Alex Thomas

@alexhousethomas.bsky.social

Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette | Previously: West Virginia MetroNews, Carolina Connection | Tar Heel | Dead Head | He/Him | athomas@adgnewsroom.com

From me: A super PAC ended July by spending more than $730,000 opposing Hallie Shoffner, the Democratic candidate in Arkansas' U.S. Senate contest. America One spent the money on text messages and media against Shoffner, who is challenging Republican incumbent Tom Cotton this fall.

Super PAC spends more than $730,000 in July to oppose Democratic Senate candidate Hallie Shoffner | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

WASHINGTON -- A super PAC ended July by spending more than $730,000 opposing the Democratic candidate in Arkansas' U.S. Senate contest, according to recent Federal Election Commission filings.

arkansasonline.com

Here's an interesting tidbit from Wednesday's FEC filings: Republican incumbent Tom Cotton still has a financial advantage in his Senate race, but Democratic challenger Hallie Shoffner actually received more in contributions than Cotton in the last quarter ($679,230 v. $545,916).

From me: Asa Hutchinson and Lindsey Graham were once colleagues in the House. Then, they became managers during the Clinton impeachment trial. The former governor on Graham: "He's one of those that developed power in Washington not based upon seniority, but based upon his ability to communicate."

Asa Hutchinson, Vic Snyder among Arkansans remembering Lindsey Graham | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

WASHINGTON -- Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson remembers U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., as a person who developed political influence through "his ability to communicate."

arkansasonline.com

Sen. Cotton on Lindsey Graham: “A lover of liberty and a true patriot, Lindsey never stopped working on behalf of South Carolina and America. His premature death is a tragedy for all those who knew him.”

“Lindsey Graham was an American original. A truly self-made man, he lost his parents at an early age and cared for his younger sister. That same sense of responsibility and duty took him into the Air Force and the Congress. Lindsey was a great champion for our military, our troops, and our national security. A lover of liberty and a true patriot, Lindsey never stopped working on behalf of South Carolina and America. His premature death is a tragedy for all those who knew him. Anna and I join all Arkansans in extending our deepest condolences to Lindsey’s family and friends.”

Senate candidate Hallie Shoffner has released a statement saying someone "with what appeared to be a weapon" came to her home over the weekend. Her husband turned the person away. According to the campaign, the Little Rock Police Department is investigating the incident.

This weekend, an individual with what appeared to be a weapon came to our home seeking a member of our campaign team. My husband turned the individual away who then left without further incident. We are grateful that my family is safe and appreciate the swift response of the
Little Rock Police Department as they continue investigating what occurred.

Public service comes with scrutiny, tough questions, and passionate disagreement. I welcome that. I chose to run for the United States Senate because I believe Arkansas deserves leaders who are willing to listen, engage, and have difficult conversations when you are asking someone to entrust you with their vote.

But there is a line that should never be crossed.

Campaign events, town halls, community meetings, phone calls, and emails are the appropriate places to share concerns or disagreements, not showing up unannounced at someone’s home. Public officials, candidates, and their families should all be able to feel safe where they live.

As a wife and mother, this is deeply disturbing and personal. My husband and our son did not choose to run for office. They deserve the same sense of safety and peace in our home that every Arkansas family deserves in theirs.

Political violence and intimidation have no place in our democracy. We can disagree passionately without inflicting fear and menace into our neighborhoods or our homes.

I remain committed to traveling our state, listening to Arkansans, and having hones conversations about the challenges we face. This incident will not deter me from doing the work the people of Arkansas deserve.”

I ask everyone, regardless of party or viewpoint, to reject intimidation and reaffirm that respect, decency, and the safety of our families are values we all share as Arkansans. That is the kind of state, and the kind of country, we should continue building together.”

Sen. Cotton: "I admit that I’m not the biggest soccer fan, but I’m glad President Trump urged FIFA to do the right thing. ... I wish liberals could put their country ahead of their politics just once, but I guess that’s asking too much."

"I admit that I’m not the biggest soccer fan, but I’m glad President Trump urged FIFA to do the right thing. Good for President Trump, good for Folarin Balogun, good for the USA. I wish liberals could put their country ahead of their politics just once, but I guess that’s asking too much. Let’s join together tonight and cheer our team on to victory."

Rep. Crawford and his band Triple Nickel is performing at the Great American State Fair, but there are some things worth mentioning, like the fact the World Cup watch party is playing right behind him and you can sort of hear the game mix with the band.

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Rep. French Hill achieved a major policy victory on Tuesday when the House passed the bipartisan housing package. Hill was an instrumental player in putting the legislation together. The president will sign the bill into law later today, even though he says it is "of minor importance."

The Elizabeth “Pocahontas” Warren centric housing bill, which is of minor importance compared to lower interest rates, and even FISA, pales in comparison to passing THE SAVE AMERICA ACT. That is what Americans, both Dumocrats, Republicans, and everyone else, care about. Get the bad Republicans to approve it or, better yet, Terminate the Filibuster and approve it, AND EVERYTHING ELSE REPUBLICANS HAVE EVER DREAMED OF. The Dumocrats will do it in hour one, 100%. Republicans will feel very stupid if they don’t do it first. I’ll be watching with tears in my eyes!!! President DJT

I'm tuning into the Chris Jones rally with former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and I want to point out the banner in the background addressing "affordability and accountability for all."

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After some questions overnight about whether Senate Intel would hold its confirmation hearing with Clayton as planned, this from Sen. Cotton: "We will proceed with his hearing as scheduled unless the president directs him not to appear or withdraws his nomination."

Rep. Rick Crawford has made it clear to me that he has not been a fan of the Senate this year. Judging by these tweets from the House Intelligence Committee, it seems his feelings have not changed.

Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, and Mark Warner are all Members of the Gang of 8, read-in to the highest levels of national security threats. But as 45 countries descend on North America for the FIFA World Cup, these Democrat "leaders" are allowing the reauthorization of FISA 702 to devolve into a personality contest for the Director of National Intelligence, who does not even have the authority to conduct 702 targeting or collection.

This is a complete abdication of their constitutional responsibility to protect the American people. It's reckless and irresponsible.The U.S. is at an elevated threat level with the FIFA World Cup games beginning this week, America’s 250th Birthday and related celebrations this summer, Iran and its proxies targeting U.S. military personnel daily, and the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks later this year.

.@HouseGOP passed a full 3-year reauthorization of the critical national security authority- FISA 702 on April 29 with important reforms to enhance transparency and accountability. Now, Senate Democrats have chosen to compromise U.S. national security and the safety of Americans for strictly political games. This is unserious and very dangerous behavior.

From the song "Make America F-k Again": "Don't know why everybody's afraid of me/I'm a sensitive boy when push comes to shove/I got that Hunter Biden energy/I'll make a hooker f--k around and fall in love."

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Sen. Cotton on Tulsi Gabbard's resignation: "I thank Tulsi Gabbard for her service in this administration and in uniform, and I wish her the very best as she supports her husband Abe in his battle with cancer. Please join me in sending them prayers for a full and fast recovery."

From me: U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton launched his reelection bid last year with a robust war chest and name recognition worthy of a national political figure. His candidacy has received additional help in recent months from super PACs able to go after his leading opponent, Democrat Hallie Shoffner.

Super PACs spend $2.3 million total on Arkansas’ U.S. Senate race to boost Cotton, attack Shoffner | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Two super political action committees, America One and Arkansans for Democracy and Justice, have reported around $2.3 million in combined independent expenditures to the Federal Election Commission so...

arkansasonline.com

Rep. Hill on the DOJ ending its probe of Jerome Powell: "As I’ve said since January 12, I felt like the accusation that Chairman Powell had committed some sort of crime connected with the building construction was a distraction and it would delay President Trump in the selection of a new Chairman."