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DSCC FRIDAY TAKEAWAYS: LOPEZ-CANTERA’S LAUNCH DISASTER – MARK KIRK CAN’T STOP TALKING HITLER – MCCAIN FACES NASTY PRIMARY – JOHNSON IN FEC TROUBLE – MASTO LEADS IN NEVADA

LOPEZ-CANTERA’S EPIC DISASTER OF A ROLLOUT. Florida Lt. Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera officially announced his bid for Senate this week, joining an already crowded primary field. The reaction to Lopez-Cantera’s big announcement was less than enthusiastic – but how much enthusiasm can you expect when you’ve been wasting taxpayer money and not doing your job? Don’t just take it from us, the headlines surrounding Lopez-Cantera’s announcement speak for themselves…

Broward Palm Beach New Times: Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez Cantera Has No Official Duties But Is Running For Senate Anyway

WTSP: Lt. Gov increasing his profile on your dime

Palm Beach Post: Criticized as a do-nothing, lieutenant governor ready for action and US Senate campaign

News 4 Jax: Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera’s travel expenses questioned

Orlando Sentinel: Lopez-Cantera bruses off critics of decision to stay in job

Tampa Bay Times: Why Ron DeSantis looks like the GOP frontrunner for Senate

Palm Beach Post: Florida Dems don’t wait for formal kickoff before giving Lopez-Cantera the boot

Tampa Bay Times: What opponents are saying about Carlos Lopez-Cantera’s run for the Senate

MARK KIRK INVOKES HITLER…AGAIN. Mark Kirk has been making news all cycle with his inflammatory, over-the-top remarks. This week, he doubled down, again invoking Hitler to describe the Iran deal and referring to the President as Barack Hussein Obama. As Kirk’s tough reelection draws closer, it’s clear that the offensive comments won’t stop anytime soon. As MSNBC writes:

“But there’s a broader point to all of this: as he draws closer to next year’s election, Mark Kirk’s rhetoric is getting increasingly alarming… In isolation, these bizarre incidents might be easier to dismiss as regrettable slip-ups, but taken together, a pattern emerges of a senator who once claimed moderation, but who’s now increasingly unhinged.”

More on Kirk’s outrageous Iran comments below:

Buzzfeed: Sen. Mark Kirk On Iran Deal: Obama “Wants To Get Nukes To Iran,” Predicts Nuclear War In Middle East

Roll Call: On Iran Deal, Mark Kirk Continues Hitler, Chamberlain Analogy

Chicago Sun Times: Sen. Mark Kirk: Obama ‘Wants To Get Nukes To Iran’ In Deal

Crain’s Chicago Business: Mark Kirk’s Latest Slam: Obama ‘Wants To Get Nukes To Iran’

Stockton Record: Does Illinois Republican Mark Kirk Think Ugly Rhetoric Will Save His Senate Seat?

MSNBC: GOP Critic Of Iran Deal Goes Completely Over The Top

The Hill: Kirk: Iran Deal ‘Greatest Appeasement Since Chamberlain’

JOHN MCCAIN FACES NASTY PRIMARY. This week, Tea Party state Sen. Kelli Ward announced that she will challenge John McCain in Arizona’s Republican primary. Ward’s announcement sets off what could be the perfect storm for McCain, who is now facing challenges from both the left and the right. And it may only get worse for McCain – Rep. Matt Salmon is reportedly still considering entering the crowded Republican primary field.

PANIC ALERT: KELLY AYOTTE’S NASTY POLITICAL GAMES. In a sign that Kelly Ayotte is growing increasingly worried about her dim reelection prospects, the vulnerable New Hampshire senator has been interfering in the state’s budget process in a shameful attempt to obstruct potential opponents.

Meanwhile, her political allies in the GOP-controlled state Senate are going to bat for her and refusing to release records about the matter.

This isn’t the first time Ayotte has shown unabashed partisanship on official business. In 2010, as Attorney General, Ayotte used her official email account to discuss and strategize on partisan politics with a political advisor.

JOHNSON FACES FEC COMPLAINT, CAMPAIGN FINANCE QUESTIONS. For weeks, Ron Johnson has been dodging questions about his shady 2010 campaign finance scheme and refusing to answer Russ Feingold’s proposed “Badger Pledge” to stop outside money. Johnson is now facing an FEC complaint regarding the $10 million “deferred compensation” package he was awarded by his company after spending $9 million of his own money on his Senate race.

Roll Call: Group Files FEC Complaint Against Ron Johnson

VULNERABLE GOP SENATORS PICK MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES OVER CHILDREN…GREAT STRATEGY. In atelling vote yesterday, every vulnerable GOP Senator – Toomey, Kirk, Ayotte, Portman, Burr, Johnson, Grassley and McCain – voted to protect millionaires and billionaires instead of expanding Pre-K access for millions of children across the country. Nice priorities.

MEMO: RICHARD BURR VULNERABLE HEADED IN TO 2016. As 2016 approaches, Richard Burr is looking more and more vulnerable by the day. North Carolina has cemented its status as a swing state over the past few election cycles, and is home to some of the closest elections in recent history. Add to that Burr’s dismal approval ratings – most recently, just 28% approving and 39% disapproving – and all signs point to an uphill climb for the longtime incumbent.

The Hill: Dems Bullish On North Carolina Senate

 

IN THE STATES:

NEVADA – CORTEZ MASTO LEADS NEVADA SENATE RACE. A new poll shows Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto leading Joe Heck in the Senate race.

COLORADO – BENNET FUNDRAISING STRONG AMIDST GOP MELTDOWN. Michael Bennet reported another incrediblystrong fundraising quarter, raising another $2 million and reporting over $4 million cash-on-hand. While Bennet’s campaign continues to build momentum, Republicans are still searching for a challenger, and the troubles within the state party seem to get more dramatic by the minute.

MISSOURI – KANDER WORKS TO PROTECT MISSOURIANS. Jason Kander has been working around the clock to protect Missouri consumers, and this week, Kander recovered more than $83,000 for a Missouri couple harmed in an insurance scam.

MORE MISSOURI – KANDER’S IMPRESSIVE FUNDRAISING NUMBERS. Jason Kander posted an impressive second quarter, reporting over $1 million cash-on-hand. St. Louis Public Radio reports that Kander’s pace of money-raising has nearly matched Blunt’s – a concerning sign of Blunt’s vulnerability for Republicans.

TWEET OF THE WEEK: This week’s tweet goes to Upshot’s Nate Cohn, who remarks that Richard Burr looks vulnerable headed in to 2016: “@Nate_Cohn: I tend to agree with the case for (relative) D optimism in NC. Burr finds himself in a very close race w 2010 support and 12 turnout.”

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Senator Toomey Casts Shameful Vote Against Expanding Pre-K Access

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