Travis Gettys, a senior editor for Raw Story, covers national, state, and local politics, with a focus on racial justice, right-wing extremism, and gun safety. President Joe Biden secured the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan from Russian captivity in a prisoner swap deal. The negotiations involved the U.S., Germany, and Slovenia, and also included convicted murderer Vadim Krasikov and other Russian prisoners. The deal was finalized an hour before Biden announced he would not seek re-election and endorsed Kamala Harris. Georgia Republicans, led by Governor Brian Kemp, have been accused of disenfranchising Democratic voters through voter purges and other tactics. Harris’s recent rally in Atlanta highlighted her momentum and contrasted it with Trump’s age-related weaknesses, setting the stage for the 2024 presidential race.