Trump 2024 Campaign Report hits the road

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Trump heads to 2024 early primary state

On Saturday, former President Trump will speak at the New Hampshire Republican Party’s annual meeting and campaign with Gov. Henry McMaster (R) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (RS.C.) in South Carolina – two early primary visits to the state more than two months after Trump announced his third presidential bid. He is the only declared 2024 presidential candidate from any party so far.

“The shift into a higher campaign gear is welcome to some Trump loyalists who have been frustrated by what they see as a lackluster start to his campaign,” wrote The Hill’s Niall Stanage.

Several other Republicans are often discussed as potential contenders in 2024. “The show of support from McMaster and Graham in the Palmetto State is significant because two other South Carolinians” – former Gov. Nikki Haley and Sen. Tim Scott – “is a potential rival for the 2024 GOP nomination,” as Niall notes.

Republican rivals are making headway: Some potential GOP contenders have also made early appearances in the primary state. An incomplete list of known visits:

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson in Iowa earlier this month. Hutchinson, former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie all spoke at Saint Anselm College’s “Politics and Eggs” events – a presidential campaign staple – in New Hampshire last year. Sen. Tim Scott (RS.C.) spoke at an Iowa Republican Party fundraiser last year. Haley raised funds for Rep. Randy Feenstra (R) in Iowa last year, where he said he might run in 2024. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, shown in polls as Trump’s most formidable potential GOP challenger so far, was in Nevada last year, along with other battleground states, to rally the candidates before the midterms.

As Niall writes, DeSantis has “judged into the culture wars in recent weeks, issuing edicts and headline-grabbing statements about hot-button issues related to race, education and — favorite targets of DeSantis — ‘awakening.’”

Another development for the Trump campaign: On Wednesday, Meta announced that it will reinstate Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts in the coming weeks after a two-year ban following the riots at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The Trump’s Twitter account was reinstated in November, though he has yet to use the platform again. More from The Hill’s Stephen Neukam here.

Schiff has thrown his name into the California Senate race

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) became the second Democrat to throw his hat into the ring for the Sen. seat. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who made a bid for the seat Thursday and ended widespread speculation about her intentions .

“Our democracy is in grave danger. Because GOP leaders care more about power than anything else. And because our economy is not working for millions of hard-working Americans. We are in the fight of our lives—a fight that I am ready to lead as California’s next US Senator,” Schiff said in a tweet Thursday, which included his first two-minute campaign ad.

Key context: As The Hill’s Al Weaver writes, Schiff’s announcement follows that of Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) earlier this month to become the first Democrat to run for Feinstein’s seat. The incumbent senator has yet to announce his plans after 2024. It also comes days after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) blocked Schiff and Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) from serving on the House Intelligence Committee.

Other names that have been floated as possible contenders in the California Senate race include Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.). California has a “jungle” primary, meaning all candidates are listed on the same ballot during the primary, and the top two vote getters advance to the general election.

RICK SCOTT, CONFIRMS REELECTION BID, ANNOUNCE STAFF HIRES

Sen. insisted. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) said he is seeking re-election and announced a list of campaign hires, further quashing speculation about a presidential bid.

“I have never lost an election and I don’t intend to now,” the former Florida governor said in a statement. “We worked hard to make Florida a red state that elects Republicans up and down the ballot.”

Roll the tape: Scott defeated former incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) by a sliver in 2018. The 2024 race will coincide with the presidential election. Trump won Florida by 3 percentage points in 2020.

Republican incumbents saw landslide victories in top statewide elections last year.

Florida has one of the only Republican-held Senate seats considered remotely competitive in 2024. It’s the only one the Cook Political Report has categorized outside of solid Republican, calling it likely Republican. Saturday’s Crystal Ball calls the contests in Florida and Texas likely to be Republican.

Scott was a prominent figure in the Senate last year. He challenged longtime Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for the post in November. McConnell won, 37-10.

The two have clashed over a policy agenda Scott has put forth as he argues Republicans need a stronger midterm message. Scott also led the National Republican Senatorial Committee through what turned out to be a disappointing election cycle. Max Greenwood has a lot more to it.

In other Senate news, Julia Manchester reports on Republicans’ push for Dave McCormick to launch another Senate bid in Pennsylvania next year, hoping for a GOP pickup. Read more here.

RNC BRACES FOR CONTENTIOUS CHAIR RACE

The Republican National Committee (RNC) is gearing up for a consequential chair race on Friday as committee members hold a secret ballot vote on whether they want incumbent Ronna McDaniel to stay on for another term or opt for one. new face

Chairing the national GOP in the 2018, 2020 and 2022 cycles, McDaniel has served as RNC chair since 2016 when former President Trump tapped him for the position.

But he faces two challengers – California attorney Harmeet Dhillon and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell – after several Republicans expressed their desire for a new person to direct the RNC after those election cycles have -offered fewer than expected wins for Republicans.

Avoiding the fight: Some top Republicans like Trump and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) have avoided jumping into the race, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) offered praise to Dhillon in an interview with Florida’s Voice aired Thursday.

Goldman Sachs says 4 cities likely to see 2008-style housing crash: Warner report, Rubio push for Intelligence Committee access to Biden, Trump documents

“I think we need to get new blood at the RNC,” DeSantis told Charlie Kirk, the founder of the conservative Turning Point USA, on Florida’s Voice. “I like what Harmeet Dhillon said about the RNC being kicked out of DC Why would you want to have your headquarters in the most Democratic city in America? It’s more Democrat than San Francisco.”

McDaniel is likely to win a fourth term as RNC chair, where he will grapple with Republicans’ intraparty grievances – most recently aired in the House Speaker’s vote earlier this month.

That’s it for today. Thanks for reading and check out The Hill’s Campaign page for the latest news and coverage. See you next week.

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