GOP weighing all options to keep Alabama Senate seat red. Leavitt says nomination process is dividing the GOP. Senate confirms Petersen to the Utah Supreme Court.
Happy Thursday. Republican leaders are exploring a dramatic remedy to salvage the Alabama Senate seat as fresh polling shows Roy Moore’s prospects fading fast. That includes possibly asking Sen. Luther Strange to resign his post to trigger a new election or asking Attorney General Jeff Sessions to run a write-in campaign. [Politico]
Topping the news: Former Gov. Mike Leavitt said in a closed-caucus meeting that voters should be able to choose how they select political candidates, and opposition to this choice could be dividing the Utah GOP. [Trib] [DNews]
-> The Utah State Senate voted unanimously to confirm Paige Petersen as the state’s new Supreme Court justice. [Trib]
-> The Museum of the Bible will open to the public in Washington on Saturday. [Trib]
Tweets of the day: From @christinawilkie: “Newsflash: Trump drinks Fijian water, not American water.”
-> From @BeschlossDC: “What happened to Trump Water?”
-> From @marcorubio: “Similar, but needs work on his form. Has to be done in one single motion & eyes should never leave the camera. But not bad for his 1st time”
-> From @RobertGehrke: “Judge Roy Moore. It’s not a title. It’s a moral imperative. We should all judge Roy Moore.”
In other news: The Salt Lake City Council decided Tuesday to stop paying for Wingpointe golf course, which has been closed since 2015. [Trib]
-> A bill further restricting the days Utahns can set off fireworks during the summer is moving through legislation. [Trib] [DNews] [Fox13] [KUER] [KUTV]
-> A Utah legislative committee rejected a bill requiring lobbyists to receive anti-harassment training because it could extend to regulating Capitol guests. Majority Leader Brad Wilson still expects the issue to pass during the session when the House reexamines it. [Trib]
-> During the Judiciary Interim Committee meeting on Wednesday, attorney Karra Porter requested that medical staff have immunity if they find themselves in a similar position to nurse Alex Wubbels, in addition to a possible blood-draw law amendment. [Trib] [DNews] [ABC4] [KUER]
-> Rep. Norm Thurston proposed legislation to assist Utah cities in defining free speech demonstrations. [DNews]
-> Pat Bagley exhibits how Republican’s tax plan treats some like kings at the expense of others. [Trib]
-> Robert Gehrke considers how online sex-ed could be beneficial, even if it’s not ideal. [Trib]
-> Michelle Quist requests Republican women take action in the political arena. [Trib]
Nationally: While Republican lawmakers’ tax bill is expected to pass the House today, the Senate may be another hurdle as legislators have begun voicing their opposition and concerns. [NYTimes]
-> Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and his wife received criticism online after photos were taking of the pair posing with newly printed $1 bills. [WaPost]
-> As more sexual misconduct allegations surface about Roy Moore, Republicans are considering alternative ways to maintain a GOP Alabama Senate seat. [Politico]
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— Thomas Burr and Karenna Meredith Twitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/meredithkarenna
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