election 2024
Inequality, complacency behind Minnesota’s lagging student achievement, experts say
As a former public school geography teacher, Minnesota governor and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz has long said education is one of his top priorities. Walz has earned the enthusiastic endorsements of teachers unions through vigorous support of policy goals like school funding increases, along with opposition to conservative-driven privatization efforts. He has committed to […]
Campaign urges Minnesota Latinos to vote
A new campaign aims to boost turnout among Minnesota’s Latino voters, a fast-growing population with increasing political power. Volunteers with COPAL, a group that organizes Latinos to work on Minnesota labor and political issues, hope to complete 100,000 phone calls to potential voters by Election Day. The campaign will provide voters information materials and answer questions […]
Democrats trying to reverse election losses in rural America urge focus on economy
CHICAGO — Democrats should focus on pocketbook issues to win back rural voters, speakers including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said at a Rural Council meeting at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday. Beshear urged the group of rural Democrats to reject social issues and a left-right ideological framing. Most voters, he said, were not worried about […]
‘Hope is making a comeback’: The Obamas make the case for Kamala Harris
CHICAGO — As he did in his first speech to a Democratic National Convention 20 years ago, former President Barack Obama emphasized the connections binding Americans together and called for a more positive national atmosphere on the second night of this year’s convention Tuesday, while rallying Democrats to campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris. At […]
U.S. Senate Democrats vow to battle for majority with Harris-Walz ticket
CHICAGO — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer Tuesday said that he’s determined to give Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris a Senate held by Democrats should she win the White House this November. “She will lead America forward but she needs a Democratic majority in the Senate,” he said in a speech during the second night […]
UAW’s Shawn Fain predicts working-class support for Harris-Walz ticket
CHICAGO — United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain told reporters Tuesday that working-class people can see themselves in the new Democratic presidential ticket. “There’s a very distinct difference in these two people and where they stand with working-class people,” Fain said of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. […]
A look at how federal plans could make the costs of housing more affordable
As renters and would-be homeowners struggle with the high cost of housing, the Biden administration has announced policies to address this strain on household budgets. That includes $100 million in funding for a program to incentivize affordable housing production and streamlining loan application processes to expedite building more housing. Some of those proposals — such […]
Biden delivers late-night farewell to Democrats as he passes the torch to Harris
CHICAGO — After waiting nearly an hour to deliver a scheduled-for-prime-time speech that was pushed to nearly 11:30 p.m. Eastern time, President Joe Biden waited an extra three minutes at the lectern on the first night of the Democratic National Convention as chants from party faithful drowned out his attempts to begin. When planning for […]
‘Never, ever give up’: Hillary Clinton urges Democrats to fight for Harris win
CHICAGO — Hillary Clinton, the first woman to clinch a major political party’s presidential nomination, on the first night of the Democratic National Convention praised Vice President Kamala Harris — the second woman in U.S. history to be nominated — for her bright vision for the nation and her ability to lead the country forward. […]
Harris, DNC to face thousands of protesters ready to push their demands
CHICAGO – Visitors to Chicago this weekend were greeted with bright blue banners and smiling Democrats decked out in lanyards and wielding clipboards, welcoming them to the 2024 Democratic National Convention. But other welcome committees throughout the city bore different accouterments — Palestinian flags, keffiyeh scarves and signs castigating President Joe Biden and Vice President […]
U.S. Senate Dems’ campaign chief predicts sweep of tough races in Montana, Ohio
CHICAGO –– The leader of Democrats’ U.S. Senate campaign arm projected confidence Monday at a Politico event organized outside the Democratic National Convention, saying the party would sweep competitive races this cycle and retain control of the chamber with a win in the presidential race. U.S. Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, who chairs the Democratic […]
Red-state Democratic legislators praise Harris-Walz ticket for invigorating voters
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 […]