by Justin Lin, policy intern

NEWS:

• The American Commitment Action Fund, which is a conservative super PAC, just spent $100,000 on ad buys, which are going toward defeating Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who is running for the New Jersey Senate seat. Booker is projected as a favorite in both the primary and special elections, with a recent Quinnipac poll putting him up around 53-30 against Steve Lonegan, his likely opponent. (Washington Post)
• Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), who recently lost the 2012 election after serving 20 terms in Congress, hired The Hula Monsters to  play at a party  he held for his staff. Stark spent around $1,800 for the services of the Hula Monsters and still has over $67,000 of cash on hand. After 40 years of Congress, it probably doesn’t hurt him too much to spend a bit on a party for the staff, even if doing so is against general protocol. (National Journal)
• Minority Leader Mitch McConnell may face election challenges at the primary  level as well now. Matt Bevin, a wealthy businessman, is running for the Republican nomination against McConnell and will be making eight stops over three days, planning to announce his candidacy at 10 p.m. in Frankfort, Kentucky. (Washington Post)
• Majority Leader Harry Reid is in danger of violating the famous (or infamous) Hastert Rule with the student-loan deal if he doesn’t garner enough support for the Bipartisan Loan Certainty Act. The Hastert Rule is a informal principle that a bill that has not garnered support from the majority of the majority party should not be brought to a vote on the floor. This bill would tie the interest rates of student loans to the 10-year Treasury note and is scheduled for a vote this week. (National Journal)
• The National Republican Congressional Committee named nine more members to its Patriot program, which lists members of their own party that could be potentially vulnerable in the upcoming election. Notable additions include Rep. Gary C. Miller, who raised $238,000 in the second quarter after raising what is considered a mere $78,000 the first quarter. These incumbents of the Patriot program join 11 others who have been previously added. (Roll Call)

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