The Run-Up

Your guide to understanding the 2024 election. Especially the messy parts.

What Democrats Think Went Wrong
A political autopsy. A focus group. A return to Herndon family hospitality.
By Astead W. Herndon, Anna Foley, Elisa Gutierrez and Akilah Townsend
The Man in Charge of Trump’s Border Policy
An interview with Tom Homan.
By Astead W. Herndon, Elisa Gutierrez and Caitlin O’Keefe
One Voter to Understand Trump’s Win
For one woman in Michigan, it wasn’t an obvious decision, but in the end it came down to this: “frustration and self-Interest.”
By Astead W. Herndon, Anna Foley and Caitlin O’Keefe
A Final Dispatch From America’s Bellwether
These Washington State voters have picked winners since 1980. This year, what everyone agrees on is anxiety.
By Astead W. Herndon, Caitlin O’Keefe and Grant Hindsley
Tailgating in Wisconsin With the Bros Trump Needs
Gender is a main dividing line in 2024. And young swing-state voters know it.
By Astead W. Herndon, Anna Foley and Kayla Wolf
In Other News, Who Will Control Congress?
It could come down to the fate of Democrats in Trump-leaning territory.
By Astead W. Herndon and Elisa Gutierrez
All Eyes on Pennsylvania
A look inside the battle for votes — and to get people to trust how votes are counted — in the biggest battleground.
By Astead W. Herndon, Caitlin O’Keefe and Elisa Gutierrez
It Really Does Feel Close in North Carolina
Democrats hope demographic changes bring them success. Republicans hope Hurricane Helene didn’t ruin all their plans.
By Astead W. Herndon, Anna Foley and Caitlin O’Keefe
The Trump Plan to Flip Georgia Back
Why the Trump team is confident 2024 will not be a repeat of 2020.
By Astead W. Herndon, Elisa Gutierrez and Caitlin O’Keefe
A Pollster’s Guide to the Homestretch
The presidential race is basically a tossup. Here’s how to understand what that means and what might happen.
By Astead W. Herndon, Nate Cohn, Anna Foley and Caitlin O’Keefe