in the first place, given the partys track record recently with election integrity.

I dont understand why it took all these people coming out to convey to you the values that we hold dear, Waits said.

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Republican nominated to chair Fulton election board withdraws after ... - WABE 90.1 FM

NBC 10 I-Team can't find any trace of Republican candidate who filed in 1st District race

Barrett Lynton has filed with the Federal Election Commission as a candidate for Congress in Rhode Island, but the NBC 10 I-Team can find no trace of anyone by that name. (WJAR)

Who is Barrett Lynton?

In a crowded field of more than a dozen Democrats, someone has filed with federal election authorities as a Republican in Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District special election.

But a funny thing happened on our way to try to interview that person.

We can't find any other trace of the person's existence.

NBC 10's Brian Crandall reports that the I-Team can find no trace of a person who filed as a candidate for Congress with the Federal Election Commission.{{ }}

A look at the long list of people who have filed federal statements of candidacy now includes the name Barrett Lynton.

Barrett Lynton filed on May 3, as a Republican, with an address in Smithfield.

The NBC 10 I-Team checked those property records, and found other names listed as the owners there.

One of the homeowners told NBC 10 News over the phone that she has no idea who Barrett Lynton is.

Barrett Lynton, a Republican candidate for Congresss, lists this Rhode Island home as their address, but the NBC 10 I-Team says no one by that name lives there. (WJAR)

Indeed, NBC 10 used online search tools and could not find a Barrett Lynton with that spelling in Rhode Island, or anywhere in the country.

The Rhode Island Secretary of State's Office said it has no record of a voter named Barrett Lynton.

The Rhode Island Republican Party told NBC 10 News that the party chairman "has had calls with several prospective candidates, but Barrett Lynton is not one of them. He has not reached out to the Party or notified us about his intent to run."

The homeowner at the given address does say they've recently begun getting mail addressed to Barrett Lynton, including from a Republican political strategist.

That firm has not returned messages from NBC 10.

The I-Team asked the Federal Elections Commission if it had any more information on the Barrett Lynton filing, and what kind of verification the agency conducts.

An FEC spokesperson did not address the filing specifically, but replied that the agency "has a verification process for potentially false and fictitious filings" that came as a result of increased false or questionable candidate filings in 2016.

If there are questions, the person would have 35 days to respond to a letter from the FEC.

The FEC notes that making a knowingly false statement to them is a crime that can result in legal punishment.

And the federal agency keeps a file of unverified candidates, some with names that look real, but plenty of others like The Batman, Dirty Cockroach, Buddy the Elf, Cranky for President, Taco Cat for President, of course Mickey Mouse, and plenty that cant be written here .

If you know Barrett Lynton, or if you are Barrett Lynton, let us know.

Read this article:
NBC 10 I-Team can't find any trace of Republican candidate who filed in 1st District race - WJAR

EXCLUSIVE Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., on Friday introduced two pieces of "pro-Israel" legislation condemning attacks by Iranian military proxies and bolstering law enforcement training between the U.S. and Israel.

"For the past week we have witnessed how murderous jihadist terrorists have launched a full-scale assault on the democratic, Jewish State of Israel," Gimenez, who previously served as mayor of Miami-Dade County, which boasts one of the largest Jewish communities in the United States, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "I am proud to introduce this legislation to reaffirm Americas support for Israel and strengthen our security cooperation in the fight against global terror."

House Resolution 3393, dubbed the U.S.-Israel Cooperation Expansion Act, would cultivate greater relations with Israel, America's closest ally in the Middle East, by making the official policy of the United States to support bilateral law enforcement training between the two nations.

Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, more than 1,000 law enforcement officers and first responders have traveled to Israel to participate in joint training exercises on how to combat terrorism, manage mass causality situations and mitigate other security events, Gimenezs office notes.

PALESTINIAN MILITANTS FIRE ROCKET INTO ISRAEL JUST HOURS AFTER AGREEING TO CEASE-FIRE

Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., introduced a "pro-Israel" legislative package Friday. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Israel has long been a strategic partner in advancing U.S. military readiness, homeland defense, energy, and cybersecurity.

Because joint military exercises between Israel and the United States have proven to be a major success, the bill aims to bring the same approach to law enforcement cooperation to share best practices and help law enforcement better protect American communities, his office said. The bill also supports Israel's inclusion to the 85-nation coalition that has sent law enforcement personnel to the International Law Enforcement Academy aimed at combating transnational crime.

Its co-sponsors are Reps. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., Randy Weber, R-Texas, Nancy Mace, R-S.C., Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., Brian Babin, R-Texas, Chris Smith, R-N.J., Neal Dunn, R-Fla., and Michael Guest, R-Miss.

Thousands of Israelis dance and wave national flags during a march marking Jerusalem Day, an Israeli holiday celebrating the capture of east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war in the Old City of Jerusalem Thursday, May 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Gimenez also submitted House Resolution 409 "condemning the acts of terrorism committed by Iranian military proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, against the people of the State of Israel." The bill notes the democratic Jewish State of Israel is a key ally and a strategic partner of the United States, and it remains a standing policy of the United States to support Israels security efforts.

KEVIN MCCARTHY BLOCKS RASHIDA TLAIB FROM HOSTING ANTISEMITIC EVENT CALLING ISRAEL A CATASTROPHE

"American policy has long sought to bring peace to the Middle East and recognize that both the Israeli and Palestinian people should be able to live in safe and sovereign states, free from fear and violence, with mutual recognition," the resolution continues. "Hamas began launching rockets into the Israeli capital of Jerusalem and surrounding areas belonging to the Jewish people of Israel."

Palestinians wave their national flag during a protest against an Israeli parade through Jerusalem's Old City, along the frontier with Israel east of Gaza City, Thursday, May 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

The bill further recognizes Jerusalem as the legitimate capital city of the State of Israel, supports Israels "efforts of self-determination and collective security against external forces," and "reaffirms support for policies and initiatives combatting anti-Semitic behavior around the world."

Its cosponsors are Reps. Daniel Webster, R-Fla., Byron Donalds, R-Fla., Randy Weber, R-Texas, Nancy Mace, R-S.C., Michael Bost, R-Ill., Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., Brian Babin, R-Texas, Chris Smith, R-N.J., Neal Dunn, R-FL, Guy Reschenthaler, R-Penn., and Michael Guest, R-Miss.

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The legislative package comes on the heels of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy blocking at event scheduled at the U.S. Capitol to be hosted Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., last week that would have decried Israel as a "catastrophe" for Palestinians and the world. The ruling Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday called on Palestinians to confront a flag-waving parade planned by Jewish nationalists through the main Palestinian thoroughfare in Jerusalems Old City, according to The Associated Press.

The comments by Hamas added to the already heightened tensions ahead of Thursdays march and threatened to reignite fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, just days after a cease-fire took hold. Two years ago, an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas erupted during the annual march.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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House Republican introduces 'pro-Israel' legislative package amid tensions with Palestinian militants in Gaza - Fox News