Presidential campaign Coverage

DeSantis plans to announce 2024 bid Wednesday on Twitter Spaces with Elon Musk, sources tell AP

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, long seen as Donald Trump's leading rival for the Republican nomination, plans to launch his 2024 presidential campaign on Wednesday in an online conversation with Twitter CEO Elon Musk, according to two people with knowledge of the decision.

By STEVE PEOPLES, Associated Press

'This country is in a lot of trouble': Mike Pence visits UNC, mum about potential presidential run in 2024

Mike Pence spoke Wednesday in Chapel Hill but did not say whether he planned to run for president in 2024.

Former Vice President Mike Pence visiting UNC Wednesday

This morning, big crowds are expected at UNC Chapel Hill during a visit from former Vice President Mike Pence. This visit comes as expectations rise for Pence to run for the 2024 GOP Presidential nominee.

Mike Pence speaks at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, mum about potential presidential run in 2024

Mike Pence spoke Wednesday in Chapel Hill but did not say whether he planned to run for president in 2024.

Nia Harden, WRAL reporter, Julian Grace, WRAL anchor/reporter

The Guardian: Trump tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of 2020 debate with Biden

Then-President Donald Trump tested positive for Covid-19 three days ahead of his first 2020 presidential debate with Joe Biden -- though he also had a negative result in that same timeframe, according to excerpts from a forthcoming book from the former Republican president's chief of staff reported by The Guardian.

By Veronica Stracqualursi and Jim Acosta, CNN

'American politics are pretty stressful': UNC study links 2016 presidential election with increased heart problems

Lindsey Rosman, an assistant professor at the UNC School of Medicine, led a research study that linked the 2016 presidential race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton with a 77 percent increase in heart arrhythmia among Americans.

Editorial: Presidential candidate with most votes should win. N.C. should join the pact

Monday, March 22, 2021 -- A national election system where the candidate who gets the most votes wins will give North Carolina a STRONGER voice in the selection of the president. Candidates will need to pay more heed to all the state's voters and campaign more vigorously to win support. Writing off North Carolina because of current electoral college calculations, won't be an option.

Editorial: Did Trump use FBI to silence Sen. Burr?

Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021-- Based on all we've witnessed of former President Donald Trump's modus operandi, it looks like an effort to put the squeeze on and muzzle any action - no matter how mild - that Sen. Richard Burr's Senate Intelligence Committee might take in its inquiry into efforts by Russia and other international actors to influence the 2016 elections.

Former presidents honor Biden in joint video

The video played during the 'Celebrating America' inaugural concert on Wednesday night.

Political experts: Frequent visits could have given Trump edge in North Carolina election

While Biden far outspent Trump on advertising in North Carolina during the 2020 election season and hosted limited in-person events because of the coronavirus pandemic, Trump, on the other hand, hosted large rallies.

Bryan Mims, WRAL reporter

Editorial: Every vote counts. Count every vote!

Monday, Nov. 2, 2020 -- Every qualified voter needs to cast a ballot. Every one of those properly cast ballots must be counted. In a typical election year our emphasis would be on encouraging - cajoling - qualified North Carolinians to get out and vote. Make no mistake, we aren't any less persistent. A record number of voters - about 4.6 million - have already cast ballots. But this is a different election year. We have a president who is bent on planting doubt, conjuring confusion as well as abusing the courts and the postal service to keep some voters away from the polls or preventing their properly cast ballots from being counted.

Senator Cory Booker campaigns for Biden in Durham

Senator Cory Booker met Biden supporters at an early voting site in Durham to campaign for Biden and Harris.

Raw: Several people pass out at Trump rally

At least five people are receiving medical treatment for dehydration at the Trump rally in Gastonia.

Joe Biden speaks one-on-one with Sarah Krueger during campaign stop in Durham

During a campaign stop in Durham on Sunday, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden spoke with WRAL Durham reporter Sarah Krueger about issues impacting not only the United States, but in the Triangle.

Cary man's property stolen, vandalized over political signs

The words 'Racist' and '**** Trump" were spray-painted on his car in bright orange letters, and his Trump campaign signs were stolen.

Editorial: Selfish lack of compassion drives Trump's COVID-19 response

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020 -- President Donald Trump remains blissfully blind to the truth. "Don't be afraid of Covid. Don't let it dominate your life." Who needs to be afraid when you have the best medical care on the planet and a legion of medical professionals at your house, poised to respond to the least sniffle or very real urgent medical need? Trump doesn't get it and it only reinforced the misinformation his disciples spread.

Biden campaign removes negative ads, wishes Trump family quick recovery

Joe Biden tested negative for the coronavirus, his doctor announced Friday, hours after President Donald Trump's positive coronavirus test drastically altered the nature of the race and underscored the health and political risks of seeking to engage voters in a pandemic.

New York Times/WRAL

Going to political rallies during pandemic requires precautions, UNC doc says

President Donald Trump plans to hold his first campaign rally in North Carolina in the age of coronavirus next week, and his campaign is telling people to attend at their own risk.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: 'With malice toward all'

Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

Libertarian presidential candidate Jo Jorgensen visits Durham

There was a political rally for Libertarian presidential candidate Jo Jorgensen in Durham on Saturday afternoon.

Michelle Obama says she's suffering from 'low-grade depression'

Former First Lady Michelle Obama says she's suffering from a "low-grade depression." The reasons? The pandemic, race relations in the US and the political strife surrounding it all, she says.

By Allison Gordon, CNN

Electoral College members cannot go rogue

On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on a question that's been left unanswered since the drafting of the Constitution - whether members of the Electoral College can be required to cast their ballots for the presidential candidate who wins their state's popular vote.

Kanye West says he's running for president in 2020

A tweet by rapper Kanye West about an hour ago is going viral and getting nationwide attention. West tweeted he is running for President, adding the hashtag #2020vision.

President Trump campaign rally in Tulsa, Okla.

President Trump is holding a campaign rally in Tulsa, Okla. It's the first event he's held since the coronavirus pandemic began.

17th president was a Raleigh native

Andrew Johnson became the first United States president to be impeached on Feb. 24, 1868. The Tar Heel Traveler walks through the Raleigh native's life.