2020 Elections

Politico reports: Sen. Elizabeth Warren apologized Monday to a Native American audience over her handling of past claims of native ancestry, telling a group of tribal leaders that she realized it had been a mistake. “Now, before I go any further in this I want to say this: Like anyone who’s been honest with themselves, I know that I have …

Politico reports: Hundreds of Democratic National Committee delegates will be here next weekend for a three-day gathering that gives them a chance to meet and hear from 13 presidential contenders — though former Vice President Joe Biden, the party’s frontrunner, isn’t scheduled to be among the candidates. Biden also bypassed the last big party meeting in San Francisco — the …

Newsweek reports: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders told a group of people Saturday that if elected president in 2020, he will “go to war” with white nationalism and racism. Sanders said he would use every tool at his disposal, including executive orders. Speaking to a crowd of mostly African Americans at the Young Leaders Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, Sanders described his …

The Hill reports: Comedian Bill Maher on Friday continued his calls for another economic recession, claiming it would tank President Trump’s shot at reelection in 2020 and be “very worth” ending his policies. Speaking with a panel including political consultant Rick Wilson and journalists Betsy Woodruff and Carl Hulse, Maher dismissed criticism from people who “get mad” at rooting for …

Fox News reports: In the first major shakeup to the lineup, Elizabeth Warren moves ahead of Bernie Sanders to claim second place behind Joe Biden in the Democratic nomination race. In addition, primary voters sharply divide between embracing former President Obama’s legacy and taking a new path. A new Fox News Poll finds Biden continues to lead the nomination race …

Chris Johnson reports at the Washington Blade: In a turnabout from 2016, the National Log Cabin Republicans has endorsed Trump for re-election, asserting he “met his commitments” to LGBT people. Robert Kabel and Jill Holman — who both are gay and serve as chair and vice chair of Log Cabin, respectively — announced the endorsement Thursday in an op-ed for …

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports: Chances are you haven’t heard of Donnie Bolena. He’s the owner of a small business, an unsuccessful candidate for mayor of Sandy Springs, and a weightlifting fan. Until this weekend, Bolena was also a candidate for the Sixth District congressional seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Marietta. On Saturday, two days after identifying himself …

Iowa Starting Line reports: Elizabeth Warren’s early investment in Iowa is paying off. A new Iowa Starting Line-Change Research poll shows the senator opening up a commanding lead in the Iowa Caucus. Warren was the top pick of 28% of likely Iowa Caucus-goers in the poll, an 11-point lead over the nearest competitor. Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders were both …

The Washington Post reports: Former Colorado governor John Hickenlooper withdrew from the contest for the Democratic presidential nomination on Thursday, announcing in a video that he is considering a run for Senate. “I ran for president because this country is being ripped apart by politics and partisan games while our biggest problems go unsolved,” Hickenlooper said in the video, which …

Time Magazine reports: Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke returned to the campaign trail on Thursday morning with a major address from his hometown of El Paso for the first time since the shooting that left at least 22 dead and dozens of victims injured earlier this month. His return to campaigning comes amid calls for him to drop out of …

The Hill reports: Bill de Blasio is citing his height as a reason he can stand up to President Trump in the 2020 White House race. “A tall candidate has won, I think, every one but three of the presidential elections in history,” the New York City mayor and Democratic presidential candidate quipped during a Wednesday appearance on Comedy Central’s …

Roll Call reports: The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is adding six more districts to the list of seats it’s targeting in 2020. After gaining a net of 40 seats last fall, the House Democrats’ campaign arm released its initial 2020 target list in January that included 32 GOP-held seats and the open seat in North Carolina’s 9th District, which is …

The New York Times reports: John Hickenlooper, the former Colorado governor whose low-key brand of moderate politics made him popular in his home state but limited his appeal in a Democratic primary filled with urgent progressive energy, is expected to announce on Thursday that he is ending his presidential campaign, according to two people familiar with his planning. Mr. Hickenlooper …

Metro Weekly reports: LGBTQ people in San Antonio are boycotting a gay bar after its Trump-supporting owner announced his bid for Congress. Mauro Garza, owner of Pegasus nightclub in San Antonio, will seek the Republican nomination in Congressional District 20 — after previously failing to get elected in a different district in 2018. Garza, who is gay, a member of …

The New York Times reports: Stacey Abrams made it official this week that she would not seek the presidency after months of speculation among Democrats, becoming one of the most prominent party leaders to pass on the 2020 race. But in an interview Tuesday night, she said she was open to being considered for the No. 2 spot by “any …

South Carolina’s Post & Courier reports: Former Vice President Joe Biden tops the field of Democratic presidential candidates in South Carolina, carrying a double-digit lead over his closest rival, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), according to a new poll of Democratic voters in the Palmetto State. The survey showed Biden registered 36 percent among South Carolina Democratic voters. That’s more than …

The New York Times reports: Former Gov. John Hickenlooper of Colorado is in discussions about ending his presidential bid and entering the race for his state’s Republican-held Senate seat, potentially giving Democrats a strong candidate in a race they must win to have hopes of retaking the chamber in 2021, according to four Democrats familiar with his thinking. Mr. Hickenlooper, …

The New York Times reports: Stacey Abrams, the Georgia politician who captured national attention during her unsuccessful run for governor in 2018, has decided not to run for president after publicly contemplating a bid for months, according to people familiar with her thinking. Ms. Abrams, a Democrat, will instead focus her efforts on preventing voter suppression with a new initiative …

CBS News reports: Tulsi Gabbard, Democrat from Hawaii and presidential candidate, will be taking a two-week absence from her campaign Monday to report for active duty with the Hawaiian Army National Guard in Indonesia, she said in an interview with CBSN’s Caitlin Huey-Burns. “I’m stepping off of the campaign trail for a couple of weeks and putting on my army …

Newsweek reports: President Donald Trump would endure a resounding defeat against potential 2020 contenders Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders, according to a new SurveyUSA poll that surveyed registered voters about their preferred choices in hypothetical, head-to-head matchups. Former Vice President Joe Biden and independent Senator Bernie Sanders, both currently competing for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, would trounce Trump by …