An Air Force veteran who touts her national security experience has won the Republican primary in one of deep-blue Oregon’s more competitive House races. Attorney and former Air Force Col. Monique DeSpain will now take on incumbent Democrat Rep. Val Hoyle, who represents Oregon’s 4th Congressional District, in the November general election as Republicans hope to increase their narrow majority in the House of Representatives.

Fani Willis, the prosecutor in the sweeping Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump, said no one is above or “beneath” the law in her victory speech, sharing that she plans on celebrating with vodka.The Georgia district attorney has been on the receiving end of scrutiny by many Republicans in the state and nationwide for her affair with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, which almost got her removed from the case.

Thirteen-term U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, won the Republican primary on Tuesday in his re-election effort for Idaho’s 2nd Congressional District.The Republican has represented the Gem State in Congress for 13 consecutive terms, advancing Tuesday night to face Idaho Falls Democrat David Roth, who is unopposed, in the general election in November.

Oregon State Rep. Janelle Bynum won the Democratic primary in Oregon’s 5th Congressional District on Tuesday, putting her on a collision course with the Republican incumbent, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, this fall.Bynum defeated Jamie McLeod-Skinner to advance to face Chavez-DeRemer in a race widely expected to play a significant role in deciding which party controls the House of Representatives.

Mike Erickson was declared the winner in a crowded GOP primary election in Oregon’s 6th Congressional District Tuesday night and will face off against Democratic Rep. Andrea Salinas in November.The Associated Press called the race for Erickson in a district that includes Polk and Yamhill counties and parts of Marion, Clackamas and Washington counties.

With five and a half months to go until the November election, former President Donald Trump enjoys the edge over President Biden in many national polls and surveys in the key battleground states that will likely decide their 2024 rematch.And in April, for the first time, Trump also enjoyed the lead in monthly fundraising.The president’s campaign announced on Monday evening that they and the Democratic National Committee hauled in over $51 million in fundraising last month.

One perk of covering Congress is that you get to see the Capitol statues after hours.But not always at their best.Such was the case a week ago Friday. I cut through Statuary Hall of the Capitol around 6:30 pm, et, after my TV piece about a House hearing and public broadcasting aired. I was heading home.That’s where I encountered Billy Graham.Not the pastor, mind you.But a seven-foot bronze statue of Graham.