US Election 2024 tracker: Live news and election updates
For the latest news, updates, and insights on the highly anticipated 2024 United States Presidential Election, look no further. As the race for the White House heats up, we bring you the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on the candidates, their policies, and the key issues shaping the election landscape. Stay informed and engaged with the world of American politics as we gear up for another pivotal moment in the nation’s history.
The 2024 US Presidential Election promises to be a significant event, with potential candidates from both major parties vying for the opportunity to lead the country. We cover a wide range of topics, including candidate profiles, campaign strategies, policy proposals, debates, and polling data. We also delve into the critical issues facing the nation, such as the economy, healthcare, national security, and social justice, providing you with a complete understanding of the factors influencing the election.
Whether you are a political enthusiast or a casual observer, our live feed offers a balanced and comprehensive view of the 2024 US Presidential Election. Stay tuned for the latest developments, breaking news, and in-depth analysis of the candidates and the issues that matter most to the American people. With our user-friendly interface and easy navigation, you can effortlessly stay updated on all aspects of the election.
So, bookmark this page, and let us be your go-to source for all the latest news and updates on the 2024 United States Presidential Election. Stay informed, stay engaged, and stay connected with the world of American politics.
Kari Lake launches campaign for U.S. Senate seat in Arizona after hinting at run for weeks
Kari Lake, a known conservative and staunch supporter of Donald Trump, has officially initiated her campaign for the U.S. Senate seat in Arizona. For weeks, she had hinted at the possibility of her running for office, with speculations pointing to an early October campaign launch. At first, the National Republicans were wary of her candidacy, considering her previous loss in the 2022 governor's race. Following this defeat, Lake had embarked on an extensive, months-long campaign questioning the legitimacy of the voting process.
Despite these challenges, Lake continued to stay engaged in GOP politics. She frequently interacted with officials in Washington D.C. and maintained a close rapport with Donald Trump. Earlier this week, she was in Capitol Hill, meeting with senators in anticipation of her campaign kick-off, which is expected to take place next week.
In the GOP primary, Lake is favored as the likely candidate. However, the certainty decreases significantly when it comes to the general elections. Kyrsten Sinema, currently serving as an independent senator from Arizona, has hinted at her intentions of running for re-election. In the meantime, Ruben Gallego, a Democrat from Arizona, has been actively campaigning for the seat for several months now.
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Derek Tran raises $250k in 24 hours, shaking up California's fiercely contested House race
In Los Angeles, Derek Tran, a 42-year-old lawyer, has entered one of California's most fiercely fought House races. Despite joining the race months after his fellow Democratic candidates, his fundraising efforts have been extraordinary. In the 24 hours following the launch of his campaign on Monday, he managed to raise over $250,000, aiming to topple incumbent Rep. Michelle Steel. This amount surpasses what any of the other four Democrats in the race managed to raise in the last quarter.
Steel, representing a district that favoured Biden by six points, is a key target for Democrats seeking to regain their foothold in Orange County. However, she has proven to be a formidable competitor and a proficient fundraiser, having raised over $2 million in the previous filing period and possessing $1.7 million in the bank as of June 30.
The 45th district, famed as Orange County's Little Taiwan, is one of the most intensely contested races this cycle. Democrats view California as a prime opportunity to flip seats and reclaim the majority. Steel is one of five Republican incumbents whose districts showed a preference for Biden over Trump.
Democrats have expressed private concerns over their party's options. Kim Bernice Nguyen, a member of the Garden Grove City Council, secured key endorsers like Rep. Katie Porter. However, she only managed to raise $150,000 in five months and ended June with approximately $55,000 available.
Other Democratic hopefuls include Cheyenne Hunt, a Gen Z TikTok influencer who managed to raise more than Nguyen, and Aditya Pai, a lawyer who made headlines earlier this summer with a perplexing message to supporters announcing his withdrawal from the race, only to later claim it was a mistake and recommence his campaign.
Despite being a first-time candidate, Tran believes his background as the son of Vietnamese refugees and a former Army veteran makes him a strong candidate for the district, which has a significant Vietnamese population. He noted in an interview that his family story and upbringing resonate with voters, and like many in the electorate, he speaks Vietnamese.
Republicans, on the other hand, were quick to highlight Tran's career as a personal injury attorney. Ben Petersen, spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, stated, "Ambulance chasing lawyer Derek Tran just crashed Democrats’ clown car primary in the 45th district. With extreme liberal Derek Tran joining this crowded field of flawed candidates, get ready for Democrat infighting devolving into a risky high-speed race to the far-left.”
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Former Florida Senate president Don Gaetz plans return to state legislature
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Don Gaetz, a 75-year-old former Republican state Senate president and father of Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz, is planning a return to the Florida Legislature. Gaetz is planning to file his candidacy for the state Senate seat currently held by outgoing Senator Doug Broxson, who will leave office next year due to term limits.
Gaetz, who has held several appointed positions since leaving elected office in 2016, has said that he has been encouraged by voters in the Panhandle to run for office. He stated that he had received a surge of support, encouragement, and even demands to run for office from people he respects in Northwest Florida.
One of the individuals who encouraged Gaetz to run was state Senator Ben Albritton, a Republican from Polk County who is expected to become the next Senate president in late 2024. In the previous cycle, Governor Ron DeSantis had prompted several candidates to run for the state Senate, even though Senate leaders had plans to support other candidates. Gaetz’s return to the Senate could provide a significant counterbalance to the governor.
Gaetz's decision to enter the race prompted former state Representative Frank White, a Republican from Pensacola, to withdraw from the contest despite being the sole candidate for the post. Gaetz expressed concerns about the rising costs associated with property insurance, housing, and utilities in Florida, a state known for its low taxes. He believes that the Legislature can address the causes and the political pressure that are driving up costs in the state.
Gaetz began his political career as a school board member and later as the schools superintendent for Okaloosa County. He first ran for the state Senate in 2006 and became Senate president after the 2012 elections. During his time in office, Gaetz was known for engaging in political disputes, including a notable one with then-Governor Rick Scott, who is now a U.S. senator and who had opposed Gaetz's bid to become president of the University of West Florida.
While in office, his son Matt Gaetz ran for the state House, and they served in the Legislature at the same time and even shared a residence in Tallahassee. In the Legislature, Don Gaetz became known for his oratory skills and, like his son, the ability to deliver a quick-witted response or a sharply-worded reply.
While the younger Gaetz was once overshadowed by his successful father, he has since outshone him as a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump and an adversary of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif), threatening to remove McCarthy from his speakership. Congressman Matt Gaetz is now seen as a potential candidate for Florida governor in 2026, but his father insists that this has no bearing on his own decision to run.
"Matt has encouraged me to run for the Senate, but I know in Washington he is laser focused on budget issues, trying to control spending, trying to pass term limits," said the elder Gaetz. He added that his son plans to run for another term in Congress next year and has no plans to run for governor.
After Gaetz left office, he held key appointed positions, including a spot on Florida’s ethics commission and as chair of the board of a non-profit corporation responsible for distributing millions of dollars given to the state following the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster. He was also implicated in the federal trafficking investigation of his son when a Florida businessman attempted to extort $25 million from him in exchange for helping Matt Gaetz secure a presidential pardon. However, the Department of Justice subsequently closed its investigation into Matt Gaetz without filing charges.
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Impending government shutdown stirs tension in Virginia politics ahead of legislative elections
The potential for a government shutdown is creating tension in Virginia, with both political parties concerned about its possible impact on the state's politics. The shutdown could cause financial strain for thousands of voters, influence the balance of power in Richmond, and shape the governor's national aspirations.
Democratic and Republican parties are strategizing around the possible repercussions. Democrats are investing in off-year legislative elections, attempting to attribute the blame for the shutdown on Republicans. On the other hand, Governor Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, has privately expressed worries about the potential disturbance this might cause.
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee has recently given $400,000 to Virginia Democrats to highlight the extremity of the Republicans, including their threat to shut down the government. They have plans to make more investments in the coming weeks, based on the events of tomorrow.
In contrast, Representative Bob Good, a conservative from Virginia advocating for significant budget cuts, confirmed that Youngkin recently expressed his apprehension. Youngkin, often speculated to be a future presidential candidate, has yet to publicly criticize his Republican colleagues for the tumultuous conflict over government spending. However, both he and the Democrats in the state acknowledge that the timing of the shutdown is precarious.
Virginia is only a few weeks away from legislative elections that could influence the rest of Youngkin's term and potentially his future in national politics. The anticipated shutdown this weekend might jeopardize the earnings of over 140,000 Virginians employed by the federal government.
Both parties are seeking any advantage in a tightly contested battle for control of the state legislature. All 140 legislative seats will be up for grabs in November. They perceive a prolonged shutdown as potentially damaging for Republicans.
Republicans in Virginia hope to avoid a prolonged closure. If it does occur, their objective is to mitigate the damage and divert voters' attention to their work in Richmond.
Both parties are aware that they need to tread carefully. Republicans and Democrats stressed that they didn't want a shutdown to happen. They believe that unless the shutdown is extended, it won't become a top issue in the final sprint in Virginia. However, with the shutdown approaching rapidly and early voting already in progress, both parties in Virginia believe it could still influence close battleground races.
Government shutdowns have significantly influenced past Virginia elections. Most notably, a two-week shutdown in 2013 preceded a fiercely contested gubernatorial race between Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Ken Cuccinelli.
Unlike in 2013, Virginia now has robust early voting laws. Early voting began last Friday, meaning voters are already at the polls. Virginia ranks third in the country, following California and The District, for the most civilian federal employees. It also has a large military community and private sector jobs that rely on federal employees' spending.
Democrats in Virginia are determined to ensure Republicans bear the brunt of the shutdown. They stressed that a government shutdown could have catastrophic effects on the Virginia economy. However, they were clear about who would be responsible for it.
Good, a member of the Freedom Caucus who represents the fewest civilian federal employees in the Virginia congressional delegation, has been part of the group of House Republicans advocating for spending cuts in return for not shutting down the government.
Youngkin, on his part, has not criticized his party in Washington like previous governors did. During a recent interview, he tried to lay the blame at President Joe Biden's feet. Last week, he urged patience, stating that the state was "in good shape" but acknowledging that people were anxious.
Other Republicans in Washington, particularly those from Virginia, are aware of how their internal disagreements could harm legislative candidates. When asked whether the shutdown would hurt Virginia Republicans, Representative Jen Kiggans, a Republican from Virginia, said, "I think Virginians are watching." She emphasized that they were showing what Republican leadership looks like and that it impacts all state elections.
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Georgia bail bondsman pleads guilty in election racketeering case linked to former President Trump
In a recent development, Georgia bail bondsman Scott Hall, 59, accused in an election racketeering conspiracy case along with the former President Donald Trump, has pleaded guilty. Hall is the initial defendant in the case to strike a plea bargain, which also includes 18 other individuals accused of attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election outcome.
Hall, who was involved in a breach of election equipment, admitted guilt to five counts of conspiring to commit intentional interference with the performance of election duties in Atlanta last Friday. The plea deal comprised five years of probation, a fine of $5,000, and a written apology to the state.
As part of the agreement, Hall is required to testify against any other defendants in future trials or hearings related to the election racketeering case. The felony charges against him were dropped as a result of this deal.
Trump's name was not explicitly mentioned during Hall's plea hearing. However, a Fulton County prosecutor did name Sidney Powell, a former Trump attorney and co-defendant, as a participant in the alleged plan to gain access to Dominion voting machines in Coffee County, Georgia.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee expressed that Hall's plea was hastily arranged on Friday. A prosecutor stated that Hall had earlier in the day submitted a recorded statement about his involvement to the district attorney's office.
Judge McAfee noted at the start of the court session on Friday afternoon that the hearing was not previously scheduled, but both parties had requested a sudden court hearing. After a 25-minute hearing, the judge accepted Hall's guilty pleas and imposed the agreed-upon sentence of five years' probation.
Hall was charged as part of an extensive racketeering scheme alleged by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis against Trump, several of his top aides, and a host of Georgia GOP activists who supported Trump's effort to overturn the 2020 election results. The indictment identified Hall as a participant in an effort to access voting machines and equipment in Coffee County, a post-election initiative by Trump allies purportedly investigating allegations of voter fraud in the hope of reversing Joe Biden's state victory.
The indictment notes that Hall was in communication with several other alleged co-conspirators around the time of the breach and also had contact with figures in Trump's orbit. For instance, Hall had a 63-minute phone call with alleged co-conspirator Jeffrey Clark, who was then leading the Justice Department's Civil Division, on January 2, 2021, discussing the Georgia election.
Under the terms of the deal, Hall is prohibited from speaking to the media until all trials related to the case have concluded. He is also barred from participating in any voting-related activities. If he successfully completes his probation, Georgia law could allow him to avoid having a criminal record.
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Majority of voters open to barring Trump from 2024 election due to insurrection involvement, according to poll
According to a recent poll, over half of the voters are open to backing an initiative aimed at barring the former President Donald Trump from the 2024 election. This poll revealed that 51% of participants believe that due to his involvement in insurrection, the 14th Amendment forbids Trump from running for office again. This contrasts with the 34% who held the contrary view.
Both liberal activists and conservative lawyers have come together to suggest that Trump is disqualified from running again, based on their interpretation of the 14th Amendment. This amendment disqualifies from office those who have either engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States or have provided aid or comfort to its enemies. Although this effort is still mostly theoretical, the issue could come to a head in the near future as Trump begins to file paperwork to appear on primary ballots across the country.
This key result followed a series of questions on the constitutional amendment, an amendment adopted after the Civil War to prevent former Confederates from serving in Washington. Initially, the poll asked whether Americans support or oppose this section of the amendment. The majority of voters, 63%, indicated their support, including majorities from Democrats, Republicans, and independents. Only 16% said they either somewhat or strongly oppose it.
However, when the questions involved Trump, respondents started to show their political affiliations. When asked if they believed Trump had "engaged in insurrection or rebellion," 51% said either definitely or probably yes, while 35% said definitely or probably no. This divide was along party lines: 79% of Democrats and 49% of independents believe that he did, while just under one quarter of Republicans agree. Similar margins were observed for an additional question that asked if Trump provided "aid and/or comfort" to those involved in insurrection and rebellion.
The last question, concerning whether Trump should be disqualified under the 14th Amendment, largely aligns with respondents' views on whether he participated in or supported an insurrection. It also shows a similar partisan divide.
Most legal experts anticipate that the Supreme Court will eventually have to make a ruling on the movement to have Trump removed from the ballot. Two liberal watchdog organizations, Free Speech For People and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, have both filed lawsuits in Minnesota and Colorado, respectively, aiming to have Trump removed from the ballot.
Many secretaries of state, both Democrats and Republicans, have stated that they do not believe they have the power to make this decision independently, and that it should be left to the courts.
The 14th Amendment has seldom been used to disqualify candidates in contemporary times. There have been a few unsuccessful attempts to block Republican members of Congress who voted against certifying the 2020 election from running in the midterms. However, a Republican county commissioner in New Mexico was disqualified by a state court following their criminal conviction for involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Secretaries have also noted practical administrative challenges to barring Trump. Deadlines for appearing on primary ballots are fast approaching, and it takes election offices weeks to prepare, print, and mail out ballots to voters in states.
Trump's team has also expressed skepticism about the 14th Amendment push, with a spokesperson for Trump previously describing it as a "political attack" that was "stretching the law beyond recognition."
The poll, conducted between September 23-25, surveyed 1,967 registered voters online and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2%.
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Majority of voters open to barring Trump from 2024 election due to insurrection involvement, according to poll
According to a recent poll, over half of the voters are open to backing an initiative aimed at barring the former President Donald Trump from the 2024 election. This poll revealed that 51% of participants believe that due to his involvement in insurrection, the 14th Amendment forbids Trump from running for office again. This contrasts with the 34% who held the contrary view.
Both liberal activists and conservative lawyers have come together to suggest that Trump is disqualified from running again, based on their interpretation of the 14th Amendment. This amendment disqualifies from office those who have either engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States or have provided aid or comfort to its enemies. Although this effort is still mostly theoretical, the issue could come to a head in the near future as Trump begins to file paperwork to appear on primary ballots across the country.
This key result followed a series of questions on the constitutional amendment, an amendment adopted after the Civil War to prevent former Confederates from serving in Washington. Initially, the poll asked whether Americans support or oppose this section of the amendment. The majority of voters, 63%, indicated their support, including majorities from Democrats, Republicans, and independents. Only 16% said they either somewhat or strongly oppose it.
However, when the questions involved Trump, respondents started to show their political affiliations. When asked if they believed Trump had "engaged in insurrection or rebellion," 51% said either definitely or probably yes, while 35% said definitely or probably no. This divide was along party lines: 79% of Democrats and 49% of independents believe that he did, while just under one quarter of Republicans agree. Similar margins were observed for an additional question that asked if Trump provided "aid and/or comfort" to those involved in insurrection and rebellion.
The last question, concerning whether Trump should be disqualified under the 14th Amendment, largely aligns with respondents' views on whether he participated in or supported an insurrection. It also shows a similar partisan divide.
Most legal experts anticipate that the Supreme Court will eventually have to make a ruling on the movement to have Trump removed from the ballot. Two liberal watchdog organizations, Free Speech For People and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, have both filed lawsuits in Minnesota and Colorado, respectively, aiming to have Trump removed from the ballot.
Many secretaries of state, both Democrats and Republicans, have stated that they do not believe they have the power to make this decision independently, and that it should be left to the courts.
The 14th Amendment has seldom been used to disqualify candidates in contemporary times. There have been a few unsuccessful attempts to block Republican members of Congress who voted against certifying the 2020 election from running in the midterms. However, a Republican county commissioner in New Mexico was disqualified by a state court following their criminal conviction for involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Secretaries have also noted practical administrative challenges to barring Trump. Deadlines for appearing on primary ballots are fast approaching, and it takes election offices weeks to prepare, print, and mail out ballots to voters in states.
Trump's team has also expressed skepticism about the 14th Amendment push, with a spokesperson for Trump previously describing it as a "political attack" that was "stretching the law beyond recognition."
The poll, conducted between September 23-25, surveyed 1,967 registered voters online and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2%.
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