Florida Governor and Republican presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis visited Nevada and spoke at a fundraising event in Adam LaxaltGardnerville over the weekend. While the Republican National Committee has not yet finalized its primary calendar, Nevada state law calls for its primary to be held on February 6th, likely placing it just behind Iowa - one of the first-to-vote states. Last week, progressive elected and community leaders from Nevada and Florida met virtually to discuss what they are calling "the extreme anti-freedom agenda" being pushed by DeSantis.

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a former Florida Congresswoman, said DeSantis puts the public safety of communities at risk every day and added in April he signed a near-total "near total" abortion ban behind closed doors.

"This outrageous attack on reproductive freedom will hurt the most vulnerable populations here in need of care," she said. "And make no mistake, if he is elected to be president, Ron DeSantis will push for the same near-total ban at the federal level."

While Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has aligned himself with DeSantis when it comes to what some have called loose gun laws, Lombardo also has signed a measure prohibiting the state from helping in the arrest or extradition of someone charged in another state for abortion-related crimes. In Nevada, abortion is legal up to 24 weeks -- and beyond if the life of the mother is at risk. Lombardo was supposed to make an appearance on Saturday, but had other commitments.

Adam Laxalt, former Nevada Attorney General and Trump-backer, was present and contended DeSantis is the only person who can win the primary and be the conservative warrior for all.

Nevada State Education Association President Dawn Etcheverry said DeSantis likely found a receptive audience in Gardnerville, which she calls a very rural county, and added "the state speaks loudly against a lot of the things the governor stands for." She said Florida has the "most sweeping set of restrictions on classroom discussions about race and gender in the nation." She called those policies "horrible, misguided and hateful."

"When DeSantis calls his effort the 'parental rights bill,' let's just call it what it is: the 'don't say gay bill.' This law is about hate and nothing more. All this bill tends to do is target our LGBTQ+ students, who are some of the most vulnerable in our communities and in our schools."

Etcheverry said DeSantis is narrowing the scope of education so that his political policies are replicated in the classroom, and claimed the presidential hopeful is also not supportive of workers and the ability to unionize which she added is cause for concern.


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By Kyla Russell for WISH-TV.
Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service Collaboration

Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith said he supports efforts to redistrict Indiana's U.S. House seats, and he's seen what could be redrawn maps floating around, but has not seen any official maps.

He shared his thoughts on Friday in a one-on-one interview with I-Team 8.

"People want to scream about gerrymandering. Listen, every state does it. Democrats do it. Republicans do it. I think what Republicans have kind of fallen into the trap of doing for many years in the establishment way of thinking is if we just play nice, they'll play nice, if and when they're in power. We found out that that doesn't happen. So, listen, we've got the ball. We need to run the ball down the field, and we should do everything we can to make big wins for Republican principles, constitutional concepts and I believe ... the Republican Party embodies those principles better than the other party does. So, I'm fully in support of President Trump and his offensive-minded strategy here."

Beckwith told I-Team 8 he does not know exactly what happened on Thursday in a closed-door meeting at the Statehouse with Vice President JD Vance, Gov. Mike Braun and other top state lawmakers.

However, Beckwith said, he is aware of the taxpayer cost to calling a special session.

He says it's worth it.

"I think in the long run, if we can get the outcome that we're looking for, I think it will be certainly we're going to have to spend money. Yes, they are expensive. Nobody takes that lightly. That is certainly a conversation that needs to be had, and we need to look at that. But, I do think if we can take the 1st and 7th districts back, and really make Indiana a powerhouse red state, and then also give Washington a boost with a little bit more in the majority there. I think, economically, it will pay off in the long run, and I think we'll see our investment have big returns."/p<>


Kyla Russell wrote this article for WISH-TV.


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A public funding mechanism for Seattle elections is up for renewal in next week's election.

The Democracy Voucher program was passed 10 years ago. It offers voters four $25 vouchers to use each election cycle for candidates who accept certain fundraising and spending limits. Supporters said it is a model for more inclusive democracy, touting higher turnout, increased participation from more small donors and a more diverse candidate field.

Spencer Olson, spokesperson for the group People Powered Elections Seattle, which supports Proposition 1, said the program helps level the playing field.

"It's really important that people's voices are heard and that candidates can run being supported by their constituents," Olson contended. "Versus just listening to those wealthiest donors, those special interests that have historically been the loudest voices at the table and really dominated what priorities rise to the top."

The voucher is supported by a property tax. Olson and other supporters hope to bring the model statewide. Critics said the program is not big enough to make a difference in elections and has not curbed outside spending. Ballots are due by 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Olson pointed out the vouchers have succeeded in encouraging more diverse participation in local elections.

"The intention of the program was to bring a public financing program to Seattle elections to help empower more candidates -- more diverse candidates, women, renters, people of color -- to have equal access to be able to run, and run competitive elections without having to rely on wealthy donors, special interests," Olson emphasized.

Olson noted because the money comes from a dedicated tax levy, unused vouchers roll over to the next election.

"The goal isn't to create an unlimited pot of money but to be able to provide resources for candidates to run with the community's support," Olson stressed. "But it's not a blank check at the same time."


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Texas lawmakers will return to Austin on July 21 for a special legislative session called by Gov. Greg Abbott.

The 18 items on the agenda include redrawing congressional maps. Redistricting usually occurs every 10 years, following the census, but Abbott added the item to the agenda after the Department of Justice drew attention to four Democratic seats.

Christina Sanders, founder of the nonprofit PoliChic Engagement Fund, said Texas maps are already caught up in litigation.

"Some of the court cases that are still even pending from the maps that have not been drawn fairly and the potential impact of new maps in the middle of a census cycle," Sanders explained.

The Biden administration sued Texas, alleging the state's legislative and congressional district maps discriminate against Latino and Black voters. The Justice Department, under President Donald Trump, withdrew from the lawsuit earlier this year.

The seats targeted by the Justice Department are held by Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, and Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas. They are also focused on the vacant seat previously held by late Congressman Sylvester Turner. Following the 2023 legislative session, Abbott called four special sessions to pass a school voucher bill, which failed.

Sanders feels Abbott is using special sessions to push personal agendas.

"A special session would be for something like the flood that just occurred," Sanders argued. "It would be something that there is an emergency -- something immediate needs to happen at this moment -- because this policy for the state cannot wait."

Flood warning systems and communication are also on the agenda, along with hemp and THC legislation and changes to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test.