How Harris and Trump both put family issues front and center, from IVF to schools

May Be Interested In:Menendez supporters say brothers should go free — but prosecutors who tried them believe they got what they deserved


While polls show top voter concerns are about the economy and democracy itself, family issues offer a robust catchall for how voters feel about the state of America – and offer the presidential candidates a way to share their visions for the nation. Safety, education, financial security, gender roles, and even immigration all funnel into a family framework.

Candidate family portraits, on full display, are snapshots of modern America.

Why We Wrote This

The Harris and Trump tickets project diverse family portraits that, collectively, represent the United States today. They all share family as a top priority, but their policy approaches diverge sharply.

Former President Donald Trump, a wealthy businessman, has five children from three marriages, two of which were to immigrants. His running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, who grew up on the margins of poverty, has three children from his biracial marriage.

Vice President Kamala Harris, daughter of immigrants, has helped raise two stepchildren in her multiracial marriage. Her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and his wife relied on fertility treatments to have two children, one diagnosed with a learning disorder.

These portraits project distinct undertones, says sociologist Richard Petts. “The conservative approach is, ‘The government is not going to help, or it’s not our job. Small government, low spending, no public policies. … We need to go back to the glory days.’ And the more liberal side is, ‘We need to spend tax dollars and provide social supports to people who need it.’”

Family is front and center in the U.S. presidential campaign: Safety, education, financial security, gender roles, and even immigration all funnel into a family framework.

While voters say their top concern is the economy, family life offers a robust catchall for how voters feel about the state of the country – and offers the campaigns a way to share their visions for America.

Just about any issue can be presented as a family issue, says University of Dayton political science professor Christopher Devine. “Whether it connects is different, and maybe a candidate’s success at doing that could relate to his or her ability to speak about their relationships within their own family.”

Why We Wrote This

The Harris and Trump tickets project diverse family portraits that, collectively, represent the United States today. They all share family as a top priority, but their policy approaches diverge sharply.

The candidates’ family portraits, which they’ve put on full display, are snapshots of modern America.

Former President Donald Trump, a wealthy businessman, has five children from three marriages. His spouse and one of his former wives are immigrants. His running mate, JD Vance, who went from the margins of poverty in small-town Ohio to the U.S. Senate with a combination of grit and his grandmother’s determination, has three children from his biracial marriage.

Vice President Kamala Harris is a daughter of immigrants – a scholar and a scientist – and has helped raise two stepchildren in her multiracial marriage. Her running mate, Tim Walz, and his wife of 30 years relied on fertility treatments to have their two children, one of whom is diagnosed with a learning disorder.

share Share facebook pinterest whatsapp x print

Similar Content

Trump speaks on ‘migrant crime.’ The reality: It’s not rampant, but a real concern.
Trump speaks on ‘migrant crime.’ The reality: It’s not rampant, but a real concern.
Evangelical leaders celebrate Trump’s victory as a prophecy fulfilled
Evangelical leaders celebrate Trump’s victory as a prophecy fulfilled
Video of Phoenix police using a Taser and punching deaf man with cerebral palsy under scrutiny
Video of Phoenix police using a Taser and punching deaf man with cerebral palsy under scrutiny
Trump campaigns in Pennsylvania after audio issues at Detroit rally
Trump campaigns in Pennsylvania after audio issues at Detroit rally
Suspect arrested in killing initially thought to have been from bear
Montana ax killing victim welcomed suspect to camp and gave him a beer
House GOP chairman demands FEMA accountability for Hurricane Helene after flooding claims more than 200 lives
House GOP chairman demands FEMA accountability for Hurricane Helene after flooding claims more than 200 lives

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsflash: Events That Shape the Future | © 2024 | Daily News