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

ABC News is reporting on campaign developments in key states across the U.S.

The 2022 campaign is shaping up to be a historic, decisive moment in American politics.

From our reporters across the country, ABC News brings you all the latest on what the candidates are saying and doing -- and what voters want to happen in November's midterm elections.

For more from ABC News' team of reporters embedded in battleground states, watch "Power Trip: Those Seeking Power and Those Who Chase Them" on Hulu , with new episodes on Sunday.

Power Trip
Power Trip
"Power Trip: Those Seeking Power and Those Who Chase Them" follows 7 young reporters as they chase down candidates in the lead up to the midterms with George Stephanopoulos guiding them along the way.
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Newsom contrasts California's abortion, immigration views with red states

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday continued his ongoing duel with red state governors, championing liberal policies on abortion and immigration in the face of some Republican leaders' moves on those issues.

Newsom, who is speculated to be a potential 2024 presidential contender (which he has played down), used his gubernatorial reelection campaign funds to place advertisements in six states with limited abortion rights after the Supreme Court’s June decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning Roe v. Wade.

All of the Newsom-funded billboards advertise that California is ready to help residents who are seeking an abortion.

“You do not need to be a California resident to receive abortion services,” one billboard said.

In a tweet on Thursday, Newsom announced that he would be responding to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott having transported immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts and to Washington, D.C. -- which DeSantis and Abbott say is in protest of Democratic border policies -- by requesting the Department of Justice investigate their efforts.

“I’m formally requesting the DOJ begin an immediate investigation into these inhumane efforts to use kids as political pawns,” Newsom wrote in a tweet, accompanied by the his request, addressed to Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Newsom has shot proverbial arrows at DeSantis before -- in August sending money across the country to help Florida Democratic gubernatorial nominee Rep. Charlie Crist defeat DeSantis this November.

-- ABC News' Isabella Murray


Bolduc's big U-turn on election claims

Two days ago, Don Bolduc won his race to be New Hampshire's GOP Senate nominee after months of making false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump the centerpiece of his campaign.

On Thursday, he made a 180-degree turn after beating the more moderate state Senate President Chuck Morse. Trump-endorsed Bolduc said he's now taking a "definitive" stance that Joe Biden's presidency is legitimate.

"I've come to the conclusion, and I want to be definitive on this: The election was not stolen," Bolduc said on Fox News, even while noting he still believes there was evidence of fraud. "Elections have consequences and, unfortunately, President Biden is the legitimate president of this country," he said.

The retired Army brigadier general said he came to his conclusion after talking to voters and doing his own research.

-- ABC News' Hannah Demissie


Kari Lake 'not a fan' of DeSantis' migrant moves

Continuing her rare break from her GOP border state allies on immigration, ​Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake says she's "not a fan" of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis flying two planes of undocumented immigrants to Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.

Though careful not to mention DeSantis by name, Lake told Fox host Tucker Carlson Wednesday night it is "just taking people here illegally who shouldn't be here, moving them further inland."

Even so, Lake said, she "got a kick" out of the recent stunts by DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

"Watching these liberal mayors just throw their hands up and say, 'We can't handle it,' because it's life every day for us in these border states," she said.

"My husband and I are saying that all the time, send them up to Martha's Vineyard," 80-year-old Yuma, Arizona, resident Sandy Fisher told ABC News.

-- ABC News' Libby Cathey in Arizona


Welcome to 'Trail Buzz'

What could be one of the most consequential midterm elections in recent history has seen an equally dogged primary cycle. Republicans and Democrats are sparring over every seat in the House of Representatives, 35 Senate seats and 36 governorships.

The stakes could not be higher with the ups and downs of the Biden presidency, the growing investigation into the Jan. 6 insurrection, the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade abortion rights and inflation running at historic highs. Candidates who support Donald Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen will appear on ballots in nearly every state in November.

ABC News has seven reporters embedded in key swing states across the country so readers can get on-the-ground accounts of what candidates are doing and voters are saying.

Welcome to Trail Buzz, an ABC News blog that brings you all the twists and turns from the midterm campaign trail.

Get live updates on campaign news and key reads and analysis from ABC’s reporters. We’ll link to excerpts from the Hulu streaming series "Power Trip" featuring ABC's campaign embeds, the smart takes from FiveThirtyEight, our "Democracy in Peril" series and the sharp political analysis each morning in "The Note."


Obama backs PA Senate candidate John Fetterman in new ads

The newest John Fetterman ads feature words of support from former President Barack Obama, the latest high-profile surrogate to involve himself in Pennsylvania's crucial Senate race.

In the two spots – one a ad, the other on Obama60AfAm-Radio-Ad.mp3&data=05%7C01%7CIsabella.Murray%40abc.com%7C7277efb2875a46c461f508dab3a03634%7C56b731a8a2ac4c32bf6b616810e913c6%7C1%7C0%7C638019797957968210%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=um8ekH93S8edmAV1yI8%2BACuSGiPZ%2F%2FWN61EVdSf6mFQ%3D&reserved=0|radio> – Obama cites abortion rights, the protection of democracy and Fetterman's record on crime in trying to persuade voters to support the Democratic candidate.

"When the fate of our democracy and a women's right to choose are on the line, I know John will fight for Pennsylvanians," he says in both ads.

Notably, in the radio ad, Obama touts Fetterman's service on the state Board of Pardons, which opponent Dr. Mehmet Oz attacks repeatedly by accusing Fetterman of endangering Pennsylvanians by voting to commute the sentences of some convicted murderers.

"As Lieutenant Governor, John chairs the Board of Pardons and has helped people who were wrongfully convicted," Obama says.

In a statement, Fetterman said, "I am deeply grateful for President Obama's support in this race. I was proud to be one of the only elected officials in western Pennsylvania to endorse President Obama in the 2008 presidential primary, and it is truly an honor for him to get behind our campaign and cut ads for us across the commonwealth."

While the campaign noted in a press release that the ads will appear "across Pennsylvania" in the coming weeks, the radio hits began airing in the Philadelphia market this week.

–ABC News' Will McDuffie