Rep. Jerry Nadler will win the Democratic nomination for New York's 12th District

Democrats in Florida on Tuesday picked Rep. Charlie Crist, left, to take on Gov. Ron DeSantis in the fall, CNN projected. (Getty Images)

The final pieces of the midterm puzzle are coming into focus as Tuesday primaries in New York, Florida and Oklahoma lock in key parts of the November election slate.

Democrats in Florida on Tuesday picked Rep. Charlie Crist to take on Gov. Ron DeSantis in the fall, CNN projected. Crist's challenge comes as DeSantis seeks both a second term and a boost ahead of a rumored presidential bid in 2024. CNN also projected that Democratic Rep. Val Demings would take on Republican Sen. Marco Rubio in November.

Here are the some of the key takeaways so far:

Crist looks to derail DeSantis in the fall

For the second time in eight years, Democratic voters elected Crist as their nominee for governor, choosing the seasoned veteran over Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who was vying to become the state's first female governor. Crist now has just 11 weeks to unite his party, energize the Democratic base and convince independent voters that the state needs a new direction.

The stakes for Democrats are high, and not just in Florida, where DeSantis has already pushed through an aggressively conservative agenda, vowing that a second term will bring new action to further restrict abortion and to make it easier to carry a gun in public. But national Democrats are also now looking for Crist to slow DeSantis' rise before an anticipated campaign for the White House in 2024. 

Florida's latest contentious Senate race formally takes shape

The Senate race between Rubio and Demings is on.

Demings won her primary on Tuesday and Rubio was unopposed, setting up a race that Republicans believe they should easily win but one that offers Democrats yet another chance to show they can win statewide in a place that has crept right for years.

The two have been focused on each other for months — their primaries were not competitive — but on Tuesday night, the contours of the race were clear: Rubio plans to brand Demings a "Pelosi Puppet" who is inextricably linked to President Joe Biden, while Demings plans to attack Rubio as ineffective, selfish and wedded to a Republican Party dominated by Trump.

Read more takeaways.

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Anne Heche 'not expected to survive' crash injuries, rep says

"Unfortunately, due to her accident, Anne Heche suffered a severe anoxic brain injury and remains in a coma, in critical condition. She is not expected to survive," the statement read. "It has long been her choice to donate her organs and she is being kept on life support to determine if any are viable."

Anoxic brain injury occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen.

A woman inside the home at the time of the crash suffered minor injuries, but did seek medical attention, according to Lee.

Heche has remained in critical condition. This week, a spokesperson for Heche told CNN the actress suffered "significant pulmonary injury requiring mechanical ventilation" and "burns that require surgical intervention."

"We want to thank everyone for their kind wishes and prayers for Anne's recovery and thank the dedicated staff and wonderful nurses that cared for Anne at the Grossman Burn Center at West Hills hospital," the statement continued.

In their message, her family and friends also paid tribute to Heche's "huge heart" and "generous spirit."

"More than her extraordinary talent, she saw spreading kindness and joy as her life's work -- especially moving the needle for acceptance of who you love," the statement read. "She will be remembered for her courageous honesty and dearly missed for her light."

Heche rose to fame on the soap opera "Another World," where she played the dual role of twins Vicky Hudson and Marley Love from 1987 to 1991. She earned a Daytime Emmy Award for her performance on the show.

Heche followed that success with numerous films, including "Donnie Brasco," "Wag the Dog" and "Six Days Seven Nights" opposite Harrison Ford.

In more recent years, Heche has appeared in television shows like "The Brave," "Quantico," and "Chicago P.D."

Following the crash, there was an outpouring of support for the actress from the Hollywood community. Her ex and former "Men in Trees" co-star James Tupper, with whom she shares one of her two sons, wrote on Instagram: "Thoughts and prayers for this lovely woman, actress and mother tonight Anne Heche. We love you."

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Oklahoma man charged with cyberstalking and threatening GOP Rep. Kevin Hern and his wife

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An Oklahoma man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to stalking and threatening a U.S. Representative from his state.

Keith Eisenberger, 39, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to cyberstalking and threatening to kidnap and assault Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., and threatening to kidnap and assault his spouse, the Justice Department said.

"The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will not tolerate online threats of violence meant to intimidate elected officials or members of our community. Keith Eisenberger now understands there are legal repercussions to committing these criminal acts," U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson said in a press release on Wednesday.

Hern represents Oklahoma’s first congressional district.

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Rep. Kevin Stern, R-Okla., speaks during a town hall event hosted by House Republicans on March 1, 2022 in Washington, DC.  (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

In a statement, FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray clarified that the First Amendment does not protect individuals who threaten violence.

"While the First Amendment gives us the right to express our own opinions, it does not protect those who cross the line of making violent criminal threats," Gray said. "The FBI will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure elected officials can perform the duties of their office safely."

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In the deal, Eisenberger admitted to sending "concerning statements" between Nov. 27, 2018, and May 11, 2022, including a message that said he was going to kidnap Hern and his wife, the Justice Department said.

Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., speaks during a House Small Business Committee hearing on July 17, 2020 in Washington, D.C.  (Erin Scott-Pool/Getty Images)

Eisenberger now faces up to a maximum felony sentence of 25 years in prison.

NYPD SHOOTS MAN WHO THREATENED TO KILL GOV. KATHY HOCHUL, POLICE COMMISSIONER: REPORT

The deal came amid a years-long investigation into Eisenberger, who frequented political events in his state to meet with lawmakers. The uninvited admiration then swiftly turned into harassment, the Justice Department said.

After Hern won the general election in 2018 and was sworn in in January 2019, Eisenberger traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet the lawmaker.

Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., arrives for the House Republican leadership elections at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, November 17, 2020.  (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Once there, he demanded Hern resign. During the incident, Eisenberger reportedly told Capitol Police that he bought a one-way ticket and would not leave until Hern vacated his position.

In 2020, Eisenberger took to social media to call for Hern to be "federally executed." He also said Hern should face resignation, death or expulsion. In another post that same year, he threatened to assault the Republican lawmaker.

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The Justice Department also said Eisenberger continued his harassment in 2021, in a social media post where he threatened to kidnap Hern and his wife, Tammy Hern.

The FBI conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar is prosecuting the case.

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Republicans, Democrats react to Rep. Walorski's tragic car crash death: 'Just the worst news'

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Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle shared their condolences after the tragic deaths of Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Ind., her district director, and her communications director.

Walorski, 58, and her staffers, communications director Emma Thompson, 28, and district director Zachary Potts, 27, were all killed in a Wednesday head-on collision in Elkhart County, Indiana.

"It is with a heavy heart that I am sharing this statement from the Office of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski," House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., wrote on Twitter.

INDIANA GOP CONGRESSWOMAN JACKIE WALORSKI KILLED IN CAR CRASH

"Dean Swihart, Jackie’s husband, was just informed by the Elkhart County Sheriff’s office was killed in a car accident this afternoon," the statement from Walorski’s office shared by McCarthy read. "She has returned home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please keep your family in her thoughts and prayers. We will have no further comment at this time."

House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., said he was devastated "to hear the horrible news of the passing of Jackie Walorski and her two staffers."

"She was a dear friend who loved serving the people of Indiana in Congress," Scalise wrote. "My prayers are with her loving husband Dean, the rest of her family, and the families of the two staffers."

Prominent Democrats also shared their condolences following the deaths of Walorski and her two staffers, including Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., who said the news of the deaths was "the worst news."

"Just the worst news. Rest In Peace Jackie, a 2012 classmate, and her loyal staff Zachary r[and] Emma," Swalwell wrote. "Our office is praying for the families of Rep. Walorski, Zachary Potts, and Emma Thomson."

"I'm shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg wrote. "My thoughts and prayers are with her family and the other victims of this terrible crash."

The news of the deaths saw an outpouring of thoughts, prayers, and condolences from Walorski’s colleagues in Congress and beyond, across the political spectrum.

Walorski represented Indiana’s 2nd District since 2013 and was known as a bridge-building moderate.

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"On August 3, 2022 at approximately 12:32 PM the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two vehicle crash on SR 19 south of SR 119," the sheriff's office told Fox News Digital.

"A northbound passenger car traveled left of center and collided head on with a southbound sports utility vehicle. All three occupants in the southbound vehicle died as a result of their injuries: Jackie Walorski, 58, Elkhart, Indiana Zachery Potts, 27, Mishawaka, Indiana Emma Thomson, 28, Washington, DC The sole occupant of the northbound vehicle, Edith Schmucker, 56, Nappanee, Indiana was pronounced deceased at the scen," the office continued. "The Elkhart County Coroner’s Office and the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office are conducting the investigation. No additional information will be released at this time."

Fox News Digital’s Andrew Mark Miller contributed reporting.

Houston Keene is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital.  Story tips can be sent to Houston.Keene@Fox.com and on Twitter: @HoustonKeene 

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Al Qaeda leader’s death leads Rep. Mike Waltz to question why bin Laden successor was in Kabul

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Details surrounding the United State's killing of of al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri raises new questions, Rep. Mike Waltz, a former Special Forces officer who served in Afghanistan, told Fox News.

The U.S. killed al-Zawahiri in a drone strike in Afghanistan over the weekend, President Biden announced Monday night. al-Zawahiri took control over al Qaeda after Usama bin Laden was killed.

"Number one, what was the leader of al-Qaeda doing in Kabul?" Waltz asked. "And from what I'm hearing from a number of folks, both in Afghanistan and in the intelligence community, he's been there for some time. So, what did the Taliban promise him?"

"Why did he feel so comfortable to really be out in the open?" the Florida Republican continued, noting that al-Zawahiri had been in hiding for years.

US TAKES OUT AL QAEDA LEADER AYMAN AL ZAWAHIRI IN ‘SUCCESSFUL’ AFGHANISTAN COUNTERTERRORISM OPERATION

Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri speaks on the 11th Anniversary of Usama bin Laden's death. (AP Photo/Mazhar Ali Khan, File)

Biden, while defending his decision to withdrawal U.S. troops from Afghanistan, said al Qaeda was no longer in Afghanistan.

"We went to Afghanistan for the express purpose of getting rid of al Qaeda in Afghanistan, as well as — as well as getting Osama bin Laden," Biden said in August 2021. "And we did."

Biden said in a White House address Monday evening: "The United States continues to demonstrate our resolve and our capacity to defend the American people against those who seek to do us harm. You know, we make it clear again tonight that no matter how long it takes, no matter where you hide, if you are a threat to our people, the United States will find you and take you out."

WHO IS AYMAN AL ZAWAHIRI? AL QAEDA LEADER KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN

Waltz also praised the strike.

"This is just a great day for peace and for freedom and for stability around the world," he told Fox News.

But Waltz, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, also questioned whether the Taliban was warned of the strike.

Rep. Mike Waltz speaks on Fox News. (Fox News)

US DRONE STRIKE KILLS TOP SYRIAN ISIS LEADER MAHER AL-AGAL

"Did we notify them with the threat of it leaking and him escaping?" Waltz asked. "On the other hand, not notifying the Taliban would threaten this fragile relationship the Biden administration has crafted."

The Taliban condemned the attack in a tweet, noting that the strike hit a residential house.

al-Zawahiri served as bin Laden’s deputy during the 9/11 attacks and is considered a key plotter.

"al-Zawahiri continued to pose an active threat to U.S. persons, interests and national security," a senior administration official said Monday.

Usama bin Laden and al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri sitting side by side. (Hamid Mir/Editor/Ausaf Newspaper for Daily Dawn/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo)

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Waltz told Fox News it's unclear how al-Zawahiri’s death will affect al Qaeda's operation. 

"There are a lot of people that really didn’t think [al-Zawahiri] had very much of an operational role," Waltz said. "What I do think we need to be aware of is that terrorism is absolutely still a threat."

"We have to keep our foot on the necks of these terrorist organizations," he continued. "While this strike was successful, and I certainly applaud it, that means we still have to stay vigilant, and we can't start letting down our guard just because these two have been taken out."

Matt Leach is a Fox Digital Originals reporter based in Tampa, FL.

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SEC charges former GOP Rep. Stephen Buyer with insider trading

(File 1988) House Judiciary Committee member Rep. Stephen Buyer (R/IN) carries his research materials away at the conclusion of the impeachment proceedings December 12.

Reuters

WASHINGTON -- Former Indiana Republican Rep. Stephen Buyer has been charged with insider trading, using accounts owned by his wife and long-time mistress to hide some of the transactions, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced Monday.

Buyer, who left Congress in 2011, is accused of trading on non-public information he received as a consultant after he left office.

According to the civil complaint filed in Manhattan federal court, Buyer bought more than $1.5 million in stock in two separate companies, Sprint and Navigant Consulting, based on insider information over the span of two years.

He sold the shares of Sprint in 2018 after its merger with T-Mobile leaked, for a profit of at least $107,000 according to the SEC. He sold the Navigant shares in 2019 after news became public that Navigant would be acquired by Guidehouse LLP.

Buyer used several different accounts, including his wife Joni Buyer's brokerage account, to purchase the shares. Joni Buyer is not accused of any legal wrongdoing, but she is named in the charges because she technically benefitted from the ill-gotten gains in her investment account.

Buyer allegedly spread the stock purchases across 7 different accounts, including two separate IRA's belonging to him alone, an investment account belonging to his wife Joni Buyer; a joint account owned by the couple; a joint account Buyer shared with his son; a joint account Buyer shared with his cousin, and a 7th account owned by a woman identified only as "Friend-1."

According to the SEC complaint, Buyer began a romantic relationship with the unidentified woman in 2006. In 2018, Buyer used the woman's IRA account to purchase more than $12,000 worth of stock in Sprint. A year later, he allegedly used her account again to purchase $22,000 of stock in Navigant, shortly before both companies were acquired by Buyer's consulting clients.

"When insiders like Buyer – an attorney, a former prosecutor, and a retired Congressman – monetize their access to material, nonpublic information, as alleged in this case, they not only violate the federal securities laws, but also undermine public trust and confidence in the fairness of our markets," said Gurbir S. Grewal, Director of the SEC Enforcement Division, in the SEC press release.

A lawyer for Buyer could not immediately be identified for comment.

Buyer served in Congress from 1993-2011, where he represented Indiana's 4th congressional district, which was previously numbered as its 5th.

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