Notable Quote of the Day

“Looking back at the 2016 cycle, the number of GOP endorsements didn’t really balloon either until February 2016, when the first four primary contests occurred. During that month, 56 Republican senators, representatives and governors endorsed or switched their endorsements. And Trump only got his first endorsement from a member of Congress or governor on Feb. 24, one day after he won the Nevada caucuses and four days after winning the South Carolina primary. It wasn’t until late March that more than 50 percent of Republicans had endorsed a presidential candidate. …

When party leaders stay out or support a range of candidates, the nomination race tends to be wide open. And while, according to Karol, some of the leading Democratic contenders may have an easier time being accepted by different factions of the party than, say, Bush or Cruz in 2016, signs still point to an unpredictable contest.”

– Geoffrey Skelley, FiveThirtyEight

Democrats

• In an interview on CNN, Michael Bennet said that pushing for a mandatory gun buyback program would be “a recipe for getting nothing done.”

• Bill de Blasio will hold his first open press conference in three weeks in New York City.

• Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg, and Julián Castro will speak at the Young Leaders Conference Friday in Atlanta, Georgia.

• Booker and Amy Klobuchar addressed union members at the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades annual convention in Las Vegas.

• John Delaney discussed why he opposed wealth tax proposals on Fox Business Network.

• Kirsten Gillibrand discussed the possibility of a mandatory federal buyback program Wednesday. “I think we should ban assault weapons as well as large magazines, and as part of passing that ban, do a buyback program across the country so that those who own them can be … compensated for their money that they spent,” she said.

• Kamala Harris unveiled her plan to combat domestic terrorism, which included red flag measures called “Domestic Terrorism Prevention Orders” and background check requirements for websites that sell firearms.

• Marcia Fudge endorsed Harris Thursday, marking her tenth endorsement from a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.

• John Hickenlooper is expected to suspend his presidential campaign Thursday, according to the Associated Press.

• Jay Inslee tweeted that he was 10,000 donors away from crossing the fundraising threshold for the third primary debate.

• Wayne Messam was in Miramar, Florida, Wednesday, meeting with students, parents, and educators on the first day of school.

• Seth Moulton toured the Veterans Community Project Wednesday.

• Beto O’Rourke returns to the campaign trail Thursday after he canceled events for two weeks to remain in Texas following the El Paso mass shooting.

• In response to what Bernie Sanders called the “corporate media’s dislike of our campaign,” Sanders is launching a digital newsletter about the election called the Bern Notice.

• Elizabeth Warren campaigned in New Hampshire Wednesday.

• The Los Angeles Times interviewed Andrew Yang about gun violence, automation, and universal basic income.

Republicans

• Donald Trump will bring his campaign to New Hampshire for the first time this year, holding a rally in Manchester on Thursday.

On the Cusp: Tracking Potential Candidates

• Mark Sanford said he would make a decision about entering the presidential race by Labor Day.

Flashback: August 15, 2015

Donald Trump said he was willing to spend $1 billion on his presidential campaign.