Sara Burnett

US President Joe Biden smiles as he speaks about Democratic control of the Senate before leaving his hotel to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, November 13, 2022, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

November 13, 2022, 4:52 am

In major win for Biden, Democrats retain control of US Senate in midterm election

Catherine Cortez Masto wins tight Nevada race, giving party at least 50 seats — a remarkable result that defied predictions of a Republican ‘red wave’ over both houses of Congress

By Will Weissert, Jill Colvin and Sara Burnett

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif., arrives to speak at an event early Wednesday morning, Nov. 9, 2022, in Washington. (AP/Alex Brandon)

November 10, 2022, 6:16 am

GOP nudges closer to House win; Senate could hinge on Georgia runoff

Control of Congress will decide how next two years of Biden’s term play out, and whether he’s able to carry out more of his agenda or will see it blocked by new GOP majority

By Sara Burnett, Jill Colvin and Will Weissert

Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, Democratic candidate for US Senate from Pennsylvania, right, is joined by his family after addressing supporters at an election night party in Pittsburgh, November 9, 2022. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

November 9, 2022, 10:56 am

Control of Congress hinges on handful of close races as Democrats hold off red wave

Despite expectations of Republican rout amid high inflation and flagging approval for Biden, Democrats show surprising strength, flipping Pennsylvania and fending off challenges

By Sara Burnett, Jill Colvin and Will Weissert

Supporters of Congressional candidate Mike Lawler watch the results on a screen during an election night party, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Pearl River, N.Y. (AP/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)

November 9, 2022, 4:02 am

Republicans, Democrats neck-and-neck in key midterm races as votes tallied

Pivotal contests in several states up in air with GOP hoping to flip House and possibly Senate, in election tinged by Trump’s influence; DeSantis holds on to Florida governorship

By Sara Burnett, Jill Colvin and Will Weissert

Actor Jussie Smollett, center, along with his mother Janet, second from left, returns to the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago, Dec. 9, 2021.(Nam Y. Huh/AP)

December 10, 2021, 1:55 am

Jussie Smollett convicted of staging racist attack against himself, lying to police

Gay, black, Jewish actor guilty of five counts of disorderly conduct, a felony, for incident in Chicago three years ago; lost gig on ‘Empire’ over hoax

By DON BABWIN and Sara Burnett

Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., talks to reporters about the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

August 14, 2020, 12:56 pm

Trump gives credence to false, racist Kamala Harris conspiracy

Speaking to reporters, the president notes ‘very serious’ rumors — which are false — that the VP candidate is not eligible to serve in the role

By AAMER MADHANI, Sara Burnett, AMANDA SEITZ and Jill Colvin

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris talks during her first campaign organizing event at Los Angeles Southwest College in Los Angeles, on May 19, 2019. ((AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

August 12, 2020, 9:02 am

US women’s groups say they will fight sexism, ‘ugly’ attacks on Harris

Organizations primarily led by Democrats, but backed by nonpartisan groups and some Republicans, say they will shut down prejudiced, false information about Democratic VP pick

By Sara Burnett and AMANDA SEITZ

In an October 26, 2018, file photo, Rashida Tlaib, left, then-Democratic candidate for the Michigan's 13th Congressional District, and Brenda Jones speak during a rally in Detroit. (AP/Paul Sancya, File)

July 23, 2020, 9:35 am

‘Squad’ member Tlaib may be vulnerable in tough primary

Race points to broader debate among Democrats betwee establishment and younger, more progressive activists, as well as racial dynamics of heavily blue Detroit-area district

By Sara Burnett

One felonious assault charge each has been filed against Eric and Jillian Wuestenberg, both of Independence Township, after a confrontation that resulted in pointing hand guns at Takelia Hill and her children after exiting a restaurant in Orion Township, a day earlier. (Screencapture/YouTube)

July 3, 2020, 8:40 pm

White Michigan couple charged after gun pulled on Black family

Cellphone video captured the confrontation in a parking lot outside a Chipotle restaurant after the woman reportedly bumped a teen with her car

By Corey Williams and Sara Burnett

Democratic presidential hopeful Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar looks on ahead of the sixth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by PBS NewsHour and Politico at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California, December 19, 2019. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP)

March 2, 2020, 9:51 pm

Amy Klobuchar exits White House race, will back Biden

Former VP’s blowout victory in Saturday’s South Carolina primary positions him as the main moderate challenger to Democratic front-runner Bernie Sanders

By Sara Burnett

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event Feb. 2, 2020, in Dubuque, Iowa. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

February 3, 2020, 1:24 am

In Iowa, anxiety and unpredictability cloud Democratic caucus finish

Campaigns, voters acknowledge sense of unknown as party begins choosing who to send for November face-off with Trump; former secretary of state John Kerry denies considering run

By Julie Pace and Sara Burnett

Senator Bernie Sanders (Independent-Vermont) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (Democrat-Massachusetts) talk during in the first of two Democratic presidential primary debates hosted by CNN July 30, 2019, in the Fox Theatre in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

July 31, 2019, 11:39 am

Sanders, Warren clash with moderates over ‘Medicare for All’

Fellow Democratic contenders warn eventual nominee could lose race for the White House in 2020 if party moves too far to the left

By Steve Peoples and Sara Burnett

Pete Buttigieg announces that he will seek the Democratic presidential nomination during a rally in South Bend, Ind., Sunday, April 14, 2019. Buttigieg, 37, is serving his second term as the mayor of South Bend. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

April 15, 2019, 3:52 am

‘Mayor Pete’ officially joins 2020 race as face of new generation

Buttigieg would be the first openly gay nominee of a major presidential party, first mayor to go directly to White House and youngest person to become US president

By Sara Burnett

Grammar school students stop to say hello and hug mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot outside a 14th Ward polling location, Tuesday, April 2, 2019, in Chicago. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune via AP)

April 3, 2019, 5:20 am

Lori Lightfoot will be Chicago’s 1st black, openly gay mayor

She replaces Rahm Emanuel, who didn’t run for a third term, joining seven other black women currently serving as mayors in major US cities

By Sara Burnett and HERBERT G. McCANN

Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar addresses a snowy rally where she announced she is entering the race for president Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, at Boom Island Park in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

February 11, 2019, 12:34 am

Minnesota’s Amy Klobuchar braves the snow to announce 2020 presidential bid

The senator, known as a straight-shooting pragmatist willing to work with Republicans, asserts her Midwestern values as she enters a packed field of Democratic candidates

By Sara Burnett