midterms 2018

  • Petty Reasons to Vote, Ranked

    10. To direct passive-aggressive subs at significant others. “Maybe SOMEONE would have got up and voted this morning if they weren’t up all night eating FLAMING HOT Cheetos and watching PORN.” 9. To flirt with elderly women at polling stations, pretending that you want phone numbers and panties when you really just want spaghetti recipes…

  • A Nurse Aims to Heal More Residents of Rural Georgia—But This Time From the State Legislature

    LEARY, Ga.—Joyce Barlow had barely warmed her pew seat at Mt. Zion Baptist Church before having to deal with health scares affecting two members of the congregation. She had just delivered her campaign speech when the holy ghost filled one of the deaconesses. The woman began shouting and convulsing. A couple of . church members…

  • #ElectionEve: My Personal Plea For You To Get Out and Vote Tuesday

    On the eve of the 2018 midterm election, I wanted to take a moment to urge everyone to get out and take advantage of their right to vote. I am not going to shame you for not voting. I am not going to threaten you or tell you that you are stupid if you don’t.…

  • An Armed Extremist Group in Georgia Is Threatening Violence If Stacey Abrams Wins

    Ahead of Tuesday’s midterm election in Georgia, an armed militia has threatened violence if Stacey Abrams wins the governor’s race. In a since edited Facebook post, the far-right group III% Security Force Intel referred to the Democratic candidate as a “flag burning, gun grabbing, socialist bitch.” The group mentioned their love for Donald Trump and…

  • Queen Maxine Still Ain't Scared and She Expects Voters Not to Be Either

    U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), who won’t allow bomb threats to intimidate her, is encouraging voters to “step up to the plate” on Election Day. The Root caught up with Auntie Maxine at this year’s Women in Media Awards in New York City. “I’d like to say to those who are targeted for bomb threats…

  • Andrew Gillum Says Florida Is Not Safe for All While 'Stand Your Ground' Law Exists

    “You can’t have a conversation about ‘stand your ground’ without understanding what the racial elements are.” text Andrew Gillum called on Florida Gov. Rick Scott to declare a “state of emergency” after Markeis McGlockton was killed by gunfire this July. His killer, Michael Drejka, claimed he fired in self-defense after a parking lot dispute and…

  • What Black Voters Want in the 2018 Midterm Elections

    The Root’s Video Producer Felice Leon and I went to Harlem to ask black voters what issues they want to see addressed. We found people who were more than ready to get to the polls but, as important as these upcoming elections are, we still found some folks were not motivated to vote. Are the…

  • Andrew Gillum's Hamilton Tickets Are Barack Obama's Tan Suit

    When Barack Obama won the Iowa presidential primary in 2008 and went on to win Super Tuesday, I prayed the brotha didn’t have a side piece the Republicans could pull out to dash his hopes for winning the White House. Barring Fox News’ misleading reporting of his former pastor’s “Goddamn America” sermon and conservatives’ false…

  • Laugh Your Ass Off on Election Night Eve, Then Vote

    It’s the final push toward Election Day—and if voting isn’t already on your mind (girl, how?) and you haven’t had a chance to cast your ballot yet, Michelle Obama and her When We All Vote initiative have one final event for you: a digital telethon that anyone can participate in—because it doesn’t involve money. The…

  • Insecure's Kendrick Sampson Wants to Make Sure You Don't Ghost the Midterms

    Insecure’s Kendrick Sampson doesn’t shy away from discussing politics or its impact on people’s daily lives. In fact, the actor and activist has been pretty outspoken about social issues such as police brutality and institutional racism. Recently, Sampson stopped by The Root and we asked him about why midterms matter, the importance of voting, plus…