Road to November 2024
After a disorienting summer, the United States is just weeks away from the 2024 Election. Considering the short time frame between today and Election Day, it is extremely important for voters to stay updated with current events before they head to the polls. However, as political extremism is on the rise across America, polarization has led to devastating consequences.
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Assassination Attempts on Donald Trump:
In the past three months, there have been two assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump. The first attempt took place during one of Trump’s rallies. On July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania, Thomas Crooks shot at Trump from a rooftop, hitting him in the ear and leading to one of the most memorable photos of the summer with Trump’s fist raised and blood splattered across his face. The second attempt was more recent and occurred outside of Trump International Golf Club in Florida. On September 15, 2024, Ryan Routh was caught by authorities with a gun, lying in wait outside the golf club, and is now undergoing trial. On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump has promised to return to Butler, Pennsylvania on October 5 for a “BIG AND BEAUTIFUL RALLY.”
In the aftermath of these assassination attempts, politicians from the left and the right came together to condemn the violence. Furthermore, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned on July 23, 2024, after investigations began into how Crooks was able to be in such close proximity to Trump. Although assassination attempts are no longer as common as they used to be, among the 45 men who have been elected president, 40 percent of them have experienced assassination attempts. Some believe that Trump staged these attempts to victimize himself, while others’ hatred/love for him has grown even stronger since. Regardless, this important piece of history is sure to play a vital role in how the public perceives him.
New York Local Elections to Follow:
Over the summer, many registered New Yorkers voted in primary elections. Primaries are extremely important in a city of diverse cultures and political identities, as they allow voters within their own parties to have an influence on the candidate’s policies. Nationwide, many left-wing Democrats were shocked when incumbent congresspeople in the progressive “Squad” were ousted.
The NY-16 Congressional District voted to remove incumbent Rep. Jamal Bowman in exchange for George Latimer, a more moderate Democrat. This race was significant because it was the most expensive primary in American history, with the pro-Israel AIPAC spending millions for Latimer’s campaign, which ran against Bowman’s pro-Palestine campaign. Others cite the largely suburban and Jewish Westchester population for Latimer’s win.
We urge student voters to also pay attention to State Assembly and State Senate elections. In many areas throughout Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island, contested State Senate re-election campaigns could narrow an already historically-thin Democrat majority in the New York State Legislature. The 2025 NYC Mayoral Election is ramping up, as incumbent Mayor Eric Adams was indicted by a federal probe. This unprecedented move weakens Adams’s candidacy, making this summer’s Democratic primary hotly contested.
Additionally, any high-schoolers can also participate in our democratic process by volunteering for New York electoral campaigns. Campaigning, door knocking, and phone banking for your local congressional and state elections can be a valuable way to contribute back to your community while advocating for something you believe in. While many Stuy students cannot vote, volunteering for a campaign you are passionate about can be rewarding. We encourage readers to research elections and their candidates in your district and stay civically engaged.