In “Texas Democrats’ plot to stall redistricting until Epstein files released fails” Asher Price writes at Axios: “A plan by Texas House Democrats to block a Republican redistricting effort until the complete release of the Jeffrey Epstein files failed on Wednesday…Why it matters: The Democratic effort, which aimed to put pressure on the Trump administration regarding the president’s association with Epstein, was killed on a point of order in the Republican-controlled Legislature because it was not germane to the redistricting measure…Earlier this month, a legal nonprofit sued the Trump administration for not releasing Epstein-related documents and requested them in an expedited manner…The big picture: The proposed redistricting was drawn at President Trump’s urging and is an effort to boost GOP chances of retaining control of the U.S. House in the midterm elections…Driving the news: Texas Rep. Gene Wu, a Democrat from Houston who led a group of more than 50 members who left the state to stall the vote, introduced an amendment to the redistricting bill Wednesday…What they’re saying: “This amendment forces Republicans to choose between their loyalty to Trump and their obligation to expose sexual predators,” Wu said in a statement…What happened: The amendment never got debated — let alone a vote — after Republicans killed it in a procedural move…Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, a Republican from Lubbock, determined Wu’s amendment would have made redistricting “contingent on a matter that is not even remotely related to the congressional redistricting.”

Nicole Markus reports “Supermajority of Washington residents oppose Trump’s police takeover, poll finds” at Politico, and writes: “The vast majority of Washington residents oppose President Donald Trump’s efforts to federalize the city’s police department and deploy the National Guard, according to a new poll released Wednesday…The survey from The Washington Post/Schar School found that 79 percent of residents either somewhat or strongly oppose the efforts, compared to just 17 percent who backed it…Washington — where Trump won just over 6 percent of the vote in 2024 — is an overwhelmingly Democratic city. Just 31 percent said that crime in the city was either “extremely” or “very serious,” down from 65 percent in an April 2024 survey. Seventy-eight percent of residents responded they felt “very” or “somewhat” safe in their neighborhoods. Twenty-one percent said they felt not too or not at all safe…Sixty-one percent of residents who have noticed federal law enforcement officers in the city since Trump’s announcement said it makes them feel less safe, with 38 percent saying it makes them feel more safe or makes no difference.”

“Local Democratic candidates say that they didn’t receive the institutional support their campaigns needed in 2024, as the Democratic ecosystem poured money and resources into topline contests like the presidential race,” Max Greenwood writes at Campaigns & Elections. “A survey of nearly 1,000 local Democratic hopefuls conducted by the Pipeline Fund, a group that provides funding and support to progressive candidates, found that nearly half of respondents – 49 percent – said they received only some, very little or none of the help that they needed for their campaigns last year…That percentage was even higher among first-time candidates, 58 percent of whom said they didn’t get the support they needed, as well as candidates of color, at 57 percent. Most candidates – 58 percent – had no paid staffers on their campaigns, while another 15 percent had just one, the survey found…Those candidates say that they want access to experienced staff and campaign managers to help navigate their races…Denise Feriozzi, the co-founder and executive director of the Pipeline Fund, said the results should come as a warning sign for national Democratic and progressive groups… “There’s this amazing new generation of leaders that are stepping up to run,” Feriozzi told C&E in an interview. “They’re talented, they look like their communities, they’re doing it for the right reasons. But unfortunately, our infrastructure isn’t keeping pace with the needs of these candidates.”…As Democrats look to claw their way back to power after a bruising 2024 election cycle, some strategists have urged the party to take a closer look at local and state offices – school boards, county commissions, state legislatures – arguing that competing in those races will be key to winning back voters who have soured on the national Democratic brand…“Every cycle, we get drawn into these big national fights – Senate races, presidentials – and we neglect these very important state- and local-level races. And those are the offices that we can use to show people that Democrats are for them; that government can still work,” one Democratic consultant said.” Read more here.

Democrats who believe that it’s time for some hardball should be cheered by Adam Peck’s article, “House Democrats turn their attention to Donald Trump’s involvement in hush-money payments” at Think Progress. An excerpt: “For all his talk about hiring the best people, a remarkable number of Donald Trump’s former campaign and White House staff have already been indicted by federal authorities. Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, George Papadopoulos, Michael Cohen — the list of indicted conspirators is a who’s who of cheap mafioso knockoffs…Not on that list: anyone from the Trump family tree…Former special counsel Robert Mueller’s refusal to indict the president or his family is presented as favorable evidence by the White House and its allies to suggest Trump was somehow vindicated and acquitted of any wrongdoing. Not only did Mueller not acquit Trump, now it turns out the White House’s celebration for avoiding indictments may have been a bit premature…House Democrats, back in session after the summer recess, are reportedly preparing to launch a comprehensive investigation into hush-money payments made on Trump’s behalf to at least two women — former Playboy model Karen McDougal and adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Both women say they had affairs with Trump…Depending on what the Judiciary Committee unearths, Donald Trump might not be out of the woods just yet when it comes to legal repercussions.”