DEMS/ELECTION/NEW YORK/SENATE: “Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a frequent critic of President Donald Trump, is donating $20 million to help Democratic candidates running for the U.S. Senate, a spokesman said on Tuesday [10-2-18]. The billionaire’s contribution comes as Republicans, who currently hold a 51-49 majority in the upper chamber, grow more concerned that Democrats pose a threat of taking control of the Senate in the Nov. 6 congressional elections. The $20 million donation will go to the Senate Majority PAC, Bloomberg spokesman Marc La Vorgna said in an email. The Washington Post first reported the news. It is in addition to $80 million Bloomberg pledged to Democratic House candidates earlier this year. Bloomberg, a Democrat who joined the Republican Party ahead of his first run for New York mayor in 2001 and later declared himself an independent, is seen as a possible 2020 Democratic presidential candidate. He has pumped more cash into this year’s election than in prior races, funneling his donations to Democrats and liberal causes, like pro-gun restriction groups.”
–Ginger Gibson, “Bloomberg donating $20 million to Democratic Senate candidates,” Reuters, October 2, 2018 3:19 pm