Election 2024
Growing threat of political violence looms over 2024, former members of Congress warn
Former members of Congress are deeply concerned about political violence ahead of the 2024 presidential election, former Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama and former Rep. Barbara Comstock of Virginia said at a Thursday joint appearance sponsored by the liberal Center for American Progress and the nonpartisan McCain Institute. Jones, a moderate Democrat who lost reelection […]
Police officers can help prevent domestic violence killings by asking the right questions
For help, call 800-799-7233, or text “START” to 88788 for the 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline. This story was originally published on Stateline. Today, Andreae Lloyd’s family will mark the second anniversary of her death. Just after midnight on Dec. 7, 2021, police say, Xavier Johnson, Lloyd’s boyfriend, knocked on the door of the Miami-area group home she […]
Haley draws fire from rivals in GOP presidential debate, as Christie calls Trump ‘unfit’
Half of the four Republican presidential candidates on a debate stage in Alabama on Wednesday night focused their attacks on former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who’s vying for the prized second place in the nominating contest. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy teamed up early in the debate to repeatedly hit […]
Alabama commission finalizes language for constitutional amendment; vote set for March
The Alabama Fair Ballot Commission Tuesday voted to approve language for a constitutional amendment that could make it easier for the Alabama Legislature to enact local legislation. The amendment, which will be on the ballot in March’s primary election, would address a legislative procedure known as the budget isolation resolution (BIR). Under a 1984 constitutional […]
Mike Lindell’s conspiracy-fueled pillow company fights to survive his election obsession
This story was originally published on Minnesota Reformer. CHASKA, Minnesota — Pillow mogul Mike Lindell calls up former Michigan state senator Patrick Colbeck, who works for something Lindell made up called the Election Crime Bureau, to talk about press strategy. Lindell tells Colbeck a press release needs to mention his “offense fund,” to which people […]
In face of threats, election workers vow: ‘You are not disrupting the democratic process’
This story was originally published on Stateline. Hundreds of election workers in Washington state’s second-largest county were busy opening mail-in ballots earlier this month when one of them came across a plain white envelope. As she cut it open, white powder leaked out. She carefully took off her gloves, put them down, backed away and […]
Biography of a district: Infrastructure one of many challenges awaiting next representative
The new 2nd Congressional District, with a Black Voting Age Population (BVAP) of 48.7%, was intended to give Black Alabamians a better chance to choose their leaders. In the end, the new boundary lines for the district did what they are supposed to do — give African Americans more of a voice within the state’s […]
The subject that never comes up in Alabama political campaigns? Alabama
Political campaigns in Alabama have one distinguishing feature: a total lack of interest in Alabama. Oh sure, a candidate will speak of “Alabama values” while brandishing a gun and explaining why some Alabamians don’t count. But if you want to talk about the state as you and I experience it, you’re not going to hear […]
Trump immigration policies set the tone for most of the GOP presidential field
This is one of an occasional series comparing the Republican presidential candidates’ positions on issues. WASHINGTON — Most of the candidates in this year’s 2024 Republican race for the presidential nomination mirror hard-line immigration policies set by the front-runner, former President Donald Trump. What were once considered far-right policies are now common talking points among […]
Two Alabama Board of Education incumbents not seeking re-election
Two incumbents on the Alabama State Board of Education will not seek re-election next year. Republicans Stephanie Bell, who represents the 3rd District and has sat on the board for nearly 30 years, and Belinda McRae, the 7th District candidate in her first term in office, are not listed on the ballot next year. Bell, […]
How U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson helped derail a fight against election lies
Back in July, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. A federal court had recently granted a temporary injunction, in Missouri v. Biden, finding that the Biden administration had violated the First Amendment by coercing social media companies to remove content, related both to elections and the COVID-19 vaccine, that […]
Case seeking to bar Trump from 2024 ballot appealed to Colorado Supreme Court
This story was originally published on Colorado Newsline. The widely anticipated next phase of a challenge to former President Donald Trump’s constitutional eligibility to seek office again began on Monday with separate appeals filed by Trump and the plaintiffs who brought the case to the Colorado Supreme Court. A Denver District Court judge ruled last […]