Politics

We are continuing to watch as election officials are tallying ballots in high-stakes California primary races, with the top-two candidates in each contest advancing to the November general election. The current results show that Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra lead the governor's race, while incumbent Karen Bass and reality TV star Spencer Pratt lead the LA mayoral race. LiveNOW’s Andy Mac is speaking with political consultant Rob Stutzman as official results may take days or weeks to become finalized. 

We are learning more this Wednesday as the House passed a war powers resolution that aims to halt U.S. military action against Iran. The move comes as a major rebuke to President Donald Trump, as a handful of Republicans joined with Democrats to push for an end to the three-month-long war in the Middle East. House Speaker Mike Johnson had tried to prevent an outcome that would show the mounting opposition to the war, abruptly shutting down floor action two weeks ago when the war powers resolution was on the verge of approval. 

We are learning more as a number of critical primary races are taking place across the county. This includes in New Jersey, where Teresa Priolo with our partners at FOX 5 New York are learning more about the primary in District 7. The AP projects Rebecca Bennett as the winner of the New Jersey Democratic primary. She will face Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in November, who ran unopposed. LiveNOW’s Andy Mac is also speaking with Brent Johnson who covers politics for NJ.com as more results begin to pour in from the Garden State. 

We are learning more this week after an appellate court ruled that the Trump administration violated the constitutional rights of transgender members of the U.S. military by barring them from serving. Writing for the majority, Judge Robert Wilkins, who was nominated to the court by President Barack Obama, claimed the policy "appears to be driven by the bare desire to harm a politically unpopular group: persons who identify as transgender." 

LiveNOW’s Andy Mac is speaking with longtime campaign consultant Rob Stutzman as it appears to be a tight race in California between Democratic front-runner Xavier Becerra and Republican Steven Hilton. Both are looking to succeed current Governor Gavin Newsom. Gov. Newsom is reportedly keeping a close eye on the election process. Just days ahead of the primary, Newsom signed a bill aimed at increasing accountability around the unlawful seizures of ballots. 

Lawmakers are considering a move to end seasonal clock changes by November. With President Trump's backing, a new bill could make daylight saving time permanent if Congress acts quickly. This comes after last week, when Florida Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan introduced the language of the Sunshine Protection Act. LiveNOW’s Andy Mac is learning more about how the legislation could impact your daily routine with Dr. Karin Johnson, the Vice President of ‘Save Standard Time’.