| POLITICS & CAMPAIGNS: Another Republican has announced a primary bid against the president. This time, it’s former Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.), who became the third Republican to primary the president despite staring at the ultimate David and Goliath situation. Sanford, the former South Carolina governor and House Freedom Caucus member made his announcement on “Fox News Sunday,” pointing to the need for a focus on the rising national debt and deficit spending. “I’m here to tell you now that I am going to get in,” Sanford said. “I think we need to have a conversation on what it means to be a Republican … As a Republican Party, we have lost our way.” Sanford has long been a thorn in the side of Trump, having opposed him during the GOP primary and continuing to criticize him throughout his first two years in office before Trump came out in support of his primary challenger hours prior to the polls closing. Sanford lost the primary (The Hill). As for Trump, his campaign not only has 2020 in view, but also seems to have the long game in view. Speaking to a convention of GOP delegates in Indian Wells, Calif., on Saturday, Brad Parscale, the president’s campaign manager, opined that Trump and his family will be a “dynasty” for the GOP (The Associated Press). “The Trumps will be a dynasty that will last for decades, propelling the Republican Party into a new party,” Parscale said. “One that will adapt to changing cultures. One must continue to adapt while keeping the conservative values that we believe in.” Parscale’s comments raised eyebrows among some Republicans over the weekend who question the chances of a dynasty. One GOP strategist argued that while the president will remain relevant well into the future, many remain skeptical of the possibility of a Trump dynasty. “Win or lose next year, Donald Trump will be a force in American politics as long as he’s capable of sending a tweet. But Americans are inherently skeptical of political dynasties since they run counter to our democracy,” the strategist said. “Plus none of the Trump kids have shown their father's panache, raw political instincts or communications skills in the era of social media that will be necessary for any successful political candidate in the years ahead.” CBS News: Republicans in three states cancel presidential nominating contests for 2020. The New York Times: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) stands out at New Hampshire Democratic Party Convention. The New York Times: How Warren raised big money before she denounced big money. The Washington Post: Former Vice President Joe Biden and Warren, longtime frenemies, will finally meet in a debate chasing the biggest prize of all. 
© Getty Images > North Carolina special: Republicans are in scramble mode ahead of a key special election in North Carolina and are trying to avoid a potentially embarrassing loss in a race that could give off hints of what might lie ahead electorally for the GOP and Democrats. Internal polls of the race in North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District show Republican Dan Bishop and Democrat Dan McCready in a dead heat, but — just like 2018 — Republican officials and strategists are privately griping that Democrats have an edge in voter enthusiasm. More than anything, Republicans are banking on Monday night’s visit to the district by the president to rally voters to the polls to deny Democrats yet another victory in a contested House race and send Bishop to Washington (The Hill). > GOP down ballot: For the second campaign cycle in a row, House Republicans are facing a wave of retirements that threaten their prospects at the ballot box and could be a blow to their push to retake the House in 2020. 15 House Republicans have announced this cycle that they are retiring, resigning or running for other offices, including eight since the summer recess began in late July, some of whom would have faced a tough battle for reelection. However, most are in safe GOP seats, meaning that those departing are possibly doing so because of Trump era fatigue or not wanting to serve in the minority for years to come (The Hill). “The most likely outcome is a status quo election for the House. And that certainly influences people’s decision [to retire], whether they think they can regain the majority or not,” said former Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.), one of two dozen Republicans who lost reelection bids during the 2018 midterms “For sure, some of those members who retired, [staying in the minority] was a factor in their thinking,” he added. On the Senate side, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) is facing his toughest reelection test next year as Texas becomes a more competitive state for Democrats, particularly in suburban areas that almost propelled former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) into the Senate last year. Unlike past cycles, Republicans are being forced to pay attention to the Lone Star State as Texas Democrats go all out to win the party’s first statewide election in 25 years, including the launch of a multi million-dollar war room to deliver data and messaging to define Cornyn as a lackey of the president (The Hill). “He’s a much stronger candidate than [Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas)], and in any other year, he’d be untouchable, he’d have it in walk,” said Bill Miller, a GOP lobbyist and consultant in Austin. “This year, because of Trump, it’s a different dynamic. The Democrats will have a bloody primary, and that’s not the best way to take on an incumbent, but they’re hoping for magic at the top of the ticket. Cornyn is strong, but he’s vulnerable.” Paul Kane: Reps. Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.), Cheney consider their choices in the call of familial ambition. Reuters: Tom Steyer clears hurdle to join Democratic debate in October. | 
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