Election News
The 54 Counties That Could Tip the 2020 Presidential Election
Donald Trump and Joe Biden are battling in the swing states – and these counties might make the difference.
Biden Introduces a Powerful New Issue for 2020: Social Security
You might not have noticed it during his speech in Pittsburgh on Monday, but Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden slipped a big issue into the mix for 2020.
Opposition to Obamacare Becomes Political Liability for GOP Incumbents
With competitive races in Colorado, Montana, Arizona, North Carolina and Iowa pitting Republican incumbents who voted to repeal the ACA against Democratic challengers promising to protect it, attitudes surrounding the health law could help determine control of the Senate.
Trump’s Scare Tactics Aren’t Working on Women in the Suburbs
North of Charlotte, N.C., voters of both parties can see through the GOP’s strategy of frightening them about an urban crime wave.
If Joe Biden Wins the Election, He’ll Have Women to Thank
100 years after the ratification of the 19th amendment, women voters have outsized power in U.S. elections.
Max Richtman on Florida This Week
National Committee president and CEO, Max Richtman, recently appeared on Florida This Week (WEDU PBS) to discuss President Trump’s harmful payroll tax cuts.
2020 Democratic National Convention: ‘Virtually’ everything you need to know
Who’s speaking? What’s the message? Is anyone going to Milwaukee? It all starts Monday.
Trump’s Scare Tactics on Mail-in Voting Could Disenfranchise Seniors
President Trump’s rationale for postponing the 2020 elections is an unfounded concern over “rampant fraud” if Americans vote by mail.
Warner Clears Way for West Virginians to Vote by Mail in General Election
All eligible West Virginia voters will be able to vote by mail during November’s general election, Secretary of State Mac Warner said Monday.
Why Montana Is a Test Case for Democrats’ Winning the Senate
The race between Steve Daines, the Republican incumbent, and Steve Bullock could prove crucial in a year when Democrats need to win in conservative-leaning states where President Trump may still prevail.
7 Things to Watch on Tuesday’s Big Primary Day
Democrats will all but finalize their roster of candidates for a Senate takeover bid in Tuesday’s primaries. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s involvement in GOP primaries all around the country faces more major tests.
North Carolina Race Suggests Trump’s Washington Has Become the ‘Swamp’
If the primary showed anything, it’s that the race will hinge on local – and not national – interests.
Trump Drops Out. Biden Gets Sick. Pence is Fired. What if 2020 Gets Really Crazy?
Many Washington insiders in both major parties are expecting some sort of dramatic shift of plot in this election year.
Donald Trump’s Big Problem with Senior Voters
The standard way of looking at Donald Trump’s narrow Electoral College victory, in 2016, is through the realm of geography: by eking out victories in the Rust Belt states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, he overcame a deficit of about 2.9 million ballots in the popular vote.
Democrats Confirm Plans for Nearly All-Virtual Convention
An almost entirely virtual presidential nominating convention will take place Aug. 17-20 in Milwaukee using live broadcasts and online streaming.
‘This is a War’: Republicans Ramp Up Bid to Control Election Maps for Next Decade
The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) is hoping to meet a $125m investment goal in an effort to retain 42 state legislature seats in battleground states including Wisconsin, Texas, Florida and New York.
Turnout Surges After States Expand Mail-in Voting
States that moved to rapidly expand mail-in balloting amid the coronavirus pandemic are seeing some of their highest levels of voter turnout in years
Wave of New Polling Suggests an Erosion of Trump’s Support
Joe Biden appears in a stronger position to oust an incumbent president than any challenger since Bill Clinton in the summer of 1992.
Live Primary Election Results: Iowa, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and More Races to Watch
Eight states and Washington, D.C., held primaries on Tuesday, a big test of voting by mail
Voter Sentiment on Trump’s Pandemic Response Hits New Low
41% approve of Trump’s handling of COVID-19; 53% disapprove
What Women Want
Female voters are showing their power – and it’s not helping President Donald Trump.
Trump’s Coronavirus Mismanagement Is Alienating Seniors in a Crucial State
In Florida, Biden is up and Trump is slipping as older voters fault him for his messy pandemic response.
GOP Senators Worry Trump, COVID-19 Could Cost Them Their Majority
GOP lawmakers privately say that Trump took too long to deploy coronavirus tests and that his statements and demeanor have been too cavalier or flippant.
Anxious About the Virus, Older Voters Grow More Wary of Trump
Trump has suffered a double whammy with seniors from the coronavirus crisis, both in terms of a dislike for his personal demeanor and disapproval of his policy priorities.
Politico: Study: Elderly Trump Voters Dying of Coronavirus Could Cost Him in November
An academic journal projects that deaths of 65-and-older Republican voters in several swing states will far exceed those of Democrats.
Associated Press: As Mail Voting Pushed, Some Fear Loss of In-person Option
Election officials across the country are eliminating polling places or scaling back opportunities for people to cast ballots in person — a move raising concerns among voting rights groups
Analysis: Will Voters Want a President Who Feels Their Pain?
Early polling in the general election face-off between Trump and Biden bears out a gap between the two contenders when it comes to who Americans see as more compassionate to their concerns.
NY Times: Does Vote-by-Mail Favor Democrats? No. It’s a False Argument by Trump
Even some Republican officials, disagreeing with president, say that vote-by-mail has not hurt the G.O.P. in elections.
Vote-by-Mail Can Save the 2020 Election
It’s a time-tested and straightforward solution, and the time to plan for it is now.
Is the U.S. Headed Toward a Short British-Style Election?
Party conventions are in jeopardy, campaigning is on hold and local candidates are playing the role of good Samaritan instead of traditional politician.
Election Officials Plan Mail-Only Primary Election, No In-Person Voting Amid Coronavirus Fears
Election officials plan mail-only primary election, no in-person voting amid coronavirus fears,” by Riley Snyder and Jackie Valley: “Nevada election officials are planning to effectively cancel in-person voting and move the state’s primary election on June 9 to mail ballots only in the wake of the coronavirus crisis gripping the nation, two knowledgeable sources confirmed
Florida Just Set a New Record with 5 Million Registered Democratic Voters
As of Jan. 31, Democrats had 5.04 million registered voters in the state, compared to 4.79 million registered Republicans, according to Florida’s Department of State. An additional 3.78 million voters are registered with minor parties or have no party affiliation.
The Hill: Where the 2020 Democrats Stand in Super Tuesday Polls
Centrist candidates are increasingly warning of the dangers they say a Sanders nomination can pose to the party and its chances in November, and some are looking to Tuesday’s primaries as the best chance to boost their flagging campaigns.
Charleston Democratic Debate Should Include Social Security
When Democratic presidential contenders debate in Charleston on Tuesday, they should be given an opportunity to state their positions on the future of Social Security.
Florida Politics: Mike Bloomberg Releases Long-Term Plan to boost Social Security
He wants to establish a public option retirement savings plan for workers without that benefit through a private employer.
It will exist on automatic contributions from all income earners with a government match for low-income individuals, with automatic investment in low-risk funds. And incomes will be supplemented for those workers who stay in the workforce past the normal retirement age.
New York Times: 2020 Delegate Count and Primary Calendar
The vast majority of delegates are awarded after February. Super Tuesday, when a third of all delegates are allocated in a single day, looms large with 16 contests at the beginning of March.
Harkin: Social Security’s Future is Vital to Iowans; We Should Hear from Candidates About It
Moderators at six previous debates haven’t asked a question about this important benefit and how it can be sustained and improved.
Axios: Andrew Yang Qualifies for February Debates
Andrew Yang on Jan. 26 became the seventh Democrat to qualify for the February debate after polling above 5% in UNH/CNN’s New Hampshire survey, his fourth qualifying poll.
Politico: Trump to Drop $10 Million on Super Bowl Ad
The Super Bowl advertising, coming a day before the Iowa Democratic caucuses, is part of a broader spending effort. Starting this month, campaign aides say they intend to increase their TV, radio, and digital advertising.
Campaign 2020: Who are the Democrats Running for President and Where Do They Stand on the Issues?
The crowded Democratic field includes 18 candidates vying for the nomination. Here’s more about the candidates still running and where they stand on the issues.
Millennial Women and Politics: Their Thoughts on 2020
Millennial women are overall ready to hit the polls. Nearly eight in 10 feel at least somewhat informed and 65% say they plan to vote in the 2020 election.
AXIOS: The GOP’s Nightmare Scenario
A growing number of Republicans are privately warning of increasing fears of a total wipeout in 2020: House, Senate, and White House. The Republican Senate majority, once considered relatively safe, suddenly looks in serious jeopardy. Democrats are raising more money, and polling better, than Republican incumbents in battleground after battleground.
Tonight the Democrats Will Again Debate Medicare For All. But America’s Seniors Can’t Afford to Wait
There’s no doubt our nation’s leaders must commit themselves to making health care affordable and accessible to all Americans.
Klobuchar Qualifies for November Debate
Klobuchar qualified after getting 3 percent support in a national poll conducted by Quinnipiac University that was released Thursday morning. She has previously hit 3 percent in three other polls approved by the Democratic National Committee, and her campaign has said publicly she has hit the 165,000 donor threshold.
Democrats Need to Reclaim the Economy Narrative If They Want to Win in 2020
The Democrat who will beat Donald Trump is the Democrat who can best explain how the economy works and why it is imperative that we strengthen the American middle class.
FiveThirtyEight: Seven Candidates Have Now Qualified For The November Democratic Debate
Our eyes are already turned toward the fifth debate, where things are starting to get a little crowded with seven candidates now qualified. Over the weekend, both Sen. Cory Booker and billionaire activist Tom Steyer earned the last qualifying poll they needed for November’s event, with Steyer making the cut despite having not even appeared in a single debate yet!
Will Moderators for Next Debate Ask Candidates About Social Security?
As President, will you put forward a proposal to extend the programs’ solvency and, if so, will you choose to do this using benefit cuts or revenue increases?
Letter: ABC Debate Moderators Should Include Question about Social Security
Is Social Security a vitally important American program? Yes.
The Next Democratic Debate is Likely to be Only 1 Night
After the first two 2020 debates took place over two nights, the third debate in September is now expected to place every candidate on just one night.
Presidential Candidates Need to Discuss Their Proposals for Social Security
While the issues of health care reform and lowering prescription drug prices have been receiving their due consideration in many campaign events and related media coverage, Social Security, an equally important program for workers, retirees, the disabled and their families, has not yet been afforded the same level of attention from candidates.
The HILL: Population Shifts Set Up Huge House Battleground
Democrats will find themselves on defense in dozens of districts the party captured in 2018, including 31 districts President Trump won in 2016. Already, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has identified 36 members for its Frontline program, which protects endangered incumbents.
Debate Moderators Asked to Include Social Security Question in Next Debate
Is Social Security a vitally important American program? Yes. Does it deserve to be the focus of at least one meaningful question to be included during the next Democratic Presidential Primary Debate this month? Absolutely. Here’s what I’d like to suggest:
How Amy Klobuchar Would Improve Care for Seniors
Sen. Amy Klobuchar on Friday released a multifaceted plan to improve care for seniors — including lowering prescription drug costs, strengthening retirement funds and Social Security benefits.
Houston Chronicle: Houston to Host Third Democratic Presidential Debate
Presidential hopefuls will flock to Houston in September for the third Democratic debate, party officials announced Tuesday. ABC News will host the political back-and-forth on Sept. 12 and Sept. 13. A second broadcast will be through Univision with a Spanish translation, the network said.
NBC: Biden/Sanders, Warren/O’Rourke to be Center Stage at First Debate
The candidates with the highest polling averages will stand side-by-side at the NBC-sponsored face-off on June 26 and 27.The 10 participants for each night were selected in a drawing at NBC News’ headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Plaza on Friday. The podium placements were based on each of the candidates’ qualifying public polling through Wednesday, June 12. The placements started with top polling candidates beginning at the center positions, with lower polling contenders being placed closer to the edges of the stage.
Politico: It’s 2 Primaries Now: Biden and Everyone Else
The emergence of the dual-track primary reflects a turning point in the campaign. For months, the primary had unfolded at a cautious distance – a wash of candidates largely sidestepping each other as they swept into early nominating states and onto the nation’s airwaves. But the unexpected resilience and seeming durability of Biden’s candidacy has forced a quickening of the pace.
Wall St Journal: American Voters Have a Simple Health-Care Message for 2020: Just Fix It!
Now, fearful of pushing too hard, some Democratic presidential candidates—including Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Cory Booker of New Jersey—are distancing themselves from some ideas welcomed by their base, including a plan to provide government care to everyone, known as Medicare for All. That plan and others are seen as extreme by many Republicans and less-liberal Democrats.
Democrats Roll Out $90 Million Super PAC Aimed at Swing States
The nation’s largest super PAC devoted to grassroots Democratic turnout is launching its organizing efforts earlier than ever in seven swing states with a new campaign director and its largest budget to date: $80 million to $90 million.
Missouri District 2 Challenger Gets National Seniors’ Group Endorsement
Twenty-nine year-old lawyer and advocate Cort VanOstran has garnered the endorsement of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.
District 16 Democrat DiNicola Wins Endorsement of National Seniors’ Group
Attorney Ron DiNicola has received the endorsement of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare in his bid to unseat Rep. Mike Kelly in Pennsylvania’s 16th Congressional district.
New Jersey Republican Wins Endorsement of National Seniors’ Advocacy Group
Republican Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) has won the endorsement of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare in his re-election bid.
Seniors’ Advocacy Group Endorses Five New Social Security & Medicare Champions
The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare has endorsed five new candidates for the U.S. House in Congressional districts spanning the country: Abigail Spanberger (VA-01); Jessica Morse (CA-04); Haley Stevens (MI-11); Nancy Soderberg (FL-06); and Alyse Galvin (AK-At Large).
McAdams Wins Endorsement of Major National Seniors Group
Salt Lake County mayor Ben McAdams has garnered the endorsement of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare in his bid to unseat Utah Rep. Mia Love.
Donnelly Wins Endorsement of Social Security and Medicare Advocacy Group
The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare enthusiastically endorses Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN) for re-election this November.
The Guardian: Why are so Few US Politicians from the Working Class?
Contrary to the ideal of a government of and by the people, new research shows Americans are almost always governed by the very privileged.
Attention West VA Residents: “What’s at Stake for Seniors?”
Town Hall meetings on what you need to know In the 2018 elections.
Internal RNC Poll: Complacent Trump Voters May Cost GOP Control of Congress
A private survey conducted for the Republican National Committee and obtained by Bloomberg Businessweek contains alarming news for Republicans hoping to hold on to control of Congress in November: Most Trump supporters don’t believe there’s a threat that Democrats will win back the House.
Kathleen Williams Hosts Discussion on Preserving Social Security
Democratic U.S. House candidate Kathleen Williams hosted an informational session on the nation’s Social Security program Wednesday, explaining the nuts and bolts of it and possible actions Congress is taking that threaten the program’s funding.
Kelly Holds Town Hall in Waterloo
Brendan Kelly, Democratic candidate for the 12th Congressional District, hosted a town hall meeting in Waterloo last Wednesday.
Kelly, who serves as St. Clair County State’s Attorney, used the meeting to talk with voters primarily about Social Security and Medicare. He is running against incumbent U.S. Congressman Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) in the Nov. 6 election.