US House Of Representatives

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul Courageously Critical Of Trump Domestic And Foreign Policies

Ronald 3 Comments

Anyone who has read my blog over the past 17 plus year since August 2008 know I am not a fan of Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul.

His father, former Congressman Ron Paul, was also not someone I would endorse.

Both Pauls were and are “libertarians”, which is a viewpoint I totally disagree with on principle.

When Rand Paul contended for the Presidency in 2016, it was made clear by this author and blogger that the thought of him in the White House was horrifying.

However, in the present, Rand Paul has taken stands that this author and blogger can agree with.

Paul has been a critic of the invasion and overthrow of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, particularly in regard to the Trump Administration and Secretary of State Marco Rubio not informing Congress under the War Powers Act of 1973.

Also, Paul has been a critic of the tactics and actions of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), and has been concerned about the damage to civil liberties and the Bill of Rights. He is calling for testimony before the Senate Homeland Security Committee, for which he is the Chairman, by the heads of ICE and Customs and Border Protection, in February, in the light of the murder of Alex Pretti and Rene Good in Minneapolis in January.

Paul has been willing to go against Donald Trump openly, more than almost any other Republican Senator, except for Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski and soon retiring North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis.

So as a Senator with true beliefs, and an element of courage, it is appropriate that Rand Paul be saluted for behaving in a proper, principled manner on these issues, while this author and blogger reserves the right to be critical of Paul on other matters.

Amy Klobuchar Becomes 4th Sitting Senator In 2026 Running For Governor Of Their States

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The announcement by Minnesota Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar that she is running for Governor, makes her the fourth sitting US Senator who is choosing, if the voters agree, to transfer from the legislative branch to being Chief Executive of their state governments.

The other three sitting Senators taking the same path are:

Michael Bennet (D) Colorado
Marsha Blackburn (R) Tennessee
Tommy Tuberville (R) Alabama

Klobuchar has been in the Senate since 2007, and if she were to fail to win the election this fall, she would keep her seat in the Senate, secure until 2030. She is a national figure, due to her run for the Presidency in 2020. The odds are heavy in her favor to win the Governorship of a state strongly “Blue”, and to succeed Tim Walz.

Michael Bennet has been in the Senate since 2009, and would keep his seat until 2028 if he lost the Governorship, but is heavily favored to win what is a largely “Blue” state. He also was a Presidential contender in 2020.

Marsha Blackburn has been in the Senate since 2019, and would keep her seat until 2030 were she to lose the Governorship race, which is unlikely. She also served in the House of Representatives from 2003-2019.

Tommy Tuberville has been in the Senate since 2021, and his former football coach background insures that he will, very likely, win the Alabama Governorship, just as his one Senate term ends in 2026.

With the likelihood that all four Senators will win their state Governorship election, and adding the nine Senators who are retiring from the Senate at the end of 2026, that means at least 13 Senators will be newly elected this November.

This does not include the contended Senate seats, which could bring about up to another 4-8 newly elected Senators.

So we are witnessing what could be one out of every five Senators being new to the body, and as it is now, at least one of every eight!

There have been, historically, 2,018 Senators, and after these meidterm elections, they will be greater than 2,030 in number!

Many Members Of Congress Seeking State Governorships!

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The number of members of Congress seeking nomination and election as state governors in the Midterm Elections of 2026 is a revelation of their disillusionment with being members of either branch of Congress.

Among those trying to be nominated and elected as governors are the following.

US Senate to Governor (3)

Tommy Tuberville, Alabama (R)
Michael Bennet, Colorado (D)
Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee (R)

US House Of Representatives to Governor (12)

Andy Biggs, Arizona (R)
Katie Porter, California (D)–former
Eric Swalwell, California (D)
David Jolly, Florida (D)–former
Byron Donalds, Florida (R)
John James, Michigan (R)
Deb Haaland, New Mexico (D)–former
Nancy Mace, South Carolina (R)
Ralph Norman, South Carolina (R)
Dusty Johnson, South Dakota (R)
John Rose, Tennessee (R)
Tom Tiffany, Wisconsin (R)

Of these 15 members or former members of Congress, at this point, the odds would be that eight will become Governors, including all three Senators:

Tommy Tuberville, Alabama
Michael Bennet, Colorado
Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee

and five House members or former:

Eric Swalwell, California
Byron Donalds, Florida
Deb Haaland, New Mexico
Nancy Mace, South Carolina
Dusty Johnson, South Dakota

On Tragic Anniversary Of Second Trump Inauguration, Three Republicans Share The Greatest Blame And Responsibility For Unhinged Donald Trump!

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On the tragic Anniversary of the Second Trump Inauguration, three Republicans share the greatest blame and responsibility for the unhinged Donald Trump and his authoritarian bent.

As leaders of the legislative and judicial branches, they had the responsibility to protect American democracy, the US Constitution, and the rule of law, which they have totally failed at doing.

This is referring to

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson
Senate Majority Leader John Thune
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts

One might claim that no one could expect them to control their party members in both chambers, and the other Supreme Court Justices.

But this author and blogger vehemently disagrees.

The two legislators were more interested in protecting their own positions than doing what was right, refuse to support and endorse the horrors perpetrated by Donald Trump and his Cabinet in the past year.

And Chief Justice Roberts could have worked with the three Democratic members of the Supreme Court, and with Trump appointees Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh to insure judicial intervention to curb Trump’s authoritarian bent.

So Johnson, Thune, and Roberts are NOT Profiles in Courage, but rather Betrayers of their oaths of office, and their names and reputations in history long term will be that they were villains, enemies of American democracy!

They have solidified their negative stain on history, which will never be overcome, as they should be perceived as Traitors!

Four Potential Senate Gains For Democrats In 2026

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Beyond Alaska and Maine, and long odds Iowa, there are four other Republican Senate seats that are in play in the Midterm Elections of 2026.

Nebraska has Republican Pete Ricketts, former two term Governor, and part owner of the Chicago Cubs baseball team, running for a full term, after succeeding the retired Senator Ben Sasse in 2023. Ricketts has a conservative record, and will NOT have a Democratic opponent, but interestingly, he will have an Independent opponent, Dan Osborn, who polled well against Senator Deb Fischer in 2024, losing by only 6 points, amazing result, with no formal backing by Democrats.

A former labor union leader and US Navy veteran, he is running again with a populist platform, appealing to the middle and working class, and he is seen as intriguing, with a possible chance to win.

North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis is not seeking reelection, and former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper is the favorite to win the seat over Republican Michael Whatley, former North Carolina Republican Chairman, and also Republican National Chairman in 2024-2025.

Cooper was an exceptional governor in a state where the opposition Republicans often controlled the legislature, but he gained a reputation for principled leadership, and had a background as four term State Attorney General before his two terms as Governor. There is real optimism that Cooper can swing this state to the Democratic camp, with Cooper ahead in public opinion polls.

Ohio also is a state that Democrats are optimistic will swing their way in the Senate race, with former Senator Sherrod Brown, who served three terms, but lost his seat in 2024, trying for a comeback against appointed Senator Jon Husted, former Lieutenant Governor, who replaced Vice President JD Vance, when he was elected Vice President to Donald Trump in the Presidential Election of 2024.

Brown was considered one of the most liberal members of the Senate, and earlier had served in the House of Representatives and in the state legislature. Husted has been strongly conservative, and served as Secretary of State of Ohio before becoming Lieutenant Governor. It will be a tough race, but Democrats are hopeful that Brown can return to the Senate in the upcoming election. Polls indicate a very close race between Brown and Husted.

Finally, the crucial state of Texas, strongly Republican in recent decades, but having a three way primary in the Republican Party, of incumbent Senator John Cornyn, State Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Congressman Wesley Hunt.

Cornyn has been in the Senate for four terms, but is facing a serious challenge from the controversial and crooked Paxton, and African American Congressman Hunt. Cornyn has more support from the party and funding, but Paxton in particular could possibly upend the race, although his corruption is a significant issue, as he was impeached, although not convicted by the Texas legislature. Polls show an extremely close race for the nomination, with African American Congressman Hunt seen as a wild card.

The Democrats have an even more exciting race of outspoken African American Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, and State Representative James Talarico. Either candidate would be an exciting addition to the Senate, with Crockett more controversial and outspoken, while Talarico brings a soothing brand of noncontroversial Christianity and idealism to the race. Talarico would be the youngest US Senator if he won the seat. There is something very inspiring to this author and blogger about Talarico, particularly.

There will be plenty of “fireworks” in Texas, with the state primaries coming in March. And were Crockett or Talarico to win the seat in November, almost certainly, the Senate would become a Democratic majority for the 120th Congress (2027-2029).

Three Native American Women Running For Governor In New Mexico, And US Senate In Minnesota And Alaska!

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In this election year 2026, America is seeing three native American women Democrats running for higher office, and the likelihood that all three might triumph, and add to the accomplishments of native Americans.

In New Mexico, former Congresswoman Deb Haaland, also the former Secretary of the Interior under President Joe Biden, is campaigning for Governor.

In Minnesota, two term Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan is campaigning for the US Senate seat of retiring Senator Tina Smith.

And in Alaska, former Congresswoman Mary Peltola is also campaigning for the US Senate seat now held by Republican Dan Sullivan. She was able to defeat former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin twice in Congressional races.

Haaland is a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, and Flanagan is a member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (also known as the White Earth Nation), while Peltola is from the Yup’ik (Alaska Native) tribe.

If these three Native American women win, they will be the first of their gender to have accomplished such high office!

Likely Republican Governor Nominees In 2026 State Elections

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As attention starts to be paid to the upcoming midterm Gubernatorial elections, the prospect of many states having new Republican governors brings a sense of foreboding.

Many likely Republican nominees, and in most cases, likely winners over Democrats, is enough to cause sadness.

These cases of what this blogger and author considers “disasters” includes:

Alabama–Tommy Tuberville, presently Senator, and former football coach

Arizona—Congressman Andy Biggs

Florida–Congressman Byron Donalds

Michigan—Congressman John James

Minnesota—lunatic and conspiracy theorist businessman Mike Lindell

New York–Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

Ohio—Corporate leader and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy

South Carolina—Congresswoman Nancy Mace

Tennessee—Senator Marsha Blackburn

Additionally, there are incumbent Governors who are horrendous, including:

Arkansas—Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Texas—Greg Abbott

At this point, Republicans would be favored in 7 of these 11 states, with Democrats having the advantage in Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota, and New York.

Additionally, polls in Ohio indicate Amy Acton is gaining women’s support and those who believe in science, against Ramaswamy, so there is growing hope for Democrats to win the Governorship in that state.

And in Florida, former Republican Congressman turned Democrat David Jolly is also polling well, and has a decent chance to win over Donalds or any other potential Republican nominee, although it will be a difficult battle in the Sunshine State.

IF Democrats can indeed keep the Governorship in states that now have Democrats—Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota, and New York—and somehow gain Ohio and Florida, it would be a great midterm gubernatorial election triumph!

One can assume at this point, that the other five states–Alabama, Arkansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas–are lost causes for Democrats!

119th Congress So Far Most Unaccomplished Congress Since World War II!

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The 119th Congress, in its first year, has accomplished the worst record of any Congress, since records were kept since World War II.

One cannot expect the next session to be any better, and many members of the House of Representatives are either announced retirements, or plan to announce such soon.

Some are going on to run for Governor of their state or the US Senate, but most are just leaving elective office, feeling there is little motivation to stay, and in many cases, facing threats perpetrated by Donald Trump and his government against them.

The statistics are shocking!

As of now, Congress has only passed into law 128 bills, the worst since the 104th Congress (1995-1997), which had 430 bills passed into law, and was also the first Republican controlled Congress in 40 years, part of the “Republican Revolution” under Newt Gingrich!

This reality makes it seems clear that the Republicans are on the road to major losses and repudiation in the Midterm Congressional Elections of 2026!

Female Republican Revolt Against Speaker Of The House Mike Johnson!

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Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is confronted with a revolt by Republican women in the House of Representatives.

Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who has broken with Trump and is leaving Congress after five years in early January, has also been highly critical of the leadership of Johnson.

But also, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, who is leaving the House to run for Governor of her state, has also bitterly complained that Johnson is ignoring women Republicans in how he operates the House of Representatives.

And additionally, Elise Stefanik of New York, who is also leaving the House to run for Governor of her state, has been highly critical of the way Johnson operates.

The fact that Greene is leaving next month, and Mace and Stefanik, possibly before the end of the two year House term as they compete for the Governorships of their states, could endanger Republican control of the House before the elections in 2026, possibly putting Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in the Speakership sometime in 2026.

This anger could also affect how women look at the Republican leadership in the House of Representatives, and conceivably, sway many women to vote against the Republican Party in House and Senate races in 2026 and beyond!

Texas Democratic Senate Race Gets Interesting!

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Texas has been heavily “Red” since the early 1990s, and yet, there is a growing feeling that for the first time in all those years, a Democrat might be able to win the Senate seat of Senator John Cornyn, who has two opponents, corrupt state Attorney General Ken Paxton, and African American Congressman Wesley Hunt.

The Democrats had former African American Congressman Colin Allred, the Senate losing candidate to Ted Cruz in 2024, planning to run again, but now, at the last minute, he has decided to run for a House seat instead.

So it now seems that the battle for the Democrats is with two exciting and dynamic candidates, 36 year old state House member James Talarico, and 44 year old African American Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett.

Crockett is a late comer to the race, and apparently, convinced Allred to leave the race, but Crockett should not think that Talarico will be a slouch, as he is very dynamic, charismatic, and preaches religion in a different way, arguing against extremist Christian propaganda, and seeing Christianity as liberal, as he contends, and the record shows, Jesus Christ preached two thousand years ago.

Talarico is an example of an inspiring young man who is representative of the future, and this blogger and author is very impressed with him.

Crockett is highly controversial in her rhetoric, so it will be an interesting race against Talarico, and the winner will have a better shot if Paxton, who seems to be favored in polls right now, ends up defeating John Cornyn for the nomination.

Texas Politics will be the center of attention, and could decide the balance of power in the US Senate for the 120th Congress (2027-2029)!