Under Fire, Louisiana Congressman Gets Primary Challenge
Rep. Bill Jefferson (D-LA), the cash-freezing lawmaker whose Hill offices were raided by the FBI, once looked like he would win re-election this November without breaking a sweat. But now it looks like he’s going to have to work for the privilege: State Sen. Derrick Shepherd has announced he will challenge Jefferson in the Democratic primary. And at least two other politicians have publicly discussed jumping in with him. (CQPolitics.com)
Texas Republicans Abandon DeLay Fight
“Texas Republicans on Monday abandoned their court fight to replace former House Majority Leader
Tom DeLay on the November ballot after being turned back at the Supreme Court. The decision came after Justice
Antonin Scalia rejected Texas Republicans’ request to block an appeals court ruling saying DeLay’s name should remain on the ballot.” (AP)
Ney Decision a Long Time Coming
“GOP insiders said Boehner has quietly been lobbying Ney over the last several months to consider stepping down, despite the defiant public statements from Ney that he would remain in office even if indicted. Ney informed Boehner on Saturday of his decision, about the same time that Ney began calling GOP state legislators to urge them to run for his now-open seat.” (Roll Call, sub. req.)
As Ney Quits, âSore Loserâ Law Crops Up
“State Sen. Joy Padgett, Neyâs hand-picked successor for his seat, could fall under a little-known provision of Ohio election law, dubbed the âsore loserâ provision. It prevents a candidate who loses in one primary from running in another during the same election cycle. Earlier this year, Padgett was the primary running mate of gubernatorial hopeful James Petro, who lost to the ticket of Ken Blackwell and his running mate, Ohio State Rep. Tom Raga.” (Wash. Wire)
Democrats Try to Capitalize as Corruption, War Alter Political Landscape
“First gradually, now quickly, the war in Iraq and a congressional corruption scandal are shaping the midterm elections, with Democrats working to harness both as campaign issues for the fall….” (AP)
Video Alleges Security Problems with Converted Cutters
“A man claiming to have been Lockheed Martinâs C4ISR systems engineering lead for the Coast Guardâs 123-foot patrol boat project has posted a video on the Web site YouTube.com alleging problems with the boatsâ surveillance and communications systems, and his inability to get Lockheed Martin or government officials to seriously investigate his claims.” (Navy Times)
Agency Says Another PC with Veterans’ Data Missing
“The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said on Monday that a desktop computer with personal data on as many as 38,000 U.S. military veterans had disappeared from Unisys Corp., a subcontractor. Disclosure of the breach comes three days after authorities arrested two teenagers in the theft of a laptop and hard drive containing sensitive data on as many as 26.5 million veterans and military personnel.” (AP)
Ex-CIA Contractor on Trial in Beating
“A former CIA contractor broke both agency rules and the law when he used a 2-foot-long metal flashlight to beat an Afghani man who later died, a prosecutor told a jury Monday in the trial of the first U.S. civilian charged with mistreating a detainee during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.” (AP, AP)
