Jaden Jefferson on the future of journalism
At 16, Jaden Jefferson has already landed interviews that some seasoned journalists can only dream of. He's built his own mini-media empire with "Jaden Reports," delving into local and national issues with dogged determination. He joins Jim on "The Final 5" to explain what inspired him and how he hopes to further his burgeoning career.
Senate races heat up with big spending in Maryland and beyond
As November 5th approaches, the battle for control of the U.S. Senate is intensifying, and party leaders are spending big in key races, including in Maryland and Wisconsin. Jim Lokay discusses that and more with Stephen Neukam of Axios on "The Final 5."
Cliff Young on 2024: Narrowing race as "the vibes are vibing out"
Ipsos President of Polling and Societal Trends Cliff Young has the latest batch of numbers on the state of the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, including top issues for voters and which candidate voters are considering more part of the "establishment."
Jason Palmer on bipartisanship and energizing young voters
Jason Palmer made headlines for his unlikely victory over President Biden in the American Samoa caucuses earlier this year, but since then, he's transitioned his efforts into "Together!," an initiative aimed at bringing together Americans on all ends of the political spectrum. He joins Jim on "The Final 5" to weigh in on the state of the race and the latest efforts to encourage voters to get engaged in the civic process.
Harry Dunn on "Standing My Ground," his new PAC, and more
Jim Lokay talks with former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn, whose book "Standing My Ground" is being released in paperback. Dunn, who worked in law enforcement for 15 years before the January 6th Capitol attacks, is now focusing on a new political action committee called "Dunn's Democracy Defenders." He also reacts to Tuesday's vice presidential debate, where Sen. J.D. Vance claimed that former President Trump participated in a peaceful transfer of power in 2021.
"Maybe it does matter:" Vance, Walz court undecided independents in polite debate
One day after Sen. J.D. Vance (R) and Gov. Tim Walz (D) faced off in their first and only debate of the 2024 election cycle, political observers say the most important takeaway was the collegial tone. That could be crucial to swaying undecided independents on the campaign trail, according to Ryan Clancy, the chief strategist for No Labels. He joined Jim Lokay on "The Final 5" to discuss the stark contrast between thedebate and others seen in recent years, particularly focusing on the substance and civility displayed by the candidates.
Post-VP Debate wrap-up
Jim Lokay discusses Tuesday night's vice presidential debate between Sen. J.D. Vance and Gov. Tim Walz with Tracy Pearson, host of the "What We Don't Know with Dr. Tracy" podcast, and former Maryland congressional candidate Berney Flowers.
Suhas Subramanyum looks to jump from Richmond to Capitol Hill
Voters in Virginia's 10th district will send someone new to the House of Representatives on Election Day. For State Sen. Suhas Subramanyum, he's hoping he'll be the choice. Subramanyum, who emerged victorious after a crowded Democratic primary, was bolstered by the endorsement of the seat's current occupant, the retiring Rep. Jennifer Wexton, and will face Republican challenge Mike Clancy. He talks with Jim Lokay on "The Final 5" about the issues in the race.
Larry Hogan talks Senate campaign, Trump, and SCOTUS on 'The Final 5'
FOX 5's Jim Lokay goes one-on-one with former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, the Republican nominee in a race that many believe could decide control of the U.S. Senate come January.
Part Two: Larry Hogan on the issues, Trump, and SCOTUS
Jim Lokay is joined by former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan for part two of their discussion, including the issue of reproductive rights, why he won't support Donald Trump even though the former president endorsed his campaign, and how Senate leadership might handle a potential Supreme Court nomination by either Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris.
Part 1: Larry Hogan on his Senate bid; what kind of senator would he be?
Jim Lokay goes one-on-one with former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, the Republican nominee in a race that many believe could decide control of the U.S. Senate come January. In part one, Hogan and Lokay discuss what's changed in the 10 years since his first statewide campaign, his take on polling that shows the race still in flux, and what kind of senator he would be if elected come November 5th.
Harris' role in Afghanistan withdrawal comes into focus
Vice President Kamala Harris says she was "the last person in the room" when it came to executing the 2021 botched U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Republicans have seized upon that line to blame her for the missteps that led to the deaths of 13 U.S. servicemembers, but what really happened? Jerry Dunleavy authored the book "Kabul," and served as an investigator on the House panel investigating the withdrawl. He's Jim's guest on "The Final 5."
The power of Gen Z ahead of Election Day
In the uncommonly tight race between Harris and Trump, the race could be won in the margins -- and when it comes to young voters, Democrats are losing support among men, and Republicans are having a tough time with women. Jim talks about that and more with former New York Democratic legislator (and once the youngest elected official in New York state) Josh Lafazan on "The Final 5."
If you think our debates are bad, check out Brazil
A recent mayoral debate in Sao Paolo, Brazil turned violent when one candidate brought along an unexpected running mate: a folding chair. But as Jim Lokay shows on "The Final 5," it's not the strangest thing that's happened in representative democracy this year...
Luke Ball: In tight race, Trump has an edge
Some polls show Vice President Kamala Harris with a growing national lead, but the race will come down to just a few swing states, and conservative strategist Luke Ball says that's where Donald Trump has the advantage. He joins Jim on "The Final 5" to discuss that, plus how the Mark Robinson drama in North Carolina might affect split-ticket voters.
Shutdown appears less likely as House pushes for vote on Social Security
The prospects of a government shutdown appear to be fading a bit, as House Speaker Mike Johnson is lining up bipartisan support for a stopgap spending bill to fund federal agencies through the middle of December -- but it comes at the cost of a Republican priority, a bill reiterating federal law requiring proof of citizenship to vote. Jim Lokay discusses that with Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), plus her bipartsian push to force a vote on a bill to expand access to Social Security benefits for public servants on "The Final 5."
Men and the gender gap of the 2024 election
There's always been a focus on women in presidential races -- but do Democrats have a problem with getting men to the polls in 2024? Bill Scher of Washington Monthly is out with his Gender Gap Tracker, measuring how each candidates' strengths and weaknesses among gender factor in the polls.
Mike Clancy sees pickup opportunity for GOP in VA-10
The retirement of Rep. Jennifer Wexton in Virginia's 10th Congressional District means an open race to succeed her, and Republicans say it could be a potential pickup opportunity. The GOP nominee, attorney and businessman Mike Clancy, joins Jim Lokay on "The Final 5" to make his case as early voting in the commonwealth gets underway.
Dana Bash on "The Deadliest Election"
It's a political cycle full of racial conflict, warring media factions, calls of fraudulent elections, and attempted assassinations -- but it's not present day America, it's 1872 Louisiana. A new book, "America's Deadliest Election" explores the election of 1872 during Reconstruction, where the race between competing candidates for governor turned violent and deadly. Co-author Dana Bash, CNN's chief political correspondent, joins Jim on "The Final 5" to explain why the story could provide some teachable moments in modern times.
Dave Levinthal on the fight to avert a shutdown
Speaker Mike Johnson was dealt another blow on Wednesday, when he couldn't muster the votes to pass a continuing resolution to keep the government funded past September 30th. How does that factor into the conversation with Election Day just seven weeks away? Political journalist Dave Levinthal is Jim's guest on "The Final 5."