Abortion fight puts Vice President Harris at the center of the 2024 election campaign

WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris is taking center stage in the Democrats’ renewed push for abortion rights during this year’s election and she will mark the 51st anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling on Monday in Wisconsin. It will be the first in a series of events hosted by Harris, and it comes … Read more

Democrats believe abortion will motivate voters in 2024. Will it be enough?

WASHINGTON — When Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump said recently that he was “proud” to have a hand in overturning the abortion protections enshrined in Roe v. Wade, Democratic pollster Celinda Lake took it as a political gift, thinking to herself, “Oh my God, we just won the election.” It may not be that simple, … Read more

Biden’s campaign pushes abortion rights in the 2024 battle with Republicans

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden’s reelection team is preparing a nationwide series of events and an advertising campaign focused on the battle over abortion rights, highlighting what Democrats believe will be a potent political weapon against likely Republican nominee Donald Trump. Vice President Kamala Harris has led the charge on the issue for the White … Read more

Missouri abortion-rights campaign backs proposal to enshrine access but allow late-term restrictions

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Missouri abortion-rights campaign announced Thursday that it’s throwing support behind an amendment to the state constitution that would enshrine access to the procedure while allowing restrictions in later stages of pregnancy. Missourians for Constitutional Freedom said it is committing to a proposal, one of 11 versions, that would let lawmakers … Read more

Some New Hampshire residents want better answers from the 2024 candidates on the opioid crisis

ROCHESTER, N.H. — Kristina Amyot’s life has drastically improved since the last New Hampshire primary, but she isn’t confident the current candidates will help others achieve the same success. Amyot, 36, spent more than half her life struggling with addiction, mainly to heroin, before joining Hope on Haven Hill, a comprehensive program for pregnant women … Read more

Fundraising off to slow start in fight over Missouri abortion amendment

COLUMBIA, Mo. — What’s expected to be an expensive and bitter fight over multiple Missouri abortion-rights ballot measures so far has not attracted much money. An abortion-rights campaign called Missourians for Constitutional Freedom had no money on hand as of Dec. 31, according to campaign finance reports filed Tuesday. The group received $25,000 in nonmonetary … Read more

Worried about losing in 2024, Iowa’s Republican voters are less interested in talking about abortion

DES MOINES, Iowa — A man in Iowa stood up at a recent town hall and told Ron DeSantis he had an “easy” question: How would the Florida governor address abortion when it’s sure to be a big issue in the coming 2024 presidential election? DeSantis said he’d talk about it “the same way I … Read more

President Joe Biden’s record age, 81, is an ‘asset,’ first lady Jill Biden says

WASHINGTON — First lady Jill Biden says her husband’s age is an “asset,” as President Joe Biden — at 81 already the oldest American leader in history — faces persistent questions from voters about his decision to seek another term. In an interview with MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” released Thursday, Jill Biden responded to those concerned … Read more

Donald Trump enjoys a relaxed Fox News town hall while top Republican rivals have fiery debate

NEW YORK — As Donald Trump’s two main Republican rivals slugged it out Wednesday on an Iowa debate stage, the former president appeared across town on a Fox News Channel town hall in a counterprogramming move where few discouraging words were heard. Trump walked onstage to cheers and chants of “USA,” stayed at the end … Read more

DeSantis and Haley will appear at next week’s CNN debate at the same time as Trump’s Fox town hall

NEW YORK — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley are set to appear at next week’s Republican presidential debate on CNN, while former President Donald Trump participates in a Fox News town hall at the same time. Both events will be held at 9 p.m. ET on Jan. 10 in … Read more