Free Republic

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is recording a robocall for underdog Senate contender Joe O’Dea, a boost for the Colorado Republican after former President Donald Trump urged grassroots conservatives to abandon his campaign. “Hello this is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. America needs strong leadership and desperately. That’s why I’m endorsing Joe O’Dea for U.S. Senate. Colorado, please vote for Joe O’Dea,” DeSantis says in the robocall, a recording of which was provided to the Washington Examiner on Sunday by the O’Dea campaign. “I’ve watched Joe from a distance. And I’m impressed.” In endorsing O’Dea, DeSantis is charting a course separate...

On Wednesday, The Washington Examiner’s David Drucker revealed the results of a ballot preference survey for next year’s Alabama U.S. Senate Republican primary. The poll, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, showed U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) with a 30-point lead over his nearest competitor, former Business Council of Alabama head Katie Britt. The poll of 600 likely voters was conducted August 24–September 2 and had Brooks at 41%, Britt at 11%, with Jessica Taylor at 7% and Lynda Blanchard at 3%. According to Drucker, the survey revealed Britt had “room to grow.” “A whopping 39% of respondents were undecided,” Drucker...

President Trump has told Republican leaders that he's prepared to play hardball with congressional conservatives to pass the GOP healthcare bill, including by supporting the 2018 primary challengers of any Republican who votes against the bill. Sources told the Washington Examiner that Trump made that threat in a White House meeting on Tuesday with House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., and other members of the House GOP whip team that helps line up votes. Trump's threat is one that could resonate. Most of the Republicans who oppose the GOP's American Health Care Act represent ruby red districts that strongly support...