Presidential campaign Coverage

NC's 2024 elections to bring high stakes, extensive political turnover

Up and down the ballot, Republicans plan to hammer Democrats on immigration and inflation. Democrats will hammer Republicans on abortion and the GOP's embrace of conspiracy theories and extremism. At stake is legislative leverage, the governor's mansion and more.

Big endorsements haven't moved the needle for Trump's rivals in Iowa, poll finds

In addition to showing Trump with more than a 30-point lead over his nearest competition, the poll finds majorities of likely Iowa Republican caucusgoers saying that the endorsements don't affect how they will vote in the upcoming Jan. 15 contest.

Mark Murray, Alec Hernandez and Alex Tabet

Iowa poll: Trump surpasses 50% support ahead of first GOP contest

Former President Donald Trump has expanded his lead over his GOP rivals with five weeks until the first Republican presidential nominating contest, now earning more 51% first-choice support from likely caucusgoers, according to the latest NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll of Iowa.

Mark Murray and Alex Tabet

Why the Next Seven Weeks Are So Critical in the Race for President

The holiday season is upon us. Which means that while Americans are recovering from an orgy of overeating and Black Friday shopping, the political world is easing into the next phase of the presidential election: primary crunchtime.

Michelle Cottle, New York Times

Candidates for GOP presidential nomination face off for third debate

The third Republican debate in Miami premieres at 8 p.m. Wednesday on WRAL.

Fact check: Donald Trump blames Joe Biden for 'catastrophic increase' in drug shortages

In a recent campaign video, former President Donald Trump blasted President Joe Biden for "a catastrophic increase" in drug shortages.

Fact check: Trump blames Biden for 'catastrophic increase' in drug shortages

In a recent campaign video, former President Donald Trump blasted President Joe Biden for "a catastrophic increase" in drug shortages.

Michelle Andrews, PolitiFact reporter

Trump's GOP lead grows after latest indictment, poll finds; national NBC News poll shows party split over whether Trump should remain GOP leader

Former President Donald Trump has expanded his lead over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the rest of the Republican presidential field after Trump's latest indictment on federal criminal charges, according to a new national NBC News poll.

'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.