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Articles by

Mel Leonor Barclay

Politics Reporter

Mel Leonor Barclay is a political reporter. She has a decade of experience covering government and elections, from tiny South Florida localities to Congress. Most recently, Mel was a Virginia politics reporter at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and previously covered federal policy at POLITICO. Mel is an immigrant of the Dominican Republic and native Spanish speaker.

My work is free to consume and free to republish because of contributions from readers like you. A donation of $19 goes a long way toward sustaining our nonprofit newsroom.

Contact [email protected]

Latest from Mel Leonor

The tools Trump could use to curb abortion access if he’s elected

He’s not talking about abortion much on the trail, but the former president has been a dependable ally of the anti-abortion movement and would have powers to act in a second term.

Shefali Luthra, Mel Leonor Barclay · January 30, 2024
Americans don’t always think women are ‘electable.’ Nikki Haley’s pitch: I am.

In the final sprint to the New Hampshire primary, Haley is pitching herself as the last candidate who can take down Trump. And the only Republican who can defeat Biden.

Mel Leonor Barclay · January 22, 2024
DeSantis drops out of presidential race, leaving Haley as lone Trump alternative

'It’s now one fella and one lady left,’ Haley said as DeSantis endorsed former President Donald Trump ahead of the New Hampshire primary.

Mel Leonor Barclay · January 21, 2024
Caucusing with kids? It’s not that easy, especially in a winter storm.

Tonight’s caucuses could be the coldest in history, highlighting the barriers to participation that caregivers and a long list of vulnerable voters face toward participating in the first election of the 2024 presidential race.

Mel Leonor Barclay · January 15, 2024
Nikki Haley wins second primary, gains more delegates in Super Tuesday races

Nikki Haley won Vermont's primary on Super Tuesday after a victory in Washington, D.C.'s contest days earlier.

Mel Leonor Barclay · January 11, 2024
Explicit videos rocked her run for office. But this Virginia Democrat isn’t done with politics.

Susanna Gibson, who fell short in her bid for the Virginia House, wants to advocate for digital privacy and consent to protect other women running for office.

Mel Leonor Barclay · January 2, 2024
Can this Miami Latina prove that Florida isn’t out of reach for Democrats?

Former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is challenging Republican Sen. Rick Scott in 2024 and hoping to stem Republicans’ inroads with Latinx voters in the Sunshine State.

Mel Leonor Barclay · December 19, 2023
Emerge America wanted to train more Democratic women for office. Growth came with a cost.

The organization has faced a split with the staff of one chapter and tensions with others, leaving leadership posts vacant ahead of a big election year.

Mel Leonor Barclay, Grace Panetta · December 12, 2023
There’s a new push to elect an Afro Latina to Congress

Latino Victory is launching a new initiative focused on strengthening the pipeline of Democratic Afro-Latinas running for office.

Mel Leonor Barclay · November 16, 2023
Abortion rights keep winning, and Democrats see a lesson for 2024

Election results in Ohio, Virginia and Kentucky show the issue’s continued potency and give a boost to efforts to pass ballot measures in red and purple states next year.

Grace Panetta, Mel Leonor Barclay · November 8, 2023