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Updated 12:15 p.m. with D.C. Republican Party comments

On Wednesday, Democrat Muriel Bowser is set to debut a new radio ad touting her mayoral candidacy. After a few days on the air, Bowser might find herself with a new first name: Three times, the ad refers to Democrat Muriel Bowser.

The script: Washington, D.C., is making progress, but not for everyone. Democrat Muriel Bowser will give us all a fair shot. Thats why, as a council member, Muriel fought for kids ride free, thriving schools, affordable housing and ethics reform. As mayor, Democrat Muriel Bowser will fight for more jobs, invest over a hundred million dollars a year in affordable housing, and improve our schools. Muriel is the kind of leader we need. On Nov. 4, vote Democrat Muriel Bowser for mayor. Paid for by Muriel Bowser for Mayor.

The Bowser campaign provided the ad, which spokesman Joaquin McPeek said will air over the coming weeks on three radio stations reaching a mainly African American audience: gospel station WPRS-FM (Praise 104.1), and R&B stations WKYS-FM (93.9) and WMMJ-FM (Majic 102.3).

Another ad also appeared Wednesday morning, according to multiple radio listeners one that took a more aggressive approach. The D.C. Republican Partyput out a news release objecting to the spot, which, it said, referred to Republican dirty tricks in the mayoral race. While independents David A. Catania and Carol Schwartz are both former Republicans, there is no actual GOP candidate in the mayoral race. Party chairman Ron Phillips said he was infuriated by the accusation and is seeking an apology. The attack is ridiculous, and she should know better, he said.

McPeek did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday on the second ad, including questions about whether the adwas placed by the Bowser campaign or an independent political committee.

In any case, the ads come more than a week after Catania debuted a hard-hitting ad of his own:

The script: We need to talk. Muriel Bowsers cronies are at the center of a criminal investigation at the Park Southern Apartments in Ward 8. Rats, mold, and lots of missing money. The victims? Working folks. But Bowser, who chairs D.C.s housing committee, refuses to investigate. Maybe its because the people responsible for this scandal gave $20,000 to her campaign. Muriel Bowser: Shes not a fresh start, shes business as usual. Paid for by Catania for Mayor. Randall Kelly, treasurer.

Is the ad factual? There is indeed a scandal at the Park Southern Apartments involving rats, mold and missing money. And Bowser has declined to have her council committee investigate, referring the matter to the citys inspector general. The claim of a criminal investigation is rooted in the execution last month of an IRS summons for documents concerning Park Southern, though the IRS has not commented and it is unclear what precisely is being investigated. As for the reference to cronies, Bowser supporter Phinis Jones can indeed be traced to $20,000 in campaign donations; his role in the Park Southern scandal is in dispute, but his company briefly managed the property and has explored buying the property for a price that the D.C. attorney general has characterized as well under market value.

Ben Young, Catanias campaign manager, provided the ads but would not discuss details of the airtime buy. Besides the anti-Bowser spot, Catania has also prepared a more positive ad, highlighting his story of being raised by a single mother in Missouri:

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Muriel Bowser, David Catania do battle with radio ads

Aug. 13, 2014: Chad Taylor discusses his campaign during an interview on the Statehouse grounds in Topeka, Kan.(AP)

TOPEKA, Kan. Several Kansas Supreme Court justices expressed skepticism Tuesday about a Republican official's decision to keep the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate on the ballot against his wishes as they reviewed a legal dispute that could affect the national fight for control of the Senate.

During arguments before the court, justices focused on whether a formal letter from Democrat Chad Taylor to withdraw from the race required Secretary of State Kris Kobach to remove Taylor's name from the Nov. 4 ballot. Some Democrats nudged Taylor out of the race because they see independent candidate Greg Orman as the stronger rival to three-term Republican incumbent Sen. Pat Roberts.

"The letter is what it is," Justice Dan Biles said from the bench. "If, as a matter of law, the letter complies with the statute, he (Kobach) has no discretion."

The Democrat's withdrawal thrust the Senate race into the national spotlight. Republicans hope to recapture a Senate majority and they've always counted on Roberts winning re-election in his GOP-leaning state. Some Democrats believe an Orman victory could deny the GOP a majority in a close national election.

Roberts, 78, has looked vulnerable since a tough GOP primary race against a tea party challenger. Orman, a 45-year-old businessman and co-founder of a private equity firm, raised more in contributions and was more visible on television than Democrat Taylor, the Topeka-area district attorney.

Kobach, who serves on Roberts' honorary campaign committee with other prominent Republicans, ruled that Taylor's name had to remain on the ballot because the candidate didn't meet the requirements of state law in withdrawing. Keeping Taylor's name on the ballot could split the anti-Roberts vote and allow the incumbent to win more easily.

A state election law says nominees' names can be removed from the ballot if they die or declare they're incapable of fulfilling the duties of office. Taylor's letter said he wanted to withdraw "pursuant to" the law, but he has not given a reason why he can't serve. Taylor attended the hearing but declined to comment.

Taylor petitioned the court to overturn Kobach's decision. The court is expected to rule quickly, because county officials must begin mailing ballots Saturday to overseas military personnel.

But a court decision may not be the end of the legal dispute.

Excerpt from:
Kansas judges question why Democrat kept on ballot in Senate race

Readers of the newsprint edition of The Marshall Democrat-News will see a change in delivery beginning Oct. 1. On that date, we will discontinue publishing the Tuesday and Thursday newsprint editions.

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Democrat-News to consolidate editions

TOPEKA, Kan.

Several Kansas Supreme Court justices expressed skepticism Tuesday about a Republican official's decision to keep the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate on the ballot against his wishes as they reviewed a legal dispute that could affect the national fight for control of the Senate.

During arguments before the court, justices focused on whether a formal letter from Democrat Chad Taylor to withdraw from the race required Secretary of State Kris Kobach to remove Taylor's name from the Nov. 4 ballot. Some Democrats nudged Taylor out of the race because they see independent candidate Greg Orman as the stronger rival to three-term Republican incumbent Sen. Pat Roberts.

"The letter is what it is," Justice Dan Biles said from the bench. "If, as a matter of law, the letter complies with the statute, he (Kobach) has no discretion."

The Democrat's withdrawal thrust the Senate race into the national spotlight. Republicans hope to recapture a Senate majority and they've always counted on Roberts winning re-election in his GOP-leaning state. Some Democrats believe an Orman victory could deny the GOP a majority in a close national election.

Roberts, 78, has looked vulnerable since a tough GOP primary race against a tea party challenger. Orman, a 45-year-old businessman and co-founder of a private equity firm, raised more in contributions and was more visible on television than Democrat Taylor, the Topeka-area district attorney.

Kobach, who serves on Roberts' honorary campaign committee with other prominent Republicans, ruled that Taylor's name had to remain on the ballot because the candidate didn't meet the requirements of state law in withdrawing. Keeping Taylor's name on the ballot could split the anti-Roberts vote and allow the incumbent to win more easily.

A state election law says nominees' names can be removed from the ballot if they die or declare they're incapable of fulfilling the duties of office. Taylor's letter said he wanted to withdraw "pursuant to" the law, but he has not given a reason why he can't serve. Taylor attended the hearing but declined to comment.

Taylor petitioned the court to overturn Kobach's decision. The court is expected to rule quickly, because county officials must begin mailing ballots Saturday to overseas military personnel.

But a court decision may not be the end of the legal dispute.

Read the original post:
Kansas judges question why Democrat kept on ballot

John Tuohy, Stephanie Wang and Brian Eason, brian.eason@indystar.com 10:04 p.m. EDT September 15, 2014

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard (Photo: Matt Kryger / The Star)

A City-County Council Democrat and aides to Republican Mayor Greg Ballard are seeking a way to save the mayor's early childhood education plan for low-income children.

The negotiations come as Ballard's funding proposal for the program appears headed for defeat at a council committee meeting Tuesday night.

The Democrat-controlled council is expected to reject paying for pre-kindergarten by eliminating a local property tax credit.

Democratic Councilman John Barth said he is trying to salvage a compromise that mollifies both sides. He has been in talks with the administration to find another way to fund the five-year, $50 million initiative that would provide pre-school for thousands of 4-year-olds.

The battle over the ambitious plan and how it would be paid for has raged since Ballard proposed it in July. Some observers see political gamesmanship at play, with the 2015 mayoral election quickly approaching and Democrats and Republicans eager to assign blame for derailed policies or claim credit for programs that are implemented.

Barth said about four or five funding alternatives have been proposed for the pre-K program, but he declined to give details. Though his party opposes paying for the program with the tax credit, some members think it is a worthy program that should be pursued, if possible, Barth said.

"There is some support on the council floor for a version of the pre-K program," Barth said. "What exactly it will look like is unknown so far, but the goal is to serve the same amount of children."

Mayoral spokesman Marc Lotter confirmed that proposals that don't touch the homestead credit are being discussed.

Excerpt from:
Democrat tries to rescue Ballard's pre-K plan