Democratic enthusiasm was on full display during this week’s historic Virginia Democratic primary. Virginia Democrats fielded their largest bench of candidates in recent memory – including in the rubiest of red districts, while Virginia voters set the highest early voting turnout in a primary this year. Across the board, the message was clear: Virginians are ready to hold Trump and Republicans accountable for their dangerous, cost-hiking agenda at the ballot box.  

• In Virginia: Axios: Virginia Democrats set early voting record ahead of 2025 primaries 
• In Virginia: Washington Post: Big turnout for Democrats in Virginia’s early primary voting gives party hope 
• In Virginia: ALX Now: Here’s the latest turnout numbers in today’s Democratic Primary in Alexandria 
• In Virginia: VPM: Jay Jones wins Democratic attorney general nomination
• In Virginia: WTVR: Richmond voters turn out for Democratic primary election
• In Virginia: Washington Post: Va. Democratic lineup set, with Hashmi declared winner of lt. governor race

On Wednesday, DNC Chair Ken Martin visited Cleveland, OH to highlight his “organize everywhere, win anywhere” strategy. The DNC is getting out of DC and on the ground in every state to support our Democratic state parties,turbocharge grassroots organizing efforts, and build long-lasting Democratic infrastructure. 

• In Ohio: Cleveland.com: DNC chair Martin: Ohio ‘critical’ to Democrats’ 2026 strategy 
• In Ohio: IdeaStream Public Media: DNC chairman says ‘significant resources’ are coming to Ohio | Ideastream Public Media

In Kentucky, Chair Martin emphasized that it’s not about “red states” or “blue states” but about meeting the moment and engaging authentically with voters.

• In Kentucky: Kentucky.com: ‘We have momentum’: KY, national Democrats are optimistic about party’s future
• In Kentucky: Kentucky Lantern: Kentucky Democrats hear they should focus on everyday issues
• In Kentucky: Forward Kentucky: KDP dinner is big, bold, and inspiring

Meanwhile, everyone from health care providers and hospitals boards to elected officials are sounding the alarm that the rural health crisis will only worsen if Trump and Republicans’ disastrous budget bill is passed. Nationwide, rural communities are bracing for the worst as local rural hospitals – already hanging by a thread – brace for Republicans’ proposed Medicaid cuts that would make it even harder for rural Americans to receive the health care services they depend on. 

• In Alabama: Alabama Political Reporter: Senate Republicans’ proposed Medicaid cuts threaten to shutter Alabama hospitals
• In Minnesota: MinnPost: Minnesota’s rural hospitals may be hard hit by ‘big beautiful bill’
• In North Carolina: Charlotte Observer: These 5 hospitals across NC could close with House Republicans’ funding cuts
• In Virginia: Virginia Mercury: Senate draft of ‘big, beautiful bill’ could cut funds for Virginia hospitals, also affect Medicaid
• Nationwide: NBC News: What is the provider tax? How the Senate’s proposed Medicaid cuts could deepen the rural hospital crisis
• Nationwide: WRAL: UNC data finds ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ puts 300-plus rural hospitals at risk of closure

Nearly three years ago, Donald Trump “proudly” killed Roe v. Wade, opening the door for Republicans to launch dangerous and unpopular attacks on women’s reproductive rights and freedoms. 

• In Arizona: Arizona Daily Sun: In Arizona and other states where voters enshrined abortion rights after the Dobbs ruling, legislative tussles persist
• In Ohio: Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Republican bill would treat abortion as homicide, ban all abortions in state
• In South Carolina: SC Daily Gazette: 3 years after the fall of Roe, SC is suffering under abortion ban
• In Wisconsin: Wisconsin Examiner:  ‘A situation with no good outcome.’ A mom describes how Dobbs made the loss of her pregnancy harder 
• Nationwide: Associated Press: Abortion clinics are closing, even in states where abortion is legal