Northeast
House Republicans brush off Stefanik's Trump admin upheaval amid high-stakes Florida race
House Republicans are brushing off reports of anxiety over three historically red congressional seats, as the special election for two of them looms just a day away.
“Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine are exactly who House Republicans need to join our team,” House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., told Fox News Digital last week, referring to candidates running in Florida’s special election Tuesday.
Patronis is running for Florida’s 1st Congressional District, which was vacated by former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and Fine is running for Florida 6th District, previously held by former Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., who now serves as U.S. national security advisor.
Republicans have conceded they have been far outraised in those districts, and despite their likely victory, Democrats’ over-performance has reportedly raised concerns about the GOP’s fate in other areas of the country.
ELISE STEFANIK DETAILS ‘TEAM PLAYER’ DECISION TO REMAIN IN CONGRESS AFTER TRUMP REQUEST TO PULL UN NOMINATION
Rep. Elise Stefanik is back in Congress as Republicans fight to hold onto seats in Florida, where GOP hopefuls Randy Fine and Jimmy Patronis are running. (Getty Images)
It comes after suggestions that GOP discord in a Republican-favored district in upstate New York made some people nervous about Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., ascending to President Donald Trump’s nomination as ambassador to the United Nations.
Stefanik withdrew her nomination on Friday in a decision that blindsided even lower levels of House GOP leadership, sources told Fox News Digital.
Democrats immediately seized on the news as evidence that Republicans were worried about losing her seat in New York’s 21st District – something Republicans flatly denied, while blaming the state’s progressive governor for signaling she would slow-walk the special election to replace Stefanik.
“It was a combination of the New York corruption that we’re seeing under Kathy Hochul, special elections and the House margin,” Stefanik said on “Hannity” Friday. “I’ve been in the House. It’s tough to count these votes every day. And we are going to continue to defy the political prognosticators and deliver, deliver victory on behalf of President Trump and, importantly, the voters across this country.”
TRUMP ASKS STEFANIK TO WITHDRAW FROM UN AMBASSADOR CONTENTION OVER RAZOR-THIN HOUSE MAJORITY
Florida state Rep. Randy Fine speaks during a special session, May 19, 2021, in Tallahassee. (AP)
Meanwhile, National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole told Fox News Digital, “We’d win this seat in a special election, and we’ll win it in a general election.”
Trump won the district by 20% in 2024, and Stefanik won every county during that same election cycle.
He told reporters at the White House last week, “We cannot take a chance. We have a slim margin,” and said he did not know who would be running to replace her.
But the president has also been busy at work in Florida, where he held tele-town halls for both Patronis and Fine over the weekend.
While the Democrats are the underdogs in both races, they’re winning the fundraising battle.
Democrat Gay Valimont hauled in over $6 million from Jan. 9 through March 12, compared to just $1.1 million for Patronis in Florida’s 1st District.
Orlando teacher Josh Weil grabbed plenty of national attention in recent weeks by raising $9.3 million compared to roughly $600,000 for Republican state lawmaker Fine in the Sunshine State’s 6th District.
The cash discrepancy in the 6th District race spurred GOP-aligned outside groups to make last-minute contributions in support of Fine in the closing days of the campaign, with conservative super PACs launching ads spotlighting Trump’s support of Fine.
Rep. Richard Hudson, chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), speaks at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 18, 2024. (Reuters/Mike Segar)
They have no predictions of success, however, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., telling reporters earlier this month, “These districts are so Republican, there would ordinarily be no reason to believe that the races will be close, but what I can say, almost guaranteed, is that the Democratic candidate in both of these Florida special elections will significantly overperform.”
But it has not alarmed the GOP’s core fundraising machines. Sources familiar told Fox News Digital that neither the NRCC nor the Congressional Leadership Fund – the top super PAC supporting House Republicans – are putting any resources into either race.
“I would have preferred if our candidate had raised money at a faster rate and gotten on TV quicker,” NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson, R-N.C., told reporters earlier this month.
But Hudson added that Fine is “doing what he needs to do. He’s on TV now,” and emphasized, “we’re going to win the seat. I’m not concerned at all.”
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The outdoor concert season in Vermont started in early June, but the alfresco musical offerings really began unfolding later in the month after summer’s official start.
July is overflowing with live music outdoors. In in southern and northern Vermont you can find festivals, and there are music series at both the Essex Experience and the Shelburne Museum.
Artists including “Weird Al” Yankovic, Jack White, Thundertcat, Trombone Shorty and Gillian Welch are playing big stages, while local standouts such as Dave Grippo, High Summer and the Vermont Jazz Ensemble are making their sounds heard in the fresh air as well. Here’s the definitive list.
Jammin’ in July in Essex
5-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, the weekly music series “Jammin’ in July” kicks off with the Lara Cwass Band and continues at the same time each week with, on July 8, The Grift; July 15, the All Night Boogie Band; July 22, Soul Porpoise with The Project; and July 29, Kyle Chadburn & the Earthbound Spirits, The Old Stage at the Essex Experience. Free. doubleevt.com
Dead of Summer festival brings out the Dead
Thursday, July 9-Sunday, July 12, the Dead of Summer Music Festival welcomes God Street Wine, Pink Talking Fish, Leftover Salmon, Steely Dead, Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad, Saints and Liars, Jatoba, Deadgrass, Mystic Dead, the Krishna Guthrie Band and many more acts paying tribute directly or indirectly to the Grateful Dead, Hunter Park, Manchester Center. $35-$335. deadofsummermusicfestival.com
Jeezum Crow at Jay Peak
Friday, July 10-Saturday, July 11, the 11th annual Jeezum Crow Festival starts with Yonder Mountain String Band, Dead Man Strumming and Beg, Steal or Borrow and continues Saturday with The Disco Biscuits, Lee Ross, Railroad Earth, Shane Goodwin, Magoo, Tim Comings, Charlie Parr, Koa Phoenix and Kyle Chadburn & the Earthbound Spirits, Stateside Amphitheater, Jay Peak. $45-$75; free for ages 6 and under. jaypeakresort.com
Do Good with Smash Mouth, Toad the Wet Sprocket
1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 11, the annual Do Good Fest unleashes the sounds of Neon Trees, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Smash Mouth, Augustana, Glam Cowboys and DJ Cheetatah on the back lawn at National Life, Montpelier. $10 minimum donation benefiting the National Life Peace of Mind Fund to support children’s mental health. dogoodfest.com
Middlebury Festival on the Green gets going
7 p.m. Sunday, July 12, the weeklong Middlebury Festival on the Green starts with the Colorado sextet Mojo Birds, town green, Middlebury. Free. festivalonthegreen.org
Get the blues with Jack White
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, rock star Jack White visits Vermont for a show on the midway lawn at the Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction; free for ages 12 and under. $69.50. highergroundmusic.com
Big Head Todd on a big mountain
6 p.m. Thursday, July 16, ‘90s rockers Big Head Todd and the Monsters inaugurate a trio of concerts co-presented by Higher Ground and the Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Spruce Peak Village Green, Stowe. $16.70-$64.85; free for ages 5 and under. highergroundmusic.com or sprucepeakarts.org
Getting Frendly in southern Vermont
Thursday, July 16-Saturday, July 18, the Frendly Gathering (remember, there is no “I” in Frend) brings Gatsby’s Revenge, Neighbor, Satsang, Ryan Dempsey, Coyote Island, Jatoba, Jarv, The Big Takeover, All Night Boogie Band and more to Timber Ridge, Windham. $250; free for ages 13 and under. frendlygathering.com
Dave Grippo joined by Jennifer Hartswick
7 p.m. Friday, July 17, Vermont sax legend Dave Grippo leads the Grippo Funk Band with trumpeter/singer/Vermont native Jennifer Hartswick, The Old Stage at the Essex Experience. $20. doubleevt.com
Music and food in Stowe
Noon-8 p.m. Saturday, July 18, the first von Trapp Music & Food Festival offers plenty of the latter as well as music from Uprooted featuring Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root plus Dwight & Nicole, the All Night Boogie Band, Blues Over Easy featuring Gina Coleman and Mal Maiz, von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort concert meadow, Stowe. $40-$125. vontrappresort.com/musicfestival
Welch and Rawlings and a night at the Museum
7 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, Americana stalwarts Gillian Welch and David Rawlings play the Concerts on the Green series at the Shelburne Museum. $56. highergroundmusic.com
Long lines for Trombone Shorty
7 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, the jazz-and-more sounds of Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, joined by JJ Grey & Mofro, continue the Concerts on the Green series at the Shelburne Museum. Sold out. highergroundmusic.com
Getting weird with Al Yankovic
7:30 p.m., Friday, July 24, musical comedy weirdo “Weird Al” Yankovic follows Puddles Pity Party in a performance on the midway lawn, Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction. $69.50; seated admission is sold out; free general-admission tickets for ages 12 and under. highergroundmusic.com
Maple Roots Music Festival takes shape
Noon Saturday, July 25, the half-day Maple Roots Music Festival offers performances by the Vermont Jazz Ensemble, the Lara Cwass Band, festival organizer Michael-Louis Smith & Friends, Bob Wagner, High Summer, Mikahely, Linda Bassick, Doug Perkins’ “Hot Pickin’ Party,” the Eames Brothers Band, the Onion River Jazz Band and more, Morse Farm Maple Sugar Works, Montpelier. Free; donations accepted; parking passes available upon entry for a fee. maplerootsfest.com
A bit of Allman, a bit of Betts
7 p.m. Saturday, July 25, together, Devon Allman and Duane Betts lead The Allman Betts Band, inspired by the sounds of their family’s Allman Brothers Band, Stateside Amphitheater, Jay Peak Resort. $49 in advance, $65 day of show; free for ages 6 and under. jaypeakresort.com
Sample The Samples once again in Essex
7 p.m. Saturday, July 25, veteran jam-rock favorites The Samples, plus Arty LaVigne & Friends, play outside on The Old Stage at The Double E, Essex. $25. doubleevermont.com
Shakey and Dope sing in Shelburne
6 p.m. Sunday, July 26, two guys named Alejandro Rose-Garcia and Angus Stone — better known as Shakey Graves and Dope Lemon — share a Concerts on the Green bill that includes an opening performance from Texino, Shelburne Museum. $54.50; free for ages 12 and under. highergroundmusic.com
Thundercat starts Waterfront Concert Series
7 p.m. Thursday, July 30, bassist and singer Thundercat jump-starts four straight days of music presented by Higher Ground in its Waterfront Concert Series, Waterfront Park, Burlington. $54.50; free for ages 12 and under. highergroundmusic.com
Sylvan Esso goes down to the water
7 p.m. Friday, July 31, electropop group Sylvan Esso, featuring Bennington College graduate Amelia Meath, follows Landlady on the second night of Higher Ground’s Waterfront Concert Series, Waterfront Park, Burlington. $54.50; free for ages 12 and under. highergroundmusic.com
Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@burlingtonfreepress.com.
Welcome to Day 2 of the Metropolitan Diary challenge, part of our celebration of the column’s 50th anniversary. On Day 1, we gave you tips for identifying your New York City story. Today, we’ll help you write it. (Missed Day 1? It’s not too late to start.)
What makes for a good Diary? It’s simply a good story that happens to be set in, and capture, the essential New York-ness of the city. While this isn’t a full writing course, we do have guidance on the kinds of elements that the submissions we publish include. They typically have: a beginning, middle and end; sharp details; catchy dialogue; a bit of surprise; some humor, warmth or emotion. But there is no formula, so flouting these loose rules can be worthwhile.
Don’t worry if you don’t think of yourself as a “writer.” Focus on being a “storyteller.” Pretend you are telling your story to the person who’d most appreciate it, using whatever conversational language or pacing that would hold their attention. Do it out loud if you want, maybe give that person a call and tell them your story (or tell it to them again). Then write it down.
That’s the big picture. For more tips, read on.
Here is an example of a published Diary that we (and readers) really liked, and a few thoughts on why that may help crystallize yours.
Unacceptable
Dear Diary:
I went to a new bagel store in Brooklyn Heights1 with my son.
When it was my turn to order, I asked for a cinnamon raisin bagel with whitefish salad and a slice of red onion.2
The man behind the counter looked up at me.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I can’t do that.”3
— Richie Powers
One of this item’s best qualities is that it is short and snappy. Only 53 words! Although we will use stories of up to 300 words, many don’t need to be that long and the column doesn’t work if we don’t have a mix of long, medium and short, so we are always looking for stuff like this. Here’s another one!
At Attention
Dear Diary:
It was December 1967. I had just finished basic training at Fort Dix in New Jersey and was traveling to Boston in uniform. For reasons I no longer recall, I stopped in New York City on the way.1
Walking on the Upper East Side2 in a snowstorm, I spied another man in a uniform. He was older, and his cap bore the familiar gold band that identified him as an officer.
I rendered a snappy salute. It was not returned. 3The uniform was unfamiliar, so I guessed he was a foreign officer. Military courtesy still required me to salute.
A little farther down the street, I encountered another officer and offered another salute that went unacknowledged.4 His uniform was strange to me as well.
The third time it happened, the man I saluted ignored me while holding the door for a couple 5on their way into a large apartment building.
I realized I had been saluting doormen.6
— Stephen Salisbury
To get your storytelling muscles going, think through or jot down the answers to some of these questions.
Let’s start with setting the scene.
- When and where in the city did this happen? Is this place well-known?
- Was there anything particular about that point in your life that’s relevant?
- What did you see, hear, smell? Was there something notable about the weather?
Now, let’s move to the middle, the meat of the story.
- Did you have an exchange with someone?
- What details are important to how events unfolded, especially in setting up the ending?
And now, the end.
- What’s the resolution? Is there a punchline?
- Does the story end with a sense of shared humanity or some other warm feeling that lingers? You don’t need to name it. A good description will often allow readers to feel it too.
- Why has this experience stayed with you?
- Lines like “and that’s why I love New York” are almost always unnecessary.
That’s it. Keep your story simple and use the kind of plain language you use in conversation. You are sketching a moment in time. The details are important. Let them move the story along. Have fun and good luck.
Once you’re done, read through what you’ve got. What details are less important and can be left out? (Remember, there is a strict 300-word limit.)
Write your Metropolitan Diary however you like, on paper, on your phone or wherever! When you’re happy with what you’ve written, put your diary entry into the box below, fill out your information and submit it. You might just hear from me about including it in a future column.
This is the official submission form, so make sure to double-check your work before hitting submit.
That’s it! Submit your Metropolitan Diary.
By transmitting your submission, you grant The New York Times Company a perpetual, royalty-free license to use the submission in any medium. They may be edited, and may be republished and adapted in all media. You may reprint your story elsewhere after it appears in The Times.
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