• MI-08: Republican Martin Blank, a trauma surgeon and former police officer, has dropped his bid for Michigan's open 8th Congressional District, leaving former Homeland Security official Paul Junge as the sole notable Republican looking to flip this seat. Blank raised just $8,000 in the fourth quarter of last year, though Junge fared little better, taking in just $17,000 from donors. However, Junge also self-funded $700,000.
• OH-Sen, OH-02, OH-09: Ohio Right to Life, which is often described as the state's most influential anti-abortion organization, has issued endorsements in several contested Republican primaries.
In the Senate race, the group co-endorsed Secretary of State Frank LaRose and businessman Bernie Moreno, leaving state Sen. Matt Dolan in the cold. Meanwhile, in the open 2nd District, it's backing state Sen. Shane Wilkin in the race to succeed retiring GOP Rep. Brad Wenstrup. Finally, in the 9th, which is represented by Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, it's supporting former state Rep. Craig Riedel, despite his abandonment by the GOP establishment after he offered mild criticisms of Donald Trump.
• MO-01: A new poll of the Democratic primary in Missouri's 1st Congressional District finds second-term Rep. Cori Bush in dire shape for reelection. The survey, conducted by Republican pollster Remington Research on behalf of the Missouri Scout, a local tipsheet, finds St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell leading Bush 50-28, while former state legislator Maria Chappelle-Nadal takes 4% and 18% are undecided.
Bush has come under fire for her harsh criticisms of Israel, but she also recently divulged that she's under federal investigation for her spending on security services. Bell, meanwhile, has kept pace with the incumbent in fundraising and finished 2023 with more cash on hand.
Separately, another Democrat who'd reportedly been considering the race, state Sen. Brian Williams, just announced that he would stay out. Missouri's primary is not until Aug. 6, but whoever wins will be the overwhelming favorite in 1st District, a dark blue seat based in St. Louis.
• NJ-08: LeRoy Jones, who chairs both the Essex County Democratic Party and the state party, has endorsed Rep. Rob Menendez for reelection, a move that the New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein says "likely" means Menendez will earn favorable placement on the primary ballot in the county.
Menendez previously earned the backing of the Democratic organization in his home base of Hudson County, which makes up most of New Jersey's 8th Congressional District. However, he faces a well-funded challenge from Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, who outraised him by a wide margin in the fourth quarter.
• ND-AL: InForum's Rob Port reports that Public Service Commissioner Julie Fedorchak is "expected" to announce a campaign for North Dakota's open House seat this week. Ferorchak, a Republican, had declined a bid for governor but tells Port that "the decision is pretty clear" with regard to a congressional run.
• NJ-09: Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter has dropped her very brief congressional bid after Democratic leaders in all three counties that make up New Jersey's 9th District backed Rep. Bill Pascrell for another term. Sumter, who had spoken positively of Pascrell and said she'd end her quest if she didn't win support from the county parties, endorsed the congressman on Saturday.
