Welcome to The Hill’s Campaign Report, your daily rundown on all the latest news in the 2020 presidential, Senate and House races. Did someone forward this to you? Click here to subscribe.
We’re Julia Manchester, Max Greenwood and Jonathan Easley. Here’s what we’re watching today on the campaign trail.
LEADING THE DAY:
The Gettysburg Address might be about to take on a whole new meaning.
President Trump
Donald John TrumpNew Biden campaign ad jabs at Trump's reported 0 income tax payments Ocasio-Cortez: Trump contributed less in taxes 'than waitresses and undocumented immigrants' Third judge orders Postal Service to halt delivery cuts MORE said Monday he plans to deliver his Republican National Convention acceptance speech either at the White House or “the great battlefield” in Gettysburg, Penn., the site of a Civil War battle and President Abraham Lincoln’s famed address.
As The Hill’s Brett Samuels reports — both locations could pose potential legal challenges. The GOP convention is just two weeks away.
EVERYTHING IS UNCERTAIN
Where Trump speaks isn't the only uncertainty in one of the strangest campaign seasons in memory.
The coronavirus has rocked the plans of Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden
Joe BidenNew Biden campaign ad jabs at Trump's reported 0 income tax payments Biden campaign sells 'I paid more income taxes than Trump' stickers Trump, Biden have one debate goal: Don't lose MORE, whose own convention is to begin next week.
Another big unknown — when will we know the results of the November elections?
Check out these remarks today from Federal Elections Commission (FEC) Commissioner Ellen Weintraub:
“Let me just tell everybody, we’re all going to need to take a deep breath and be patient this year because there’s a substantial chance we are not going to know on election night what the results are. Probably for the presidency, but maybe for many other races that are important to people, and that's OK. If it takes a little bit longer to count all the votes accurately, that's what we need to do in order to ensure that everyone's vote counts.”
BIDEN PICK NEARS
Biden is expected to announce his veep ticket any time now.
Charlamagne Tha God, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Nick Cannon and a number of other Black men urged Biden to pick a Black woman as his running mate in an open letter, warning that he will lose the election if he does not. Among the women of color Biden is believed to be considering: Former national security adviser Susan Rice, Sen. Kamala Harris
Kamala HarrisTrump, Biden have one debate goal: Don't lose Dwayne Johnson backs Biden in first public presidential endorsement Pelosi: Trump Supreme Court pick 'threatens' Affordable Care Act MORE (D-Calif.), and Reps. Val Demings
Valdez (Val) Venita DemingsFlorida Democrat introduces bill to recognize Puerto Rico statehood referendum Sunday shows - Trump team defends coronavirus response Demings slams GOP coronavirus relief bill: Americans 'deserve more than the crumbs from the table' MORE (D-Fla.) and Karen Bass
Karen Ruth BassOvernight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds Democrats push to limit transfer of military-grade gear to police Outrage erupts over Breonna Taylor grand jury ruling MORE (D-Calif.).
But...friends like these?
Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown (D) wrote an editorial advising Harris to "politely decline" being the vice presidential candidate if Biden offers it to her. Brown argued that Harris would have far more influence and a brighter political future if she were attorney general in a Biden administration.
PRIMARY ELECTIONS:
We are on the eve of yet another primary night, this time in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Georgia, Vermont and Connecticut.
Squad member and Rep. Ilhan Omar
Ilhan OmarOmar urges Democrats to focus on nonvoters over 'disaffected Trump voters' Omar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' MORE (D-Minn.) is competing in the most intriguing primary race of the night. Minnesota Democrats are expecting a tight race to the finish between her and Attorney Antone Melton-Meaux in Minnesota’s 5th District.
- The race is expensive — Omar had $1.1 million cash on hand as of June 30, while Melton-Meaux had roughly $2 million in the same time period. Melton-Meaux raised more than $3 million in the second quarter, compared to less than $500,000 for Omar. Incumbent House members are rarely outraised by those margins.
- Additionally, the super PAC Americans for Tomorrow’s Future spent more than $600,000 against Omar late last month. But Omar has endorsements from all the biggest names in Democratic and progressive politics, including Sen. Bernie Sanders
Bernie SandersNew Biden campaign ad jabs at Trump's reported 0 income tax payments Trump, Biden have one debate goal: Don't lose The role (un)happiness plays in how people vote MORE (I-Vt.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiPelosi preparing for House to decide presidency if neither Trump or Biden win electoral college: report Trump seeks boost from seniors with 0 drug discount coupons GOP senators confident Trump pick to be confirmed by November MORE (D-Calif.). The state party has been pulling out all the stops to boost Omar, and her progressive allies are marshaling their resources to get her reelected. - Omar’s fellow squad members, Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezOcasio-Cortez: Trump contributed less in taxes 'than waitresses and undocumented immigrants' Will Democrats attempt to pack the Supreme Court again? On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline MORE (D-N.Y.) and Rashida Tlaib
Rashida Harbi TlaibTrump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' George Conway: 'Trump is like a practical joke that got out of hand' Pelosi endorses Kennedy in Massachusetts Senate primary challenge MORE (D-Mich.) have both fended off well-funded primary challengers in recent weeks.
Down south, Republicans Marjorie Taylor Greene and John Cowan are facing off in Tuesday’s run off Republican primary in Georgia’s 14th District
- Greene’s bigoted remarks and support for conspiracy groups, like QAnon, have thrust the race into the national spotlight
- Greene and Cowan won 40 percent and 19 percent of the primary vote on June 9, respectively
- An internal poll conducted by Cowan’s campaign last month showed the race tied at 38 percent
- The winner of tonight’s runoff stands a good chance of winning the solidly Republican district in November.
