ELECTION/GOP/SENATE/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Republican U.S. Representative Martha McSally’s embrace of President Donald Trump and his agenda paid off on Tuesday, [8-28-18] when the Arizonan beat back conservative challengers for her party’s nomination in a crucial U.S. Senate race. But Republican strategists warned that her shift to the right on Trump and his hard-line immigration policies could also prove an albatross in November, when she will face a well-funded moderate Democratic congresswoman, Kyrsten Sinema, in a race expected to be tight. The primary highlighted the delicate dance for many Republicans running in tough elections this year, given Trump’s sky-high approval ratings among voters of his own party: criticizing Trump too harshly risks losing the Republican base, while embracing him too warmly could alienate moderate voters who disapprove of his performance. The race has also put into stark relief how thoroughly Trump now dominates his party.”
–Joseph Ax, “In Arizona Senate race, Republican’s embrace of Trump carries risks,” Reuters, August 28, 2018 Reuters, August 28, 2018 9:32 pm