CALIFORNIA: “The former top spokeswoman for Mayor Bob Filner sued him and the city for sexual harassment Monday, alleging he repeatedly made unwanted sexual advances toward her and put her in a headlock on several occasions so she couldn’t get away,” the San Diego Union Tribune reports.
In a statement, Filner said: “I humbly ask that through this vicious storm of controversy, people take a moment and temper their rush to judgment,” Filner said. “I do not believe these claims are valid. That is why due process is so important. I intend to defend myself vigorously and I know that justice will prevail.”
GEORGIA: Jim Galloway at the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports: “Michelle Nunn declared herself a Democratic candidate in the 2014 race for U.S. Senate, the very seat once held by her father. The formal announce will come Tuesday, when she files the official paperwork. ‘I’m excited about it,’ Nunn said in an exclusive interview. ‘I’ve learned that you can’t wait for somebody else to do it. Everybody has an individual role and a responsibility to contribute where they can. This seems like a way for me to contribute.’”
AP: “Georgia emerged as a battleground state Monday in the fight for control of the U.S. Senate as Democrat Michelle Nunn announced plans to run for her father’s old seat, joining a crowded field of Republican contenders and setting off what will likely be a fiercely contested and costly race. … Democrats see Nunn’s candidacy as a chance to make inroads in a southern state that they once dominated, but where Republicans now control all statewide offices. Meanwhile, Republicans are making a push to win control of the U.S. Senate seat and cannot afford to lose the seat now held by Chambliss."
KENTUCKY: Ew… At the Organizing for Action event yesterday, Harry Reid said of Mitch McConnell getting a primary challenger: “He tried to make love to the tea party and they didn’t like it.”
NEW YORK: Eliot Spitzer released a new ad. “Look, I failed – big time,” Spitzer says at the top of the ad. “I hurt a lot of people. When you dig yourself a hole, you either lie in it the rest of your life or do something positive.” He also seems to blame Wall Street for negativity coming toward him. “So if you hear any negative noise out there, and you will, keep in mind where it’s coming from.” That’s over a headline in the Daily News that reads, “Spitzer rankles powerful New York.” “Maybe being hated by the Wall Street firms isn’t such a terrible thing.” He ends with: “Everyone, no matter who you are, deserves a fair shot. I’m asking voters to give the same to me.”
NORTH CAROLINA: Protests continued in the Tar Heel state on everything from teacher protests over state budget cuts to education to Moral Mondays. That state budget released Sunday gives teachers no raises, lays off 3,850 teaching assistants, and phases out tenure by 2018. The head of the state teachers union and 70 others were arrested in Moral Monday protests when the refused to leave the state capitol when it closed last night.
The Raleigh News and Observer: “Though voter rights was the theme of the demonstration, many of the protesters rallied against the $20.6 billion spending plan released by Senate and House budget writers on Sunday night. The budget proposal takes a giant step toward the privatization of education, sets aside money for a Voter ID program, cuts government jobs in some places and adds them in others and sets a path for reorganization of state Commerce Department functions under a public-private partnership. The spending plan, the basis for policies, the structure of government agencies and ultimately the direction of the state, is scheduled for votes in the House and Senate on Tuesday afternoon.”
WYOMING: Retiring Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe (ME) criticized Liz Cheney’s decision to challenge incumbent Sen. Mike Enzi, telling Politico her run is “unfortunate.” “There is no reason to challenge him. What is the basis? That he’s not working hard enough? He’s working very hard,” Snowe said. “That he’s not conservative enough? I think it’s regrettable.”