Axios

Democrats' dream election scenario risks becoming a nightmare as their candidates in Republican-leaning districts strain to assert their independence from party leadership.

Why it matters: Add them to the sizable cohort of outspoken leftists promising to be a thorn in the side of House Democratic leaders, and you get all the ingredients for an unruly majority.

Brazil votes Sunday in a presidential election that could reshape its relationship with President Trump, return the Bolsonaro movement to power and alter the future of the Amazon.

Why it matters: The showdown between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro has turned into something bigger: a test of Trump's influence in Latin America's largest country, with stakes for the region and the global climate.

Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) was hit with a cease-and-desist letter this week over an AI deepfake he posted falsely depicting his Democratic opponent voicing positions her campaign says she rejects.

Why it matters: Van Orden is the latest in a growing number of candidates and elected officials facing legal complaints and threats over AI deepfakes in campaign ads.