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Kentucky governor's race neck-and-neck as Democrat claims victory – as it happened Kentucky governor's race neck-and-neck as Democrat claims victory – as it happened
(about 11 hours later)
Democrats flip state legislature in Virginia as hopefuls battle Republican incumbents in governors’ racesDemocrats flip state legislature in Virginia as hopefuls battle Republican incumbents in governors’ races
Live political reporting continues on Wednesday’s blog:
In Kentucky, Democrat Andy Beshear has declared victory over Trump-backed Republican Matt Bevin. Beshear is ahead by about 5,300 votes with 100% of precincts reporting. But Bevin has not conceded.In Kentucky, Democrat Andy Beshear has declared victory over Trump-backed Republican Matt Bevin. Beshear is ahead by about 5,300 votes with 100% of precincts reporting. But Bevin has not conceded.
In Virginia, Democrats have taken both the state House and Senate, gaining full control of the state government for the first time since 1994. Democrat Ralph Northam holds the governorship.In Virginia, Democrats have taken both the state House and Senate, gaining full control of the state government for the first time since 1994. Democrat Ralph Northam holds the governorship.
Watch the home page for more results from those key states and Mississippi, where incumbent governor Tate Reeves, is facing off against Democratic attorney general Jim Hood.Watch the home page for more results from those key states and Mississippi, where incumbent governor Tate Reeves, is facing off against Democratic attorney general Jim Hood.
Today’s elections could offer insights into Donald Trump’s popularity among Republicans as he battles an accelerating impeachment inquiry.Today’s elections could offer insights into Donald Trump’s popularity among Republicans as he battles an accelerating impeachment inquiry.
There are also referendums and political races on the ballot in Maine, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Colorado.There are also referendums and political races on the ballot in Maine, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Colorado.
According to testimony made public today, European Union ambassador Gordon Sondland admitted to a quid pro quo between Trump and the president of Ukraine, revising a prior account.According to testimony made public today, European Union ambassador Gordon Sondland admitted to a quid pro quo between Trump and the president of Ukraine, revising a prior account.
Lawmakers also released testimony from Kurt Volker, the former special envoy to Ukraine. It revealed that Volker sent a Ukrainian official the script that Trump wanted the Ukrainian president to read, announcing an investigation into the energy company Burisma (which employed Joe Biden’s son Hunter) and a conspiracy theory about the 2016 election — all via text message.Lawmakers also released testimony from Kurt Volker, the former special envoy to Ukraine. It revealed that Volker sent a Ukrainian official the script that Trump wanted the Ukrainian president to read, announcing an investigation into the energy company Burisma (which employed Joe Biden’s son Hunter) and a conspiracy theory about the 2016 election — all via text message.
The federal trial of Roger Stone began in Washington with jury selection.The federal trial of Roger Stone began in Washington with jury selection.
Democrats have taken both houses of the Virginia state legislature, taking full control of the state government for the first time since 1994.Democrats have taken both houses of the Virginia state legislature, taking full control of the state government for the first time since 1994.
This means that governor Ralph Northam, a Democrat, can push ahead with gun control measures and other legislation that Republicans had previously blocked. Virginia could also become the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, which would enshrine the idea of gender equity in the US constitution.This means that governor Ralph Northam, a Democrat, can push ahead with gun control measures and other legislation that Republicans had previously blocked. Virginia could also become the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, which would enshrine the idea of gender equity in the US constitution.
The party’s gains occurred in suburban districts that already tended toward Democrats in recent years.The party’s gains occurred in suburban districts that already tended toward Democrats in recent years.
Democrats won big in Virginia legislative elections in 2017 and flipped the state’s US House balance in 2018. Now it will control both legislative houses and the governorship.Democrats won big in Virginia legislative elections in 2017 and flipped the state’s US House balance in 2018. Now it will control both legislative houses and the governorship.
Today, Democrats took some smaller races as well.Today, Democrats took some smaller races as well.
One of the winners today was Juli Briskman, who in 2017 was famously photographed giving Donald Trump the middle finger while biking past the presidential motorcade. Briskman was fired from her job as a government contractor as a result. Briskman beat Republican Suzanne M Volpe in the race for Loudoun county supervisor.One of the winners today was Juli Briskman, who in 2017 was famously photographed giving Donald Trump the middle finger while biking past the presidential motorcade. Briskman was fired from her job as a government contractor as a result. Briskman beat Republican Suzanne M Volpe in the race for Loudoun county supervisor.
Eking ahead of Republican incumbent Matt Bevin, Andy Beshear declared victory the gubernatorial race. But Bevin has yet to concede.Eking ahead of Republican incumbent Matt Bevin, Andy Beshear declared victory the gubernatorial race. But Bevin has yet to concede.
Bevin had the backing of Donald Trump, who carried the state by about 30 percentage points in 2016. Trump urged his supporters to vote for Bevin at a rally last night — but it appears the president wasn’t able to drum up enough goodwill among voters for Bevin, whose approval ratings have plummeted due to his cutback of government programs. Bevin threatened to cut Medicaid expansion, which could have pushed about 400,000 people off their health insurance.Bevin had the backing of Donald Trump, who carried the state by about 30 percentage points in 2016. Trump urged his supporters to vote for Bevin at a rally last night — but it appears the president wasn’t able to drum up enough goodwill among voters for Bevin, whose approval ratings have plummeted due to his cutback of government programs. Bevin threatened to cut Medicaid expansion, which could have pushed about 400,000 people off their health insurance.
Beshear focused his campaign on local issues, promising teachers raises and vowing to protect Medicaid.Beshear focused his campaign on local issues, promising teachers raises and vowing to protect Medicaid.
Republicans have won other key races, including one over the attorney general position that Beshear is leaving behind.Republicans have won other key races, including one over the attorney general position that Beshear is leaving behind.
According to NBC, an estimated 1.4 million voters turned up to the polls— roughly 400,000 more than the number that voted in the last governor’s contest in 2015,According to NBC, an estimated 1.4 million voters turned up to the polls— roughly 400,000 more than the number that voted in the last governor’s contest in 2015,
The race for governor in Kentucky between the incumbent Republican Matt Bevin and the Democratic challenger Andy Beshear remains too close to call, according to the AP:The race for governor in Kentucky between the incumbent Republican Matt Bevin and the Democratic challenger Andy Beshear remains too close to call, according to the AP:
Democrats have taken control of the state senate in Virginia, holding the majority for the first time in five years. It’s still unclear whether they’ll manage to take control of the house as well.Democrats have taken control of the state senate in Virginia, holding the majority for the first time in five years. It’s still unclear whether they’ll manage to take control of the house as well.
Prior to this election Republicans held slim majorities in both legislative chambers. All 140 legislative seats were on the ballot today.Prior to this election Republicans held slim majorities in both legislative chambers. All 140 legislative seats were on the ballot today.
Trump lost Virginia in 2016 and he remains deeply unpopular in the suburbs, which Democrats are hoping to use to their advantage.Trump lost Virginia in 2016 and he remains deeply unpopular in the suburbs, which Democrats are hoping to use to their advantage.
It’s neck and neck in the Kentucky gubernatorial raceIt’s neck and neck in the Kentucky gubernatorial race
With about 90% of precincts reporting, Democrat Andy Beshear is leading by 2 points. Tt’s still too close to say whether Beshear will flip the seat.With about 90% of precincts reporting, Democrat Andy Beshear is leading by 2 points. Tt’s still too close to say whether Beshear will flip the seat.
According to CNN’s Steve Kornacki, turnout has been higher than anticipated.According to CNN’s Steve Kornacki, turnout has been higher than anticipated.
Mark Meadows, a close Trump ally and congressman from North Carolina who was among the House members who questioned witnesses in the impeachment inquiry is maintaining the president’s innocence.Mark Meadows, a close Trump ally and congressman from North Carolina who was among the House members who questioned witnesses in the impeachment inquiry is maintaining the president’s innocence.
In a selective reading of Sondland’s testimony, Meadows insists that there’s no direct link made by the president between holding up aid to Ukraine and his desire for an investigation.In a selective reading of Sondland’s testimony, Meadows insists that there’s no direct link made by the president between holding up aid to Ukraine and his desire for an investigation.
It’s true that Sondland was careful not to incriminate the president directly.It’s true that Sondland was careful not to incriminate the president directly.
Meadows appeared to aid the EU ambassador in efforts to excuse the president. From the testimony released today:Meadows appeared to aid the EU ambassador in efforts to excuse the president. From the testimony released today:
Meadows: “So you’re saying – this is groundbreaking – so you’re saying that someone other than …”Meadows: “So you’re saying – this is groundbreaking – so you’re saying that someone other than …”
Sondland: “I walked right into that one,”Sondland: “I walked right into that one,”
Meadows: “… Other than Donald Trump is concerned with corruption, and they might withhold foreign aid based on that. Is that correct, Ambassador? I can tell by your smile it’s a yes, is that correct. Are we correct?”Meadows: “… Other than Donald Trump is concerned with corruption, and they might withhold foreign aid based on that. Is that correct, Ambassador? I can tell by your smile it’s a yes, is that correct. Are we correct?”
Sondland: “This is like ‘My Cousin Vinny,’”Sondland: “This is like ‘My Cousin Vinny,’”
[Note: According to IMDB, My Cousin Vinny is about a lawyer, portrayed by Joe Pesci, who “shows that he can make up for his ignorance and inexperience with an aggressive, perceptive questioning style.” Apparently a key piece of evidence in the movie, which this reporter has not watched, has to do with tires, which explains the following... ][Note: According to IMDB, My Cousin Vinny is about a lawyer, portrayed by Joe Pesci, who “shows that he can make up for his ignorance and inexperience with an aggressive, perceptive questioning style.” Apparently a key piece of evidence in the movie, which this reporter has not watched, has to do with tires, which explains the following... ]
Meadows: “Yeah, there are two positive track tire marks here, looks like.”Meadows: “Yeah, there are two positive track tire marks here, looks like.”
Meadows’ argument is unlikely to hold water with Democrats pursuing impeachment. As Guardian reporters noted earlier:Meadows’ argument is unlikely to hold water with Democrats pursuing impeachment. As Guardian reporters noted earlier:
In Virginia, all 140 seats in the legislature are on the ballot. Republicans currently hold slight majorities in each chamber, but voters today will have decided whether that’s to change.In Virginia, all 140 seats in the legislature are on the ballot. Republicans currently hold slight majorities in each chamber, but voters today will have decided whether that’s to change.
The election is being considered a referendum on Donald Trump. If voters flip enough seats, the Democrats will have full control of the state government for the first time since 1994.The election is being considered a referendum on Donald Trump. If voters flip enough seats, the Democrats will have full control of the state government for the first time since 1994.
Joe Biden wants his progressive opponents to cut it out with the attacksJoe Biden wants his progressive opponents to cut it out with the attacks
A few days ago, defending her healthcare plan against criticism from Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren said that “if anyone wants to defend keeping those high profits for insurance companies and those high profits for drug companies and not making the top 1% pay a fair share in taxes and not making corporations pay a fair share in taxes, then I think they’re running in the wrong presidential primary”.A few days ago, defending her healthcare plan against criticism from Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren said that “if anyone wants to defend keeping those high profits for insurance companies and those high profits for drug companies and not making the top 1% pay a fair share in taxes and not making corporations pay a fair share in taxes, then I think they’re running in the wrong presidential primary”.
Joe Biden did not like that response.Joe Biden did not like that response.
In a statement posted online, Biden said: “The other day I was accused by one of my opponents of running in the wrong primary. Pretty amazing. On one level, it is kind of funny.”In a statement posted online, Biden said: “The other day I was accused by one of my opponents of running in the wrong primary. Pretty amazing. On one level, it is kind of funny.”
But laughing he is not. “These kinds of attacks are a serious problem. They reflect an angry unyielding viewpoint that has crept into our politics,” he said.But laughing he is not. “These kinds of attacks are a serious problem. They reflect an angry unyielding viewpoint that has crept into our politics,” he said.
This kind of attitude is “representative of an elitism that working and middle class people do not share: ‘We know best; you know nothing’. ‘If you were only as smart as I am you would agree with me.’”This kind of attitude is “representative of an elitism that working and middle class people do not share: ‘We know best; you know nothing’. ‘If you were only as smart as I am you would agree with me.’”
For good measure, he added: “I stand with the Democratic party of Barack Obama”.For good measure, he added: “I stand with the Democratic party of Barack Obama”.
Most polls in Kentucky are now closedMost polls in Kentucky are now closed
We’ll be watching closely as the results are tallied up in Kentucky’s gubernatorial race between Republican incumbent Matt Bevin (who had Donald Trump stumping for him last night) and the state attorney general Andy Beshear, the Democratic challenger and son of former governor Steve Beshear.We’ll be watching closely as the results are tallied up in Kentucky’s gubernatorial race between Republican incumbent Matt Bevin (who had Donald Trump stumping for him last night) and the state attorney general Andy Beshear, the Democratic challenger and son of former governor Steve Beshear.
Bevin ran for a US Senate seat in 2014, but he lost the GOP primary to Mitch McConnell. The incumbent governor has closely aligned himself with Trump and focused much of his campaign on his opposition to impeachment. But Bevin, who has cut government services and has said that teachers who participated in walkout protests left their students vulnerable to sexual assault, is one of the least popular governors in the country.Bevin ran for a US Senate seat in 2014, but he lost the GOP primary to Mitch McConnell. The incumbent governor has closely aligned himself with Trump and focused much of his campaign on his opposition to impeachment. But Bevin, who has cut government services and has said that teachers who participated in walkout protests left their students vulnerable to sexual assault, is one of the least popular governors in the country.
As attorney general, Beshear has fought against many of Bevin’s policies. If he wins the governor’s race, he’ll have to face off against a legislature that’s dominated by Republicans: the GOP has supermajorities in both chambers.As attorney general, Beshear has fought against many of Bevin’s policies. If he wins the governor’s race, he’ll have to face off against a legislature that’s dominated by Republicans: the GOP has supermajorities in both chambers.
The House minority leader, Kevin McCarthy, is planning to make last-minute changes before public impeachment hearings begin, according to the Washington Post:The House minority leader, Kevin McCarthy, is planning to make last-minute changes before public impeachment hearings begin, according to the Washington Post:
Trump reportedly wants Jordan, especially, to become more involved. The Ohio congressman has repeatedly defended the president, saying in a recent Fox News interview that he wants to “help the country see the truth here, that President Trump didn’t do anything wrong”.Trump reportedly wants Jordan, especially, to become more involved. The Ohio congressman has repeatedly defended the president, saying in a recent Fox News interview that he wants to “help the country see the truth here, that President Trump didn’t do anything wrong”.
Sondland: ‘No one thought the call was remarkable’Sondland: ‘No one thought the call was remarkable’
The EU ambassador, Gordon Sondland, who repeatedly testified that he didn’t remember or didn’t recall many of the details of the call central to Trump’s impeachment inquiry, said he didn’t get a read-out of the conversation.The EU ambassador, Gordon Sondland, who repeatedly testified that he didn’t remember or didn’t recall many of the details of the call central to Trump’s impeachment inquiry, said he didn’t get a read-out of the conversation.
“The only verbal read-out,” he testified was, “‘It was a great call.’ I mean, no one thought the call was remarkable.”“The only verbal read-out,” he testified was, “‘It was a great call.’ I mean, no one thought the call was remarkable.”
Lindsay Graham, the chair of the Senate judiciary committee says he won’t read the transcripts.Lindsay Graham, the chair of the Senate judiciary committee says he won’t read the transcripts.
Volker warned Giuliani that the Biden corruption narrative was not credible, over breakfastVolker warned Giuliani that the Biden corruption narrative was not credible, over breakfast
More from the transcript of the Ukraine special envoy, Kurt Volker:More from the transcript of the Ukraine special envoy, Kurt Volker:
On 19 July, Volker said he had breakfast with Rudy Giuliani and Giuliani’s associate Lev Parnas, and told them that allegations about Joe Biden were “simply not credible”.On 19 July, Volker said he had breakfast with Rudy Giuliani and Giuliani’s associate Lev Parnas, and told them that allegations about Joe Biden were “simply not credible”.
“I said to Rudy in that breakfast the first time we sat down to talk that it is simply not credible to me that Joe Biden would be influenced in his duties as vice-president by money or things for his son or anything like that,” Volker said. “I’ve known him a long time, he’s a person of integrity, and that’s not credible. On the other hand, whether Ukrainians may have sought to influence our elections or sought to buy influence, that’s entirely plausible.”“I said to Rudy in that breakfast the first time we sat down to talk that it is simply not credible to me that Joe Biden would be influenced in his duties as vice-president by money or things for his son or anything like that,” Volker said. “I’ve known him a long time, he’s a person of integrity, and that’s not credible. On the other hand, whether Ukrainians may have sought to influence our elections or sought to buy influence, that’s entirely plausible.”
“Why did you have breakfast at the Trump Hotel?” Volker was asked.“Why did you have breakfast at the Trump Hotel?” Volker was asked.
“Because,” he responded, “I was guessing that’s where Rudy was going to be staying, so that would be the easiest thing to do.”“Because,” he responded, “I was guessing that’s where Rudy was going to be staying, so that would be the easiest thing to do.”
My colleague on the west coast, Maanvi Singh, will take you through the next few hours of continued political developments and drama in the US.My colleague on the west coast, Maanvi Singh, will take you through the next few hours of continued political developments and drama in the US.
Today so far:Today so far:
White House hits back over latest impeachment inquiry evidenceWhite House hits back over latest impeachment inquiry evidence
Senate majority leader and Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell goes right out of bounds in predicting Donald Trump will be acquitted at trial in the Senate - before the articles of impeachment have even been drawn up and voted on in the House.Senate majority leader and Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell goes right out of bounds in predicting Donald Trump will be acquitted at trial in the Senate - before the articles of impeachment have even been drawn up and voted on in the House.
European Union ambassador Gordon Sondland admitted a quid pro quo between Trump and the president of Ukraine, where the Trump administration was holding back military aid while seeking investigations into US political opponents.European Union ambassador Gordon Sondland admitted a quid pro quo between Trump and the president of Ukraine, where the Trump administration was holding back military aid while seeking investigations into US political opponents.
Key state votes are happening today for the governorships of Kentucky and Mississippi and the state assembly in Virginia. All crucial tests of the popularity of Trump and how much traction Democrats are getting in certain states.Key state votes are happening today for the governorships of Kentucky and Mississippi and the state assembly in Virginia. All crucial tests of the popularity of Trump and how much traction Democrats are getting in certain states.
The federal trial of Roger Stone began in Washington with jury selection. They didn’t get to opening arguments today. Trial expected to last two weeks.The federal trial of Roger Stone began in Washington with jury selection. They didn’t get to opening arguments today. Trial expected to last two weeks.