Republicans

While electoral experts have rated the 13th Congressional District a safe or solid bet for Democrats this year, a 27-year-old Republican said he can beat incumbent Nikki Budzinski.

State Republican leaders are urging local candidates to stay the course on issues of crime, economics and corruption to help chip away at Democratic strongholds in the suburbs — and not to rely on a bump from former President Donald Trump.

Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe beat eight opponents to win the nomination, including Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and state Sen. Bill Eigel.

Abortion-rights advocates are concerned Republicans will use the 1873 law that restricts the mailing of “obscene matter” to impose a national abortion ban.

The judge’s decision comes as Illinois’ primary is less than three weeks away. It’s likely to be appealed.

Republicans in the Illinois General Assembly who are critical of the governor’s proposed budget are limited in what they can do since they are in the super minority in both chambers.

The GOP primary for Illinois’ 12th Congressional District — the first true test from Bost’s party in his nine years in Washington — will likely decide the race because of the area’s deeply conservative beliefs.

The winner of the Republican primary between Darren Bailey and U.S. Rep. Mike Bost will be highly favored in November because of the district’s GOP leaning.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft tweeted that a job posting for a “diversity, inclusion and belonging leader” was an example of “left-wing indoctrination in the workplace” and the wrong use of taxpayer dollars. State agency leaders say inclusion and belonging programs help retain employees during a severe staffing shortage.

Six states, including Missouri and Kansas, are arguing that the Biden administration's debt relief plan harms entities that service the loans and treasuries that would benefit from taxes on forgiven debt.