Kemp done being underestimated, aims to steer GOP past Trump
January 9, 2023 GMTATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is done being underestimated.
Having vanquished both a Donald Trump-backed Republican challenger and Democratic star Stacey Abrams to win reelection, Kemp is looking to expand his influence in his second term, free from the caricature of the gun-toting, pickup-driving, migrant-catching country boy that emerged during his first campaign for governor.
Long-serving Montenegro president to face newcomer in runoff
March 19, 2023 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — The long-serving incumbent will face a political newcomer in a runoff presidential election in Montenegro next month no one won in the first round of voting on Sunday held amid a political turmoil in the Balkan country, early projections showed.
Officials abducted, jihadists repelled in Nigeria vote
March 19, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Security forces repelled an attack by Islamic extremists on a coalition center in northeastern Nigeria and several election officials elsewhere were kidnapped as results trickled in Sunday from the gubernatorial vote.
Election conspiracy movement grinds on as 2024 approaches
March 19, 2023 GMTFRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP) — One by one, the presenters inside the crowded hotel ballroom shared their computer screens and promised to show how easy it is to hack into voting systems across the U.S.
Drawing gasps from the crowd, they highlighted theoretical vulnerabilities and problems from past elections.
Reports of violence in Nigeria election for new governors
March 18, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Millions of Nigerians voted Saturday to elect state governors but faced intimidation and violence in some cities amid heightened tensions following a disputed presidential election in Africa's most populous nation last month.
Wisconsin Democratic Secretary of State La Follette resigns
March 17, 2023 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin's longtime Democratic Secretary of State Doug La Follette abruptly resigned on Friday, saying he was leaving three months into his 11th consecutive term “to focus on my personal needs” after watching the office be stripped of its power over the past 50 years.
Trump’s VP? Some in GOP already jockeying for consideration
March 16, 2023 GMTOXON HILL, Md. (AP) — Trips to Mar-a-Lago. Glowing speeches. Front-row seats at major events.
The first Republican presidential primaries are nearly a year away and the candidate field is unsettled.
Montenegro: President dissolves parliament ahead of election
March 16, 2023 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegro's president, who is running for reelection this weekend, dissolved parliament Thursday, paving the way for an early parliamentary election in the near future.
New populist BBB wins Dutch vote; Rutte coalition down
March 15, 2023 GMTTHE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A new populist party riding anger among Dutch farmers and rural communities at government policies to rein in agricultural pollution emerged as the big winner in provincial elections Wednesday, according to early exit polls.
US Rep. Santos files paperwork for possible reelection bid
March 15, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — U.S. Rep. George Santos filed paperwork Tuesday indicating his intent to run for reelection, even as he faces calls to resign amid ongoing criminal and ethics investigations into lies he told while running for office.
Long-serving Cambodian leader Hun Sen hints at retirement
March 14, 2023 GMTPHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen hinted strongly Tuesday that he intends to step down as the country’s long-serving leader when a new government is installed after July’s general election.
Dutch set to vote in local elections with national impact
March 14, 2023 GMTTHE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Dutch voters go to the polls Wednesday in local elections with a national impact, with campaign themes ranging from local bugbears like dwindling public transport in remote villages to global issues such as migration and the environment.
Biden reelection bid faces resistance from some Democrats
March 6, 2023 GMTLACONIA, N.H. (AP) — Steve Shurtleff was at Joe Biden's side in 2019 when he filed papers in the New Hampshire State House to run for president.
He repeatedly trekked across the state with Biden to court primary voters.
Nevada elections head pushes training, manual amid turnover
March 3, 2023 GMTCARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Amid widespread turnover among county election officials in Nevada as the 2022 midterms approached, the clerks and registrars thrust into new roles often had a dual approach: running elections while learning how they operate.
GOP-sought primary voter restrictions become law in Wyoming
March 3, 2023 GMTCHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Switching political parties to be able to choose the primary in which a voter wants to cast a ballot is an old Wyoming tradition, one that has faced growing scrutiny as the state's Democrats increasingly struggle to field strong candidates and Republican primaries often all but decide who eventually wins office.
Wisconsin voters warned about absentee ballot mailing
March 3, 2023 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin voters and elections officials are being warned about misleading mailers from a Washington, D.C.-based group that have incorrect information on pre-filled absentee ballot applications.
Trump cowboy found not guilty of campaign finance charge
March 2, 2023 GMTSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Cowboys for Trump cofounder Couy Griffin was found not guilty Wednesday of a misdemeanor charge of failing to register a political committee at a trial in southern New Mexico.
Lake appeals loss in governor’s race to state Supreme Court
March 2, 2023 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Kari Lake, the Republican who lost the Arizona governor’s race to Democrat Katie Hobbs, has asked the state Supreme Court to review her challenge of election results that has so far been rejected by the courts.
Chicago mayor’s race shows impact of crime in COVID’s wake
March 2, 2023 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Four years ago, Paul Vallas finished toward the bottom of the pack in a crowded race for Chicago mayor. Trying again, focused this time on crime, he was the top vote getter Tuesday, toppling the incumbent mayor and advancing to an April runoff to lead one of the country's largest cities.
Agreement: Fewer names needed for New Orleans mayor recall
March 1, 2023 GMTNEW ORLEANS (AP) — The number of signatures needed to force a recall election against New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell would drop by 5,000, under a court agreement awaiting a judge's approval Wednesday.
Cameron advocates higher starting pay for Kentucky teachers
March 1, 2023 GMTFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Republican Daniel Cameron said Wednesday that he will push to raise starting pay for Kentucky teachers and reduce their administrative paperwork if he's elected governor.
Rolling out the framework of his education plan, Cameron promoted “parents’ rights” and plunged into culture war issues that conservatives are pushing to the forefront of education policy debates.
Democrats ask Fox not to push ‘propaganda’ on 2020 election
March 1, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The two top Democrats in Congress are asking Fox News executives not to spread “grave propaganda” about the 2020 election and are demanding that commentators who have falsely suggested that the election was stolen acknowledge on the air that they were wrong.
Lawmakers hold public hearing on competing voter ID bills
March 1, 2023 GMTLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers held a public hearing Wednesday on competing bills to address ways to enact a voter ID requirement approved by voters last November.
Chicago police superintendent to step down in 2 weeks
March 1, 2023 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Police Department's superintendent announced Wednesday he will step down in two weeks, seven months before he turns 63, the mandatory retirement age for Chicago police officers.
Nigeria president-elect faces vote doubts, poverty, violence
March 1, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The newly elected president of Nigeria is the first person chosen to lead the country with less than 50% of the vote. And his rivals have yet to signal that they accept the legitimacy of the election.
Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu declared winner of presidential vote
March 1, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Election officials declared Bola Tinubu the winner of Nigeria's presidential election Wednesday, keeping the ruling party in power in Africa's most populous nation and raising the specter of protests by opposition supporters who already have called for the vote to be voided.
Wisconsin court candidate won’t hear Democrats’ lawsuits
March 1, 2023 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Democrats' choice in a high-stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court race said Wednesday that she would not hear cases brought by the Wisconsin Democratic Party because it has donated $2.5 million to her campaign.
Trump planning first Iowa trip since announcing 2024 bid
March 1, 2023 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Donald Trump is planning to visit Iowa in mid-March, a first foray to the leadoff caucus state since announcing his 2024 White House campaign.
Chicago Mayor Lightfoot ousted; Vallas, Johnson in runoff
March 1, 2023 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson will meet in a runoff to be the next mayor of Chicago after voters denied incumbent Lori Lightfoot a second term, issuing a rebuke to a leader who made history as head of the nation’s third-largest city.
Finland’s Parliament gives final approval for NATO bid
March 1, 2023 GMTHELSINKI (AP) — Finland’s Parliament gave final approval Wednesday to the Nordic country’s bid to join NATO, with lawmakers signing off on membership along with the required legislation.
The 200-seat Eduskunta legislature voted 184-7 to authorize Finland’s accession to NATO, clearing the last required domestic hurdle to becoming part of the 30-member Western military alliance.
Turkey intends to hold elections on May 14 despite quake
March 1, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan indicated on Wednesday that his government still intends to hold elections a month earlier than scheduled despite an earthquake last month that devastated parts of southern Turkey.
New Mexico lawmakers contemplate election-security measures
March 1, 2023 GMTSANTA FE. N.M. (AP) — New Mexico legislators are contemplating a long list of new security safeguards in response to drive-by shootings on the homes of lawmakers in Albuquerque, threats against election officials and anxiety about firearms at polling sites.
Persinger beats fellow Republican in Georgia House election
March 1, 2023 GMTATLANTA (AP) — A landscape architect has beaten a contractor in a special election among two Republicans to fill a vacant Georgia House seat in northeast Georgia.
Holt Persinger beat fellow Winder resident Charlie Chase in a runoff on Tuesday in House District 119, which includes most of Barrow County and a corner of Jackson County.
Residency fights could snare many Georgia voters under bill
March 1, 2023 GMTATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Republicans are considering a new wave of election legislation that could make it easier for residency challenges to knock thousands of people from the voter rolls and ban ballot drop boxes, again catering to those who still deny President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory, two years after a GOP-driven election law overhaul in the politically competitive state was signed amid widespread outcry.
Tensions rise in Nigeria as opposition demands new vote
February 28, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria's electoral commission released results late into the night Tuesday, while the country's main opposition candidates already had demanded a re-vote amid an early lead for the ruling party.
Arizona county board votes to give recorder election duties
February 28, 2023 GMTBISBEE, Ariz. (AP) — A rural Arizona county board that was embroiled last year in voting machine conspiracies voted Tuesday to give responsibility for elections through 2024 to the county's elected Republican recorder, a move the state attorney general's office suggested may be illegal.
Quarles endorses legalizing medical marijuana in Kentucky
February 28, 2023 GMTFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Republican Ryan Quarles said Tuesday that he supports legalizing medical marijuana in Kentucky, pledging to navigate the proposal past legislative resistance if he's elected governor.
McClinton voted Pa. speaker; first Black woman to win post
February 28, 2023 GMTHARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Philadelphia state Rep. Joanna McClinton on Tuesday became the first woman to serve as speaker of the Pennsylvania House, ascending to the chamber's top position on the strength of a fresh one-vote Democratic majority.
How Chicago elects a mayor, and why a winner may take weeks
February 28, 2023 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Chicago is holding a mayoral election Tuesday, but it will likely take weeks — and a runoff election — before a winner is declared.
Latino Republicans push back on party’s immigration agenda
February 28, 2023 GMTMIAMI (AP) — More than half of the residents in the slice of Miami that includes Little Havana were born abroad. And when Republican U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar ran for reelection last year, she won by 15 percentage points.
Arizona Republicans disavow wide-ranging bribery allegation
February 28, 2023 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Arizona's Republican-controlled Legislature has for years entertained a host of unsupported theories about fraudsters manipulating election results since Donald Trump's loss in 2020.
Murdoch says some Fox hosts ‘endorsed’ false election claims
February 28, 2023 GMTDOVER, Del. (AP) — Fox Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch acknowledged that some Fox News commentators endorsed the false allegations by former President Donald Trump and his allies that the 2020 presidential election was stolen and that he didn't step in to stop them from promoting the claims, according to excerpts of a deposition unsealed Monday.
Flurry of Virginia legislators announce retirements
February 28, 2023 GMTRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Over a dozen Virginia legislators, including the long-serving Senate Republican Leader Tommy Norment, have recently ruled out seeking re-election this year under maps overhauled during the latest redistricting cycle.
UN will struggle to unify Libya with elections this year
February 27, 2023 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — A new push to convince chaos-stricken Libya's rival factions to hold presidential and legislative elections this year was announced by the top United Nations diplomat in the country on Monday, but any optimism was dampened by a lack of details and continued disputes.
Bagby wins Democratic primary for blue-leaning Senate seat
February 27, 2023 GMTRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Democratic Del. Lamont Bagby defeated two opponents in a firehouse primary Sunday to advance to a March special general election for the blue-leaning, Richmond-based 9th Senate District of Virginia against GOP nominee Stephen Imholt.
Nigeria opposition rejects early vote lead for ruling party
February 27, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Tensions rose Monday during the counting of Nigeria's hotly contested presidential election when representatives from the parties of the two main opposition candidates walked out in anger from the center where state-by-state results were being announced.
Indiana bill for switch to partisan school boards stalls
February 27, 2023 GMTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A new push by Republican Indiana lawmakers to have local school board candidates run with political party affiliations has stalled for this year's legislative session, as they did not advance the proposal before a Monday deadline.
Youngkin adviser says 2024 race is more than Trump, DeSantis
February 27, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — A top political adviser to Glenn Youngkin insisted on Monday that there's room for the Virginia governor to enter the Republican presidential primary a day after the aide said the campaign was a “two-person race between Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis.”
Mexican president disparages pro-democracy demonstrators
February 27, 2023 GMTMEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s president lashed out Monday against demonstrators opposed to his plan to cut election funding, belittling their concerns about threats to democracy and dashing any hopes that he would try to ease rising political tensions.
Harris promotes broadband in South Carolina as 2024 looms
February 27, 2023 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris promoted the Biden administration's achievements on broadband internet access during a visit to South Carolina, recently minted as the site of Democrats' first presidential votes of the 2024 campaign.
Democrat Elissa Slotkin to seek Michigan’s open Senate seat
February 27, 2023 GMTLANSING, Mich. (AP) — Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan will seek the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Debbie Stabenow in 2024, becoming the first high-profile candidate to jump into the battleground state race.
Chicago: What to expect on election night
February 27, 2023 GMTChicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot faces eight challengers in the city's elections on Tuesday, a tough reelection campaign for an incumbent who made history as the first Black woman and first openly gay person to serve in the role.
DeSantis moves toward GOP presidential bid on his own terms
February 27, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Republican presidential contenders typically fight for prime speaking slots at the Conservative Political Action Conference. But as conservative activists gather in suburban Washington this week, Florida Gov.
Pakistani police arrest prominent Imran Khan supporter
February 27, 2023 GMTISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani police arrested Monday a retired army general and prominent supporter of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on charges of inciting the public and government employees against national institutions, officials said.
Key party withdraws from Nepal fragile coalition government
February 27, 2023 GMTKATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — A key party pulled out of Nepal's ruling coalition on Monday, forcing the prime minister to seek a vote of confidence in Parliament.
Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist), the biggest party in Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's coalition, was angered by his decision to back an opposition candidate in next week's presidential election.
GOP leaders, stung by losses, plan to wade into Senate races
February 27, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — A football legend who held a gun to his ex-wife’s head. Rivals who nearly brawled during a televised debate. A venture capitalist who voiced sympathy for the Unabomber.
Ex-Obama campaigner voted head of Italy’s Democratic Party
February 27, 2023 GMTMILAN (AP) — Elly Schlein, a 37-year-old U.S.-Italian national and longtime left-wing political operative who worked on two presidential campaigns for former U.S.
Election results only announced for 1 of Nigeria’s 36 states
February 26, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s election commission announced the first results late Sunday from the country's closely watched presidential election, but it could days before a winner is declared.
The ruling All Progressives Congress party's candidate, Bola Tinubu, secured the most votes in southwest Nigeria's Ekiti state, the commission said at the national collation center in the capital, Abuja.
Failing at polls, election deniers focus on state GOP posts
February 26, 2023 GMTPARKER, Colo (AP) — In a basement event space in the Denver suburb of Parker, Tina Peters surveyed a crowd of Colorado Republicans last week and made an unusual pitch for why she should become chair of their beleaguered party: “There's no way a jury of 12 people is going to put me in prison.”
In 2024 campaign, kingmaker reprise for South Carolina?
February 26, 2023 GMTCHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina is accustomed to increased attention in the years leading up to presidential elections, with the state hosting the South’s first voting contests for several of the last cycles.
Sri Lanka police fire tear gas at election protest; 15 hurt
February 26, 2023 GMTCOLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Police in Sri Lanka on Sunday fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters angry over a decision to postpone local elections after the government said it cannot finance them because of the country's crippling economic crisis.
After delays, Nigerians keep watch for key vote’s outcome
February 25, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Some frustrated Nigerians cast their ballots with flashlights while others stood watch at their polling stations as counting got under way late Saturday amid fears of vote tampering after a day of delays in Africa's most populous nation.
Florida Dems pick Fried to lead party after tough midterms
February 25, 2023 GMTMIAMI (AP) — Florida Democrats selected former state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried as their new party chair on Saturday, hoping to move past a disastrous midterm performance in the onetime presidential battleground state where high-profile Gov.
Chicago mayor’s race dominated by concerns about city crime
February 25, 2023 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — For years, Republicans have sought to win over voters by depicting Democratic-led cities as lawless centers of violence that need tough-on-crime policies. In Chicago, some of the Democrats running for mayor are deploying the same strategy as they debate how to make the city safer.
Some Democratic-led states seek to bolster voter protections
February 25, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers in several Democratic-controlled states are advocating sweeping voter protections this year, reacting to what they view as a broad undermining of voting rights by the Supreme Court and Republican-led states as well as a failed effort in Congress to bolster access to the polls.
Nepal PM faces crisis over choice of presidential candidate
February 25, 2023 GMTKATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — A member of Nepal’s largest political party filed his candidacy for next month's presidential election in a decision backed by the prime minister that now threatens to bring down his fragile coalition government.
Appreciating Jimmy Carter, outspoken but ‘never irrelevant’
February 25, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Ever the outsider, Jimmy Carter served a turbulent term in the White House. His presidency was beset by soaring interest and inflation rates, gasoline pump lines and the Iran hostage crisis that eventually led to his re-election defeat.
The AP Interview: Biden ready to run, US first lady says
February 25, 2023 GMTNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — U.S. first lady Jill Biden gave one of the clearest indications yet that President Joe Biden will run for a second term, telling The Associated Press in an exclusive interview on Friday that there's “pretty much” nothing left to do but figure out the time and place for the announcement.
John Olver, former Democratic US representative, dies at 86
February 25, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Former U.S. Rep. John Olver, a Democrat who represented western Massachusetts communities for more than two decades in Congress, has died. He was 86.
Olver served in both the Massachusetts House and Senate before winning a 1991 special election for the Congressional seat left vacant by the death of Republican Rep.
Nigeria prepares for crucial presidential vote Saturday
February 24, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Officials rushed to prepare polling stations Friday, on the eve of Nigeria’s crucial election, amid new concerns of vote buying after police said one lawmaker was arrested with nearly $500,000 in cash and a distribution list.
GOP Rep. John James won’t seek Michigan’s open Senate seat
February 24, 2023 GMTDETROIT (AP) — Republican Rep. John James filed paperwork Friday to run for reelection to his Detroit-area House seat, opting against a campaign for the Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Debbie Stabenow in 2024.
Texans who have run for president over the last 7 decades
February 24, 2023 GMTNo current or former Texas politician has announced a campaign for the 2024 presidential race. If that trend holds, it would be the first time since 1972 — and just the second time since 1952 — that a Texan hasn't competed in a presidential primary or been on a major party's White House ticket.
Tired of Texans running for president? 2024 may be reprieve
February 24, 2023 GMTAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — It’s early yet, but next year’s presidential race may feature something the political world hasn't seen in the last 50 years: no Texans.
The Texas-size hole in the field will be on stark display Friday at a closed Republican donor event outside the state capital, Austin, featuring the likes of former Vice President Mike Pence, who is expected to mount a campaign, and former South Carolina Gov.
Reforms to Mexico electoral law spark fierce debate
February 24, 2023 GMTMEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s elections chief slammed President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s move to cut elections spending as an assault on democracy Thursday — criticism the leftist president dismisses as elitist.
Conspiracies fuel GOP switch on Kansas’ ballot grace period
February 24, 2023 GMTTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas' GOP-controlled Legislature showed Thursday that it's likely to pass a bill eliminating the three extra days state voters get to return mail-in ballots after an election, highlighting the influence election conspiracy theories still hold over Republicans' thinking.
Nigeria presses ahead with vote amid cash shortage crisis
February 23, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria's election commission said Thursday it now has received much of the cash it needs to carry out this weekend’s elections, dismissing concerns that the vote would be postponed because of the country's banknote crisis.
West Virginia Senate OKs bills to alter elections process
February 23, 2023 GMTCHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia's GOP supermajority Senate passed several bills Thursday that would change how elections are run in the state.
One bill proposed by Secretary of State Mac Warner and advanced to the House would require that county officials submit voting records into the statewide registration database 80 days after an election.
Could Nigeria’s cash shortage hurt the presidential vote?
February 23, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Voters in Nigeria will elect a new leader Saturday after President Muhammadu Buhari's final term ends, with 18 candidates vying to lead a country facing a series of struggles — the newest and most pressing being a shortage of cash.
Fresh off SC Gov. McMaster’s win, backers set up nonprofit
February 23, 2023 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Fresh off his reelection, supporters of South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster are setting up a nonprofit that organizers say will assist the Republican in promoting his legislative priorities over his final term in office.