Midwest
Red state Dem Senate candidate hit with blistering ad after refusing to endorse VP Harris: 'Unacceptable'
FIRST ON FOX: A Democratic candidate is facing criticism from his GOP opponent in a new radio ad after he declined on multiple occasions to endorse VP Kamala Harris as he runs to represent his deep red state in the U.S. Senate.
“I didn’t join the race to decide who the president is or to tell other people how to decide to vote for the president,” Missouri Senate candidate Lucas Kunce told NBC’s Kristen Welker last week when asked if he would be endorsing the Harris-Walz ticket.
Kunce, who declined multiple times to endorse Harris when pressed by Welker in the interview, is now the subject of a minute-long radio ad in Missouri from GOP Sen. Josh Hawley that will run this week, mocking Kunce for not standing by the nominee of his own party.
“People are excited about voting for Kamala Harris,” a woman says to another woman in the radio ad, which is running on statewide African American radio. “But not this guy Lucas Kunce.”
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Democratic Senate candidate Lucas Kunce has not said if he will endorse Vice President Harris. (Getty Images)
“He says he’s a Democrat, but get this, Lucas Kunce is scared to admit he’s voting for Kamala Harris,” the woman says.
“Wait, Lucas Kunce is not voting for Kamala Harris?” another woman responds.
“He’s too scared to answer the question. The press asked him not once, not twice, not three times, but four different times,” the ad continues. “What is Lucas Kunce afraid of? Kunce comes into our community asking us for our vote, but he won’t tell us about his vote.”
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Sen. Josh Hawley (screencap from Forbes footage)
The ad continues, “It’s weak. It’s unacceptable. I don’t agree with Josh Hawley a lot. But, you always know where he stands. You sure do.”
Kunce has previously declined to endorse Harris, including in a recent debate, which Hawley has focused on in social media posts.
“So @LucasKunceMO won’t endorse Kamala Harris,” Hawley posted on X. “Why not? Is he embarrassed of her for some reason? Is he supporting @realDonaldTrump?”
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Kunce campaign manager Caleb Cavarretta said, “Josh Hawley might wish he was Donald Trump or that he was the one running for president, but he isn’t. Lucas Kunce has been clear that this race is about who will better deliver for Missourians and protect their freedom in the U.S. Senate: Him or Hawley.”
Missouri Senate candidate Lucas Kunce (Courtesy of Lucas Kunce for Senate)
Hawley won the Senate race in Missouri by six points in 2018 and recent polling shows him leading by roughly 10 points in the race with just over 40 days left until the election.
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Illinois
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Indiana
2 Indiana men plead guilty in Montana oxycodone conspiracy case
MISSOULA, Mont. — Two Indiana men accused of helping illegally obtain oxycodone from Montana pharmacies have pleaded guilty to federal charges, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.
Jaylan Javier Wash, 23, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone.
Wash faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
Brandon Lavelle Winfrey, 32, who went by “Juice,” pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone.
Winfrey faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
Sentencing is set for Nov. 10, 2026, in Missoula.
The following was sent out by U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Montana:
Two men from Indiana who helped illegally obtain oxycodone from Montana pharmacies have admitted to charges, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.
Jaylan Javier Wash, 23, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone. Wash faces 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
Brandon Lavelle Winfrey, 32, who went by “Juice,” pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone. Winfrey faces 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided at the change of plea and U.S. District Court Judge Dana L. Christensen will determine a sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Nov. 10, 2026, in Missoula. Winfrey and Wash were released pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that Winfrey and Wash, along with a group of associates, used fake prescriptions to illegally obtain oxycodone. The Chicago-based outfit flew into Montana, visited various pharmacies across the state, and used falsified prescriptions to get oxycodone and other controlled substances. Several members of the group would give the oxycodone to Winfrey and Wash, who then distributed it. Winfrey and Wash paid for expenses and directed group members which pharmacies to hit and when to enter.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI and DEA conducted the investigation.
Iowa
Iowa’s governor and her family on weeklong tour of Iowa tourist sites – Radio Iowa
Governor Kim Reynolds, her husband and five of their grandchildren stopped in Mason City this morning to get a look at the city’s new bike park.
“This is a great example of Destination Iowa funds,” Reynolds said, “I think they received $4.5 million, and the partnerships is how we get things like this done.”
Starting in 2023, Governor Reynolds used federal pandemic relief dollars to create the Destination Iowa program to invest in infrastructure, like airports, and boost locations to attract tourists and new Iowa residents and legislators have provided state tax dollars to continue the program. Reynolds said an Iowa Economic Development Authority survey shows the value of the program. “It really pointed out that when people come here from out of state and if they love the experience, they really are more likely to move here and become a resident,” Reynolds said.
The Reynolds family is making a week long tour around the state, visiting outdoor destinations and attractions to draw attention to the governor’s June 8 executive order that established an Iowa Office of Outdoor Recreation. “It’ll partner with tourism, it’ll really highlight all of the great amenities that we have in this state and really drive people to the state,” Reynolds said.
This is day three of the Reynolds’ family road trip. Yesterday they hiked in the Loess Hills and stopped at the West Bend Grotto. The governor said her grandkids were excited this morning as they drove into Mason City’s new bike park. “The whole Winnebago was full of the wow factor,” Reynolds said. “They were lined up on the windows and they were like pointing stuff out and we about tripped over each trying to get out the door so they could get out there and experience it.”
The Prairie Rock Trails Bike Park features wood boardwalks, jumps, and several single-track routes for riders of varying ages and skill levels. It connects riders to more than 20 miles of trails and 600 acres of scenic parkland.
(By Bob Fisher, KGLO, Mason City)
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