Axios

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won a record 44% in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday, leaving a small party with seats that could determine whether it can lead the nation's first far-right state government since World War II.

Why it matters: Germany rebuilt its democracy after Nazi rule with unusually strong safeguards against extremism. AfD's breakthrough shows those barriers aren't stopping Europe's far right from becoming dominant electoral forces.

Dozens of Latino lawmakers and leaders are pressuring Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association, to invest $10 million in the Texas governor's race, according to a letter to Beshear that Axios obtained.

• Texas state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, who polls suggest is running a strong challenge to Gov. Greg Abbott (R), is trying to become Texas' first Latino governor. Beshear must decide soon how to invest the DGA's cash in the 36 states with governor's races in November.

Why it matters: Beshear is considering a presidential run in 2028. Latino voters are critical in the early primary states of Nevada and New Mexico, and are a key swing vote in general elections.

Top aides for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' failed 2024 presidential campaign have a warning for Democratic governors eyeing a 2028 run: Don't wait too long after November's midterms to jump into the race.

Why it matters: In the coming months, Govs. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Wes Moore of Maryland, JB Pritzker of Illinois and Andy Beshear of Kentucky will face a dilemma similar to what confronted DeSantis after his 2022 reelection:

President Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Kyiv on Sunday for diplomatic talks aimed at resuming negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

Why it matters: Kushner and Witkoff traveled to Kyiv right after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. This is Witkoff and Kushner's first trip to Ukraine despite months of negotiating with both sides and multiple trips to Russia.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Sunday cautiously predicted gasoline price relief is on the way, but stopped short of firm or precise pledges.

Why it matters: Pump prices are at their highest Labor Day weekend levels on record, and the midterms loom less than two months away.

President Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin Saturday and discussed U.S. ideas for ending the war in Ukraine.

Why it matters: Witkoff and Kushner want to resume direct talks between Russia and Ukraine after negotiations were suspended six months ago and the fighting has escalated ahead of winter.

President Trump and his top allies will share the stage with Republican candidates in some of the nation's most competitive races at next week's GOP midterm convention in Dallas, according to a preliminary list of speakers obtained by Axios.

Why it matters: The lineup underscores a central purpose of the convention: firing up Trump voters and getting them to turn out in November, even though the president isn't on the ballot.

The pro-Trump MAGA Inc. super PAC began its long-awaited midterm spending Saturday with a $10 million ad campaign supporting Texas Senate hopeful Ken Paxton.

Why it matters: The decision to start in Texas underscores the urgency among Republicans to shore up Paxton, who is locked in an unexpectedly tight race with Democrat James Talarico.

• Republicans haven't lost a statewide race in Texas in more than three decades. But Talarico has vastly outraised Paxton, who some Republicans have criticized for running a lackadaisical campaign.

U.S. forces struck three Iranian oil tankers Saturday after Iran fired ballistic missiles at two U.S. Navy warships, U.S. Central Command said.

Why it matters: The strikes continue a tit-for-tat war that just passed the six-month mark.

President Trump is hitting the campaign trail and doing the last thing many Republicans want: making the 59 days to the Nov. 3 midterms a referendum on him.

• At the same time, they know it's inevitable.

Why it matters: Most Republicans are too scared to bluntly tell Trump how unpopular he is. And Trump wants an unprecedented convention next week, ads and events to focus on him.