WASHINGTON — Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell endorsed Donald Trump for president Wednesday, a remarkable turnaround from the onetime critic who blamed the former president for "disgraceful" acts in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack but now supports his bid to return to the White House.
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FILE - Then President Donald Trump, left, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., greet each other during a campaign rally in Lexington, Ky., Nov. 4, 2019. McConnell has endorsed Donald Trump for president. McConnell announced his decision after Super Tuesday wins pushed Trump, who is the GOP front-runner, closer to the party nomination. It’s a remarkable turnaround for McConnell, who has blamed Trump for “disgraceful” acts in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)
Super Tuesday 2024: 16 states head to polls
A overflow crowd signs in before attending a town meeting and voting in the primary election Tuesday in Stowe, Vt. Super Tuesday elections are being held in 16 states and one territory. Hundreds of delegates are at stake, the biggest haul for either party on a single day. Both Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican front-runner Donald Trump hope to amass a string of lopsided victories that will help them move beyond the primaries and focus on their expected general election rematch.
Robert Ward leaves the volunteer fire station in Cusseta, Ala., after voting Tuesday during the Alabama primary election. Super Tuesday has the largest delegate haul of any day in the primary calendar, representing more than one-third of the total delegates available in each party's nomination process and more than 70% of the delegates needed to mathematically clinch either party’s nomination. The race for Alabama's 2nd Congressional District, which was redrawn by a federal court to boost the voting power of Black voters, has sparked congested and competitive primary contests. Democrats see an opportunity to flip the Deep South congressional seat in November.
Oliver Paradee accompanies his father, Andrew Paradee, as he fills out his ballot in the primary election Tuesday in Stowe, Vt. More than one-third of the total delegates available in both the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries will be awarded on Super Tuesday, when 16 states and one U.S. territory hold presidential nominating contests.
An U.S. citizen living in Switzerland fills out her ballot Tuesday in the ballots box at the Super Tuesday of the Democrats Global Presidential primary voting at a polling station in the Hotel Warwick, in Geneva, Switzerland. Super Tuesday, traditionally the biggest day nationwide for primary elections and caucuses before the actual Election Day in November, is much larger this year, with voters in 16 states and one territory casting their ballots in the 2024 presidential primaries. Voters will also be choosing who should run for governor or senator for their state, and some district attorneys, too.
A Super Tuesday voter walks past a sign requiring a photo ID at a polling location Tuesday in Mount Holly, N.C. While much of the focus is on the presidential race, there are also important down-ballot contests. California voters will choose candidates who will compete to fill the Senate seat long held by Dianne Feinstein. The governor’s race will take shape in North Carolina, a state that both parties are fiercely contesting ahead of November. And in Los Angeles, a progressive prosecutor is attempting to fend off an intense reelection challenge in a contest that could serve as a barometer of the politics of crime.
Sam O'Grady, 2, waits for her mother to cast a ballot Tuesday in a primary election in Nashville, Tenn. In Tuesday's contests, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump appear on their way to securing their parties' nominations even though just eight states will have awarded delegates through presidential primaries or party caucuses by then.
Doug Scopel votes a ballot at a polling place Tuesday in Nashville, Tenn. Hundreds of delegates are at stake, the biggest haul for either party on a single day.
Voting stickers are set out on a table for voters to take after submitting their ballots Tuesday at Elmdale Baptist Church in Springdale, Ark. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will compete for votes in Arkansas but not against each other. At least not yet. Both front-runners are already eyeing a rematch of the 2020 presidential election, and the race in Arkansas as well as 15 other states holding contests on Super Tuesday could put them both within arm’s reach of clinching their parties’ respective presidential nominations. Arkansas is also holding primaries for state and local offices, including for U.S. House, the state legislature and state Supreme Court.
Voters check in to cast their ballot Tuesday at Elmdale Baptist Church in Springdale, Ark. There are 31 pledged Democratic delegates at stake in Arkansas, and they’re awarded according to the national party’s standard rules. Republicans have 40 delegates at stake.
Tim Wessel fills out his ballot with his son Declan, 6, on Tuesday in Brattleboro, Vt. Just as Thanksgiving is usually the fourth Thursday in November, Super Tuesday is almost always the first Tuesday in March. Democrats and Republicans vote on who they want to run for president and other offices. And then once those votes are tallied, delegates are awarded.
"I Voted" stickers are offered to voters after casting their ballot on Super Tuesday at the Ranchito Elementary School polling station in the Panorama City section of Los Angeles. California voters will set matchups for some of the country’s most competitive U.S. House races, which could help determine which party controls the chamber next year. All of California's 52 congressional seats have primary elections Tuesday, with the top two vote-getters in each race advancing to the general election — regardless of their political party. About 10 of those seats figure to be competitive, and a handful are considered toss-ups.
