STEVE CHABOT

Some Democrats facing tough midterm races are praising many of the Biden administration's top policy achievements even while distancing themselves from the president himself.

President Joe Biden has congratulated Democratic U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown of Ohio for her primary victory over former state Sen. Nina Turner.

Congressional Republicans seem relieved to have bipartisan agreement—and to distance themselves a bit from Donald Trump.

Republicans excoriated the White House's strategy while Democrats criticized the haphazard manner of the U.S. withdrawal.

Two-term Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley has officially announced he's running to be governor of Ohio.

Republicans are expected to fiercely oppose such a bill.

Republicans are expected to fiercely oppose such a bill.

FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2020, file photo the Supreme Court is seen at sundown in Washington. Barring an improbable expansion of the Supreme Court, Biden won’t be able to do anything about the high court’s entrenched conservative majority any time soon. That’s because Republicans who controlled the Senate in the final two years of the Obama White House confirmed relatively few judges. Biden already has pledged to name a Black woman to the Supreme Court if a seat opens up. But some Republicans and conservative groups are wary about what Democrats might try to do now that they control Congress and the White House.

The National Football League said it will reconsider its donations but did not commit to suspending them. “We are re-evaluating our political giving policies through the Gridiron PAC,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told the AP in a statement Wednesday. Others, like MLB, have postponed political giving to both political parties altogether. The Office of The Commissioner of Major League Baseball Political Action Committee has donated $669,375 to Senate and House candidates since the 2016 election cycle, with 52.4% of that money going to Republican candidates, according to The Center for Responsive Politics. Since the 2016 election cycle, MLB has made contributions to two senators and nine representatives who were among those opposing certification of Biden's victory.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., right, and Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Ohio, and conduct a news conference in the Capitol Visitor Center after a meeting with the House Republican Conference on Wednesday, September 23, 2020. Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty ImagesThe leader of the Republican caucus in the House of Representatives told colleagues Monday that President Donald Trump bears some responsibility for Wednesday's riot at the Capitol, two sources told NBC News. Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California also did not rule out supporting a motion to censure Trump for his actions, according to the report. His reported comments come as Democrats, who have a majority of House members, have moved toward impeaching Trump for inciting the riot. But the letter, obtained by NBC News, lays out four potential actions to address the riot, none of which name Trump.

But there’s a smaller category of lawmakers like Peterson and GOP Rep. Steve Chabot of Ohio who also merit attention: long-term incumbents of both parties fighting to preserve their careers. Over 90% of House incumbents are usually reelected, thanks to name recognition and campaign fundraising advantages. “There are people who traditionally voted Republican who don't identify with the current Republican Party," Schroder, 43, a businesswoman and local public health official, said in an interview. Democratic and Republican campaign committees and other organizations allied with party leadership are aiming the bulk of their spending at each others' softest seats and defending vulnerable incumbents. The Congressional Leadership Fund, aligned with House GOP leadership, planned to spend $3.3 million more, which Republicans said could grow.