Senate Democrat Announces He Will Not Seek Another Term

Photo of Martin Walsh Martin WalshMay 22, 2023

Getty Images

Four-term Delaware Democrat Sen. Tom Carper announced Monday that he will not seek re-election in 2024.

“Some 59 years have passed since I first raised my hand as a 17-year-old naval midshipman, and P3 mission aircraft commander,” Carper said at a press conference, adding that his final 20 months in office would be a “sprint” as he works to accomplish items that are important to him.

“Carper has held elected office since 1977, when he became Delaware state treasurer, and has won 14 statewide elections without a loss. He served in the House of Representatives from 1983-1993 and was governor of the state for two terms. Carper also served three tours in Vietnam as a National Aviation Officer, and is the last veteran of the conflict currently serving in the Senate,” the Daily Caller reported.

“Carper is the fourth Democratic senator to announce a retirement ahead of the 2024 cycle, joining Ben Cardin of Maryland, Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, and Dianne Feinstein of California. At the same point in the 2022 cycle, no Senate Democrats had announced their retirement, although five representatives had,” the outlet added.

Earlier this month, Maryland Democrat Sen. Ben Cardin announced he will not seek re-election in 2024, setting up a potential battle for the U.S. Senate seat.

“I was taught that it’s okay to compromise — don’t ever compromise your principles — but find a path to get things done. Inspire trust in those around you. Keep your word and, again, listen,” Cardin said in a statement.

“You know, Myrna, it’s been the honor of my life to represent the people of Maryland first in the Maryland General Assembly, then as Speaker of the House, later as a member of the House of Representatives, and now as a United States Senator,” Cardin said. “When this term ends, it will be my last year as an elected official. I will not seek re-election.”

“It’s time,” Cardin said. “I always knew this election cycle would be the one I would be thinking about not running again, so it’s not something that hit me by surprise. I enjoy life. There are other things I can do.”

“The genial Marylander had been contemplating his plans for months as Democrats eyed his seat. The 79-year-old Cardin is a fixture in Maryland politics, serving first in the statehouse, then the House and then in the Senate since 2007. He’s the third Senate Democrat to announce they won’t run for reelection, joining Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.). Of those three states, only Michigan is considered competitive,” Politico reported.

“Cardin’s announcement will almost certainly jolt the Old Line State’s congressional delegation and political apparatus. Democrats from all corners will consider running for a safe seat that’s also within driving distance of the Capitol — as plum a gig as you’ll find in politics. Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Reps. Jamie Raskin and David Trone are among those rumored to be considering runs. Cardin’s opening also could particularly pave the way for a candidate from Baltimore, where the senator is from,” the outlet added.

“I salute my friend and our state’s senior Senator Ben Cardin on his extraordinary public service to Maryland and our country,” Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said in a statement Monday. “It is a privilege to serve alongside him and in partnership every day for the people of our great state.”

“Democrats are quickly realizing that the Senate won’t be any fun for them when Republicans retake the majority in 2024,” National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson Tate Mitchell told Fox News.

This has opened up speculation that former Republican Maryland Governor Larry Hogan could run for his seat in 2024.

On a national scale, President Joe Biden is continuing to lose a key voting bloc which will make his path to reelection next year even more difficult.

Hispanics, in particular, are abandoning Biden in droves, and there appear to be multiple reasons for it.

https://twitter.com/DineshDSouza/status/1660676551950704642

https://conservativebrief.com/senate-democrat-2t-73510/

https://twitter.com/FoxNews/status/1660806523457511424

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-admin-pulls-grant-energy-firm-chinese-ties-stunning-reversal?intcmp=tw_fnc

–1 of 2 (maybe 3)

BREAKING: Biden admin pulls grant for energy firm with Chinese ties in stunning reversal

Biden admin pulls grant for energy firm with Chinese ties in stunning reversal

'I’m stunned it took the Biden Administration this long to admit the obvious,' GOP Sen. John Barrasso said Monday evening

Thomas CatenacciBy Thomas Catenacci | Fox News

The Biden administration informed lawmakers Monday that it will no longer award a $200 million grant to a Chinese-linked energy technology firm in an unexpected reversal.

In a call with congressional staff Monday evening, Department of Energy (DOE) officials said Microvast, a Texas-based maker of technology for electric vehicle batteries, won't receive the lucrative grant which had been earmarked under the 2021 infrastructure package. Republican lawmakers have for months called on the agency to rescind the grant after its Chinese ties were revealed last year.

"As responsible stewards of American taxpayer dollars, the Department of Energy maintains a rigorous review process prior to the release of any awarded funds, and it is not uncommon for entities selected to participate in award negotiations under a DOE competitive funding opportunity to not ultimately receive an award," a DOE spokesperson told Fox News Digital in a statement.

"The Department can confirm that it has elected to cancel negotiations and not to award Microvast funds from this competitive funding opportunity," the statement continued.

The spokesperson didn't say what specifically caused the DOE to cancel negotiations with Microvast.

During a grant awarding process, the DOE is required to assess a number of factors including the fitness of an applicant to carry out the scope of its responsibilities under the award, the applicant's past performance including audit reports, its financial management and its accounting systems. Grantees are required to share a large amount of confidential information during the process which can factor into the DOE's final decision.

The DOE announced in October that Microvast would be one of just 20 American companies to receive a portion of the nearly $3 billion appropriated through the infrastructure bill for a program designed to boost domestic battery manufacturing capabilities. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm touted Microvast and the other grant recipients as examples of companies that would boost "American-made" batteries.

JOE MANCHIN BLASTS BIDEN ADMIN FOR CEDING CONTROL TO CCP ON GREEN ENERGY: 'PATHETIC'

However, 69% of Microvast's revenue was generated in China and just 3% came from the U.S., according to a third quarter financial disclosure it filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last month. In the same filing, the company acknowledged that the Chinese government "exerts substantial influence" over its business activities and "may intervene at any time and with no notice."

"The Department of Energy has finally retreated from sending U.S. taxpayer dollars to Microvast, an electric vehicle battery company with close ties to Communist China," Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member John Barrasso, R-Wyo., said in a statement.

"I’m stunned it took the Biden Administration this long to admit the obvious: no company beholden to Communist China should be considered for U.S. government grants or loans," he added. "The administration should immediately reject other applicants with similar ties. It should also overhaul its grant making process and conduct due diligence before issuing press releases."

REPUBLICANS DEMAND BIDEN'S ENERGY SECRETARY RETRACT 'UNSERIOUS' COMMENTS PRAISING CHINA

Fox News Digital previously reported that while Microvast incorporated in Stafford, Texas, in 2006, it simultaneously incorporated Microvast Power Systems, a subsidiary firm, in Huzhou, China. Four years later, in 2010, Microvast began producing components for lithium batteries in Huzhou where its subsidiary is based.

Microvast Power Systems also signed an agreement in December 2018 with local government entity Huzhou Saiyuan to issue convertible bonds. As part of the arrangement, Microvast pledged its 12.39% equity holding of Microvast Power Systems to Huzhou Saiyuan to facilitate the issuance of convertible bonds.

"The PRC government may exert, at any time and with no notice, substantial interventions and influences over the manner in which we conduct our business activities, which we may not be able to anticipate," the company stated in a recent SEC filing.

>>18889238 Part 1 of 2

Part 2 of 2

The SEC placed Microvast on a watchlist in April 2022 over financial auditing issues related to its foreign ties, an action that could result in the company being delisted.

Yang Wu, Microvast's CEO, chairman and founder, attended Southwest Petroleum University in Chengdu, China.

The bipartisan infrastructure legislation, through which Microvast received the grant, implores the DOE not to issue grants to companies that "use battery material supplied by or originating from a foreign entity of concern" or companies "subject to the jurisdiction or direction" of China.

Still, the DOE had defended the grant for months, saying the company was, in fact, American and that the grant would ultimately allow Microvast to build manufacturing capabilities on American soil.

"This is a win for taxpayers and American businesses," House Science, Space and Technology Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., said Monday evening. "On no account should our tax dollars be funding a company with ‘substantial’ ties to the Chinese Communist Party. These funds are intended to strengthen America’s battery production and supply chain, not to tighten China’s stranglehold on these supplies."

"I’m pleased with DOE’s decision, but incredibly frustrated that it took the Department six months and multiple letters from our Committee to come to such an obvious conclusion," Lucas continued. "We’ll continue to hold the Administration accountable for its funding decisions and ensure that American taxpayer dollars are protected from exploitation by the CCP."

Microvast didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

https://twitter.com/TheInsiderPaper/status/1660854515535413248

BREAKING 🚨 Secret Service using a robot to search the Box truck that collided with security barriers near the White House

UPDATE 🚨 The driver of a U-Haul truck has been detained after crashing into security barriers on Lafayette Square near the White House

11:45 PM · May 22, 2023·562 Views

>>18889259 (me)

>>18889278

11:55 PM · May 22, 2023·2,960 Views

https://twitter.com/laralogan/status/1660857045057249281