Greg LaRose, Louisiana Illuminator

Pete Hegseth appears to have no clue was ASEAN is

ASEAN is arguably the most important political and economic partnership in the Indo-Pacific

By Jesse Valentine - January 15, 2025

Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon may have spent campaign funds at tuxedo shop

The FEC prohibits the use of campaign funds for personal attire.

By Jesse Valentine - January 14, 2025

Republicans spread misinformation and lies as California burns

Tens of thousands of Californians have been displaced by recent wildfires.

By Jesse Valentine - January 09, 2025

Biden moves to shore up Social Security as Republicans eye cuts

Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown has long championed the cause of increasing Social Security benefits for public workers.

By Jesse Valentine - January 07, 2025

Republicans choose Thune as majority leader, despite his record on veterans’ health care

Thune flip-flopped three times on providing care to veterans exposed to toxic substances.

By Jesse Valentine - December 30, 2024

Jon Tester’s legacy: Affordable health care, infrastructure, and protections for veterans

The Montana Democrat consistently ranked as one of the most effective lawmakers in Congress during his 18 years in the US Senate.

By Josh Israel - December 30, 2024

WI veterans get new help under law that Biden signed

More than 1 million veterans across the United States have had PACT Act claims approved.

By Oliver Willis - December 30, 2024

Jon Tester’s legacy: Affordable health care, infrastructure, and protections for veterans

The Montana Democrat consistently ranked as one of the most effective lawmakers in Congress during his 18 years in the US Senate.

By Josh Israel - December 30, 2024

‘They are not alone’: How Pennsylvania is expanding mental health services for veterans

A $600,000 federal grant will help state and local officials work to prevent veteran suicide.

By Anna Gustafson - December 30, 2024

Republican Sen. James Lankford blocks bill that would provide IVF to more veterans

Currently, veterans are only eligible for IVF coverage through the Department of Defense if they have a service-connected injury or illness that prevents them from conceiving.

By Emily Singer - December 30, 2024

GOP Gov. Joe Lombardo funded candidates tied to racist remarks

Lombardo’s involvement in downballot races was unusual for a sitting governor.

By Jesse Valentine - December 12, 2024

Chavez-DeRemer’s pro-union views will be lonely in Trump’s anti-union White House

Several of Trump’s cabinet picks have worked to undermine workers’ rights.

By Jesse Valentine - November 26, 2024

Twice-impeached Trump eyes impeached Texas Attorney General for top DOJ role

Ken Paxton has been accused of corruption, bribery, and self-dealing

By Jesse Valentine - November 13, 2024

Minnesota House candidates take far-right stances on birth control and vaccines

Every seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives is up for election this year.

By Jesse Valentine - November 04, 2024

Competitive Michigan House races feature anti-labor Republican candidates

The Michigan Supreme Court overturned a Republican attempt to gut a paid sick leave law.

By Jesse Valentine - November 01, 2024

In her words: At age 17, DakotaRei escaped Texas to get an abortion

I was 17 when I found out that I was pregnant and was already about 8 weeks along. I was so overwhelmed because I had no idea of what my options were going to be, and I was afraid. I was well aware that I wouldn’t be able to access an abortion in Texas. The […]

By Bonnie Fuller - October 31, 2024

Republican Larry Hogan takes in thousands from big pharma in final months of campaign

Hogan refused to sign a state law that banned price gouging by drugmakers.

By Jesse Valentine - October 30, 2024

Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer spent campaign funds on hotel stays, limo services

Chavez-DeRemer represents Oregon’s 5th district despite living in District 3.

By Jesse Valentine - October 30, 2024

Republican Bernie Moreno floats gutting “all” government investments for child care

More than half of Ohio’s child care funding comes from a federal program.

By Jesse Valentine - October 30, 2024

Republicans campaign with Georgia’s Mike Collins despite racially charged remarks

Collins has a history of incendiary and offensive social media posts.

By Jesse Valentine - October 28, 2024

Republican Michigan Legislature candidates backed unpopular abortion restrictions

The partisan split in the Michigan House of Representatives will be decided in the Nov. 5 election.

By Jesse Valentine - October 28, 2024

Republican Kelly Ayotte’s record shows strong opposition to public school funding

Ayotte voted on multiple occasions to cut financial aid for low-income students.

By Jesse Valentine - October 23, 2024

Texas lawmakers backing school vouchers also pushed far-right education policies

Some pro-voucher lawmakers pushed for the Bible to be taught in elementary schools.

By Jesse Valentine - October 23, 2024

Republican Rob Bresnahan endorsed controversial school choice policies

Critics of school choice say it diverts funds away from public schools to private institutions.

By Jesse Valentine - October 22, 2024

Indiana Republican Micah Beckwith compared abortion to slavery and the Holocaust

Beckwith pledged to defund Planned Parenthood “not only in Indiana, but across the country.”

By Jesse Valentine - October 16, 2024

Rick Scott’s new ad could land him in hot water with the Department of Defense

Scott is being accused of using military members for political gain.

By Jesse Valentine - October 15, 2024

Dan Bishop’s tough on crime talk clashes with his votes to deny police funding

Bishop opposed a bill that could’ve helped missing person investigations in his own district.

By Jesse Valentine - October 08, 2024

Republican Rob Bresnahan invested thousands in company with ties to Chinese military

Bresnahan’s net worth is estimated to be up to $69 million.

By Jesse Valentine - October 07, 2024

More recordings show Sheehy disparaging Natives, federal government, Tester

Senate candidate’s claims of tapes being ‘chopped’ debunked

By Darrell Ehrlick, Daily Montanan - October 04, 2024

Jacky Rosen targeted by GOP groups over discredited stock allegations

The groups claim Rosen is guilty of insider trading, an offense she has never committed or been investigated for.

By Jesse Valentine - October 04, 2024

Bernie Moreno backed plan to raise health care costs, reward hospital executives

Moreno was appointed to the MetroHealth board by a CEO who was later fired for malfeasance.

By Jesse Valentine - October 01, 2024

Two Georgia Moms Are First Women to Die From Abortion Bans

Doctors have warned that American women will die as a result of Trump's state abortion bans - now they have.

By Bonnie Fuller - September 23, 2024

McCormick’s firm invested millions in Iran-linked companies, including weapons manufacturer

Dave McCormick has described Iran as “our sworn enemy” and the “underwriter of terror across the Middle East.”

By Jesse Valentine - September 18, 2024

Senate hopeful Hung Cao backed plan that puts Social Security, veterans’ benefits at risk

More than 700,000 veterans in Virginia could lose their health insurance under the plan.

By Jesse Valentine - September 18, 2024

Senate candidate Eric Hovde’s bank financed nursing homes facing abuse accusations

Hovde has touted his work with assisted living facilities as an asset on the campaign trail.

By Jesse Valentine - September 18, 2024

Gov. Gianforte’s mission to ban abortion could be impeded by state referendum

Montanas could vote to add a right to abortion access to their state constitution.

By Jesse Valentine - September 13, 2024

Republican Kelly Ayotte’s opposition to ACA clashes with most voters

Ayotte voted at least nine times to repeal Obamacare

By Jesse Valentine - September 04, 2024

Laurie Buckhout calls China a threat while holding thousands in China-linked investments

Buckhout said President Joe Biden should be impeached for not being tougher on China.

By Jesse Valentine - August 23, 2024

Sen. Rick Scott leaves hurricane-ravaged Florida to fundraise and campaign for Trump

Scott travels almost exclusively on a private jet.

By Jesse Valentine - August 21, 2024

Wealthy U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno wants more tax cuts for the rich

Moreno says extending Trump’s tax cuts would lessen the national debt. It won’t.

By Jesse Valentine - August 21, 2024

Voter registrations in Maine spiked after Harris announced candidacy

In July, 3,793 Mainers registered to vote, which was higher than every month since the 2023 November election.

By Emma Davis, Maine Morning Star - August 14, 2024

No, Sen. Bob Casey did not invest in a Chinese fentanyl company

Disinformation about foreign investments has engulfed the U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania.

By Jesse Valentine - August 14, 2024

Republican Eric Hovde’s company drove small businesses into bankruptcy

Hovde is running for the U.S. Senate on a platform that emphasizes economic opportunity.

By Jesse Valentine - August 13, 2024

GOP Rep. Ryan Zinke’s campaign spent cash on fine dining, luxury stays

As Secretary of the Interior, Zinke spent $12,000 on a private jet from Las Vegas to Montana.

By Jesse Valentine - August 12, 2024

U.S. House candidate Rob Bresnahan said anti-abortion ruling “did what it should do”

Bresnahan has contributed thousands of dollars to anti-abortion candidates

By Jesse Valentine - August 06, 2024

Caught on camera: Migrants working on anti-Immigration hardliner Greg Gianforte’s property

Gianforte criticized the Biden administration for giving temporary work status to Venezuelan asylum seekers.

By Jesse Valentine - August 05, 2024

Republican Rep. Ken Calvert opposes abortion access for military personnel

Calvert has cast several votes seeking to curtail abortion access throughout his 30 years in Congress.

By Jesse Valentine - July 29, 2024

Kelly Ayotte hired consultant who pushed controversial Project 2025 agenda

Ayotte has endorsed Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign

By Jesse Valentine - July 26, 2024

Trump, MAGA campaign against Harris already laced with misogyny, racism

Former Pres. Donald Trump needs to discard his storied penchant for racist and sexist tropes and nicknames if he wants to win over independent voters in his likely race against Vice Pres. Kamala Harris, say political experts in Nevada, one of a handful of battleground states.

By Dana Gentry, Nevada Current - July 24, 2024

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz doesn’t want to talk about Texas’ restrictive abortion ban

Cruz’s Democratic opponent says he is the “architect” of the state’s prohibitive abortion laws.

By Jesse Valentine - July 23, 2024

Republican Tim Sheehy often brags about his business record. His company is in the red.

Bridger Aerospace is being sued by two former employees for breach of contract.

By Jesse Valentine - July 22, 2024

Big investors are buying up single-family homes. Sen. Sherrod Brown has a plan to stop them.

Brown’s race for U.S. Senate could decide which party controls congress in 2025.

By Jesse Valentine - July 09, 2024

New Mexico Senate nom Nella Domenici earned up to $1 million renting out Connecticut home

Domenici is one of several Republican U.S. Senate candidates who has been scrutinized for owning properties in multiple states.

By Jesse Valentine - July 08, 2024

GOP’s Mark Robinson blames bad fathers for social ills despite own son’s criminal record

Robinson said feminism has created a generation of weak minded men.

By Jesse Valentine - July 03, 2024

Kelly Ayotte’s history of backing Medicare cuts could be hurdle in governor’s race

Ayotte has repeatedly backed reforms to Medicare and Social Security that would result in less Americans getting the support they need.

By Jesse Valentine - July 02, 2024

Texas Republican Ken Paxton enlisted outside group to gut rights for pregnant workers

Paxton’s close relationship with the Texas Public Policy Foundation dates back to 2015.

By Jesse Valentine - June 24, 2024

Ted Cruz leverages Trump conviction on podcast for own personal gain

Cruz’s podcast is the subject of an FEC complaint claiming its ad revenue structure violated campaign finance law

By Jesse Valentine - June 11, 2024

Arizona Republican Kari Lake proposes massive cuts to Medicaid and Medicare

Lake’s budget proposal could imperil border security, which Lake often cites as one of her top priorities.

By Jesse Valentine - June 10, 2024

Virginia U.S. Senate candidate Hung Cao says workplace diversity is ‘Marxism’

Cao supported a claim that diversity and inclusion initiatives caused the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

By Jesse Valentine - June 06, 2024

Republican Bernie Moreno’s rags-to-riches story exposed as a lie

Moreno is one of multiple Republican U.S. Senate candidates to exaggerate their background.

By Jesse Valentine - May 24, 2024

What happens to clinics after a state bans abortion? They fight to survive.

Voters in several states will likely have the chance to reverse their states’ abortion bans this November — but the election results could come too late for clinics that have been forced to scale back or even shut down while those bans were in effect.

By Chabeli Carrazana and Shefali Luthra - May 22, 2024

Former Sen. Kelly Ayotte took job at Caterpillar after tax fraud probe

When Ayotte worked with Caterpillar Inc. the company offshored over 2,000 jobs.

By Jesse Valentine - May 21, 2024

Alabama OB-GYN residencies dropped over 20% after Dobbs, state abortion ban, says analysis

Medical residencies are key for getting doctors to practice in states, and declines can contribute to shortages.

By Alander Rocha, Alabama Reflector - May 21, 2024

House GOP celebrates National Police Week while pushing to defund local law enforcement

Texas Rep. Monica De La Cruz celebrated a police funding initiative that her caucus now wants to eliminate.

By Jesse Valentine - May 16, 2024

Evolution denier Mark Robinson could reshape North Carolina’s education system

Robinson said science education should be taken out of elementary schools

By Jesse Valentine - May 16, 2024

Republican Jay Ashcroft backs anti-abortion clinics that push lies and disinformation

The Republic Pregnancy Resource Center website provides step-by-step directions from local middle and high schools to their address.

By Jesse Valentine - May 14, 2024

Republican Sam Brown’s assault on teacher unions could backfire

Brown has called for abolishing the U.S. Department of Education.

By Jesse Valentine - May 09, 2024

Florida abortion ban puts GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s anti-choice views in spotlight

Luna supports abortions bans with no exceptions for rape

By Jesse Valentine - May 07, 2024

Trump leaves door open to banning medication abortion nationwide

Donald Trump is planning to release more details in the weeks ahead about how his administration would regulate access to medication abortion, according to comments he made during a lengthy interview with Time magazine published Tuesday.

By Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom - April 30, 2024

Republican Caroleene Dobson wants Alabama abortion ban to go nationwide

Dobson is the Republican candidate in what will be one of the most-watched House races of 2024.

By Jesse Valentine - April 30, 2024

Ohio Gov. DeWine said he didn’t know of millions in FirstEnergy support. Is it plausible?

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s claim to not know about the millions an Akron utility spent supporting his 2018 campaign for governor simply isn’t credible, an Ohio political scientist said in a recent interview. A spokesperson for DeWine pushed back. FirstEnergy provided that support, then spent more than $60 million to pass and protect a $1.3 billion ratepayer-financed […]

By Marty Schladen, Ohio Capital Journal - April 29, 2024

GOP Rep. Zach Nunn suggests laws against hate crime aren’t needed

Hate crimes in the United States rose from 2022 to 2023.

By Jesse Valentine - April 15, 2024

GOP Senate candidate Hung Cao blames racial equity for Baltimore bridge tragedy

Cao is a former U.S Navy captain.

By Jesse Valentine - March 29, 2024

GOP Rep. Jennifer Kiggans donates thousands to far-right extremists

Kiggans has flirted with baseless conspiracy theories about the 2020 election.

By Jesse Valentine - March 08, 2024

Ohio senate candidate Bernie Moreno: “Absolute pro-life no exceptions.”

Ohio voted to protect abortion rights. GOP senate candidate Bernie Moreno doesn't care.

By Jesse Valentine - March 07, 2024

Anti-China Republicans pocket thousands from Chinese owned conglomerate

Syngenta AG owns approximately 1500 acres of U.S farmland.

By Jesse Valentine - March 04, 2024

Republican Eric Hovde makes inconsistent statements about family history

Hovde is running for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin despite primarily residing in California.

By Jesse Valentine - February 26, 2024

Republican David McCormick invests millions in website that platforms Holocaust denial

McCormick says we need leaders with the moral clarity to condemn antisemitism.

By Jesse Valentine - February 09, 2024

Lawmakers will again take up bills expanding, tightening gun laws

Of the nearly dozen gun bills lawmakers will soon take up, one is particularly noteworthy because it’s backed by unlikely allies: mental health advocates and a pair of House members who’ve long been at opposite ends of firearm legislation.

By Annmarie Timmins, New Hampshire Bulletin - January 31, 2024

UAW delivers rousing presidential endorsement for Biden over ‘scab’ Trump

The United Auto Workers of America endorsed the re-election of President Joe Biden Wednesday, just months after he became the first sitting U.S. president to walk a picket line with striking autoworkers in Michigan.

By Ashley Murray, States Newsroom - January 24, 2024

Republicans Sam Brown and Jeff Gunter sling mud in Nevada senate primary

Gunter has repeatedly referred to Brown as “Scam Brown”

By Jesse Valentine - January 17, 2024

A Young Texas Woman Almost Died Due To The Texas Abortion Bans – Now She’s Battling To Save Other Women

The state of Texas robbed Amanda Zurawski of her fertility and almost her life when it wouldn’t permit her an abortion so she’s gone to the state’s Supreme Court to change the law - “this is why I’m on earth”

By Bonnie Fuller - January 10, 2024

Health care legislation preview: Maryland advocates want to focus on access, patients in 2024 session

Health care-focused organizations across the state are hopeful that the 2024 legislative session will be a year that reins in health costs and allows patients to have greater access to the care they need.

By Danielle J. Brown, Maryland Matters - January 08, 2024

How GOP senate hopefuls try to excuse the January 6 insurrection

Five people died on January 6, 2021 – including a police officer who was bludgeoned to death.

By Jesse Valentine - January 05, 2024

NH lawmakers will be taking up major voting bills this year. Here are some to watch for.

On Wednesday, the New Hampshire House passed a bill that would make registering to vote an online experience.

By Ethan DeWitt, New Hampshire Bulletin - January 04, 2024

Republican US Senate candidates want to make Trump’s tax cuts permanent

Most Americans believe wealthy individuals and big corporations don’t pay their fair share in taxes.

By Jesse Valentine - December 22, 2023

Rand Paul went all in on the Kentucky governor’s race. It didn’t work.

Even the Republican senator's home county gave Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear a larger share of the vote than four years earlier.

By - December 15, 2023

Texas governor and attorney general do little to curb state’s chemical plant crisis

Republicans Greg Abbott and Ken Paxton have taken thousands of dollars in donations from chemical companies and their affiliated PACs.

By Jesse Valentine - December 08, 2023

Likely GOP Senate candidate Eric Hovde proposed tax hike for poorer workers and retirees

Eric Hovde's proposal is similar to Sen. Rick Scott's unpopular 2022 plan to make every American pay income taxes.

By Jesse Valentine - December 07, 2023

Whitmer signs specific criminal penalties for assaulting health care workers into law

A bipartisan package of bills in Michigan signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, creates specified criminal penalties for assaulting health care workers.

By Anna Liz Nichols, Michigan Advance - December 06, 2023

105 Republicans voted to expel Santos for things Trump has also done

Both former President Donald Trump and former U.S. Rep. George Santos have lied about their records and been accused of defrauding veterans.

By Jesse Valentine - December 05, 2023

For Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, another Trump term is another chance to kill Obamacare

Millions of Texas families’ health and well-being would be jeopardized if the legislation were repealed.

By Jesse Valentine - December 04, 2023

Florida Sen. Rick Scott backs Donald Trump in revived push to repeal Obamacare

More than 3 million Floridians will lose their health insurance if Scott and Trump succeed.

By Jesse Valentine - November 30, 2023

Tate Reeves took donations from power company that hiked customer rates

Republican Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves took $98,000 from Mississippi Power and executives of its parent company.

By Jesse Valentine - November 06, 2023

Daniel Cameron ran on depoliticizing the Kentucky AG’s office. He made it more political.

The Republican gubernatorial nominee also broke his promises to make the office more frugal.

By Jesse Valentine - November 03, 2023

Republican operatives sound every alarm on current trajectory of 2023 governor’s race

It might not surprise Mississippians that The Cook Political Report, regarded as one of the nation’s preeminent elections experts, shifted their 2023 Mississippi governor’s race forecast on Monday in Democrat Brandon Presley’s direction.

By Adam Ganucheau, Mississippi Today - October 24, 2023

Louisiana declares abortion drugs ‘dangerous substances’ to add harsher penalties

The Louisiana Legislature gave final approval Thursday to a bill that would label two drugs used to induce labor and treat miscarriages as “controlled dangerous substances,” despite opposition from a broad group of medical professionals.

By Greg LaRose, Louisiana Illuminator - May 24, 2024