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Key official fails to appear in Trump inquiry as Roger Stone trial begins – live Trump impeachment inquiry calls on White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney to testify – live
(30 minutes later)
National security council’s Wells Griffith appears to defy request, while House intelligence committee prepares to release more testimony – follow live Mulvaney, who implied there was quid pro quo with Ukraine, asked to appear while House intelligence panel prepares to release more testimony
He won’t turn up willingly, of course, but the impeachment inquiry investigators want to depose him to testify on Capitol Hill.
Mulvaney, the acting chief of staff to Donald Trump, will no doubt hove to the gag order imposed by the White House that pledges non-cooperation with the inquiry.
Last month Mulvaney suggested that there was a quid pro quo in relations with Ukraine in a rare, official White House press briefing, no less. He embarrassingly tried to walk back that statement later in the day. It was another unforced error from the Trump administration in the impeachment inquiry.
At the time he said the Trump administration’s decision to withhold millions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine was part of efforts to clean up corruption in the country. He was apparently referring, at least in part, to unsubstantiated conspiracy theories about a purported Ukrainian link to Russia’s hack of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) during the 2016 presidential election.
“The look back to what happened in 2016 certainly was part of the thing that he was worried about in corruption with that nation,” Mulvaney told reporters in the White House briefing room.
“Did he also mention to me in the past the corruption that related to the DNC server? Absolutely, no question about that,” Mulvaney continued. “But that’s it. That’s why we held up the money.”
Asked about mixing politics with foreign policy, Mulvaney replied: “We do that all the time with foreign policy … I have news for everybody. Get over it. There is going to be political influence in foreign policy. Elections have consequences.”
Mulvaney’s statement contradicted Trump’s repeated denials that his administration had made military aid to Ukraine contingent upon Kyiv’s willingness to open an investigation into the debunked DNC theory and the dealings of Hunter Biden, the son of Trump’s 2020 Democratic election rival Joe Biden, in Ukraine.
Mulvaney’s been asked to appear on Capitol Hill on Saturday. Don’t hold your breath.
Stone supporter holds up jury selection
Roger Stone trial was delayed briefly today by this chap.
Jury selection had been slow to get underway anyway. Hoping for opening arguments to begin asap tomorrow - we’ll keep you posted and let you know when the jury has been picked so that this federal trial can get underway.
This associate of Donald Trump is accused of lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstruction of justice, chiefly relating to the release to the public on Wikileaks of emails from Hillary Clinton’s election campaign, hacked by Russian operatives in 2016.
Harris on the ballot in New Hampshire - officiallyHarris on the ballot in New Hampshire - officially
Democratic 2020 candidate Kamala Harris is struggling to keep up in the election race, as her outgoing funds exceed the cash coming in from fundraising efforts and her poll numbers stay stubbornly paltry.Democratic 2020 candidate Kamala Harris is struggling to keep up in the election race, as her outgoing funds exceed the cash coming in from fundraising efforts and her poll numbers stay stubbornly paltry.
She’s made the Democratic debate in Atlanta, Georgia, this month (Nov 20) and has qualified for the December debate.She’s made the Democratic debate in Atlanta, Georgia, this month (Nov 20) and has qualified for the December debate.
It’s 90 days to the Iowa caucuses, the first voting in the decision process to decide the Democratic party nominee for president, and the former California attorney general and now Senator Harris is focussing her efforts there.It’s 90 days to the Iowa caucuses, the first voting in the decision process to decide the Democratic party nominee for president, and the former California attorney general and now Senator Harris is focussing her efforts there.
But in the “Live free or die” granite state, New Hampshire, she is now also formally on the ballot. The NH primary is on February 11, 2020.But in the “Live free or die” granite state, New Hampshire, she is now also formally on the ballot. The NH primary is on February 11, 2020.
The impeachment inquiry, which is likely to move to the congressional trial phase in the US Senate early next year, will take 2020 candidates and senators Cory Booker, Amy Klobuchar and Harris off the campaign trail, but it will also give them a potentially useful platform to show off their chops in the questioning process - on TV.The impeachment inquiry, which is likely to move to the congressional trial phase in the US Senate early next year, will take 2020 candidates and senators Cory Booker, Amy Klobuchar and Harris off the campaign trail, but it will also give them a potentially useful platform to show off their chops in the questioning process - on TV.
Harris on the campaign trail.Harris on the campaign trail.
As we wait for the expected release, hopefully very soon, of transcripts from the testimony behind closed doors last month of Gordon Sondland, EU ambassador, and Kurt Volker, former envoy to Ukraine, it’s pretty certain that the two new witnesses expected on Capitol Hill today will not show up. This time yesterday, the first two transcripts to be made public were out, with an extraordinary account of the smear and ambush of since-ousted Ukraine ambassador Marie Yovanovitch.As we wait for the expected release, hopefully very soon, of transcripts from the testimony behind closed doors last month of Gordon Sondland, EU ambassador, and Kurt Volker, former envoy to Ukraine, it’s pretty certain that the two new witnesses expected on Capitol Hill today will not show up. This time yesterday, the first two transcripts to be made public were out, with an extraordinary account of the smear and ambush of since-ousted Ukraine ambassador Marie Yovanovitch.
In Yovanovitch’s transcript we see her describing her “shock” at discovering that Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal emissary who has also worked for Ukrainian and Russian interests, was attempting to destroy her reputation.In Yovanovitch’s transcript we see her describing her “shock” at discovering that Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal emissary who has also worked for Ukrainian and Russian interests, was attempting to destroy her reputation.
Meanwhile, today, Wells Griffith, the US national security council’s international energy and environment director didn’t show this morning and Michael Duffey, associate director for national security programs in the office of management and budget, had never been expected to show up for his 2PM appointment with the House intelligence committee, so if he turns up out of the blue that would be a huge surprise.Meanwhile, today, Wells Griffith, the US national security council’s international energy and environment director didn’t show this morning and Michael Duffey, associate director for national security programs in the office of management and budget, had never been expected to show up for his 2PM appointment with the House intelligence committee, so if he turns up out of the blue that would be a huge surprise.
Here is a handy recent piece on some of the main players in the impeachment inquiry.Here is a handy recent piece on some of the main players in the impeachment inquiry.
Mississippi voter turnout expected to be highMississippi voter turnout expected to be high
It’s a red hot race for the governorship of Mississippi today. The local leading paper, the Clarion Ledger daily newspaper and online site out of Jackson, has live coverage of the election today.It’s a red hot race for the governorship of Mississippi today. The local leading paper, the Clarion Ledger daily newspaper and online site out of Jackson, has live coverage of the election today.
Like in Kentucky, the Democratic challenger to the Republican candidate is the state attorney general.Like in Kentucky, the Democratic challenger to the Republican candidate is the state attorney general.
AG Jim Hood has a perhaps surprisingly decent chance at the governorship - which would be the first time a Democrat has been in that post for 16 years.AG Jim Hood has a perhaps surprisingly decent chance at the governorship - which would be the first time a Democrat has been in that post for 16 years.
The voting system in the state favors the party in power in the state legislature, however, as the winner needs not just a majority of the popular vote statewide but a tallied results in a majority of the state electoral districts backing them.The voting system in the state favors the party in power in the state legislature, however, as the winner needs not just a majority of the popular vote statewide but a tallied results in a majority of the state electoral districts backing them.
Mississippi Lieutenant Governor, Republican Tate Reeves, is the guy to beat.Mississippi Lieutenant Governor, Republican Tate Reeves, is the guy to beat.
That’s confirmed, jury selection is taking a bit longer than some estimated, in the Roger Stone trial in Washington today, and what with the incident with a spectator in the courtroom needing medical attention, it’s all behind the pace.That’s confirmed, jury selection is taking a bit longer than some estimated, in the Roger Stone trial in Washington today, and what with the incident with a spectator in the courtroom needing medical attention, it’s all behind the pace.
Latest forecast is that opening arguments will get underway tomorrow. Whether first thing or later in the day...well, watch this space and we’ll let you know as soon as we know. It should be a lively trial and an unwelcome echo for Trump from the Russia investigation, as the impeachment inquiry ramps up.Latest forecast is that opening arguments will get underway tomorrow. Whether first thing or later in the day...well, watch this space and we’ll let you know as soon as we know. It should be a lively trial and an unwelcome echo for Trump from the Russia investigation, as the impeachment inquiry ramps up.
The Roger Stone trial in federal court in Washington is proceeding a little more haltingly than expected. There’s been a medical incident involving a spectator and the courtroom has been cleared and the trial put in recess while this is dealt with.The Roger Stone trial in federal court in Washington is proceeding a little more haltingly than expected. There’s been a medical incident involving a spectator and the courtroom has been cleared and the trial put in recess while this is dealt with.
It looks very much like opening arguments won’t get underway today.It looks very much like opening arguments won’t get underway today.
Will the Trump factor be enough to carry Republican incumbent Matt Bevin to victory in the Kentucky governor’s race tonight, or will it sink him, even?Will the Trump factor be enough to carry Republican incumbent Matt Bevin to victory in the Kentucky governor’s race tonight, or will it sink him, even?
Potus was effectively stumping for him in the state at his rally last night - where he spoke for 80 minutes straight, sheesh. What’s worse, 80 minutes of Trump or eight minutes of Rand Paul, who was the president’s sidekick last night and, disgracefully, called on the media to unmask the whistleblower who sparked the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry. Just wrong.Potus was effectively stumping for him in the state at his rally last night - where he spoke for 80 minutes straight, sheesh. What’s worse, 80 minutes of Trump or eight minutes of Rand Paul, who was the president’s sidekick last night and, disgracefully, called on the media to unmask the whistleblower who sparked the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry. Just wrong.
The whistleblower is protected by law and, besides, their words have been overtaken as if by an avalanche by the substance of the testimony given by witnesses in the inquiry so far and the memo issued by the White House itself summarizing the fateful phone call in which Trump asked the Ukrainian president to investigate a rival in the 2020 US presidential election, Democrat Joe Biden.The whistleblower is protected by law and, besides, their words have been overtaken as if by an avalanche by the substance of the testimony given by witnesses in the inquiry so far and the memo issued by the White House itself summarizing the fateful phone call in which Trump asked the Ukrainian president to investigate a rival in the 2020 US presidential election, Democrat Joe Biden.
Bevin is deemed to be unpopular in deeply-Republican Kentucky. His Democratic challenger, state attorney general Andy Beshear, was out stumping with his father, former governor Steve Beshear, yesterday on the last day of the campaign before voting today.Bevin is deemed to be unpopular in deeply-Republican Kentucky. His Democratic challenger, state attorney general Andy Beshear, was out stumping with his father, former governor Steve Beshear, yesterday on the last day of the campaign before voting today.
Local media say Beshear has been campaigning for 17 months in this hugely-important race. Trump won the state easily in the 2016 presidential election.Local media say Beshear has been campaigning for 17 months in this hugely-important race. Trump won the state easily in the 2016 presidential election.
Bevin attended the Trump’s rally in Louisville last night. There was no escaping the impeachment inquiry.Bevin attended the Trump’s rally in Louisville last night. There was no escaping the impeachment inquiry.
Some supporters wore tee shirts saying “Read The Transcript”. A. the memo is not a transcript. Testimony so far has indicated there are even more damning bits in the full transcript, with more details of Trump asking Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate Biden. B. the memo was damning.Some supporters wore tee shirts saying “Read The Transcript”. A. the memo is not a transcript. Testimony so far has indicated there are even more damning bits in the full transcript, with more details of Trump asking Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate Biden. B. the memo was damning.
Voters fired upVoters fired up
But perhaps not in the way Fox sees it. There are important races in some key states today. Here’s the president’s echo-routine as he retweets Fox News. He’s tweeting up a storm this morning, so feel free to take a look yourself, but, if you’re busy, you won’t have missed anything earth-shattering if we don’t reproduce them here - nothing really moves the needle.But perhaps not in the way Fox sees it. There are important races in some key states today. Here’s the president’s echo-routine as he retweets Fox News. He’s tweeting up a storm this morning, so feel free to take a look yourself, but, if you’re busy, you won’t have missed anything earth-shattering if we don’t reproduce them here - nothing really moves the needle.
Climate crisis - allies dismayed but the fight is far from overClimate crisis - allies dismayed but the fight is far from over
The European Union has voiced regret at the US government’s confirmation yesterday of its decision to pull out of the Paris climate agreement. But the body expressed hopes that one of the world’s biggest CO2 emitters will backpedal on its decision and rejoin the accord.The European Union has voiced regret at the US government’s confirmation yesterday of its decision to pull out of the Paris climate agreement. But the body expressed hopes that one of the world’s biggest CO2 emitters will backpedal on its decision and rejoin the accord.
That’s probably wishful thinking in terms of a policy U-turn from the Trump administration on the climate crisis. But one year from now who’s knows how the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry and the presidential election will have turned out?That’s probably wishful thinking in terms of a policy U-turn from the Trump administration on the climate crisis. But one year from now who’s knows how the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry and the presidential election will have turned out?
European Commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said earlier today that the global deal signed in 2015 remains “the most important international agreement on climate change” and insisted that the EU will continue to “fight global climate change under this legal framework.”European Commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said earlier today that the global deal signed in 2015 remains “the most important international agreement on climate change” and insisted that the EU will continue to “fight global climate change under this legal framework.”
Despite the US formal notice of departure, Andreeva added that the 28-member bloc will continue working with various US-based entities and stakeholders who remain committed to the deal, the AP writes.Despite the US formal notice of departure, Andreeva added that the 28-member bloc will continue working with various US-based entities and stakeholders who remain committed to the deal, the AP writes.
“The Paris agreement has strong foundations and is here to stay. Its doors remain open and we hope that the US will decide to pass (them) again one day,” Andreeva said.“The Paris agreement has strong foundations and is here to stay. Its doors remain open and we hope that the US will decide to pass (them) again one day,” Andreeva said.
Scientists are warning of “untold suffering” in a new report.Scientists are warning of “untold suffering” in a new report.
Germany said the announcement from Trump’s secretary of state Mike Pompeo yesterday is “regrettable” but no surprise. (For a great commentary on what Pompeo is up to more widely in his career, read this from my colleague Julian Borger.)Germany said the announcement from Trump’s secretary of state Mike Pompeo yesterday is “regrettable” but no surprise. (For a great commentary on what Pompeo is up to more widely in his career, read this from my colleague Julian Borger.)
Environment Minister Svenja Schulze said the US had announced its plan to withdraw from the pact two years ago and “luckily it has remained alone in doing so.”Environment Minister Svenja Schulze said the US had announced its plan to withdraw from the pact two years ago and “luckily it has remained alone in doing so.”
Nearly 200 nations signed the landmark 2015 climate deal to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) by the end of the century, with each country providing its own goals for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.Nearly 200 nations signed the landmark 2015 climate deal to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) by the end of the century, with each country providing its own goals for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.
Meanwhile, the 2019 UN COP 25 climate conference will now happen in Spain not Chile, prompting more dismay from activists and one stuck on this side of the Atlantic to ask for a ride....Meanwhile, the 2019 UN COP 25 climate conference will now happen in Spain not Chile, prompting more dismay from activists and one stuck on this side of the Atlantic to ask for a ride....
Well. Wells. Griffith. Hasn’t turned up for his scheduled 9AM testimony behind closed doors to the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry.Well. Wells. Griffith. Hasn’t turned up for his scheduled 9AM testimony behind closed doors to the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry.
Here’s our Adam Gabbatt with a short, lively video explainer on how that whole impeachment thing works, anyway.Here’s our Adam Gabbatt with a short, lively video explainer on how that whole impeachment thing works, anyway.
Whoah, sorry about the slow roll there, folks, some of us just had a connectivity issue in Guardian US HQ in the Big Apple, but after a nail-biting few minutes - just enough time to cook up a conspiracy theory about who might be jamming the wifi - we’re back live.Whoah, sorry about the slow roll there, folks, some of us just had a connectivity issue in Guardian US HQ in the Big Apple, but after a nail-biting few minutes - just enough time to cook up a conspiracy theory about who might be jamming the wifi - we’re back live.
Leading 2020 Democratic candidate Elizabeth Warren writes for us today on the climate emergency, just a few hours after Donald Trump formalized the process of pulling out of the 2015 landmark Paris climate accord. He promised ages ago that the US would pull out but there is an official process which involves notifying the United Nations and pulling out to a specific timetable, which Trump did yesterday at the first opportunity.Leading 2020 Democratic candidate Elizabeth Warren writes for us today on the climate emergency, just a few hours after Donald Trump formalized the process of pulling out of the 2015 landmark Paris climate accord. He promised ages ago that the US would pull out but there is an official process which involves notifying the United Nations and pulling out to a specific timetable, which Trump did yesterday at the first opportunity.
So now we’re on a climate countdown. Unless there is a policy earthquake, the US will leave the accord a year from now. Trump is busy dismantling environmental regulation as fast as he can anyway, while the world’s leading climate science experts give humanity very little time to make huge change and reverse the trajectory of the crisis for our planet.So now we’re on a climate countdown. Unless there is a policy earthquake, the US will leave the accord a year from now. Trump is busy dismantling environmental regulation as fast as he can anyway, while the world’s leading climate science experts give humanity very little time to make huge change and reverse the trajectory of the crisis for our planet.
And here’s a wise note from my colleague Lauren Gambino.And here’s a wise note from my colleague Lauren Gambino.
Roger Stone will face a judge and jury in what is expected to be a two-week trial, beginning today in Washington.Roger Stone will face a judge and jury in what is expected to be a two-week trial, beginning today in Washington.
It’s not known yet exactly when opening arguments will begin, because jury selection begins this morning, but there has been pre-screening of jurists and it could take just a day or less.It’s not known yet exactly when opening arguments will begin, because jury selection begins this morning, but there has been pre-screening of jurists and it could take just a day or less.
The Guardian’s David Smith is in the court house, where federal judge Amy Berman Jackson will preside, and he’ll bring us the drama as and when proceedings begin.The Guardian’s David Smith is in the court house, where federal judge Amy Berman Jackson will preside, and he’ll bring us the drama as and when proceedings begin.
The case involves charges related to his alleged efforts to exploit the Russian-hacked Hillary Clinton emails for political the political gain of Donald Trump’s 2016 election campaign.The case involves charges related to his alleged efforts to exploit the Russian-hacked Hillary Clinton emails for political the political gain of Donald Trump’s 2016 election campaign.
Stone, a longtime adviser to Trump, in January of this year pleaded not guilty to charges in the Trump-Russia investigation, then ran a gauntlet of protesters outside the courthouse waving Russian flags and playing the Beatles’ “Back in the USSR”.Stone, a longtime adviser to Trump, in January of this year pleaded not guilty to charges in the Trump-Russia investigation, then ran a gauntlet of protesters outside the courthouse waving Russian flags and playing the Beatles’ “Back in the USSR”.
Supporters had shouted, “We love Roger!” and held aloft signs such as, “Free Stone, fire Mueller”. Protesters yelled, “Lock him up!” and “Fucking traitor!”Supporters had shouted, “We love Roger!” and held aloft signs such as, “Free Stone, fire Mueller”. Protesters yelled, “Lock him up!” and “Fucking traitor!”
The Republican strategist and self-proclaimed dirty trickster is charged in a seven-count indictment from special counsel Robert Mueller with obstruction, lying to Congress and witness tampering.The Republican strategist and self-proclaimed dirty trickster is charged in a seven-count indictment from special counsel Robert Mueller with obstruction, lying to Congress and witness tampering.
Stone, briefly served on Trump’s campaign but was pushed out amid infighting with campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Though sidelined, he continued to communicate with Trump and stayed plugged into his circle of advisers, the Associated Press adds.Stone, briefly served on Trump’s campaign but was pushed out amid infighting with campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Though sidelined, he continued to communicate with Trump and stayed plugged into his circle of advisers, the Associated Press adds.
The indictment says Stone repeatedly discussed WikiLeaks in 2016 with campaign associates and lays out in detail Stone’s conversations about emails stolen from Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta and posted in the weeks before Trump beat Clinton.The indictment says Stone repeatedly discussed WikiLeaks in 2016 with campaign associates and lays out in detail Stone’s conversations about emails stolen from Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta and posted in the weeks before Trump beat Clinton.
After WikiLeaks on July 22, 2016, released hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee, the indictment says, a senior Trump campaign official “was directed” to contact Stone about additional releases and “what other damaging information” WikiLeaks had “regarding the Clinton campaign.” The indictment does not name the official or say who directed the outreach to Stone.After WikiLeaks on July 22, 2016, released hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee, the indictment says, a senior Trump campaign official “was directed” to contact Stone about additional releases and “what other damaging information” WikiLeaks had “regarding the Clinton campaign.” The indictment does not name the official or say who directed the outreach to Stone.
Good morning, US politics watchers, it’s a massive day on Capitol Hill, in a courthouse in Washington, and in some key voting states across the country. We’ll be there for all the action – live, do join us. Today:Good morning, US politics watchers, it’s a massive day on Capitol Hill, in a courthouse in Washington, and in some key voting states across the country. We’ll be there for all the action – live, do join us. Today:
Wells Griffith, the US national security council’s international energy and environment director, is scheduled to testify behind closed doors in the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry on Capitol Hill today. It’s now yet known whether he will turn up or prefer to obey what’s effectively a gag order from the White House - a directive for administration figures not to cooperate with the investigation.Wells Griffith, the US national security council’s international energy and environment director, is scheduled to testify behind closed doors in the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry on Capitol Hill today. It’s now yet known whether he will turn up or prefer to obey what’s effectively a gag order from the White House - a directive for administration figures not to cooperate with the investigation.
Michael Duffey, associate director for national security programs in the office of management and budget is also due to testify but is definitely not forecast to turn up.Michael Duffey, associate director for national security programs in the office of management and budget is also due to testify but is definitely not forecast to turn up.
But there’s more - the House intelligence committee is expected to release more transcripts today from closed-door testimony in recent weeks. Around about noon, US east coast time, get ready for the transcripts of EU ambassador Gordon Sondland and former Ukraine envoy Kurt Volker. We can make a good guess that they will cast a poor light on Donald Trump - but also likely on themselves.But there’s more - the House intelligence committee is expected to release more transcripts today from closed-door testimony in recent weeks. Around about noon, US east coast time, get ready for the transcripts of EU ambassador Gordon Sondland and former Ukraine envoy Kurt Volker. We can make a good guess that they will cast a poor light on Donald Trump - but also likely on themselves.
Roger Stone. Remember the Trump-Russia inquiry, all those lifetimes ago? The substance of all of that is merely dormant, not dead. Today, Trump loyalist, longtime conservative uber-fixer and all around mischief-maker Roger Stone goes on trial in federal court in Washington, DC. He’s chiefly accused of lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstruction. Special counsel Robert Mueller found evidence of communications between Stone and WikiLeaks related to the public release of Democratic party emails hacked by Russian operatives during the 2016 election. Jury selection could be quick today.Roger Stone. Remember the Trump-Russia inquiry, all those lifetimes ago? The substance of all of that is merely dormant, not dead. Today, Trump loyalist, longtime conservative uber-fixer and all around mischief-maker Roger Stone goes on trial in federal court in Washington, DC. He’s chiefly accused of lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstruction. Special counsel Robert Mueller found evidence of communications between Stone and WikiLeaks related to the public release of Democratic party emails hacked by Russian operatives during the 2016 election. Jury selection could be quick today.
There are key governor’s races in Kentucky and Mississippi, where Democratic hopefuls are battling Republican incumbents. And important and hopefully illuminating state house elections are taking place in Virginia and New Jersey, which should offer clues about how those electorates are leaning ahead of the 2020 presidential election.There are key governor’s races in Kentucky and Mississippi, where Democratic hopefuls are battling Republican incumbents. And important and hopefully illuminating state house elections are taking place in Virginia and New Jersey, which should offer clues about how those electorates are leaning ahead of the 2020 presidential election.