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![Ariana Figueroa](https://kentuckylantern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Ariana-Figueroa-e1651791759710-300x300.jpeg)
Ariana covers the nation's capital for States Newsroom. Her areas of coverage include politics and policy, lobbying, elections and campaign finance.
Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
Red-state Democratic legislators praise Harris-Walz ticket for invigorating voters
By: Ariana Figueroa - August 19, 2024
CHICAGO — State legislators from across the country mingled Monday during a Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee meeting at the Democratic National Convention, where they overwhelmingly agreed that the new Harris-Walz presidential ticket has reenergized the party base. “I think that there is a collective opportunity to bring a whole new set of Democrats, and voters […]
Black women quickly mobilize to boost Kamala Harris presidential bid
By: Ariana Figueroa - August 19, 2024
WASHINGTON — As Vice President Kamala Harris prepares to give the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention Thursday, making her the first Black and South Asian woman to lead a major party ticket, her nomination has energized a strong and loyal voting bloc in the Democratic Party — Black women. Since President Joe Biden […]
The big moment arrives for Harris: Democratic convention kicks off Monday in Chicago
By: Ariana Figueroa and Jacob Fischler - August 19, 2024
WASHINGTON — Just a little over a month after she became a candidate for president in the biggest shakeup in generations of presidential politics, Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday will deliver a widely anticipated speech accepting the Democratic nomination at the party’s convention in Chicago. Harris’ ascent to the top of the ticket after […]
Mark your calendar: VP candidates Walz and Vance to debate Oct. 1
By: Ariana Figueroa - August 15, 2024
WASHINGTON — Ohio Republican Sen. J.D. Vance Thursday agreed to an Oct. 1 vice presidential debate against Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz on CBS News. Walz agreed to the October debate invitation from CBS on Wednesday. It will take place in New York City. Vance also argued for more debates against Walz, including one on […]
Walz agrees to Oct. 1 vice presidential debate on CBS
By: Ariana Figueroa - August 14, 2024
WASHINGTON — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has agreed to a vice presidential debate on Oct. 1 hosted by CBS News. In a statement, CBS News said it reached out to both presidential campaigns, but it’s unclear if the Republican vice presidential candidate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, will participate in the debate in New York City. […]
Trump agrees to Sept. 10 debate with Harris, claims two more upcoming
By: Ariana Figueroa - August 8, 2024
WASHINGTON — Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said Thursday he has agreed to debate Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris on Sept. 10, a reversal from his position last week that he would not participate in the ABC News event. During a press conference at Trump’s Mar-A-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, the former president said […]
Harris, Democratic leaders honor Jackson Lee at Houston service
By: Ariana Figueroa - August 1, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic presidential nominee, praised the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, one of the most prominent Black women lawmakers in Congress, in a Thursday eulogy focused on the Texan’s decades of fierce advocacy. “Her fight was born out of love, she had a big, big heart,” Harris said. “Very […]
Citizens United, GOP state parties file FEC complaint over Biden-Harris campaign funds
By: Ariana Figueroa - July 25, 2024
WASHINGTON — A conservative group and a group of Republican state parties Thursday filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission accusing Vice President Kamala Harris of improperly assuming control of Biden campaign funds after he withdrew from the race. The complaint is asking the FEC’s six-person commission — split evenly between Democrats and Republicans […]
Six U.S. House Dems join GOP in condemning Harris, Biden administration over border policy
By: Ariana Figueroa - July 25, 2024
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Thursday passed a Republican-led resolution condemning the president and Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic presidential nominee, for the administration’s immigration policies. Republicans announced they would move forward with the resolution hours after President Joe Biden suspended his reelection campaign and threw his support to Harris to become the […]
Trump says he’s willing to debate Harris, more than once
By: Ariana Figueroa - July 23, 2024
WASHINGTON — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a Tuesday call with reporters committed to a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic presidential candidate. “I would be willing to do more than one debate,” Trump said. Harris, who says she is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, won pledges from enough Democratic delegates […]
U.S. Secret Service director resigns amid fury over agency failures in protecting Trump
By: Ariana Figueroa - July 23, 2024
WASHINGTON — U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned Tuesday, following widespread outrage that her agency failed to prevent the assassination attempt on former President Donald J. Trump during a July 13 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Cheatle’s resignation follows an intense congressional hearing where Democrats and Republicans demanded she step down after they grew […]
VP Harris cites Biden’s ‘legacy of accomplishment’ as endorsements pile up for her bid
By: Ariana Figueroa, Lia Chien and Jacob Fischler - July 22, 2024
WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris’ path to the Democratic nomination cleared Monday as she secured endorsements from potential rivals and other high-profile party members the day after President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid. A swarm of Democratic legislative leaders, governors — including some thought to harbor presidential ambitions of their own — and […]