All articles tagged with #leadership race
Senior Labour MPs are weighing leadership bids to prevent Andy Burnham from becoming prime minister without a formal contest, as nominations open 9–16 July. Burnham is seen as the frontrunner after Makerfield, prompting talk of a possible leadership race rather than a coronation, with some MPs urging a full contest.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced he will resign as Labour leader and UK PM, remaining only until a leadership contest concludes to ensure an orderly handover after Labour's local-election losses and mounting intra-party dissent; Andy Burnham is viewed as a leading challenger, setting up a pivotal leadership contest with potential implications for Britain’s political and market outlook.
Labour’s NEC has cleared Andy Burnham to seek selection as Labour’s candidate in the Makerfield by-election, which could see him return to Westminster and potentially challenge Keir Starmer for the leadership. The by-election is expected around 18 June after MP Josh Simons resigned; Burnham cannot enter a leadership contest until he becomes an MP. The development intensifies speculation about Labour’s future leadership amid surrounding calls for Starmer to step down and suggestions from allies and rivals about who could run.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting quits Keir Starmer’s cabinet, signaling a likely leadership challenge as Labour faces backlash from local election losses; potential rivals include Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham, with Streeting accusing Starmer of lacking vision and direction.
Ken Martin, head of Minnesota's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, is emerging as the front-runner in the race for Democratic National Committee chair, having secured nearly half of the needed endorsements. His candidacy reflects a desire among some DNC members to avoid internal conflicts between progressives and establishment Democrats. While other potential candidates like Rahm Emanuel and Sherrod Brown have yet to enter the race, Martin is seen as a neutral leader focused on party unity and election success. The DNC chair election is set for February 1, with several candidate forums planned in January.
Former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley has announced his candidacy for the chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), becoming the first official entrant in the race to succeed current chair Jaime Harrison. O'Malley, who is resigning as head of the Social Security Administration, emphasized a focus on economic security and a 50-state strategy in his campaign announcement. The race is expected to attract several high-profile Democrats, as the party seeks to address recent electoral losses, including Kamala Harris' defeat in the presidential race.
Former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley has announced his candidacy to lead the Democratic National Committee (DNC), marking the beginning of the race for the position.
President-elect Donald Trump is urging Senate Republicans to support recess appointments for his Cabinet and other officials, a move that could influence the GOP leadership race in the Senate. This procedure allows appointees to serve without Senate confirmation while Congress is out of session. Trump's push is seen as a loyalty test for Senate leadership candidates and a strategy to avoid delays in confirming his picks. Some GOP leaders, like John Thune and John Cornyn, have endorsed the idea, while others see it as a negotiating tactic with Democrats.
Simon Harris is the frontrunner to become Ireland's new leader after three potential competitors, including Paschal Donohoe, Heather Humphreys, and Helen McEntee, ruled themselves out of the Fine Gael party's leadership race. Nominations for the new leader opened on Thursday, and if there is to be a contest, the winner will be announced on April 5th. Harris, the current minister for further and higher education, has garnered significant support and is seen as the favorite to succeed Leo Varadkar as the next taoiseach.
Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has announced his resignation as head of the Fine Gael party, triggering a leadership race. Varadkar, the country's first biracial and openly gay prime minister, cited personal and political reasons for stepping down. He expressed confidence that a new leader would improve the party's prospects in upcoming elections, with his resignation as taoiseach expected after the Easter holiday.
Mitch McConnell announced he will step down as Senate Republican leader after the November elections, sparking a race among GOP members to replace him. Potential successors include John Thune, John Cornyn, and John Barrasso. Some senators, like Josh Hawley and Rick Scott, have welcomed the news, while others praised McConnell's leadership. The shakeup reflects divisions within the party, with some seeking a leader more aligned with former President Donald Trump. McConnell's departure comes as the GOP eyes regaining Senate control in the upcoming elections.
European Council president Charles Michel has announced his early resignation, triggering a race to find his successor before the European Parliament elections in June. His decision has sparked criticism and speculation over other top EU positions that must be filled by November. If a replacement is not found by the EU summit in June, Hungary's prime minister Viktor Orban could temporarily take the role, raising concerns due to his close ties to Russia. Michel defended his decision, stating that he is ready to take a "personal risk" and that normal procedures could be changed to avoid Orban taking the position.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's potential bid to reclaim his old position could result in a prolonged race to select the next speaker candidate for House Republicans. While some GOP lawmakers, including Rep. Carlos Gimenez and Rep. John Duarte, have expressed support for McCarthy, others have moved on and are backing candidates like Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan or Majority Leader Steve Scalise. McCarthy's candidacy is seen as unlikely to succeed but could delay the race. The vote for speaker could be delayed to Friday or next week if a candidate is not chosen on Wednesday.
Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan are currently in a two-way race to become the next House Speaker after Kevin McCarthy's ouster, with neither candidate having secured the election yet. Scalise has taken the traditional route by raising money and building relationships, while Jordan has made a name for himself as a right-wing firebrand and a staunch defender of former President Donald Trump. Trump has endorsed Jordan, but it remains to be seen how much influence his endorsement will carry. The Republicans are set to choose their leader in a closed-door meeting on Wednesday, with other potential candidates still in the running. The new House Speaker will have to navigate funding negotiations, oversee an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, and make decisions on issues such as Ukraine aid.