For Rising Democrats, the Quiet Race to Lead the Party Began Months Ago
The New York Times
As Kamala Harris dominated attention on the 2024 trail, ambitious Democrats were also blanketing the country, building relationships that could pay dividends in the fight for the party’s future.
In Texas, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan paid homage to Beyoncé, a Houston native, and told a room full of Democratic activists about the party’s successes in her state.
In Georgia, Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania spoke at a storied Atlanta church where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once preached, introducing himself as a fellow person of faith.
And as early voting began in Nevada, Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois was in the state, rallying with union members and attending a block party in support of abortion rights.
Democrats didn’t have a competitive presidential primary race this year, the kind of contest that could have propelled state leaders to national stardom and forced a robust discussion about the direction of the party.
But as up-and-coming Democrats blanketed the country — campaigning for the presidential ticket, promoting down-ballot candidates, working the national fund-raising and cable news circuits — many of them also managed to quietly develop bigger platforms, broader networks and a batch of new admirers across some of the country’s most politically important states.
Such advantages will help determine who has outsize influence in the debate over the beleaguered party’s future — and who generates the most buzz in the earliest stages of the next presidential race.
President-elect Donald J. Trump’s choice to run the F.B.I. has a record in and out of government that is likely to raise questions during his Senate confirmation hearings.
Some voters galvanized by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s pledge to “Make America Healthy Again” said they believed the health establishment was dismissive and even corrupt.
President-elect Donald J. Trump has long seen his bombastic national security operative as a political “enforcer.” But former colleagues question his fitness for the job.
Apollo Bagels in the West Village is drawing lines out the door — and most of the way down the block. Now it’s in a legal fight to stave off eviction.
In life, Jordan Neely’s family lost him to mental illness. After his death, his father and uncle have steeled themselves to attend the manslaughter trial of Daniel Penny each day.
The San Jose State women’s team, which has a transgender player, lost to the tournament favorite Colorado State, concluding a season that transcended sports.
A little-known squad of New York’s medical examiner’s office uses dogs, DNA and any other available clue to identify bodies.
President-elect Donald J. Trump turned to a firebrand loyalist to become director of the bureau, which he sees as part of a ‘deep state’ conspiracy against him.
As Kamala Harris dominated attention on the 2024 trail, ambitious Democrats were also blanketing the country, building relationships that could pay dividends in the fight for the party’s future.
Dr. Honeybrew, as he is known, starts his days with music before brewing Turkish coffee in hot sand and opening his home to guests for a little bit of magic.
The lake-effect storm disrupted holiday travel across the region, trapping dozens of vehicles on highways. Some areas could get up to six feet of snow by Tuesday.