Category Archives: Republican

A lawyer for two candidates running for Delaware County Council said Friday that a vendor hired by the county sent out hundreds of mail ballots for next Tuesdays election to the wrong voters.

In a petition filed in county court, the attorney, longtime Republican lawyer Michael Puppio, asked for an emergency hearing to determine the scope of the problem and possible remedies, arguing the mistakes have put the integrity of the municipal election ... at stake.

After hearing nearly four hours of testimony Saturday, Common Please Court Judge Kelly Eckel gave both sides until Monday to file briefs.

Delaware County has acknowledged that 670 flawed absentee ballots were mailed to voters on Oct. 25; the mailing addresses did not match the voter information on the ballot inside, causing some people to receive another persons ballot. If the recipient didnt catch the mistake, filled out and returned the ballot, they might inadvertently prevent another voter from casting a vote.

The county said it has taken steps to identify those ballots and send new ones to the voters who received them.

But the suit filed by Puppio alleges the vendor, Ohio-based ElectionIQ, has not been forthcoming ... regarding the extent of their errors, and seeks further clarity ahead of Tuesdays election. If an immediate hearing is not held to determine the extent, if we are able to at this late date ... the validity of the municipal election on November 2, 2021 is in jeopardy, the lawsuit says.

The suit references the vendor error and also names several people who had problems with their absentee ballots, which are different from mail-in ballots and sent out by the county, not the vendor.

Reached late Friday, Delaware County Director of Elections James P. Allen said the compromised ballots are easy to sequester and examine individually. He said the county was aware of the lawsuit and plans to respond.

Were gonna clear up some misunderstandings that are in the lawsuit, he said.

ElectionIQ, based in Akron, did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday evening.

According to the petition, Howard Gartland, chairman of the Radnor Township Republican Party, received complaints from voters about incorrect ballots, which he forwarded to the county. In an email Wednesday, the county included a letter that outlined its response.

In it, Allen said voters who realized they received a mismatched ballot should destroy it. Then they can wait for the replacement mailing, visit a voter services center in Media to get a new ballot which would also cancel out the replacement mailing or go to their precinct on Election Day and vote with a provisional ballot, the letter said.

We operate on the need to be 100% successful in our operations, not 99.9, the letter said. We truly regret the inconvenience this has caused you.

Ballots in Delaware County had already been delayed because of an issue with the contractor, according to an Oct. 13 meeting of the election board. Ballots slated to go out in September were not sent out until Oct. 15, prompting some voters to complain about the short turnaround before the election.

The lawsuit names as plaintiffs the Republican candidates for County Council, Frank Agovino and Joseph Lombardo. Puppio said thats because he knows and works with them and had to put the petition together quickly, but that he expects all 45,000 voters who requested a mail-in [ballot] and every candidate on the ballot has a standing interest in this.

Council is the biggest local race in Delaware County on Tuesday. Voters statewide will also vote on Supreme, Superior Court, and municipal judges.

At a time when election integrity has increasingly come under attack often baselessly Puppio said his issue is not with Delaware County and hes not accusing anyone of malfeasance. Its the vendor he wants to hear from.

This isnt a partisan matter, he said. Im not saying that anyone at the Delaware County bureau of elections misled anyone, said anything intentionally incorrect, or that theres any nefarious behavior going on, he said.

What were saying in this complaint is ... both parties candidates have been out working real hard since February. ... Some of these elections are going to be decided by one or two votes. ... Lets get a handle on this now. Lets fix it.

Staff writer Melanie Burney contributed to this article.

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Delco mailed 670 ballots to the wrong people. Two Republican candidates are suing ahead of Tuesdays election. - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Ford Motor Company, which announced its $5.6 billion investment in West Tennessee last month, is expressing concerns to state lawmakers about a proposed measure that would prohibit the company from requiring masks.

Gabby Bruno, regional director of governmental affairs for Ford, said mask wearing is crucial for Ford and how it is gettingthrough the pandemic, according to a text message received by Tennessee senators and obtained by The Tennessean.

Bruno thanked the legislature for passing an $884 million package last week to sweeten the Ford deal.

"We are very concerned, however, with the current legislative proposal that would prohibit companies from requiring masks," the message from Bruno states. "Wearing masks is what's kept our facilities running through this."

A Ford spokesperson did not immediately return requestfor comment.

Gov. Bill Lee's administration on Friday confirmed multiple businesses have reached out to express concerns regarding the legislation.

"We have heard from a number of businesses and groups regarding proposals, including Ford and other OEMs, and we have told them to reach out directly to legislators with their concerns," Lee spokesperson Casey Black told The Tennessean.

The bill in question, HB9077/SB9014,would also forbid requirements for proof of vaccination, prevent minors from receiving vaccines without parental consent, prohibit allocation of state funds for any COVID-19 mandates, restrict local health departments from quarantining people for the disease and make it harder to sue for COVID-19-related damages and loss, among other things.

Ford's concerns addressed to lawmakers comes as a stream of business groups are sounding the alarm that the sweeping bill would hamstring businesses' autonomy.

Ford deal: Tennessee legislature gives final nod to $884M Ford deal

In a Friday email, the National Federation of Independent Businesses urged all lawmakers to vote against the bill. A favorable vote could affect individual lawmakers' voting records as rated by the group, it warns.

"This would be a very inopportune time for small businesses, who are dealing with a severe labor shortage, rising inflation and significant supply chain issues, to face potential litigation," the email reads."NFIB is concerned several COVID-19 mitigation measures by an employer could be grounds for a private right of action."

Reach Yue Stella Yu at yyu@tennessean.com. Follow her on Twitter at @bystellayu_tnsn.

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Ford and other businesses sound alarm on Republican-led rollback of COVID-19 restrictions - Tennessean

On election day, when a voter stands in the booth, ready to make choices, it is often quiet. But that one vote speaks loud and clear.

The debates are over. The speeches complete. Now, the right, privilege and civic duty of voting is all that stands between the citizen and the candidate. Each and every vote matters, especially in a time when voter apathy continues to see low turnout at the polls.

Communities turn to municipal leaders to develop a plan and focus to set financial priorities, understand government strengths and weaknesses, develop strategies for gathering resources, set partnerships to solve problems and confidently make smart decisions that result in keeping residents safe.

The pandemic has peeled back layers of our communities to reveal stark realities on how we work, educate our children, distribute medical care, take care of the vulnerable and weak and, most importantly, how leadership responds to crisis.

In Tuesdays municipal elections, voters have the opportunity to reflect on the past 18 months and determine which leadership qualities work best for their communities.

Along with the many lessons learned during the height of the pandemic, we are hopeful individuals have developed a better understanding of the power they have by exercising their right to vote. It is up to the citizenry to have an understanding of what candidates stand for and how a candidates experience can effectively work toward the greater good.

Five Western Massachusetts communities have contests for mayor. In each, residents must carefully balance the business and life experiences of the candidates and carefully make a decision.

No matter the choices they make, all registered voters should participate in determining the direction of their government. This is a critical time for cities and towns throughout the region. In order to achieve fair and effective governance, active participation by the engaged citizen is crucial.

The Republican offers recommendations to voters in the five communities that are electing mayors on Tuesday:

Agawam: Incumbent Mayor William P. Sapelli, first elected in 2017, is seeking his third term. Sapelli was aggressive with the initial response of distribution of COVID-19 vaccine securing a supply from the state for first responders. Subsequently, Agawam was able to secure vaccine for seniors and serve west of the river population before the regional distribution centers were established. Sapelli has developed strong, positive working relationships with the city council, neighboring mayors, state legislators and the governors office bringing attention to the needs of Agawam and setting the stage for future improvements. Sapelli deserves another term as mayor;

Easthampton: Mayor Nicole LaChapelle merits support as she seeks her second, four-year term. She has demonstrated steady, strong leadership, especially over the past 18 months of the pandemic. Her initiatives in business development, entrepreneurship and innovation have been outstanding, and her work to develop a blueprint for the citys future shows she has much to still accomplish for her citizenry;

Holyoke: The next mayor of Holyoke needs to set the Paper City on a course towards fiscal stability and create a vision that addresses the needs of all its residents, along with its business and industrial community. Joshua A. Garcia, a former School Committee member and fire commissioner, brings leadership experience and knowledge of municipal finance, along with a passion for the city and a strong belief in its bright future. The Republican urges voters to consider supporting his candidacy;

Northampton: City Council president Gina-Louise Sciarra and businessman Marc Warner both are vying to succeed incumbent Mayor David Narkewicz. Each brings experience and a vision for Northampton that can benefit the city in achieving future goals. Sciarra is serving a fourth term as a councilor, currently chairs the committee on finance and is the vice-chair on legislative matters. Warner is a transportation executive with strong data-driven business skills and also active in Northampton advisory committees. The next mayor of Northampton will have to navigate public safety issues, a redesign of downtown, affordable housing and the distribution of American Rescue Plan Act funding. We feel both candidates have the experience and skills to run Northampton government and encourage voters to study positions outlined by each;

Westfield: As Western Massachusetts third largest city, Westfield needs a new and more energetic leader. The job is one which requires someone one who is able to work collaboratively with the City Council, who actively works to bring new business development to the Whip City and who builds regional partnerships. The Republican believes Michael McCabe, a retired police captain, is the best choice to lead the city.

Originally posted here:

Election 2021: The Republicans picks for area mayor races (Editorial) - masslive.com

(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) - In this July 21, 2016, file photo Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump smiles as he addresses delegates during the final day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Salt Lake City is one of several cities bidding to host the 2024 convention.

| Oct. 28, 2021, 9:15 p.m.

| Updated: Oct. 29, 2021, 4:51 p.m.

The Utah Republican Party wants Salt Lake City to host the partys national convention in 2024.

The party, along with Visit Salt Lake, made their opening pitch to the Republican National Convention in Washington, D.C., earlier this week.

There hasnt been a Republican National Convention west of the Mississippi River since 1996 when it was in San Diego, Carson Jorgensen, chairman of the Utah Republican Party, said.

Salt Lake City was one of three finalists to be the host city for RNC in 2012, losing out to Tampa. Jorgensen says a reason Salt Lake was not selected then was a lack of hotel rooms close to the convention site.

This event is larger than many people realize. We need almost the same capacity as the Olympics, Jorgensen said.

That wont be a hurdle anymore as the Grand Hyatt convention hotel should be up and running by then.

Salt Lake City also bid to host the 2016 Republican convention but was eliminated as a contender early in the process.

At least 7 other cities known to be bidding to host the 2024 GOP event: Las Vegas, Kansas City, Houston, Nashville, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee. Milwaukee was supposed to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention, but COVID-19 forced the party to scale back its plans. Milwaukee officials also are considering a bid to host the Democrats in 2024.

Phoenix, Columbus and Atlanta all are rumored to be considering a bid to host, too.

Mike Deaver, who is helping to lead Salt Lake Citys bid, says the committee was very receptive to the citys message when it made its initial pitch.

We told them theres a reason Utah has done so well in quality of life, economic growth and business environment. Its because of 30 years of Republican leadership. We said they should look for a state with a track record like that, Deaver said.

Hosting the event would be a massive economic shot in the arm for Salt Lake City. Jorgensen says the convention could bring in $250 million or more.

Besides, hosting the convention would be a good warm-up for possibly hosting another Winter Olympic Games in 2030.

Were one of the few red states in the Intermountain West right now. Its almost all blue around us. The GOP is really paying attention to the West right now because every state is going to matter in 2024, Jorgensen said.

As red as Utah is, Salt Lake City is an island of Democratic blue in the state. Deaver says that wont be a hurdle at all.

Both (Salt Lake City) Mayor Erin Mendenhall and (Salt Lake County) Mayor Jenny Wilson told us they are supportive of the effort, Deaver said. They understand what this event would mean from an economic development standpoint.

There is another potential sticky political wicket to consider.

The front-runner to be the GOP nominee in 2024 is currently former President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly clashed with Utah Sen. Mitt Romney. How would having Trump accept the 2024 nomination in Romneys home state go over?

Thats not going to be a big deal. They plan these things two or three years in advance. Once its to that point, it doesnt matter who the nominee is, Jorgensen said.

Deaver said 2024 is too far off to even consider at this point.

Were just in round one of a 10-round heavyweight fight. We have a long way to go, but I think weve got a good chance, Deaver said.

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Salt Lake City bidding to host the 2024 Republican National Convention - Salt Lake Tribune

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia said on Tuesday that he's approached "every day" about switching to the Republican Party.

Manchin made the comments at the Economic Club of Washington, DC, where he was interviewed by billionaire David Rubenstein, the chairman of the Carlyle Group. Rubenstein asked the senator if he thinks it would be easier for him if he "shifted to being a Republican."

"Oh, it would be much easier, my goodness," Manchin said, adding, "Is that the purpose of being involved in public service?"

"What I'm telling you now is who I am," he went on to say. "Do you think by having a 'D' or an 'I' or an 'R' is going to change who I am?"

"I don't think the Rs would be any happier with me than Ds are right now," Manchin continued, to laughter from the audience. "I mean, that's about as blunt as I can put it. So I don't know where in the hell I belong."

It's unclear who exactly has approached Manchin about switching parties, and his Senate office did not respond immediately to Insider's request for comment.

Manchin's comments follow the publication of a report last week that said he could soon leave the party and declare himself an "American Independent." Manchin called the report "bullshit," though he later told reporters that he once offered to leave the party if he became an "embarrassment" to his Democratic colleagues.

"The only thing that was ever said that we've ever talked about if I'm an embarrassment to my Democratic colleagues, my caucus," he told reporters. "And I said, me being a moderate centrist Democrat, if that causes you a problem let me know, and I'd switch to be independent. But I'd still be caucusing with Democrats."

"No one accepted that," he added at the time.

Manchin has faced these kinds of questions for some time.

"I've never considered it from that standpoint because I know I can change more from where I'm at," Manchin told Vox in April in response to a question about switching parties.

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Manchin says he's approached 'every day' about becoming a Republican - Business Insider

But the decisions come relatively late in Bidens term: Of his predecessors, only Jimmy Carter and Richard Nixon waited as late as September of their first year to tap their FCC chair. And unless the Senate confirms Rosenworcel and Sohn by the end of December, Republicans are poised to gain a 2-1 majority on the commission come January.

Biden is also expected to nominate longtime tech lawyer Alan Davidson to head the Commerce Departments National Telecommunications and Information Administration, a key post for setting the executive branchs policies on issues like wireless spectrum use and 5G, the people said.

Key context: The White Houses expected endorsement of Rosenworcel is likely to give more momentum to her efforts to close the digital homework gap and expand broadband using new subsidy programs created during the pandemic.

A nod to progressives: Bidens choice of Sohn for the open Democratic seat would be the latest prominent gesture toward progressives. He had previously placed antitrust advocate Lina Khan in charge of the Federal Trade Commission and hired fellow anti-monopolist Tim Wu for a top economic advising role in the White House.

Sohn staked out a robust defense of net neutrality during the Obama years and was a top adviser to former FCC Chair Tom Wheeler. She previously co-founded and led the left-leaning Washington advocacy group Public Knowledge.

Rosenworcel and Sohn have previously been at odds in some key fights, despite having many policy views in common. One of Sohns Obama-era causes was a controversial attempt to open the cable set-top box marketplace to more competition. Rosenworcel, who opposed that plan, used her tie-breaking vote on the commission to spike the effort.

Rosenworcels recent supporters include education and public safety groups as well as union workers, along with lawmakers including Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Ben Ray Lujn (D-N.M.) and Reps. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) and Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.). In September, 25 members of the Senate Democratic caucus told Biden that he should pick Rosenworcel to avoid risking the success of his broadband expansion ambitions.

Now the clock starts: Confirming these nominees would mean a mad dash for Senate Democratic leadership over the next two months.

Although Rosenworcel can immediately assume the permanent chair role, her term on the FCC lapsed in 2020, which means she must leave at the end of this year unless the Senate confirms her to a new five-year term.

Republicans would probably use the confirmation process to discourage any revival of net neutrality. They argue that that the GOP repeal of the policy in 2017 has not led to any of the horror stories that net neutrality advocates warned about, such as ISPs manipulating or blocking their customers internet traffic.

And the telecom lead at the Commerce Department: For the NTIA role, the people familiar with the decisions said, Biden picked Davidson a veteran tech lawyer who has worked since 2018 at Mozilla, the company that launched the Firefox browser. There, Davidson helped handle the companys data privacy and open internet portfolio.

He also spent years at other top tech posts including at Google, whose former CEO Eric Schmidt is a strong Biden supporter and is active on a bevy of tech issues from 5G to artificial intelligence. He was Googles first emissary to Washington, opening its D.C. office in 2005 and holding the title of director of public policy for a half-dozen years, which included lobbying for the search giant.

NTIA is likely to play a central role in shaping Bidens agenda around broadband connectivity and 5G wireless technology, including on questions of security involving the Chinese telecom giant Huawei, as well as tech issues like data privacy. Under the bipartisan infrastructure plan that passed the Senate in August, the Commerce Department would also be in charge of giving out $42 billion in grants to states to support the build-out of broadband infrastructure.

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Biden expected to name 2 FCC picks in race to avert Republican majority - POLITICO

By Keith Schubert (Daily Montanan)October 25, 2021

October 25, 2021 By Missoula Current

(Daily Montanan)Republican legislative leadership on Monday approved a special counsel investigation proposed by state Democratic leaders into reports that Attorney General Austin Knudsen used state resources, including law enforcement, to harass and intimidate physicians and staff at St. Peters Hospital in Helena.

Speaker (Wylie) Galt and I strongly believe in government transparency and accountability. Serious allegations have been made by St. Peters Hospital and the medias reporting on several key facts has been unclear. Weve agreed to the minoritys request and have authorized the Legislatures special counsel to examine any relevant government records in accordance with the law, Senate President Mark Blasdel said in a news release.

Last week,the Independent Recordreported Knudsen, a Republican, and two other public officials threatened doctors at the hospital, and the AG sent a patrol trooper there, after a COVID-19 patient asked for ivermectin and was denied the treatment.

Ivermectin is a drug thats used to treat infections from parasitic worms but is not approved by the Federal Drug Administration to treat the coronavirus.

We believe that this investigation will assist us in determining whether legislation is necessary to enhance legislative oversight of Montana Department of Justice law enforcement activities, clarify the parameters of DOJ and Highway Patrol jurisdiction to intervene in local law enforcement and prosecutorial affairs, and prevent similar abuses of power in the future, read a letter from Senate Minority Leader Jill Cohenour, D-East Helena, and House Minority Leader Kim Abbott, D-Helena.

To get to the bottom of the incident, Abbot and Cohenour recommend the special counsel obtain records that document which public officials were involved in this incident, the internal communications pertaining to this incident held by DOJ, MHP, and other applicable public officials and agencies, and the involvement of Montana Highway Patrol and the Medicaid Fraud Unit in this incident, according to the letter.

Cohenour and Abbot met with Senate President Blasdel, House Speaker Rep. Wylie Galt and the special counsel Monday morning to hash out the details of the proposed investigation.

Democrats first called on Republican leadership to launch the investigation on Thursday. After the Democrats requested the investigation, Republicans Blasdel, of Kalispell, and Galt, of Martinsdale, issued a letter requesting more information on the purpose, scope, and method of the investigation.

The Attorney Generals abuse of power in this incident is as shocking as it is damaging to the publics trust in the impartiality of law enforcement, said Sen. Cohenour and Rep. Abbott in a statement. We are grateful to the Senate President and House Speaker for their willingness to engage in dialogue with us about how to protect Montanans from such abuses of power and ensure that coercion like this cannot happen again.

A news release from Abbott and Cohenour regarding the details of the investigation contained a list of questions they would like to see answered through the investigation. The release also contained a series of legislative purposes to determine if legislation is necessary to rein in the power of the DOJ to prevent future such abuses of power.

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Republican leaders approve investigation into AG over reports of threats to St. Peter's - Missoula Current

Opinion: I had hoped that decent people working from the inside could save the Republican Party from those who believe the Big Lie. I was wrong.

Robert Gonzalez| opinion contributor

In February, I wrote an op-ed urging Republicans not to leave the party.

My hope was that the GOP could still be saved by decent people working from the inside. After more than two decades as a Republican, I had seen, metand worked with the many good folks who make it up.

I hoped that the extremism we were seeing those questioning the results of the 2020 election, those advocating against a peaceful transition of power, those defending the terrorists who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, those ignoring science and advocating for horse dewormer as a public health measurewas a fringe element.

While many Republicans failed to show leadership during Trumps presidency, it seemed that in the wake of Jan. 6, those leaders would finally stand up for truth and democracy.

I was wrong.

Since February, weve witnessed a sad majority of Republicans continue to support the anti-democratic forces in the party.

Here in Arizona, Republican leadership has pushed and advocated for a sham audit of the 2020 election results and politicized public health. These anti-democratic tendencies are not just prevalent among currently elected officials.

I dont know of a single Republican candidate who has announced for 2022 that has pushed back on the lunacy surrounding Stop the Steal. The mood among the boots on the ground is no different.

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At local legislative district meetings, Republican grassroots activists obsessively pursue conspiracy theories about the election. Support for Trump and for the belief that the election was somehow stolen for him has become a litmus test for Republicans in Arizona and across the country.

Opposition to science including the science behind vaccines and mask-wearing follow closely behind.

In Washington, D.C., we witnessed House Republicans push out Rep. Liz Cheney from her position of leadership solely for telling the truth that there was no credible evidence of fraud in the 2020 election, and that the terrorist attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6should be investigated by Congress.

More recently, Rep. Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio, a rising GOP star in any other era, was forced to announce his retirement, fearing for the safety of his family.

While I still hope for a reasonable, sane, principled Republican Party, Im no longer hopeful that it can be achieved by working within. Im not optimistic for the reelection prospects for folks like Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, or for the prospects of those in Republican primaries who do not embrace the Big Lie.

And even if they win, their ability to do good remains severely constricted by the vast majority of Republicans in D.C. who embrace lies.

So where do we go from here?

Im not sure.

Some have left the party and registered as independents. That approach is principled, but given the current structure of our elections, makes it increasingly difficult for these sane voices to have any real influence.

Some have left and joined the Democratic Party. That is all well and good, if you feel a connection to the ideals of policies of that party, or feel that its leadership reflects your values. But weve seen what happens when the left holds political power unchecked. This country works best with a diversity of views.

Some are talking about new parties, like the Serve America Movement, and about reforming our primaries that entrench polarization. I truly hope they get traction, and we can move beyond a hyperpolarizedtwo-party system.

In the meantime, Im leaving the Republican Party. I had hope back in February that we could correct course. Especially after Jan. 6, a return to sanity seemed necessary, maybe inevitable. But after months of meeting with folks on the ground, watching the newsand seeing the 2022 GOP primaries unfold, Im less optimistic.

One of the few remaining tools to influence the Republican Party is to sever ties. So I urge remaining Republicans who stand for truth and democracy to vote with their feet, and leave.

Robert Gonzalez is a lawyer and tech executive living in Tucson. Reach him atrobertgon520@gmail.com; on Twitter:@robertgon33.

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I urged Republicans to stay. Now, months later, I'm leaving the party. Here's why - The Arizona Republic

ANALYSIS Even without a competitive general election race, West Virginia will still be a factor in the fight for the House next year. Buoyed by midterm history and President Joe Bidens slumping job rating, Republicans are increasingly confident in their ability to gain the five House seats they need for control. But theyre certain to lose a seat in West Virginia.

The Mountain State lost a seat during the most recent round of reapportionment due to population loss over the past decade, cutting its House delegation from three to two. The state has been sending only Republicans to Washington since 2015, so that loss will come from the GOP column. And Republicans will have to win a seat elsewhere to compensate.

With all three incumbents poised to run for two seats, West Virginia is home to the first known member-versus-member contest of the cycle. And the new map has some creative numbering, just to add to the chaos of a redistricting cycle.

For 30 years, southern West Virginia has been located in the 3rd District, and the region was represented for decades by Democrat Nick J. Rahall II. But as the state shifted Republican, so did southern West Virginia, and Rahall lost in 2014.

Miller has represented the area since 2019, but the southern seat will now be renumbered as the 1st District. The biggest change is the addition of Kanawha County, which includes the state capital of Charleston and is currently part of Rep. Alex X. Mooneys 2nd District.

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Race ratings: No disputing that GOP will lose a House seat in West Virginia - Roll Call

During yesterday's House debate on whether to hold Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress, Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney highlighted an unexpected new controversy about one of her Republican colleagues, Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana. As The Hill reported:

Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ill.) sent numerous letters claiming to be the ranking member of the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, the committee's Vice Chair Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) revealed Thursday.

Cheney, an actual member of the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack, entered into the record this written correspondence in which Banks identifies himself as the "ranking member" of the panel in official correspondence to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. (For those unfamiliar with the phrasing, a "ranking member" is the top member from the minority party on a committee.)

The problem, of course, is that Banks isn't the ranking member on the Jan. 6 committee. In fact, he's not on the committee at all.

Nevertheless, the Hoosier congressman asked the Interior secretary to provide him with all of the information the cabinet agency is providing to the actual committee members. "Pursuant to the rules of the House of Representatives, the minority party retains rights to the same information that is provided to the majority party," Banks wrote.

The Daily Beast and Politico reported separately that Banks "sent similarly signed letters to many other agencies the same ones the Capitol riot committee sent its own info requests to."

The Daily Beast's piece added, "The group of federal agencies that Banks has contacted includes the Department of Justice, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security among others. And one of those sources said that recipients also included social media companies, like Facebook, which had also been targets of extensive evidence requests."

I've been reporting on Congress for a long while, and I honestly can't think of another instance in which a member effectively pretended in official, written correspondence to be a member of a committee he or she was not a part of.

Given the context, some history is probably in order.

The original plan was for an independent commission along the lines of the 9/11 Commission. Before it could be created, congressional Republicans made a series of demands; Democrats accepted the GOP's terms; and Republicans killed the idea anyway.

At that point, Congress moved to Plan B: The House created a bipartisan, special select committee to investigate the insurrectionist attack. As part of the process, GOP leaders were invited to recommend a slate of House Republicans to serve on the panel, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had the final call on whether or not they qualified.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy picked five members, including tapping Banks to serve as the ranking member. Pelosi rejected two of the five including Banks, who not only refused to vote to certify his own country's election results, but who seemed to disqualify himself with rhetoric indicating he had no intention of taking the investigatory process seriously.

At that point, GOP leaders announced a boycott of the committee. Pelosi nevertheless found two House Republicans Cheney and Illinois' Adam Kinzinger willing to serve on the bipartisan panel. Cheney ultimately became the committee's co-chair.

But as Banks' correspondence made clear, this left the GOP leadership at a disadvantage: By refusing to even acknowledge the legitimacy of the committee and its probe, McCarthy & Co. have no way of knowing what kind of information the investigation is uncovering. The minority could theoretically ask Cheney and Kinzinger, but the duo doesn't have much use for McCarthy these days.

And as a consequence, Banks apparently feels the need to effectively play make-believe not because he wants to be a productive member of the committee he's boycotting, but because Republicans don't like being in the dark.

Chances are, relevant government departments will not comply with Banks' request for information. But the fact that he's even trying to present himself as the "ranking member" of a committee he's not on is an extraordinary development.

Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MSNBC political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "The Impostors: How Republicans Quit Governing and Seized American Politics."

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GOP rep falsely claims to be the top Republican on the Jan. 6 committee - MSNBC