The Wisconsin Democratic primary race is rapidly evolving, with David Ellison’s unexpected victory a significant upset that’s prompting widespread analysis. Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, has resigned, and Paramount’s billionaire owner, Ellison, is reportedly considering a move out of California, signaling a major strategic shift for the entertainment giant. This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your day. Sign up here to get it in your inbox.
David Crowley’s triumph in Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial race was a remarkably unlikely resurgence, a stark contrast to the polls’ conservative predictions. The Milwaukee County executive dropped out on July 8th, a move that triggered a series of events culminating in his party’s nomination. This is a pivotal moment in state politics, representing a significant deviation from established trends.
The Milwaukee County executive’s defeat was a result of a significant drop in pre-election surveys, a phenomenon known as ‘undecided voters’ – meaning those who haven’t committed to a candidate yet – often have a harder time deciding. Furthermore, predicting who a person might vote for is complicated by factors like race and education, as well as the potential for voter turnout. The 20+ point margin in Wisconsin has created a seismic shift in the election results, potentially exceeding expectations for left-leaning candidates in a purple swing state. The 20+ point margin in Wisconsin means several of these factors combined to create a seismic miss.
Read the full analysis here.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave the administration at the end of the month, announcing that she will spend more time with her family. Leavitt, 28, was the youngest White House press secretary in history and has served since Trump’s second term. She gave birth to her second child in May, and said in a post on X that she ‘felt in my heart’ that she couldn’t balance the demands of the press secretary job with being the best mom my two young children deserve. This post has garnered over 10,000 views.
Leavitt’s tenure has also been marked by a significant shift in the administration’s political landscape, following Trump’s recent announcement that she would leave. According to a source, the deal to move the studio out of California would be a ‘travesty’ for Hollywood, and groups are urging both sides to negotiate a resolution.
But even if Ellison makes good on his threat, uprooting Paramount Skydance’s $110 billion studio and workforce wouldn’t be easy. For the first time in almost three decades, millions of sky watchers across Europe were treated to a solar eclipse, with parts of northern Spain experiencing its full path of totality. NBC News’ Raf Sanchez described the sight: ‘It looks like somebody has just punched a hole in the sky.’ See photos from the celestial event. This WNBA season was supposed to be a celebration. Thirty years ago, the league began under doubt about its survival; now, its games bring in record revenue and audiences who want to watch the best women’s professional basketball players in the world. Yet, in the heart of the season, the league’s basketball has often taken a backseat. How did the WNBA find itself defending itself against controversies? I wanted to find out. It turns out, this isn’t the first time. – Andrew Greif, sports reporter.
Sign up to The Selection newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week. Thanks for reading today’s Morning Rundown. Elizabeth Robinson curated this newsletter.
Source: NBC News
