Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Credit: CP Illustration: Jeff Schreckengost

U. S. president
This year’s Presidential contest is a doozy. Following Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the race in late July after a rocky debate performance sharpened questions over his advanced age, Kamala Harris has reversed Trump’s polling leads while drawing within the margin of error in battleground states such as Pennsylvania. Two third-party candidates are also contesting the race, citing fatigue with America’s two-party system. Donald Trump remains Donald Trump.

Kamala Harris, Tim Walz
Biography
Harris: Grew up mostly in San Francisco Bay area. Howard and Hastings College of Law (University of Calif.) grad. Former district attorney, Calif. Attorney Gen., U.S. Sen. (D-CA). Candidate for President in 2020 and incumbent Vice President. Walz: Nebraska native. Longtime Minn. educator and officer in Minn. National Guard. Former U.S. Rep. (Minn.-1) and incumbent Gov. of Minn.

Abortion
Supports ending the filibuster to legislatively codify abortion rights. Has decried restrictions’ effect on healthcare in states such as Texas. Links abortion policy with elevated maternal mortality rates. Highest-ranking U.S. official to visit an abortion clinic. Has been vague on limits but referenced Roe’s 20-week viability protections.

Healthcare
Plans to expand the Affordable Care Act to lower premiums and cancel medical debt. Wants to expand Medicare by capping costs and covering in-home healthcare. Pledges to expand postpartum and childcare options.

The economy
Would cut taxes on the middle class while enacting a “billionaire minimum tax.” Would restore Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit, and increase small-business exemptions. Pledges downpayment support for first-time home buyers. Says she will “fight for unions.”

War in Gaza
Has supported “Israel’s right to defend itself” in line with Pres. Biden’s policies. Deplored humanitarian situation in Palestine while declining to stop providing military aid to Israel. Has equivocated on support for Netanyahu while underscoring “an important alliance between the American people and the Israeli people.”

Immigration
Supported scuttled border bill that would have “added 1,500 border security agents” and drug detection technology. Says the immigration system “needs comprehensive reform” that includes “an earned pathway to citizenship.”

Donald Trump, J.D. Vance
Biography
Trump: Queens, N.Y. native. Wharton (Penn) grad. Inherited father’s real estate empire. Started numerous business ventures, six of which ended in bankruptcy. Elected 45th President of the U.S. after losing popular vote. Questioned 2020 election results and encouraged supporters to “take back our country” prior to Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection. Found liable for sexual abuse and defamation. Convicted felon for hush money payments during 2016 campaign. Only twice-impeached U.S. President. Vance: Middletown, Ohio native. Served in Marines (public relations). OSU and Harvard Law grad. Hillbilly Elegy author. Incumbent U.S. Sen. (Ohio).

Abortion
“I always thought women liked me … You [women] will no longer be abandoned, lonely, or scared. You will no longer be in danger. You’re not gonna be in danger any longer. You will no longer have anxiety … I will be your protector. Women will be happy, healthy, confident, and free. You will no longer be thinking about abortion … because we’ve done something nobody else could’ve done. It [abortion] is now where it always had to be, with the states.”

Healthcare
“If we come up with something, we’re gonna do it, and we’re gonna replace it [the Affordable Care Act]. I have concepts of a plan. There are concepts and options we have to do that.”

The economy
“When you compare my economy to this economy, not even a contest. We had the greatest economy in history, and now we have sort of a lousy economy, but the problem with the economy is the inflation and anything you make you more than gave back … It’s called a ‘Biden tax’ [of 50%] … It’s too bad.”

War in Gaza
“With all I have done for Israel, I received only 24% of the Jewish vote. Now think of this. Uh, I really haven’t been treated very well, but that’s the story of my life … you [Jews] haven’t been treated right because you’re putting yourself in great danger … In my opinion, the Jewish people would have a lot to do with a loss.”

Immigration
“A lot of people coming out of the Congo, in Africa. They’re coming out from Asia. They’re coming out from the Middle East — Yemen — they’re coming out from Yemen. A lot of people coming out of Yemen … they just release them out into our country from countries unknown, also … These people are crazy.”

Third Parties
Biography
Jill Stein (Green, running mate Butch Ware): Chicago native. Harvard Medical grad and doctor. Environmental activist. Massachusetts resident. Green Party nominee in 2012 and 2016, when she won 1% of popular vote and pursued unsuccessful recount bids. Chase Oliver (Libertarian, running mate Mike ter Maat): Tennessee native. Formerly in food service. Georgia resident. Campaigned for U.S. House (Ga.-5) in 2020 and U.S. Senate (Ga.) in 2022, when he won just over 2% of the vote.

Abortion
Stein: Calls abortion “a non-negotiable human right.” Blames Democrats for not codifying Roe and pledges to do so. Oliver: Wants to “end … abortion restrictions before viability” and says he will “encourage states to decriminalize abortions.”

Healthcare
Stein: Supports adoption of Medicare for All. Hopes to nationalize the pharmaceutical industry and “restore trust” in CDC. Oliver: Wants to “embrac[e] market-driven options” to speed drug development and approval. Supports Direct Primary Care, an alternative to insurance-based healthcare.

The economy
Stein: Wants to enact an “Economic Bill of Rights,” put largest banks in public ownership, and “abolish all student debt.” Oliver: Vague on policy specifics, but says “we must reduce government interference and let individuals decide how to spend … sparking real innovation.”

War in Gaza
Stein: Has called for immediate ceasefire in Gaza, decried AIPAC influence in American politics, and called for “an end to Israeli occupation and apartheid.” Oliver: Has “repeatedly called for a cessation of the violence we’ve seen in Gaza” and wants to “pivot to a foreign policy focused on peace.”

Immigration
Stein: Wants to move border policy away from security and “toward humane and effective asylum processing.” Oliver: Hopes to “simplify the process” for immigrants to gain citizenship and says immigrants are “key to its future.”