“According to federal filings, Musk donated $158 million to Senate Republicans’ super PAC in September—the same amount that was immediately funneled to a group backing Republican Ken Paxton’s Senate bid.”

“AI-fabricated video clips of well-known actors and musicians — including Robert De Niro, Julia Roberts and Cher — attacking Democrats began appearing on X in early September, some urging people to join a campaign dubbed #AllDemocratsAreCriminals. Scores of other clips have made false allegations of corruption and improprieties by Democratic candidates.”

“The transfer represents a huge sum for a House member to give to a Senate race, especially one in a different state. But Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, who is considering a run for president in 2028, has made clear that she believes Dr. El-Sayed’s election would give a huge boost not just to Democrats this year but also to the broader progressive movement.”

Said Ocasio-Cortez: “I’m not waking up on November 4th wishing I did more to combat the smears aimed at Abdul. I’m leaving everything I can on the field.”

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“The mayor wants the electorate to give him and his successors more power over the way City Hall operates. He’s pushing a parcel tax that would extend a financial lifeline to Muni. He’s backing one ballot measure that would fund affordable housing while opposing another that seeks to earmark certain tax proceeds for affordable homes.”

Joe Biden’s presidential memoir comes out right after the midterm elections.

Promise Me, America on Amazon

— Speaker Mike Johnson, quoted by Rolling Stone, telling GOP donors what will happen if Democrats take control of Congress.

“Elon Musk gave at least $276 million to boost Republicans in the third quarter, making him by far the largest spender of the cycle. Midwestern shipping magnate Richard Uihlein put $66 million more into a super PAC that has spent in federal and state races across the country, bringing his total giving this cycle past $130 million. Pennsylvania businessman Jeff Yass put another $10 million into a super PAC backing Vivek Ramaswamy’s Ohio gubernatorial bid, increasing his total donations on the cycle to over $105 million.”

“Together, the three billionaires accounted for more than $600 million in federal donations to Republicans this cycle.”

“Investigations into noncitizen voting have historically followed a pattern. First, state or federal election officials report that hundreds or thousands of noncitizens may be on their voter lists. After further review, the figures often shrink to dozens. Each inquiry ends with few, if any, prosecutions.”

The same poll in Ohio finds Sherrod Brown (D) leading Jon Husted (R) in the U.S. Senate race, 48% to 42%, with Greg Levy (I) at 5% and Bill Redpath (L) at 3%.

“In all, 15 chambers are competitive. Befitting the dynamics of the first midterm election of President Donald Trump’s second term, the Republicans are currently playing defense to a disproportionate degree.”

“Now the unpopularity of both Trump and the outgoing incumbent, Representative Nancy Mace, has put the seat in play again for Democrats.”

— President Trump, quoted by The Independent.

“But, weeks ahead of Election Day, some are even more upbeat about the far-down-the-ballot races across the map that could result in Democrats’ emerging with a new trifecta — controlling the governor’s office and both legislative chambers — in up to eight states.”

“Joe Biden, by contrast, won 17% of U.S. counties, but those places produced more than 70% of the nation’s economic output.”

“It was a stark illustration of how America’s two political parties represent two different economies. Democrats dominate in cities and populous inner suburbs, where the nation’s professional class is clustered. Republicans hold sway in nonmetropolitan areas, where jobs in agriculture, mining and basic manufacturing are more common. The party’s footprint has lots of land, but a smaller share of the national economy.”

“Now there are signs this calcified economic map could change.”

“The stark development comes amid an increasingly bitter public feud between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.”