NationalWatch

FIRST ON FOX: Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee are investigating a deal the Biden administration reached with civil rights groups over the separation of thousands of migrant family units at the southern border during the Trump administration — seeking information about what they say are “egregious” stipulations in the deal.

Chairman Jim Jordan and immigration subcommittee Chairman Tom McClintock have written to Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting documents about the settlement announced last month in a lawsuit launched by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) over the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy to prosecute all illegal entries at the border. That policy resulted in the separation of minors from their parents before it was ultimately reversed.

The settlement would block any future separations for eight years, while also providing authorization for parents of separated children to come to the U.S. under humanitarian parole for three years and work in the United States. The families receive housing aid for up to a year as well as healthcare and legal aid.

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION BORDER SETTLEMENT WITH ACLU WOULD LIMIT FUTURE SEPARATIONS FOR 8 YEARS

“The practice of separating families at the southwest border was shameful. This agreement will facilitate the reunification of separated families and provide them with critical services to aid in their recovery,” Garland said in a statement at the time of the settlement.

But Jordan and McClintock accuse the administration of providing a “grab-bag of U.S. taxpayers-funded services” to illegal immigrants “all because in 2018 the U.S. government prosecuted, under the existing criminal code enacted by Congress, illegal aliens for illegally entering the United States with their children.”

“As if the Department’s stipulation is not egregious enough, the settlement also allows an illegal alien to escape criminal prosecution for illegally crossing the border solely because the alien is traveling with a child,” they say. “Because that legally dubious prohibition in the settlement lasts for eight years, it prevents future administrations from taking definitive steps to control the border.”

The lawmakers argue that it allows for a loophole to be exploited by cartels, amid an already ongoing crisis at the southern border, and say that it is already leading to cartels posing as minors’ relatives to ensure entry into the U.S.

“The settlement will no doubt have a similar effect, with both children and the American people left to suffer because of the perverse incentives of President Biden’s failed border policies,” they say.

They are requesting documents related to decisions to provide social services and limit prosecutions to migrants, documents related to the consideration of payments to class members, and an explanation for the legal basis for limiting future administrations from adopting similar policies. 

The DOJ confirmed to Fox that it had received the letter.

Separately, the Committee has also sent letters to a number of officials in the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR), seeking transcribed interviews with multiple officials and immigration judges over its handling of the enormous immigration court backlog.  

MAYORKAS CONFIRMS OVER 600,000 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS EVADED LAW ENFORCEMENT AT SOUTHERN BORDER LAST FISCAL YEAR 

They highlight statistics showing that nearly half a million cases were dismissed, terminated or closed between Jan 2021 and July 2023, which they say raises “serious questions” about whether the agency is “fairly, expeditiously, and uniformly interpreting and administering the Nation’s immigration laws.

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The letters come as the border continues to see sky-high numbers of migrants. There were more than 269,000 encounters in September, a new monthly record which also brought FY23 to the highest yearly encounter number on record. The Biden administration has called for more funding for border operations from Congress, including a recent $14 billion supplemental funding request.

Fox News’ Louis Casiano contributed to this report.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. – EXCLUSIVE: Democrat Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Monday that his race to win re-election in deep-red Kentucky “has nothing to do” with President Biden and his unpopularity with voters across the state.

Speaking with Fox News Digital at a campaign stop in rural Eastern Kentucky just one day before Election Day, Beshear said he was “confident” in his chances of beating his Republican opponent, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, and argued the election wasn’t about who was in the White House, but rather what’s going on in the houses of Kentuckians across the commonwealth.

“We’re confident that we’re going into Election Day ahead, but we’ve always been prepared for a close race. And the only poll that matters is the one that comes out on Election Day,” he said, adding that voters could see how “red-hot” Kentucky’s economy is, and that, regardless of party registration, Kentuckians “want to keep that going.”

KENTUCKY GOVERNOR RACE IN DEAD HEAT AS GOP CHALLENGER MAKES FINAL PITCH TO VOTERS, LEANS INTO TRUMP SUPPORT

When asked about his expressed support for the Biden administration, despite the president having an underwater approval rating with Kentuckians, and what he would tell undecided voters concerned over that support, Beshear said that was ultimately not what the race was about.

“The governor’s race has nothing to do with who’s in the White House. It has to do with what’s going on in your house. It has to do with bringing in good jobs. We’ve got the second and third-best years for wages in our history. It’s about expanding health care, so you don’t have to drive two hours or take two buses to see a doctor,” Beshear said.

“At the end of the day, this should be about who the best candidate is with the best plan and the best track record. You know, far too much of our country is Team Red or Team Blue team or Team D. What we need to be is Team Kentucky. That’s exactly why I’m running for reelection,” he said.

SARAH SANDERS WADES INTO ‘CRUCIAL’ KENTUCKY GOVERNOR RACE AS REPUBLICANS LOOK TO FLIP SECOND SEAT FROM DEMS

Beshear went on to say that his number one accomplishment during his term as governor was bringing more private investment into the state, as well as the “huge” opportunities he said it was creating for Kentuckians.

“It’s about 50,000 jobs, building the two biggest battery plants on planet Earth, home to the biggest investment in the history of Ford and of Amazon. It’s about building a better life where people can look at their kids and grandkids and say, ‘Wow, they’re going to have more opportunity than I could have ever dreamed up.’ That’s what being governor is about, getting things done and creating that better life,” he said.

The race between Beshear and Cameron is one of the most watched in the off-year election cycle, and is being looked at as an opportunity for Republicans to capitalize on Biden’s unpopularity and build momentum going into the 2024 elections.

SOROS-FUNDED GROUP DISPARAGES BLACK GOP GOVERNOR CANDIDATE AS UNCLE TOM: ‘ALL SKINFOLK AIN’T KINFOLK’

Democrats, on the other hand, would like to stymie those hopes by showing they can win in Republican-leaning states with candidates like Beshear that appeal to liberal, moderate and conservative voters.

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Polls close at 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday.

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., took a shot at California Gov. Gavin Newsom over the weekend over what many have referred to as a “shadow” presidential campaign against President Biden.

“Let me say something that might be uncomfortable,” Fetterman said at a Democratic Party dinner in Iowa over the weekend. “Right now there are two additional Democrats running for Pennsylvania, excuse me, running for president right now. One, one is a congressman from Minnesota. The other one is the governor of California. They’re both running for president, but only one had the guts to announce it.”

Fetterman continued, “I got to tell you, let me say I got an opinion. If you are a Democrat that wants to criticize and go after Joe Biden, our president, just go ahead and write a check for Trump.”

The Pennsylvania Democrat was referencing a recent announcement from Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips that he will be running a primary challenge to Biden while Newsom has faced accusations in recent months of vying for the job without officially announcing.

WHO IS BIDEN CHALLENGER DEAN PHILLIPS? 5 THINGS TO KNO

“This trip here, he’s trying to build a base,” GOP Congressman Doug LaMalfa told Fox News Digital last month in response to some high profile trips Newsom has taken, including to China, as speculation grows that President Biden may not run for a second term. “He’s running the back channels until Biden takes himself out and the party says, ‘Man we’re going to get killed on this.'”

Fetterman’s swipe at Newsom comes around the same time a New York Times-Siena College poll showed that Biden trails former President Trump in the key swing states of Nevada, Georgia, Arizona, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

THREE WAYS BIDEN CHALLENGER DEAN PHILLIPS IS SENDING DEMOCRATS VALUABLE ADVICE

A Monmouth University poll released earlier this month showed that 76% of voters agreed Biden, 80, was “too old” to serve another term, compared to just 48% who said the same about Trump, 77. 

Newsom has denied he’s running for president multiple times, and when asked, he told NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo in September that he’s “not worthy of that conversation” and that Biden “deserves it.”

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The offices of Newsom and Fetterman did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida governor wins reelection by record numbers and later finds himself running as a party conservative in a crowded presidential primary. In New Hampshire, he tip-toes around the explosive abortion rights issue, discusses ongoing Israeli military operations, promises he’ll secure the Mexican border and warns that the current administration’s fiscal insanity will cause more inflation, not reduce it.

While it sounds like Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2023, this was former Florida Democratic Gov. Reubin Askew in 1984. Askew dropped out of the race after finishing eighth in New Hampshire. DeSantis is looking to avoid a similar fate as he prepares for the third GOP debate this week in his home state.

IOWA GOV. KIM REYNOLDS TO ENDORSE DESANTIS OVER TRUMP, SOURCES SAY

If DeSantis or former President Donald Trump eventually is elected president next year, it would be the first time Americans have chosen a Floridian to lead them. Trump was a New York snowbird with a second home in Palm Beach when he was first elected, but he later lost as a full-time Floridian.

So while Florida is home to Disney World’s Hall of Presidents, that’s not the place to look for representation from the nation’s third-largest state. And even if home court advantage gives DeSantis an opening to talk about his accomplishments in the Sunshine State, there’s no historical evidence to suggest it will help him in the race itself.

“I really have no idea why this is the case,” said former Gov. Jeb Bush, who was considered the frontrunner for the 2016 Republican presidential primary before Donald Trump’s ascent reshaped the party.

Florida has long been influential in national politics — never more so than in 2000 when there were five weeks of recounts and court challenges before George W. Bush carried the state and won the presidency, by 537 votes. And more and more Floridians have sought the presidency as its population has exploded and Republicans chased Democrats out of power in Tallahassee.

Early in the 2016 presidential cycle, many political observers thought former Gov. Bush or Sen. Marco Rubio would win the Republican nomination to challenge Democrat Hillary Clinton. Trump at first wasn’t taken seriously by either campaign — until he blasted both of the Floridians with insults as he rose to the top of the GOP pile.

It wasn’t the moment for either. Bush would have been the third member of his family to become president, and Trump’s nickname of “Low Energy Jeb” seemed to stick at a time when voters were in no mood for an establishment candidate with a whiff of inevitability, maybe even entitlement.

Rubio brought youthful energy to the campaign, but he never found his footing against a brawling candidate who specialized in branding and dubbed him “Little Marco.” Rubio tried to match Trump with branding of his own, taunting Trump about the size of his hands at one point, but the shift in strategy only seemed to diminish him further — and by then Trump was well on his way to the GOP nomination.

By 2020, Trump had become a Floridian himself, changing his residence and voter registration to Florida, a state he desperately needed to win to earn a second term in the White House. He did carry the state but lost to President Joe Biden in the Rust Belt, thus adding his name to the list of Floridians who lost a presidential bid. That list keeps growing but includes Askew, Bush, Rubio, and former Sen. Bob Graham.

There is another notable asterisk. President Andrew Jackson was the first territorial governor of Florida in 1821, but it was a short stint to keep him busy as he tried to retire. It’s described as “a troublesome few months” before he returned home to Tennessee and eventually ran for the White House from the Volunteer State.

“If you track Jackson’s progress towards being a presidential candidate, Florida has very, very little to do with it,” said Daniel Feller, a Jackson historian and professor emeritus at the University of Tennessee. “Florida didn’t do much damage to his national reputation, but it certainly didn’t help it any.”

Politics were decidedly different then anyway. Jackson basically took the job as a favor to President James Monroe after the U.S. took over the territory from Spain.

“It was understood from the very beginning between Jackson and Monroe that this was going to be a temporary appointment,” said Feller, noting Jackson’s wife wasn’t a fan of the idea. “Jackson didn’t think Rachel would like it very much and he was right about that. Rachel hated it.”

Florida had a sparse population when it became a state in 1845. The federal census five years earlier counted fewer than 55,000 people, nearly half of whom were African American slaves. It wasn’t until air conditioning became more affordable and effective in the middle of the 20th century that the state’s population started to grow.

That changed in a hurry, though. It more than doubled from fewer than 2 million in 1940 to more than 5 million in 1960 and hasn’t stopped growing. And its demographics shifted from a Southern, agricultural state to a hodgepodge population more reflective of the nation as a whole.

While north Florida and the Panhandle remain largely Southern in their outlook, the rest of the state is an eclectic mix.

Immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, and other Latin American countries have a large presence in South Florida, central Florida has a large Puerto Rican population, conservative Midwesterners have moved to the southwest Gulf coast in droves and liberal New Englanders have migrated to the southeast Atlantic Coast. There’s plenty of intermingling between those groups, but a large majority of the state’s population was born outside of Florida.

As the population has changed, the state’s politics have shifted. What had been the key swing state in 2000 has been reliably Republican in the past two presidential contests.

Democrats dominated the state Legislature for decades, but Republicans’ power has grown steadily this century. Democrats always had an advantage in voter registration until two years ago. Now Republicans have about 5.2 million registered voters compared to about 4.6 million Democrats.

The GOP has easily held the Legislature and governor’s office since 1999. While Republicans continue to be unstoppable in state politics, the state has been less predictable in presidential years. Since the 2000 recount, it supported Bush for re-election, Barack Obama twice and Trump twice.

Trump is once again leading in Florida polls. While he won’t participate in Wednesday’s debate in Miami, he is holding a rally nearby in a city that’s 95% Hispanic or Latino, a signal he’s seeking to boost support with the state’s Hispanic voters.

The one sure bet is that Floridians will keep trying to win the White House. If neither DeSantis nor Trump win in 2024, there’s always 2028 and the possibility Rubio and DeSantis run again, perhaps joined by former governor and current Sen. Rick Scott, who has long been speculated to have presidential ambitions.

Former Republican strategist Rick Wilson of Florida, who worked on the presidential campaigns of both George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, said the state has been a political late bloomer on the national scene.

“Florida is a state that didn’t really reach its political maturity as early as others,” said Wilson, a founder of the Lincoln Project, which opposes both Trump and DeSantis. “We had a much longer puberty where we were a backwater.”

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That all could change soon enough.

“The money’s here, the importance of the vote is here, the importance of the electoral college is here,” he said. “Now we need somebody who actually has the skills.”

A pair of legal experts weighed in on how former President Trump’s court testimony may have affected his case in New York.

Trump testified in his non-jury civil trial on Monday stemming from New York Attorney General Leticia James’ lawsuit against him and his Empire State businesses.

The former president exchanged fire with Judge Arthur Engoron while being questioned by Kevin Wallace, a lawyer from the New York Attorney General’s Office.

TRUMP, JUDGE ENGORON TRADE JABS DURING FORMER PRESIDENT’S TESTIMONY IN CIVIL TRIAL STEMMING FROM NYAG LAWSUIT

George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley told Fox News Digital that watching “Trump being called for testimony is like waiting for the green flag at NASCAR” in that many “are coming for the car crashes.”

“There was an obvious disconnect in the testimony,” Turley said. “Trump seemed to be speaking to the public, but neither a jury nor a television camera was present. Instead, he was technically speaking to a judge who repeatedly expressed frustration with the tenor and length of the answers.”

Turley said that the “fact is that these cases have only increased Trump’s popularity” and that with “every indictment, he seems to gain five percentage points.”

“At this rate, with four more indictments, he could be elected by general acclamation,” Turley said. “The problem for Trump is the underlying law. The New York law does not require an actual victim or even loss of money.”

“That law became an easy vehicle for James to fulfill her pledge to bag Trump if elected,” Turley continued, referencing the New York attorney general’s campaign promise to take legal action against the former president.

“There are two cases being made in that courtroom. James is making the case to bar Trump from business in New York while Trump is making the case for reelection,” he continued.

“Both may be succeeding,” he added. “James seems to have a sympathetic court while Trump seems to have an increasingly sympathetic public.”

Attorney and conservative commentator Andy McCarthy told Fox News Digital he does not think the former president’s testimony will help or hurt his case because it “has already been decided.”

“The judge and state’s attorney general are elected Democrats,” McCarthy said. “The AG ran vowing to use the power of her office against Trump.”

“The judge told Trump before the trial even started that he had already lost the case and all the trial was going to be about was how much he was going to have to pay ($250M or more) in addition to being put out of business in [New York],” McCarthy continued.

“The judge is going to do what he’s going to do regardless of Trump’s testimony,” he added.

The civil trial stems from James’ lawsuit against Trump, his family and his businesses. James alleged that Trump defrauded banks and inflated the value of his assets.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has repeatedly said his assets were actually undervalued. Trump has repeatedly said his financial statements had disclaimers, requesting that the numbers be evaluated by the banks.

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After a break in his testimony, Trump again took the stand, defending himself and his businesses and blasting the investigation.

“We shouldn’t be having a case here because we have a disclaimer clause that every court holds up except this judge,” Trump said, referring to the disclaimers on all of his financial statements and statements of financial condition.

“They’re trying to hurt me – especially her,” Trump said, referring to James, “for political reasons.”

Trump went on to call James a “political hack,” saying she used her investigation and lawsuit against him “to become governor, to become attorney general.” The former president was referring to James’ campaigns in which she vowed to “get Trump.”

Fox News Digital’s Brooke Singman and Maria Paronich contributed reporting.

Former President Trump demanded a jury Monday after his unprecedented time on the stand, calling the civil trial against him and his businesses a “disgrace” and saying New York Attorney General Letitia James has “no case.” 

Trump described his forced testimony as “election interference,” while maintaining that his net worth is “far greater” than financial statements during testimony Monday.

The former president and 2024 Republican presidential frontrunner took the stand Monday morning in the non-jury civil trial stemming from Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit against him, his family and his businesses. James alleged Trump defrauded banks and inflated the value of his assets.

TRUMP, JUDGE ENGORON TRADE JABS DURING FORMER PRESIDENT’S TESTIMONY IN CIVIL TRIAL STEMMING FROM NYAG LAWSUIT

Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has repeatedly said his assets were actually undervalued. Trump has repeatedly said his financial statements had disclaimers, requesting that the numbers be evaluated by the banks.

“I think this case is a disgrace,” he said, adding that people are being “murdered” in New York, and James is “watching this case.”

“It’s a disgrace. It is election interference because you want to keep me in court all day long,” Trump said while on the stand, after testifying for more than five hours. “And Judge…I want a jury.”

One of Trump’s attorneys, at the end of the former president’s testimony, said that in “33 years,” they have “never had a witness testify better.”

“An absolutely brilliant performance by President Trump. He’s not backing down. He’s told everyone the facts,” the Trump attorney said. “Now that the American people know what’s going on, maybe something will change.”

James, a Democrat, sued Trump, his children and the Trump Organization last year, alleging he and his company misled banks and others about the value of his assets. James claimed the former president’s children – Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka and Eric – as well as his associates and businesses, committed “numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation” on their financial statements.

James filed the lawsuit against Trump “under a consumer protection statute that denies the right to a jury,” a Trump spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

“There was never an option to choose a jury trial,” the spokesperson said. “It is unfortunate that a jury won’t be able to hear how absurd the merits of this case are and conclude no wrongdoing ever happened.” 

During Trump’s unprecedented testimony Monday, New York Judge Arthur Engoron tried to cut him off from providing lengthy answers to state lawyers’ questioning, and even said: “I don’t want to hear everything he has to say.”

TRUMP UNLOADS ON JUDGE, NYAG FOR TARGETING HIM ‘FOR POLITICAL REASONS’ DURING UNPRECEDENTED TESTIMONY

But Trump defended himself and his businesses while on the stand, and blasted the investigation, lawsuit and non-jury trial.

“We shouldn’t be having a case here because we have a disclaimer clause that every court holds up except this judge,” Trump said, referring to the disclaimers on all of his financial statements and statements of financial condition.

“They’re trying to hurt me — especially her,” Trump said, referring to Attorney General Letitia James. “For political reasons.”

Trump went on to call James a “political hack,” saying she used her investigation and lawsuit against him “to become governor, to become attorney general.” The former president was referring to James’ campaigns, in which she vowed to “get Trump.” 

“This is a political witch hunt, and she should be ashamed of herself,” Trump said. “The fraud is her.”

Engoron, in September, ruled that Trump and the Trump Organization committed fraud while building his real estate empire by deceiving banks, insurers and others by overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used in making deals and securing financing.

“He ruled against me without knowing anything about me,” Trump said on the stand. “He called me a fraud, and he didn’t know anything about me.”

Trump went on to slam Engoron for undercutting the value of his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida — a property Engoron valued at $18 million.

“$18 million, he said—And I’m a fraud for not valuing the property? How do you call a man a fraud when you have a property 50 to 100 times more?” Trump said. You believed the political hack back there and that’s unfortunate.”

Trump attorney Alina Habba on Monday also slammed Engoron and James, saying the judge “yelled” at her.

“I don’t care who you are, you have a right to hire a lawyer who can put objections on the record,” Habba said outside the court during a break. “You have a right to hire a lawyer who can stand up and say something when they see something wrong.”

TRUMP TAKES THE STAND IN CIVIL TRIAL STEMMING FROM NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL LETITIA JAMES LAWSUIT

“But I was told to sit down today. I was yelled at and I’ve had a judge who is unhinged, slamming table,” Habba continued. “Let me be very clear. I don’t tolerate that in my life. I’m not going to tolerate it. And you know what? You shouldn’t either, because not every American citizen gets a camera and a microphone.”

Habba went on to blast James, saying she “taunted” Trump before she “came into office, before you saw one record, one statement of financial condition — you taunted him.”

“You said his administration was too male and too pale,” Habba said. “Those are her words.” 

Meanwhile, Trump was asked questions about terms of loan agreements, and handed documents about specific loans. 

ERIC TRUMP TESTIFIES HE HAD ‘NO INVOLVEMENT’ IN TRUMP ORGANIZATION’S STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

“This loan was paid off in full, with no default — no victims. The loan was paid off in full, the bank was thrilled…the bank liked me very much…the loan is since gone,” Trump testified. 

When asked why the loan was paid ahead of schedule, Trump testified: “Because we have a lot of cash…My son [Eric] recommended it and I said, ‘do what you want to do.’” 

Trump repeatedly testified that he believes he complied with loan agreements. 

But Trump maintained that his net worth was “far greater than the financial statements, far greater.” 

TRUMP BLASTS MANHATTAN JUDGE, DEFENDS HIS ‘VERY GOOD CHILDREN’ AMID TRUMP ORG CIVIL TRIAL FROM NYAG LAWSUIT

“The numbers of my net worth are far more than the financial statement,” Trump said. “Therefore, you have no case.” 

Trump, again, cited the disclaimers on his financial statements, testifying that those disclaimers told “the lender of the money to go out and do your own work.” 

“It says do your own due diligence,” Trump said. 

The judge said: “It sounds like a broken record.”  

Trump fired back, saying it was because the attorney kept “asking the same question.” 

Trump’s defense chimed in, saying that if the attorney from James’ office “wants to ask the same questions, he’ll get the same answers.” 

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Trump’s testimony concluded Monday afternoon. His daughter, Ivanka Trump, who was dismissed as a defendant in the case this summer, is set to testify on Wednesday. 

Ohio voters will head to the voting booth on Tuesday to vote on a measure that will enshrine abortion access into the state’s constitution in an election that is believed to be a bellwether for how states will be governed on abortion post the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade.

What does a “yes” or “no” vote on Ohio Issue 1 mean?

Voters in Ohio who vote “yes” on Issue 1 are voting to approve an amendment that would “establish in the Constitution of the State of Ohio an individual right to one’s own reproductive medical treatment, including but not limited to abortion” and “create legal protections for any person or entity that assists a person with receiving reproductive medical treatment.” A “no” vote continues with the status quo in terms of Ohio laws already on the books and leaves current abortion restrictions intact.

Who supports and opposes the ballot measure?

“Yes” on Issue 1 supporters include Ohioans United for Reproductive Right, a coalition of pro-abortion groups, Planned Parenthood, the Human Rights Campaign and the ACLU of Ohio who argue the vote is about “who makes personal decisions for yourself and your family – you or the government.”

Opponents of Issue 1 include top elected Republicans in the state, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, many faith based groups including the Catholic Conference of Ohio, and Christians for Civic Virtue.

LEFT-WING DARK MONEY NETWORK BANKROLLING ANTI-ISRAEL GROUPS DROPS MILLIONS PUSHING OHIO ABORTION AMENDMENT

Last month, a bipartisan group of 100 Black pastors signed a letter opposing Issue 1 writing that it is “more extreme than Roe v. Wade” and “will allow for painful, late-term abortions through all nine months of pregnancy – even after an unborn baby can feel pain.”

“It will permit our children to undergo abortions without parents knowing. And it will continue to rob generations of Black women and men of the insurmountable joy of parenthood,” the letter said. 

Parents rights advocates have also been involved opposing Issue 1 including Protect Women Ohio.

“The ACLU paid out-of-state signature collectors to lie to Ohioans about their dangerous amendment that will strip parents of their rights, permit minors to undergo sex change operations without their parents’ knowledge or consent, and allow painful abortion on demand through all nine months,” PWO spokesperson Amy Natoce said.

Top Republicans in Ohio have warned the “extreme” ballot measure goes “too far” and goes even farther than Roe v. Wade. 

ABORTION ON DEMAND: THESE 6 STATES ALLOW WOMEN TO GET PREGNANCY-ENDING DRUGS BY PHONE OR ONLINE

“It’s pretty clear that this constitutional amendment just goes farther, much further than what the average Ohioan approves,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine told Fox News Digital last month. “If a voter is comfortable with abortion up until the time of birth, they’re probably going to be okay with this amendment — if they’re comfortable with parents not being involved in the most important decision their daughter will ever make or certainly has made up until that point in her life. If they’re okay with that, then they should vote for this,” DeWine added. 

Ohio’s Republican attorney general, Dave Yost, published a report on what he believes a “Yes” vote would mean for the future of abortion in Ohio and wrote that the language of the amendment “creates a new, legal standard that goes beyond what Roe and Casey said.”

ABORTIONS, GENDER TRANSITIONS FOR MINORS COULD BE ENSHRINED IN STATE CONSTITUTION, PARENTS’ GROUP WARNS

“The Amendment would not return things to how they were before Dobbs overruled Roe, and is not just ‘restoring Roe,’” Yost said. “It goes further.”

Yost wrote that several abortion restrictions in the state would be invalidated if the new amendment passes including the Heartbeat Act, the Down Syndrome discrimination law, and the law prohibiting partial birth abortion.

Additionally, Yost concludes that several other aspects related to abortion might not immediately be invalidated but will face serious legal challenges with an “uncertain outcome” in courts due to the vague language. Those issues include 24-hour waiting period and informed consent, Ohio law that requires a doctor to inform a minor’s parents before performing an abortion on a pregnant minor, abortion pill safety regulations, limits against taxpayer funds for abortion providers.

Both sides of the argument have accused the other side of running misleading ads and voters have expressed confusion on what the amendment will actually do

“I think that most people are trying to understand if this amendment would give them more health protections and our stance has been it actually takes away basic health and care protections for women,” Mehek Cooke an attorney who serves as spokesperson for Protect Women Ohio, told Fox News Digital. 

“The other side continues to say that Ohio law contains no exceptions for the life of the mothers actually Ohio law permits abortions up until 22 weeks with the exception of immediate serious risk to the mother. There are several exceptions in Ohio law and we’ve really had to correct that misinformation.”

Cooke told Fox News Digital that Ohio law currently protects serious medical conditions during pregnancy, something she has experienced first hand, and that the other side has used “scaremongering” tactics by claiming women will not be able to access medical treatment if the ballot measure fails.

Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights spokesperson Lauren Blauvelt said in an ACLU press release last month that its the opponents of Issue 1 that are the “extremists” who are “trying to take away our rights and mislead voters.”

“Voting NO hands your most personal family decisions over to the GOVERNMENT,” Blauvelt said.

Abortion supporters and opponents nationwide will be watching to see how the amendment fares in a red state that former President Trump carried by 8 points and if any lessons will be learned in other states planning to vote on abortion after the reversal of Roe 

Mini Timmaraju, president and CEO of Reproductive Freedom for All, said Ohio offers a vital proving ground heading into next year’s presidential election, when Democrats hope the abortion issue can energize supporters in contests up and down the ballot. Abortion-related initiatives could be on the ballot across the country, including in the presidential swing states of Arizona, Nevada and Pennsylvania.

“When we’re able to see how our messaging impacts independents and Republicans and persuades them that this fundamental freedom is important to protect in Ohio, that’s going to be something that we can implement looking at 2024,” she said.

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The battleground on abortion shifted to the states last summer, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its Roe v. Wade decision, erasing federal abortion protections that had been in place for half a century. Since then, voters in six states — California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana and Vermont — have either supported measures protecting abortion rights or rejected efforts aimed at eroding access.

Turnout in the election that concludes Tuesday is expected to be robust, building on the enthusiasm from the summer, organizers say. Local election officials anticipate 40% to 50% of registered voters will participate, according to the Ohio Association of Election Officials. That’s higher than a typical off-year November election and up from the 39% turnout in August.

Associated Press contributed to this report

Former U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer, R-Mich., whose family founded the Meijer supermarket chain, is running for his state’s vacant Senate seat.

Meijer lost his seat after he and nine other House Republicans voted to impeach former President Trump over the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

“My wife and I prayed hard about this race and how we can best serve our state and our nation. We considered every aspect of the campaign, and we are confident we have the best chance of taking back this seat for the Republicans and fighting hard for a conservative future,” Meijer said in his campaign debut on Monday morning.

FIRST ON FOX: SENATE REPUBLICANS BUILD WAR CHEST FOR EVENTUAL GOP NOMINEES IN CRUCIAL 2024 STATES

“We are in dark and uncertain times, but we have made it through worse. The challenges are great, but so is our country. If we are to see another great American century, we need leaders who aren’t afraid to be bold, will do the work, and can’t be bought.”

Meijer had lost the 2022 Republican primary for his House seat to former Trump administration official John Gibbs. 

FLASHBACK: HOUSE SPEAKER KEVIN MCCARTHY ANNOUNCES FORMAL IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY AGAINST PRESIDENT BIDEN

As part of a strategy to ensure an easier path to victory in general elections, House Democrats’ campaign arm targeted Meijer and other Republicans in swing districts by elevating more polarizing rivals.  

Gibbs, who ran to Meijer’s right, subsequently lost to freshman Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Mich.

Senate Republicans are eyeing Michigan as a prime pickup opportunity after Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., announced she would not seek re-election. 

Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., is the current frontrunner for the Democratic nomination to replace her.

FORMER REP. MIKE ROGERS LAUNCHES REPUBLICAN SENATE CAMPAIGN FOR OPEN SENATE SEAT IN BATTLEGROUND MICHIGAN

Meanwhile, Meijer joins an increasingly competitive GOP primary. Former Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., is also in the race after being courted by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Senate Republicans’ campaign arm. 

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Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig is also in the field of candidates.

Meijer’s family founded and owns the primarily-Midwestern Meijer supermarket chain. The one-term Republican congressman is also an Army Reserve veteran, having served in Iraq.

Former President Trump testified on the stand Monday that New York Judge Arthur Engoron and New York Attorney General Letitia James are “trying to hurt” him for “political reasons” while blasting the “very unfair” and unprecedented non-jury civil fraud trial.

The former president and 2024 Republican presidential frontrunner took the stand Monday morning in the civil trial stemming from James’ lawsuit against him, his family and his businesses. James alleged Trump defrauded banks and inflated the value of his assets.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has repeatedly said his assets were actually undervalued. Trump has repeatedly said his financial statements had disclaimers, requesting that the numbers be evaluated by the banks.

TRUMP, ENGORON TRADE JABS DURING FORMER PRESIDENT’S TESTIMONY IN CIVIL TRIAL STEMMING FROM NYAG LAWSUIT

During Trump’s unprecedented testimony Monday, Engoron tried to cut him off from providing lengthy answers to state lawyers’ questioning, and even said, “I don’t want to hear everything he has to say.”

After a break in his testimony, Trump again took the stand, defending himself and his businesses, and blasting the investigation, lawsuit and non-jury trial.

“We shouldn’t be having a case here because we have a disclaimer clause that every court holds up except this judge,” Trump said, referring to the disclaimers on all of his financial statements and statements of financial condition.

“They’re trying to hurt me — especially her,” Trump said, referring to Attorney General Letitia James. “For political reasons.”

Trump went on to call James a “political hack,” saying she used her investigation and lawsuit against him “to become governor, to become attorney general.” The former president was referring to James’ campaigns, in which she vowed to “get Trump.” 

“This is a political witch hunt, and she should be ashamed of herself,” Trump said. “The fraud is her.”

James, a Democrat, sued Trump, his children and the Trump Organization last year, alleging he and his company misled banks and others about the value of his assets. James claimed the former president’s children — Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka and Eric — as well as his associates and businesses, committed “numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation” on their financial statements.

Engoron, in September, ruled that Trump and the Trump Organization committed fraud while building his real estate empire by deceiving banks, insurers and others by overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used in making deals and securing financing.

“He ruled against me without knowing anything about me,” Trump said on the stand. “He called me a fraud, and he didn’t know anything about me.”

Trump went on to slam Engoron for undercutting the value of his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, a property Engoron valued at $18 million.

“$18 million, he said — and I’m a fraud for not valuing the property? How do you call a man a fraud when you have a property 50 to 100 times more?” Trump said. “You believed the political hack back there, and that’s unfortunate.” 

A state attorney, Kevin Wallace, who was leading the questioning of Trump, asked if the former president was “done.”

“Done,” Trump said.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. 

Former President Trump blasted Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds ahead of her expected endorsement of his primary opponent Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, warning that the move would bring her to “the end of her political career in that MAGA would never support her again.”

Reynolds is expected to endorse DeSantis over Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination at a rally in Des Moines on Monday evening. 

“If and when Kim Reynolds of Iowa endorses Ron DeSanctimonious, who is absolutely dying in the polls both in Iowa and Nationwide, it will be the end of her political career in that MAGA would never support her again, just as MAGA will never support DeSanctimonious again,” Trump posted. “Two extremely disloyal people getting together is, however, a very beautiful thing to watch.”

IOWA GOV. KIM REYNOLDS TO ENDORSE DESANTIS OVER TRUMP, SOURCES SAY

He added, “They can now remain loyal to each other because nobody else wants them!!!”

Trump also posted over the weekend that Reynolds told him “that she was going to remain NEUTRAL because I was, ‘Thank you President Trump,’ FIRST IN THE NATION.”

“She wanted to campaign with everyone. I told her that I should have ‘remained neutral’ when she asked me to help her get elected, and that I didn’t want or need her to campaign with me,” he said. “I am now 41+ Points up in Iowa!”

Trump went on to reflect on his past support of Reynolds, citing a Morning Consult poll, which says Renyolds is “America’s most unpopular governor.”

“That’s because people don’t like disloyalty!” he said. “I opened the position for Reynolds, so she became Governor of Iowa, by moving Terry Branstad to China as Ambassador. I then helped her when she was substantially down and losing to the Democrat Candidate, and worked hard to get her Elected, including an Endorsement and Big TRUMP Rallies.

“Very importantly, I was the sole reason that Iowa remained FIRST IN THE NATION,” he said. “I was Strong on Ethanol, DeSantis voted against it, and other things bad for Iowa, like wanting to destroy Social Security and Medicare.”

TRUMP WINDS MAJOR HOME-STATE ENDORSEMENT IN SNUB TO DESANTIS

“Despite all of this, Reynolds remained Neutral on Endorsements, and she is now America’s most Unpopular Governor, and Ron DeSanctimonious is Second,” Trump continued. “That’s what happens when you are disloyal to those that got you there!”

Trump’s comments come ahead of the expected endorsement Monday night. Reynolds, the popular two-term GOP governor of the state, is set to join DeSantis at his rally in Des Moines as a “special guest,” according to a social media account associated with the Florida governor’s presidential campaign.

Iowa plays a crucial role in the race for the White House, as its caucuses for half a century have kicked off the GOP presidential nominating calendar. Additionally, Reynolds faced criticism from Trump earlier this year for her pledge to stay neutral in the presidential nomination race, which is in line with previous Iowa governors. 

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While she remained neutral in the 2024 GOP nomination battle as the field of contenders grew to over a dozen candidates, Reynolds – who convincingly won re-election to a second term last year – had repeatedly not ruled out endorsing as the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses neared.

DeSantis has concentrated the vast majority of his campaign trail time and resources in Iowa the past couple of months and has so far made stops in 87 of the Hawkeye State’s 99 counties.

Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report. 

Former President Trump is set to take the stand Monday to testify in the non-jury civil trial stemming from New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit alleging he defrauded banks and inflated the value of his assets.

The former president and 2024 GOP frontrunner has repeatedly cast James’ years-long investigation and lawsuit as a “disgrace” and an attack on his business and his family.

TRUMP BLASTS MANHATTAN JUDGE, DEFENDS HIS ‘VERY GOOD CHILDREN’ AMID TRUMP ORG CIVIL TRIAL FROM NYAG LAWSUIT

Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has repeatedly said his assets were actually undervalued. Trump has repeatedly said his financial statements had disclaimers, requesting that the numbers be evaluated by the banks.

James, a Democrat, sued Trump, his children and the Trump Organization last year, alleging he and his company misled banks and others about the value of his assets. James claimed the former president’s children – Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka and Eric – as well as his associates and businesses, committed “numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation” on their financial statements.

James also claimed Trump and his family “inflated” their net worth “by billions of dollars.”

The judge presiding over the trial, New York Judge Arthur Engoron, in September, ruled that Trump and the Trump Organization committed fraud while building his real estate empire by deceiving banks, insurers and others by overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used in making deals and securing financing.

ERIC TRUMP TESTIFIES HE HAD ‘NO INVOLVEMENT’ IN TRUMP ORGANIZATION’S STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

Trump has maintained that his financial statements are “phenomenal.”

“There was no victim here – the banks were represented by the best, biggest, most prestigious law firms in the state of New York – actually in the country, some of the biggest law firms,” Trump said when the trial began. “The banks got back their money, there was never a default, it was never a problem, everything was perfect. There was no crime.” 

Trump has appeared in court for several days of the trial in New York City since it began early last month.

His last appearance was during the testimony of his former attorney Michael Cohen, who Trump has repeatedly, and sarcastically, said is James’ “star witness.” 

But Cohen, during his time on the stand, admitted that the former president did not ask him to inflate his finances on a personal financial statement.

NEW YORK JUDGE FINES TRUMP $10K VIOLATING PARTIAL GAG ORDER IN CIVIL FRAUD TRIAL

“Trump didn’t ask you to inflate the numbers on his personal statement, correct?” Trump attorney Clifford Roberts asked.

“Correct,” Cohen replied.

During re-direct questioning by Colleen Faherty, an attorney in the New York Attorney General’s Office, Cohen was offered an opportunity to expand on his answer.

“Trump did not specifically say, ‘Michael, go inflate the numbers,’” Cohen said, but claimed Trump “speaks like a mob boss,” and said he understood what Trump wanted.

Defense attorneys did not re-cross examine Cohen, and instead, again asked for a verdict – Engoron “absolutely denied.”

Trump briefly took the stand during that appearance and was fined $10,000 for violating the partial gag order imposed by Engoron. The gag order blocked all parties from making derogatory statements about court staff.

TRUMP DEFENDS ‘PHENOMENAL’ FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AHEAD OF ‘DISGRACE’ OF TRIAL OUT OF ‘CORRUPT’ NYAG JAMES PROBE

Engoron first fined Trump $5,000 for violating the order on social media the week prior, and threatened imprisonment if further violations were committed.

Trump’s testimony will be his first public testimony, amid legal battles in multiple jurisdictions. Trump was indicted four times this year: once stemming from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s investigation; twice from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation; and in Fulton, County, Georgia.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges across all jurisdictions. Trials in those cases are expected to begin in 2024 – many during the presidential primary cycle.

His testimony comes after both of his sons took the stand in the trial last week.

Both Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump maintained that they had no involvement in the creation of financial statements, and said the Trump family did nothing wrong.

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After his testimony on Friday, Eric Trump stressed that the Trump Organization is an “unbelievable company.”

“We’ve never had a default, we’ve never missed a loan payment, we have thousands of employees,” Eric Trump said Friday. “I promise you, we’re going to win it because we haven’t done a damn thing wrong.”

He’s not on the ballot, but Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia could end up being the biggest winner in Tuesday’s off-year elections.

Youngkin aims to hold the GOP’s narrow majority in the state House and recapture control of the state Senate, where Democrats currently hold a fragile majority. And while he’s not up for re-election, the governor has become the face of the Virginia showdowns, which are seen as a crucial bellwether ahead of the 2024 elections.

“We’ve got work to do. And the work to do right now is to hold the House and flip the Senate. Hold the House and flip the Senate,” Youngkin has emphasized as he’s crisscrossed the Commonwealth this autumn, headlining rallies in support of Republican legislative candidates.

As a first-time candidate who hailed from the party’s business wing, Youngkin edged out former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe in 2021 to become the first GOP candidate in a dozen years to win a gubernatorial election in the one-time swing state that had trended towards the Democrats the previous decade.

VIRGINIA’S LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS A CRUCIAL 2024 BAROMETER

His victory energized Republicans and instantly made Youngkin a rising star in the GOP.

Now, his goal is total Republican control of the state government in Richmond, which would allow Youngkin to push through a conservative agenda.

YOUNGKIN SHATTERING FUNDRAISING RECORDS IN VIRGINIA

Youngkin, mostly through his Spirit of Virginia PAC, has hauled in a record $22.5 million, with much of the funds paying for mailers, digital spots, and TV ads to encourage Republicans to head to the polls.

“I’m asking for your vote. Elect a Republican team to back me up and I promise, we’ll deliver,” Youngkin pledges in his closing TV commercial ahead of Election Day.

And the governor embraces the national attention on his state’s legislative showdowns.

“I believe it should be a bellwether because Virginia leads,” he told Fox News. “I think we can lead and demonstrate that in a state that was lost, a state that was totally controlled by Democrats, we can in 24 short months come together, Republicans, independents, and yes, some Democrats and choose common sense conservative leadership and policies that work…I think other states should take notice.”

After Youngkin’s victory two years ago, some pundits quickly viewed him as a possible 2024 White House contender.

A number of top conservative donors who don’t support former President Donald Trump — the current commanding front-runner in the GOP nomination race — this autumn have quietly increased their efforts to persuade Youngkin to run for the White House.

That pressure will vastly increase if the GOP takes total control of Virginia’s government in next week’s elections.

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Youngkin has demurred on any 2024 talk.

“I’m humbled by the fact that people are paying attention to what we’re doing in Virginia and supportive of what we’re doing,” he said. “I’m glad the nation is watching, but we’ve got work to do here.”

It’s getting late in the game for a White House hopeful to jump into the 2024 race.

But former Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia, who spoke with Fox News as he joined the governor on the campaign trail in Norfolk, Virginia last week, said “there’s a window, a very short, slim, window. But if there’s somebody who can do it, it’s Glenn Youngkin.”

Veteran Virginia-based political scientist David Richards said he’s “beginning to wonder if he’s waited too long.”

“At this point, is it getting too late?” asked the political science chair at the University of Lynchburg.

Looking to the next cycle, Richards added he thinks Youngkin is “setting himself up for 2028.”

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday invited former President Donald Trump to visit the war-torn nation.

Appearing on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Zelenskyy made the invitation to Trump in response to the current GOP front-runner’s promise to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours if reelected.

“I invite President Trump. If he can come here, I will need … 24 minutes to explain to President Trump that he can’t manage this war,” Zelenskyy said. “He can’t bring peace because of Putin.”

“He’s very welcome,” Zelenskyy added, falling short of answering host Kristen Welker’s question if Trump would “have Ukraine’s back” if reelected in 2024.

Zelenskyy also reacted to reporting by NBC News that the United States and European officials have quietly begun talks around Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations.

SPEAKER JOHNSON PUSHES TO COUPLE UKRAINE AID AND BORDER: ‘TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN BORDER FIRST’

The Ukrainian president said he is not ready to begin that dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, remarking, “We can’t trust terrorists because terrorists always come back.”

Zelenskyy also suggested American soldiers could eventually be pulled into a wider European conflict if the United States does not bolster support for Ukraine, according to Reuters.

“If Russia will kill all of us, they will attack NATO countries, and you will send your sons and daughters [to fight],” Zelenskyy said on NBC.

President Biden has called on Congress to support a $106 billion supplemental spending bill to allocate an estimated $61.4 billion for Ukraine, $14.4 billion for Israel, $13.6 billion for protection along the U.S.-Mexico border and about $10 billion for humanitarian aid.

RUSSIA TEST-LAUNCHES NUCLEAR-CAPABLE MISSILE FROM NEW SUBMARINE

But House Republicans under new Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., passed their own spending proposal to fast-track $14.3 billion in aid for Israel but commit Ukraine aid as a separate matter. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., refuses to bring the bill for a vote in the upper chamber. Biden said he’d veto it.

Asked if he feels defeated, Zelenskyy said he’s “feeling strong” and has a lot of energy but that “doesn’t mean we want to fight all of our lives.”

“The price is high, like I said,” he said. “But we are not ready to give our freedom to this f—ing terrorist Putin. That’s it. That’s why we are fighting.”

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Zelenskyy also rejected the notion that the war with Russia has reached a stalemate: “I don’t think that this is a stalemate. … We have done a lot. We had a very difficult situation. They thought that they would checkmate us, but this didn’t happen.”

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds will endorse Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over former President Donald Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination at a rally in Des Moines on Monday evening, sources familiar with the planning of the event confirmed to Fox News.

The endorsement is seen as a boost for DeSantis’ presidential hopes as polls see the governor trailing front-runner Trump in a distant second.

Reynolds, the popular two-term GOP governor of the state, is set to join DeSantis at his rally in Des Moines as a “special guest,” according to a social media account associated with the Florida governor’s presidential campaign.

Reynolds faced criticism from Trump earlier this year for her pledge to stay neutral in the presidential nomination race, which is in line with previous Iowa governors. The Iowa caucuses have kicked off the GOP presidential nominating calendar for half a century.

TRUMP WINDS MAJOR HOME-STATE ENDORSEMENT IN SNUB TO DESANTIS

While DeSantis appears to have gotten crucial support from Reynolds, seven state legislators from Florida endorsed Trump last week, including five state Republicans who flipped their support from DeSantis, according to the Trump campaign.

“We’re going to win the Florida primary for the third straight time, and we’re going to win the state by a landslide next November,” Trump told a lively crowd Saturday evening in Kissimmee, Florida, before calling to the stage several Florida lawmakers who switched their endorsements from DeSantis.

The latest flips came two days after U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, DeSantis’ predecessor as governor, announced his support for Trump. Scott reaffirmed his choice Saturday, without ever mentioning DeSantis.

“You might have seen that I endorsed President Trump,” Scott said to rapturous applause from the crowd. “I don’t think there’s any question in my mind. He is the one person running that can really bring strength back to our country.”

DONORS FRUSTRATED AT DESANTIS’ INABILITY TO GAIN TRACTION, TAKE ‘HARD LOOK’ ELSEWHERE FOR TRUMP ALTERNATIVE

As DeSantis and Trump remain locked in picking off Republican support from each other, a close eye is being kept on the endorsement of another early-state governor: New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, a vocal GOP Trump critic.

Sununu has said he’ll endorse one of the Republican presidential candidates ahead of the New Hampshire primary.

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Sununu told Fox News Digital in September that “when someone strikes my fancy… I’ll let everybody know.”

Fox News’ Bryan Llenas and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The rise in antisemitism at several American universities has led some Republican presidential hopefuls to call for the removal of federal funds from the colleges whose officials refuse to handle the issue appropriately.

Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania – two schools that both have received billions in federal payments over the past five years and billions more in federal tax breaks on their endowments – have found themselves embroiled in controversy over their handling of antisemitic incidents on campus following Hamas’ bloody attacks on Israelis and Israel’s response.

The issues have boiled over in recent weeks, leading to outside pressure from donors and top law firms to do more to protect Jewish students. Some politicians – now including multiple GOP presidential hopefuls – have questioned whether universities that don’t do enough to restrain antisemitic actions on campuses should have their tax-exempt statuses revoked or face other financial penalties.

ELITE AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES RECEIVING BILLIONS IN FEDERAL FUNDS SEE RISE IN ANTISEMITISM: ‘GAMED THE TAX CODE’

Earlier this week, former President Donald Trump, the frontrunner in the Republican race for president, touted a new policy proposal to establish a federally funded online university that would award free degrees — one where “wokeness or jihadism” would not be permitted.

“In recent weeks, Americans have been horrified to see students and faculty at Harvard and other once-respected universities expressing support for the savages and jihadist who attacked Israel,” Trump said in a video outlining his proposal. “We spend more money on higher education than any other country and yet, they’re turning our students into communists and terrorists and sympathizers of many, many different dimensions. We can’t let this happen.”

CALLS FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST JEWS ROCK DC AMID MASSIVE PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTEST

Offering something “dramatically different,” Trump said he would use the “billions and billions of dollars that we will collect by taxing, fining, and suing excessively large university endowments” to “endow a new institution called the American Academy.”

Taking aim at the universities who have failed to deal with the antisemitic protests, Trump said the newly created learning venture would be different in the fact that it would be “strictly nonpolitical and there will be no wokeness or jihadism allowed.”

South Carolina GOP Sen. Tim Scott is also seeking ways to hold the schools accountable, telling Fox News Digital that “no college or university should receive a single cent from the federal government” to fund acts of antisemitism.

“Any university or college that peddles blatant antisemitism, especially after Hamas’ brutal attack on Israeli civilians, women and children, has no place molding the minds of future generations, never mind receiving millions of taxpayer funds to do so,” Scott said.

“We must not only call out this hate, but crush it wherever it rears its ugly head. If these schools don’t change their ways, my legislation hits them where it hurts – their pocketbooks. No college or university should receive a single cent from the federal government to fund violent antisemitism,” he added.

HARVARD STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS CLAIM ISRAEL ‘ENTIRELY RESPONSIBLE’ FOR GAZA ATTACKS

Last month, Scott introduced the Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act to defund colleges and universities that peddle antisemitism or authorize, fund or facilitate events that promote violent antisemitism.

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley also hasn’t wasted time criticizing the schools for allowing the pro-Palestinian protests to continue, saying in a post to X on Friday that “anti-Zionism is antisemitism” and that there should be “no federal funds for schools that don’t combat antisemitism.”

Haley also blasted the institutions in a statement earlier this week, when she declared the U.S. “will not use taxpayer dollars to fund antisemitism” under her leadership.

“You can’t fight antisemitism if you can’t define it. Joe Biden and the Left refuse to call anti-Zionism antisemitism,” she said. “As president I will change the official federal definition of antisemitism to include denying Israel’s right to exist, and I will pull schools’ tax exemption status if they do not combat antisemitism in all of its forms – in accordance with federal law. College campuses are allowed to have free speech, but they are not free to spread hate that supports terrorism.”

“Federal law requires schools to combat antisemitism. We will give this law teeth and we will enforce it,” she added. “The United States of America will not use taxpayer dollars to fund antisemitism. Period.”

Like that of several of his Republican counterparts in the race, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has also weighed his options on how to handle the situation.

DeSantis recently made the decision to decertify any pro-Palestinian student groups that side with Hamas from Florida college campuses, arguing that to allow these groups to openly side with “brutal terrorist organizations” is like committing “suicide as a country.”

Defending his decision in a recent appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” DeSantis said: “This is not cancel culture, this group, they themselves said in the aftermath of the Hamas attack that they don’t just stand in solidarity, that they are part of this Hamas movement.”

“And so, yeah, you have a right to go out and demonstrate, but you can’t provide material support to terrorism. They’ve linked themselves to Hamas, and so we absolutely decertified them,” he added.

‘PURE HATE’: JEWISH STUDENTS DISCUSS LIFE IN WAKE OF ISRAEL WAR

Though he has not said how he would address the issue if he’s elected president, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie also criticized schools that allow the antisemitic displays on their campuses during a campaign stop this week in New Hampshire.

“It’s an awful thing to watch what’s happening on college campuses,” Christie told Manchester’s WMUR 9 news. “I’m going to Dartmouth this afternoon, and I’m sure I’m going to confront it there. And these college and university presidents, the board of trustees should be held responsible. We send our 18-year-old children there.”

Christie also suggested that some institutions should fire antisemitic faculty and replace university presidents who refuse to condemn antisemitic violence, the outlet noted.

Long-shot presidential candidate North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum noted in a statement to Fox News Digital that “Title VI prohibits federal funding for any college or university that enables anti-Semitism” and that he “will fully enforce this law.”

Late last month, Burgum shared images of an anti-Israel display on the campus of George Washington University in a post to X, writing, “Antisemitism cannot be tolerated. Period.”

“The students responsible should be held accountable and if the university fails to do so it should lose any federal funding,” Burgum added at the time.

Asa Hutchinson, another long-shot presidential candidate, also weighed in on the issue, telling Fox News Digital that “grants and subsidies to any institution that discriminates” on the basis of race should be removed.

“The universities should absolutely protect Jewish students and the university leaders should speak out against and take action against anti-Semitic conduct by students,” said Hutchinson, the former governor of Arkansas. “This is not a time to remain silent. Further, grants and subsidies to any institution that discriminates against any race should be rescinded.”

OpenBooks recently discovered that between 2018 and 2022, Harvard received $3.13 billion in total federal payments, which includes federal grants and contracts, while UPenn received $4.38 billion in payments.

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The universities also received generous tax breaks on their endowments. During those same years, Harvard’s endowment totaled $50.9 billion, and the university received $2.17 billion in special federal tax treatment. UPenn’s endowment totaled $20.7 billion, and it received $1.28 billion in special federal tax treatment during that time.

“Are these wealthy universities operating in the public interest or their own special interest? Since these schools are educational charities under IRS code 501(c)3, Congress should hold hearings,” OpenTheBooks founder Adam Andrzejewski told Fox News Digital this week.

Fox News’ Joe Schoffstall and Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.

Former President Donald Trump holds sizable leads over President Biden in five of the six most important battleground states, according to a New York Times-Siena College poll released Sunday.

Trump leads Biden by a whopping 10 points in Nevada, six points in Georgia, five points in both Arizona and Michigan, and four points in Pennsylvania. Biden’s sole lead is in Wisconsin, where he beats Trump by two points.

Biden had defeated Trump in all six states during the 2020 election. Combining the polling in all six states gives Trump a 48-44 lead over Biden.

The NYT-Siena College poll surveyed 3,662 registered voters in the six states from Oct. 22 to Nov. 3.

ACLU BACKS TRUMP IN FIGHT AGAINST DC JUDGE’S GAG ORDER

The polling attributes Biden’s poor showing to a devastating lack of confidence due to his age. Voters said they trusted Trump to better hand the economy, foreign policy and immigration.

NEW YORK JUDGE FINES TRUMP $10K FOR VIOLATING PARTIAL GAG ORDER IN CIVIL FRAUD TRIAL

Trump’s performance also came thanks to unprecedented levels of support from black voters, with a record 22% of the demographic siding with him over Biden across the six states, according to NYT.

Trump currently holds a commanding lead in the 2024 Republican Presidential primary, with his closest competitors dozens of points below him.

“The world is falling apart under Biden,” Spencer Weiss, a 53-year-old electrical substation specialist in Pennsylvania told NYT. Weiss added that he was flipping his 2020 vote away from Biden. “I would much rather see somebody that I feel can be a positive role-model leader for the country. But at least I think Trump has his wits about him.”

Soon to be 81, Biden is the oldest candidate in U.S. history to run for president, followed closely by Trump at 77. An overwhelming 71% of respondents told NYT that Biden is “too old” to serve as an effective president.

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Among Biden’s own supporters, 54% still say he is too old for the job.

George Soros, two of his family members and other megadonors helped propel the political career of New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is suing former President Trump, according to the filings reviewed by Fox News Digital. 

James, a Democrat, brought a civil lawsuit against Trump last year, alleging he and his company misled banks and others about the value of his assets. She claimed that Trump’s children — Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric, as well as his associates and businesses — committed “numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation” on their financial statements.

New York City Judge Arthur Engoron is presiding over Trump’s civil fraud trial, which stemmed from James’ lawsuit. Trump has blasted James for bringing the litigation, for the trial not having a jury and for Engoron handling the case. 

The former president has also dismissed Engoron as a “Democrat” and an “operative.” He also aimed at James, labeling her a “radical-left attorney general.”

ERIC TRUMP TESTIFIES HE HAD ‘NO INVOLVEMENT’ IN TRUMP ORGANIZATION’S STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

In recent years, James has received backing from numerous left-wing donors who have also spent considerable amounts on anti-Trump efforts in the past, according to state campaign finance records reviewed by Fox News Digital.

Financier George Soros has pushed at least $20,000 to James’ candidacy, including two $10,000 donations in 2021 and 2022. The 93-year-old billionaire has poured millions of dollars into efforts backing Biden and opposing Trump, and his Open Society Foundations has bankrolled a plethora of left-wing organizations that have worked on endeavors against the former president.

Soros, however, was not the only member of the family to throw money at James. His son, Jonathan Soros, gave her campaign at least $10,000 between 2018 and 2022, while Jonathan’s wife, Jennifer Allan Soros, added $4,000 in 2022.

Billionaire LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, who helped rehabilitate convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s image and visited his infamous island, is one of the biggest backers of the New York attorney general.

The records show that Hoffman donated $47,100 to her campaign in 2022. Hoffman has put large sums into efforts to torpedo Trump. He’s also come under fire for a past effort in an Alabama Senate race that the New York Times described as a “Russian-style social media deception” campaign. 

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California-based physician Karla Jurvetson provided James with at least $67,300 in campaign contributions since 2019, according to the filings. Jurvetson, like Soros and Hoffman, has spent significant amounts against Trump and propping up Biden as she’s positioned herself as a prominent donor in recent election cycles.

Other notable contributors to James include director Spike Lee, former Meta executive Sheryl Sandberg, ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt and billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer.

Trump and his spokesperson have routinely criticized James during his civil fraud trial.

“The Attorney General filed this case under a consumer protection statute that denies the right to a jury,” a Trump spokesperson previously said. “There was never an option to choose a jury trial. It is unfortunate that a jury won’t be able to hear how absurd the merits of this case are and conclude no wrongdoing ever happened.” 

Meanwhile, Engoron, who is presiding over the civil fraud trial and whom Trump has referred to as an “operative,” has exclusively donated to Democrats.

Engoron wields unique authority over Trump’s civil fraud case. It is a jury-free bench trial, with Engoron overseeing it and ultimately determining its outcome and penalties. James wants a $250 million penalty imposed on Trump’s businesses after accusing him of fraudulent practices. 

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Engoron has given more than $5,000 to Democrats over the past 25 years, the Daily Wire first reported. The money has mainly gone to local committees, with his most recent donation going to Manhattan Democrats in 2018.

The money also went to Democrat candidates such as former New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, former Gov. David Paterson and other state lawmakers, the publication reported.

And while Trump’s case does not have a jury, Engoron previously shared his “controversial” view that he could overrule them based on his emotions in a video that made its rounds on social media.

“Now, I’m going to say something controversial even though I’m being taped,” he says in the video that appears to be from eight years ago. “Juries get it wrong a lot — that’s my own opinion. I do only civil trials — personal injury cases, contract disputes — but I’ve had situations where, like, ‘Oh, my — heaven’s sake. How could they have thought that?'”

“Well, I have a tool that I can deal with that. It’s called judgment not withstanding the verdict,” he said. “I can say there is no possible way that a reasonable jury would have reached that conclusion. Alright, am I following the law, or am I making the law? OK, I’m following the law. I’m an impartial referee, but it’s hard to factor out my own emotions. I have tools.”

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Last month, Engoron ruled that Trump and the Trump Organization committed fraud while building his real estate empire by deceiving banks, insurers and others by overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used in making deals and securing financing.

Engoron’s ruling came after James sued Trump, his children and the Trump Organization, alleging that the former president “inflated his net worth by billions of dollars” and said his children helped him to do so.

James’ campaign did not respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment on her donations. 

Fox News Digital’s Brooke Singman contributed to this report.

Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy claims two-term Sen. Jon Tester is “two-faced” on issues during election cycles after voting in tandem with President Biden while appearing to brand himself a moderate among voters.

Tester sided with Biden on 91% of issues in 2021 and 2022, according to FiveThirtyEight, but recently pushed back on the administration’s orders on the border and Iran.

Sheehy claimed Tester, the sole Democrat to hold a statewide seat in Montana, switches gears on issues ahead of election season.

“Tester two-face doing the Tester two-step,” Sheehy told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview. “You know this is what he does. Five years out of every six he’s a dyed-in-the-wool liberal, firm progressive. Votes lockstep with Schumer, Biden and every other progressive in the country. And then, for his election year, he tries to shift back to the center and act like he’s a moderate.” 

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As a Second Amendment supporter, the red state Democrat appears to take a more moderate stance on some issues. He recently accepted campaign contributions from major left-wing donors George Soros and son Alexander, who both made several donations to Tester as he faces a tough re-election, according to financial disclosure receipts.

When former President Donald Trump was seeking approval of $5.7 billion to fund a wall on the southern border in 2019, Tester told “Here & Now’s” Jeremy Hobson that while a wall makes sense in some areas, border construction “from sea to shining sea is not the right direction to go.”

Tester also voted against an amendment “to prohibit the cancellation of contracts for physical barriers and other border security measures for which funds already have been obligated and for which penalties will be incurred in the case of such cancellation and prohibiting the use of funds for payment of such penalties.”

Despite voting against border security measures in 2021, Tester recently opposed Biden’s halt to Title 42 and is now calling for stronger border security. 

“He’s not a moderate, never has been a moderate. And we’re going to make sure Montanans are aware that we’re going to show them that conservative priorities are going to be at the top of our list and that we’re turning a conservative majority to the U.S. Senate. We’re gonna be able to stop this crazy leftist moving in the United States.”

The senator openly supported former President Barack Obama’s Iran Nuclear Deal in 2015 that allowed billions of dollars in sanctions on Iran in exchange for the restriction of its nuclear program. But, in October, he called for Biden to refreeze $6 billion the president released to Iran in a prisoner swap.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re Republican or Democrat. If you want commonsense policies, you want a balanced budget, you want a stronger economy, you want unleashed American energy, a secure border and commonsense foreign policy, then you better care about this race,” Sheehy told Fox.

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An August Fox News poll found the economy and the southern border crisis were the most important issues in the country.

“You don’t have to be an economist to realize that the Biden administration’s economic policies have directly led to the squeezing of real incomes for Montanans, and they’re tired of it,” Sheehy said.

Sheehy said the economy, the border crisis, fentanyl deaths and the cost of living are “getting out of control.”

“Montanans identified that the Biden administration has been a disaster for their livelihoods and for their lifestyles. And they, rightfully so, understand that Jon Tester has been a loyal foot soldier for the Biden administration, everything they’ve tried to do,” the Navy SEAL said.

Democrats will be defending 23 of the 34 Senate seats up for grabs next cycle. Of the 23 seats up for election, seven, including Montana’s, are in states former President Donald Trump won in either 2016 or 2020.

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“We’re a very important race nationally. A lot of people on the coast might say, ‘Why do I care about a race in Montana?” But this race will help determine control of the Senate,” said Sheehy. 

“Americans from coast to coast are worried about another four years of crazy inflation, another four years of crazy leftist policies, more foreign wars starting every day. They better get serious about our national elections and look at the electoral map and realize that Montana’s really going to matter in 2024.”

Sheehy is dominating the Republican primary field with endorsements from prominent members of Congress, including Montana Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Ryan Zinke. But he still faces a potential challenge from Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., who is considering jumping into the race.

Tester did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

The governor’s race in Mississippi is days away, and Republicans may not have their typical upper hand over Democrats in this red state contest. 

In a state where Republicans hold all statewide offices and a large majority in the legislature, the governor’s race should be a done deal for incumbent Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, said Glenn Antizzo, a political science professor at Mississippi College. 

“He should be winning by a huge margin, not 5%,” said Antizzo. 

Prior to being elected governor in 2019, Reeves served two terms as lieutenant governor and two terms as state treasurer. Former President Donald Trump endorsed Reeves last week. 

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Reeves’s Democratic challenger, state Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley, is a second cousin to rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis Presley. Presley’s big push is for Medicaid expansion, and he says he is a tax-cutting Democrat. On the campaign trail, he tells the story of his difficult childhood, being raised by a single mom after his father was murdered. 

A Democrat has not been elected governor in the state since 1999. But the cash is still flowing in for Presley. So far, the Washington-based Democratic Governors Association has donated nearly $6 million to Presley’s campaign. In 2019, the same association donated just over $2 million to Jim Hood, a Democratic candidate for governor. 

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There is a third name on the ballot, but the left-leaning independent candidate, Gwendolyn Gray, garnered little support and dropped out of the race in early October. She has since endorsed Presley but dropped out too late for her name to be removed from the ballot. Antizzo says votes for Gray could take away votes from Presley. 

The Cook Political Report shifted the 2023 Mississippi governor’s race from “likely Republican” to “lean Republican” two weeks ago. 

“It just means there may be some softening of the expectation of Republican support,” said Antizzo. “They still think that it’s going to come out that way. It may be closer.” 

But Antizzo is sounding the alarm on the Democratic roster in the state. 

“If the Democrats lose this, they’re in trouble,” said Antizzo. “The bench is empty. I don’t know who they run for statewide office after this. I think they’re going all in on this one.” 

Reeves defeated his democratic challenger by 5% in 2019, which was the most competitive governor’s race in the state since 2003. Antizzo says this election could be closer in part because of Reeves’ lack of likeability. 

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“If you look at his approval ratings, you’ll find that he’s underwater,” he said. “But the underwater has nothing to do with policies. A lot of people just tell me that it’s personal, that they just don’t like his personality. And they think he’s a bit distant, a bit cold. … I’ve seen him speak, and he is not a very polished public speaker. So, that hurts him.”  

But Antizzo says the Republican stronghold over the state should be enough to keep Reeves in the governor’s mansion. 

“I’m not saying that it’s not possible that Presley could win this race, but I’m saying it’s probably unlikely, given the political dynamics in the state,” he said. 

According to a poll conducted early last month by Magnolia Tribune/Mason-Dixon, 51% would vote for Reeves if the election “were held today,” and 43% would vote for Presley. 

Voters told Fox News they know who they are voting for or have already cast an absentee ballot. 

“I’m a huge supporter of Brandon Pressley and his campaign, his strategies, ideas and plans for the state of Mississippi,” Thelma, one Mississippi resident, told Fox News. “I’m really hoping that we can move Mississippi forward and get Brandon Presley in the governor’s mansion.” 

Rodney Hall, representative-elect for District 20 in the Mississippi House, touted Reeves’ success, telling Fox News he wants another four years with the incumbent in office. 

“You look at where we started and how we’ve had a lot of success in Mississippi,” said Hall. “I give a lot of credit to what Gov. Reeves has done for the state of Mississippi. You look at literacy rates, you look at education. Everything is trending in the right direction for Mississippi. And we’ve got to sustain that.” 

Mississippi is the poorest state in the nation with a poverty rate of 18.1% in 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Nearly half of the state’s rural hospitals are in danger of closing. The health care crisis is at the forefront of the current election cycle and topped off Wednesday night’s debate. The candidates spent nearly 13 minutes of the one-hour debate discussing Medicaid and health care reform. 

Democrats have hammered Reeves for refusing Medicaid expansion. Fox News asked Reeves his response to these attacks, and he said the state believes in work, not welfare. 

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“I don’t believe that we should add 300,000 able-bodied adult Mississippians to the welfare rolls,” said Reeves. “I don’t think that’s good public policy. I don’t think it’s good public policy for a lot of reasons, one of which is it would not provide the financial windfall that Democrats claim that it would for our providers.” 

Presley said he will expand Medicaid on day one in office. 

“It is a dumb decision for us not to have already expanded Medicaid,” Presley told Fox News. “Tate Reeves has been the chief cheerleader of this crisis.” 

“I’m going to immediately, on day one, expand Medicaid to get health care to 230,000 Mississippians who are working every day to get them health insurance coverage, help them be able to go to a doctor and create 16,000 health care jobs as we go about doing it.” 

One Mississippi resident told Fox News the state has been ignoring its health care crisis. 

“Medicaid has been disregarded,” Linda told Fox News. “It has not been supported by the leadership here in the state.” 

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Another resident agreed, telling Fox News the state’s health care system needs more funding. 

“It’s pretty dire,” said Thelma. “We need to support our hospitals. We need to fully fund it. We need to support our health care system. We cannot prosper unless we have a healthy population.” 

Antizzo says health care is the top issue holding Reeves back. 

“The economy of the state is pretty good. Test scores are up. Teachers got a $6,000 pay raise. So, there’s really nothing that he’s done except for one thing, and that was to refuse to expand Medicaid. The state is predominantly rural, and there are a lot of hospitals in underserved areas that probably could benefit from the widening of Medicaid,” he said. 

Reeves touted his record as governor during the debate, citing the state’s lowest unemployment rate in history, rising educational achievement levels and work with hospital leaders to prevent hospitals from closing. 

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One student at the University of Mississippi law school says the governor’s initiative to raise teacher pay is why he’s supporting the incumbent.

“I’m a Christian, and I’m also a conservative,” said Tyler. “I think Tate Reeves is the best Christian conservative to lead our state. He’s done good. My mom’s a schoolteacher. He’s given teachers the largest pay raise in state history, and he’s done well for teachers. I think he’s the right man for the job.” 

Reeves and Presley squared off in the first and only gubernatorial debate Wednesday night. The candidates attacked each other more than touting their own policies. Presley said Reeves is at the center of the state’s largest public corruption scandal. 

Six members of the Mississippi Department of Human Services diverted about $77 million in federal welfare money meant for residents in need and instead spent the money on pet projects. 

Reeves was lieutenant governor at the time and has denied any involvement in the scandal. 

Reeves ran a pair of TV ads accusing Presley of breaking the law by accepting money from a solar energy company under his purview as a public service commissioner. Presley called this ad a “bald faced lie” and called out Reeves’ ad during the debate. 

“The minute that the company involved threatened his campaign with a lawsuit for defamation, guess what he did? He changed the ad because it was a lie from the beginning,” said Presley. 

If neither candidate tops 50% Nov. 7, the contest will to go a runoff. 

“Given the fact that the runoff would be just before Thanksgiving and people’s minds will be elsewhere, I think that favors Reeves,” Antizzo said. 

“It’s going to come out to independent voters. And I think it’s also going to come out to turnout on Election Day.” 

But Antizzo says even if Presley wins the governor’s mansion, it’s just the first hurdle of many he’ll face.

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“Even if Presley becomes governor, virtually every other statewide office is going to be held by a Republican unless things change. And I see no signs of this changing at all,” he said. 

The polls close at 7 p.m. in Mississippi on election night.

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.