Platner’s level of early support, and the magnitude of things were we’re told to look past (because of his early support) makes me think of @daniellethomsen.bsky.social work on candidate exit and the importance of support early on.
Danielle Thomsen
@daniellethomsen.bsky.social
Political scientist at UC, Irvine. Congress, elections, and gender. New book on fundraising in U.S. House elections from 1980 to 2022.
Politics by Formula: How Congressional Policymaking Creates Disparities is now out! I show how politics shapes and often distorts important federal programs, driving inequalities across states.
Just messing with people’s lives out of bigotry and fear. I am so sorry about how horrible my country has become to immigrants.
Jacob Montgomery@jacobmontgomery.bsky.social · 3mo agoAmong other things, this rule seems like it would devastate US higher education. www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
#OpenAccess from @apsrjournal.bsky.social - Legislative Effectiveness, Progressive Ambition, and Electoral Success - https://cup.org/4vPGrxk - @daniellethomsen.bsky.social, SARAH A. TREUL, CRAIG VOLDEN & ALAN E. WISEMAN #FirstView
Why does money matter? Professor @daniellethomsen.bsky.social breaks down what money signals in American politics with @leedrutman.bsky.social. Listen to the full episode of Politics in Question: www.politicsinquestion.com/episodes/mon...
politicsinquestion.com
The decision in Louisiana v. Callais claims, "By 2004, the racial gap in voter registration and turnout had largely disappeared.... Black voters now participate in elections at similar rates as the rest of the electorate" (26–27). This is misleading: White turnout remains much higher than non-White.
NEW: Now that the Supreme Court has rendered the last remaining pillar of the VRA toothless, Republicans in eight states are free to gerrymander more than a dozen congressional districts that had been designed to remedy discrimination against Black and Latino voters. We catalog them all here -->
With the VRA gutted, the GOP could target over a dozen Black and Latino House districts
The assault would be devastating for minority voting rights—and for Democrats
the-downballot.com
With a sudden surge of open House sets on the GOP side, we're once again in record territory. Democrats have slowed the pace recently.
The Downballot@the-downballot.com · 5mo agoHouse retirements, especially on the GOP side, have been a bit of a firehose lately! Keep tabs on every open seat with our bookmark-worthy tracker:
“I am delighted to conditionally accept your article for publication in The Journal of Politics.” 🥳 We find that gender quota laws for legislatures also increase the share of women in cabinets. w @gventurini.bsky.social @tiffanydbarnes.bsky.social dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn...
This is just insane. It’s only a matter of time before DHS kills another innocent person here. (clip via MPR and @davidjbier.bsky.social on X)
Jon Collins@jcollins.bsky.social · 6mo ago"MPR News has learned that the police chief in the small southern Minnesota city of St. Peter intervened Thursday afternoon to prevent federal immigration agents from arresting a local resident" who had been observing federal agents. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Just experienced the most intense tear gassing of my life by federal officers outside the ICE facility in Portland where marchers gathered. There was no fast exit as they indiscriminately threw loads of gas and flash bangs. Children were in the crowd screaming. @oregoncapitalchronicle.com
Public opinion has shifted dramatically against the White House's approach to immigration enforcement, as captured in the rising % of adults who want to abolish ICE (now +12 among independents, per YouGov). Dems have a lot of leverage to push for reforms rn. www.gelliottmorris.com/p/trumps-imm...
The ICE shootings are a tipping point
Donald Trump's approval on immigration has collapsed 17 points since taking office, and support for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement has swung 50 points since Sept. 2024.
gelliottmorris.com
On NPR on Friday, there was a story of a 4-year-old--an American citizen--who hasn't left her house since early December, not even to play in the yard. And her 8-year-old brother recently stopped going to school, too. Their father is undocumented, and the family doesn't want to risk him being taken.
Morgan J Freeman@mjfree.bsky.social · 6mo ago
Why is Dem leadership not on the ground in MN? If the answer is “polls show Trump’s disapproval is only -15 on deportations, but -25 on prices,” thats a Bad Use Of Polling and a complete failure in their capacity as leaders to lead public opinion and fight for democracy and the rule of law
The Money Signal | New book by @daniellethomsen.bsky.social, @ucirvine.bsky.social political science professor, explores how fundraising matters in American politics @uchicagopress.bsky.social @uofcalifornia.bsky.social
The Money Signal
socsci.uci.edu
AOC: An agency that is attacking U.S. citizens, kidnapping five-year-olds and using them as bait, and privately circulating the idea that they can violate the rights of Americans by busting down their doors—they deserve to be defunded, and I’ll take any step in that direction.
This family did every single thing they’ve been asked to in order to seek asylum here. Yet in less than 24 hours, this kid and his Dad were nabbed off our streets and sent to Texas, using tactics that can only be described as pure evil.
"Liam’s teacher, Ella Sullivan, teared up when thinking about Liam. 'He’s a bright young student,' she said, 'and he’s so kind and loving. His classmates miss him.'" www.startribune.com/preschooler-...
Preschooler and three other students detained by ICE, school district leader says
The detentions of Columbia Heights students come after weeks of heightened concern and enforcement presence near and on Twin Cities school property.
startribune.com
Given that David Valadao, the only other remaining House Republican to vote for impeachment in 2021, is sitting in one of the seats targeted by California's redistricting efforts, there may be zero such members come 2027.
Sahil Kapur@sahilkapur.bsky.social · 8mo agoRep. Dan Newhouse, one of the last remaining House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump, won't seek re-election www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
ICE PEPPER SPRAYED A ONE-YEAR-OLD because her mother was filming them.
Denise Wheeler@denisedwheeler.bsky.social · 8mo agoICE pepper-sprayed this 1-year-old girl. Once at the hospital, the doctor had to call in a poison control specialist. They had never seen anyone that young pepper sprayed. Another horrific story. More details below.
OPINION TODAY featured podcast — The money chase: In congressional primaries and general elections, the top fundraiser wins 92% of the time. @daniellethomsen.bsky.social finds that candidates are raising money earlier and in larger amounts than ever. opiniontoday.substack.com/i/177548584/...
Big thanks to @mattgrossmann.bsky.social for the invitation to discuss my new book!
Matt Grossmann@mattgrossmann.bsky.social · 9mo agoHow the Money Chase Governs our Elections Early $ still governs who runs, who lasts, & who rises in Congress, even though it's often spent just to raise more @daniellethomsen.bsky.social on The Money Signal on the #ScienceOfPolitics podcast/transcript: www.niskanencenter.org/how-the-mone...
New editorial from me and @keithschnak.bsky.social. “Why Washington University must not sign Trump's 'compact'”
Opinion: Why Washington University must not sign Trump's 'compact'
Washington University in St. Louis has built its reputation on a simple ideal: excellence wins. For decades, our researchers have competed for and won federal grants based on the quality
stltoday.com
Great turnout on pacific coast highway. Deeply moved by support for democracy, science, and the values that set America apart.
Lauren Ross@laurennross.bsky.social · 10mo agoSo bad even political science (and philosophy) professors are showing up. With @daniellethomsen.bsky.social 🇺🇸 Here for democracy, science and #noKings #philsky #philsci #STS #sciencesky #HPBio
I just finished reading this book. It is terrific.
Danielle Thomsen@daniellethomsen.bsky.social · 10mo agoAs fundraising heats up this cycle, it's a good time to announce the publication of my new book, The Money Signal! The main argument is that money matters because it is a widely used indicator of viability and strength in American politics. press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
As fundraising heats up this cycle, it's a good time to announce the publication of my new book, The Money Signal! The main argument is that money matters because it is a widely used indicator of viability and strength in American politics. press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
The Money Signal
A data-rich, eye-opening look at how, when, and why political fundraising is consequential. Over the last two decades, the number of competitive congressional races has declined precipitously. Yet ca...
press.uchicago.edu
#OpenAccess from Augusts 2025 - Early Money and Strategic Candidate Exit - cup.org/3HnnDBk "exit of experienced candidates has important implications for the choices that voters have" - @daniellethomsen.bsky.social
As fundraising heats up this cycle, it's a good time to announce the publication of my new book, The Money Signal! The main argument is that money matters because it is a widely used indicator of viability and strength in American politics. press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
The Money Signal
A data-rich, eye-opening look at how, when, and why political fundraising is consequential. Over the last two decades, the number of competitive congressional races has declined precipitously. Yet ca...
press.uchicago.edu
CHICAGO — Outside an elementary school during dismissal… horrifying. What have we become?