Midterm campaign updates: GOP's Cheney endorses Ohio Democrat Tim Ryan for Senate

In a year where candidates are seldom agreeing on even how and when to disagree with each other, Thursday brings a rarity: a debate between a Democrat and a Republican, both vying to become secretary of state of Arizona.

As has been well-documented, typically low-profile down-ballot races may now carry weightier implications than ever in light of the staggering number of GOP candidates who deny the legitimacy of the last presidential election -- and who might, like in the case of the Arizona office, be charged with overseeing the next one.

The right's resistance to congressional efforts to reform the Electoral Count Act serves as a reminder of the perils facing the electoral system going into the midterms and 2024. The only House Republicans voting for a reform bill Wednesday aren't returning to Congress, and prospects of passing the Senate are dim owing to GOP opposition.

Even given that context, statewide races in Arizona stand out. The state where Biden's victory withstood counts, lawsuits and even the Cyber Ninjas' "audit" has Republican nominees for secretary of state and governor who refuse to commit to accepting the results in their own races -- and who are already indicating they may hesitate to stand behind results in 2024.

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–ABC News’ Rick Klein

After months of frenetic negotiations, House Democrats plan to vote Thursday on a long-delayed package of public safety bills -- an attempt from the party to squeak out another big legislative victory before the upcoming midterm election.

On Wednesday, lawmakers struck an unlikely deal between moderate and progressive Democrats -- especially the Congressional Black Caucus -- whose members differ over the inclusion of more police accountability measures in public safety bills they're looking to get off the ground to counter Republican attacks on rising crime.

The package consists of four separate bills -- they will fund recruitment and training for police departments across the U.S., includes new language on police accountability, grants to address mental health crises, community violence prevention and solving gun crimes, among other measures.

One of the harshest critics of the ongoing police reform efforts was Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, who's up for reelection in the district in Minnesota where the late George Floyd was killed by police in 2020.

She is now signing off on the deal that was just struck.

"After significant, deliberate negotiations, we are pleased to share that ... the bill will include a number of reforms to ensure funds are used to support smaller police departments, to invest in de-escalation and other important training, and for data collection and mental health," Rep. Ilhan Omar and Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal said in a joint statement.

–ABC News' Mariam Khan

"I am confident that we're going to hold the House," Hoyer said. "I think we can expand our membership in the Senate to beyond 50."

His confidence -- a sharp pivot from earlier in the cycle, when Republicans predicted a "red wave" as they attempt to retake the chamber -- comes as gas prices have been dropping, though inflation and grocery prices remain sky-high. A recent Siena College New York Times survey found Democrats up two percentage points over Republicans among registered voters -- a promising statistic for Democrats as they forge ahead following a slate of promising primary upsets.

"We've had two huge victories, actually, three but two members, one in New York, Pat Ryan, in a district that the Republicans were supposed to win, expected to win. Very credible Republican candidate on the other side. And we won that race," said Hoyer, also noting Mary Peltola's victory in Alaska against former GOP Gov. Sarah Palin for a congressional seat that Democrats haven't secured in decades.

Hoyer also referenced Kansas voters' overwhelming rejection of an anti-abortion rights referendum earlier this summer as a signal that Democrats may win on the hot-button issue.

"So, you know, in a red state, a Republican state, that we won that election as well, frankly."

In front of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Democratic House leaders touted their legislative inroads on health care over the past few years along with members of the congressional "class of 2018"-- when their party flooded the House during an unprecedented "blue wave," the largest Democratic gain in decades.

Democratic Reps. Susie Lee of Nevada, Lauren Underwood of Illinois and Susan Wild of Pennsylvania were among the speakers who followed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer in stumping about what they said were the health care achievements in the Inflation Reduction Act. All three are now fighting for third terms in the House.

"I stand here today with my colleagues Lauren Underwood and Susan Wild. We were part of the history making class of 2018, while Republicans [were] trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act time and time again. Millions of Americans stood up and said hell no. And they elected us to come to Congress so that we can deliver. Three-and-a-half years later, not only did we protect it, we expanded it to millions of Americans."

The press conference featured stories from advocates expressing their gratitude for parts of the IRA like lowered costs of prescription drugs, expected from a provision in the bill that empowers a federal agency to negotiate with health insurers over the prices for prescription drugs under Medicare.

Their speeches are "a great reminder that [in] three and a half years, what the class of 2018 has already accomplished and how much more these leaders will do," said Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt.