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Tuesday's Campaign Round-Up, 7.21.20

Today's installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.

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Today's installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.

* In Georgia's 5th congressional district, local Democratic officials yesterday chose state Sen. Nikema Williams (D) to run for open U.S. House seat, left by the late Rep. John Lewis (D). Given the partisan leanings of the district, Williams, who also serves as the chair of the Georgia Democratic Party, is heavily favored to win in November.

* Confronted with intelligence on foreign interference in U.S. elections, Joe Biden yesterday issued a statement vowing to impose significant punishments on those who target our democracy. The former vice president made related vows during an interview with MSNBC's Joy Ann Reid.

* Speaking of Biden, the Delaware Democrat this morning unveiled a blueprint for universal pre-K and overhauling the nation's system of elder care. The plan is projected to $775 billion over 10 years and, according to the campaign's estimate, would create 3 million new jobs.

* Though it seems hard to believe, Donald Trump's re-election campaign and its affiliated partners have spent more than $983 million since 2017, including nearly a quarter of a billion dollars just in June. A Washington Post report added, "At this point in 2012, the Obama campaign, the Democratic Party and a joint fundraising committee had spent roughly half that amount, at about $552 million, federal records show."

* With Brad Parscale out as Team Trump's campaign manager, his replacement, Bill Stepien, is shaking up the campaign's senior leadership. Politico reported that Stepien announced yesterday "that Justin Clark would be serving as deputy campaign manager, Nick Trainer as director of battleground strategy, and Matt Morgan as campaign counsel."

* Allen West, who served one term as a Florida congressman before becoming a right-wing media provocateur, has a new gig: he'll now serve as chairman of the Texas Republican Party.

* A calendar tidbit to consider: while Election Day 2020 is exactly 15 weeks from today, early voting in some states begins much earlier. In fact, while the election may seem like it's on the horizon, voting in this year's presidential campaign will begin in some states in just 60 days.