PERMITTING MOMENTUM: Sen. Alan Armstrong’s (R., Okla.) American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act picked up major momentum this week, adding 13 new cosponsors: Sens. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.), Lisa Murkowski (R., Alaska), Dave McCormick (R., Pa.), John Cornyn (R., Texas), Tim Sheehy (R., Mont.), Marsha Blackburn (R., Tenn.), Steve Daines (R., Mont.), Roger Marshall (R., Kansas), John Kennedy (R., La.), Ted Budd (R., N.C.), Roger Wicker (R., Miss.), and Jon Husted (R., Ohio). Those senators join Sens. Cynthia Lummis (R., Wyo.), Rick Scott (R., Fla.), Katie Britt (R., Ala.), and James Lankford (R., Okla.) in backing Armstrong’s bill.
ALME IS INEVITABLE: In Montana’s open Senate race, everything is coming up Kurt Alme, following refusals by both Democrat Alani Bankhead and Independent candidate Seth Bodnar to drop out. Polling of the race now shows Alme comfortably ahead, with Democrats splitting the vote.
NEW YORK STATE OF MIND: Recent polling shows that Republican Bruce Blakeman is closing in on Gov. Kathy Hochul (D., N.Y.). While Hochul remains favored to win, GOP strategist Luke Thompson warns that a close governor’s race could bode poorly for Rep. Tom Suozzi (D., N.Y.), who is facing Republican Michael LiPetri Jr.
DOUBLING DOWN: Republicans are increasingly optimistic that they can notch a rare statewide win in Michigan; the Senate Leadership Fund (SLF) announced that it is now spending a total of $51 million to help elect former Rep. Mike Rogers (R., Mich.).
DÉJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN: Amidst reports that Troy Jackson struck his partner in the 1980s, Republicans are arguing that Maine Democrats continue to have a candidate problem in the race against Sen. Susan Collins (R., Maine). “They say imitation is the highest form of flattery, but nominating another socialist abuser for Senate seems like the highest form of political suicide,” Natalie Baldassarre, the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) National Press Secretary, said. “Troy Jackson is a scandal-plagued sequel nobody asked for, right down to the volatile rage, violence, and Democrats turning a blind eye.”
NOT DONE YET: The Republican Study Committee (RSC) is renewing its push for Dalilah’s Law, which it argues will “close [a] dangerous loophole and stop illegal aliens who can’t read or speak English from obtaining CDLs in blue states.”
MOMENTUM BUILDING: Austin Rogers continues to roll out endorsements from Republicans in Congress in the final days of Florida’s 2nd District’s primary. Rep. Brandon Gill (R., Texas) just endorsed Rogers.
CONGRATS, BRO: Wisconsin Right Now posted a roundup of its favorite “campaign bros” following the state’s primaries. One name that caught our eye on the list of bros is Rachel Reisner.
ANOTHER ONE: Rep. Scott Perry (R., Pa.) is one of the latest Republicans to endorse Catalina Lauf in the race for Florida’s open 19th District.
