Operatives aligned with Alaska Democratic Senate nominee Mary Peltola spent months recruiting candidates to peel votes from her Republican rival. The group worked to coax would-be spoilers into the race to dilute the incumbent's support and help catapult Peltola to victory. trib.al/gWKhuWh

I went to the DSA’s summit in Chicago, where democratic socialists celebrated their wins and debated their place in (or out) of the Democratic Party. Democrats fear the socialist label, but DSA was confident its ideas would resonate even in purple states. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/03/u...

How Democratic Socialists Are Wrestling With Their Next Moves (Gift Article)

After notching primary victories, D.S.A. members in Chicago debated whether socialist candidates should be free to distance themselves from goals like abolishing prisons as they chase more seats this ...

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Scoop: Dem legislators in Montana wrote to Seth Bodnar & Alani Bankhead today, urging them to meet and for one to drop out of #MTSen by Aug -- to avoid helping GOP by splitting vote. Bodnar says he wants to have a meeting. Bankhead says no meeting unless Bodnar is considering dropping out.

Went to Wisconsin to write about Francesca Hong, the democratic socialist candidate for governor. She argues her populist message can appeal even to Trump supporters — and I watched her try to sway a few. Her success would mean socialism is viable in swing states. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/03/u...

A Big Gamble for the Left: Can Socialism Appeal in a Swing State?

Francesca Hong, a state legislator running for governor of Wisconsin, wants to prove that a democratic socialist can win in a battleground. Some say she would hand the race to Republicans.

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Some thought Alani Bankhead, the Dem Senate nominee in Montana, would drop out at her press conference today and endorse Seth Bodnar, an independent. Instead, she attacked Bodnar. “I am never dropping out," she said. "Ever." The 3-way race favors Republicans. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/15/u...

A G.O.P. Senate Seat in Montana Seemed Vulnerable. Then, the Left Splintered.

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Bernie Sanders notched two more primary victories yesterday his effort to back progressives in competitive districts: Randy Villegas and Graham Platner. Earlier wins: -Brian Poindexter -Bob Brooks -Sam Forstag www.nytimes.com/2026/05/24/u...

Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez Try Boosting Progressives in Red Districts

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Politicians are swearing like sailors these days. We analyzed 6 years of posts and found the top offenders — mostly Democrats, who say it's an expression of anger over Trump. "I’m a pretty nice guy, but I swear and I say fuck a lot," Rep Robert Garcia said. Story: www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/u...

Results of this year’s CPAC straw poll of 2028 Republican primary support: Vance 53% Rubio 35% DeSantis 2% Don Jr 2% Cruz 1% Hegseth 1% Rand Paul 1% Gabbard 1% Greg Abbott 1% RFK 0% Graham 0%

Horrific Kings win vs the Nets when we absolutely need to tank. Playing Monk and DeRozan in the clutch. Fouling up 3 to guarantee win. Kings announcers spouting anti-tanking propaganda about avoiding a “losing culture” (little late for that!) Terrible organization top to bottom.

The latest ambitious politician to go on Stephen A…Kevin Kiley? (no Sacramento Kings talk, sadly) www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzsr...

SSWSA KEVIN KILEY

YouTube video by Stephen A. Smith

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Part of Kat Abughazaleh’s concession speech here in #IL09, where she called out the AIPAC-tied super PAC spending in her race. “We had millions in AIPAC spending, dark money smear campaigns, institutional power tipping the scales, and we made them use their entire arsenal.”

Two Friday night news dumps from California Republicans made vulnerable by redistricting: -Darrell Issa is retiring -Kevin Kiley is running for reelection as an independent www.nytimes.com/2026/03/06/u...

One House Republican in California Retires, and Another Runs as an Independent

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My look yesterday at the political switcharoo in Montana, where Steve Daines dropped his re-election bid at the last minute in an effort to anoint his Republican successor. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/05/u...

A Sly Political Switcheroo Stuns Montana and Starts a New Senate Fight

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This is what makes me scared to draft Cameron Boozer

John@johnbull.wtf · 8mo ago

Post an iconic horror movie image

AOC came to Munich to warn about the far-right. Coverage focused on 2028 and verbal missteps. She gave me a call to discuss. “Everyone’s got this story wrong, that this is about me running for president,” she said. “Global democracies are on fire the world over.” www.nytimes.com/2026/02/16/u...

After First Big Overseas Trip, Ocasio-Cortez Expresses Frustrations

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Went to La Crosse, Wis., to hear Pete Buttigieg’s latest town hall. He and other potential 2028 candidates, like Cory Booker and AOC, are offering a preview of how Democrats could take back the House: hammer Republicans on their Medicaid and health care votes. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/18/u...

Buttigieg and Booker Lead Push to Hammer Republicans on Health Care

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They Wanted a Conservative State. They Might Get a Democratic Representative Instead. The passage of Proposition 50, which redrew California’s congressional map, means that all of the state’s conservative north is likely to be represented by Democrats. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/26/u...

They Wanted a Conservative State. They Might Get a Democratic Representative Instead.

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Marc Benioff, who once donated to Democrats, told @heatherknightsf.bsky.social that he thinks Trump should send the National Guard into San Francisco. “I fully support the president,” he said. “I think he’s doing a great job.” www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...

Marc Benioff Says Trump Should Send Guard Troops to San Francisco

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I wrote about the Portland city council, where socialists are setting the agenda — a West Coast version of Zohran Mamdani. The socialists say their policies will improve the lives of the working-class. The moderates and business interests have plenty of criticisms. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/04/u...

What Happens When Socialists Are in Charge? Portland Offers a Glimpse.

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“Dismissive nicknames, grandstanding boasts and long, winding tangents ARE WRITTEN IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. They are peppered with an inordinate number of exclamation points!!!” Had some fun writing about Gavin Newsom mimicking Donald Trump on social media. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/u...

Gavin Newsom’s Latest Role: Social Media Troll

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Trump said today that he might sent the National Guard into San Francisco to “clean” it up. With crime down and a new mayor intent on not mentioning Trump, SF has stayed off Trump’s radar this year until now — a departure from its past as a conservative target. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/22/u...

San Francisco Had Avoided Trump’s Ire. Until Now.

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Democrats’ struggles with working-class voters has eroded their standing among unions. Labor leaders now face a challenge: remaining supportive of Democrats while also winning over the many rank-and-file members who shifted to Trump. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/09/u...

Union Leaders Get Tough With Democrats as Members Drift Toward Trump

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New: AZ Gov. Katie Hobbs, in a tough reelection fight, faces a divided party. -Dems critical of her low-key approach, minimal legislative record -Party chair feuds w/Dem senators -Fontes, Dem SoS, mulled primary challenge -Hobbs spoke w/John Giles about Lt Gov role www.nytimes.com/2025/05/17/u...

A Vulnerable Governor and an Intraparty Feud Signal a Bumpy Road for Democrats

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One last tech story from me, which I started before jumping onto the 2024 campaign trail. It’s about the economic gloom and interminable waiting at the Uber driver “pen” at LAX. With the excellent @elitan.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/2025/05/14/t...

At LAX Airport, Uber Drivers Wait. And Wait. And Wait.

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Wrote about an increasingly uncommon arrangement in today’s polarized era: a bipartisan alliance of Republicans and Democrats. Derided by critics as the “Nasty Nine,” a group of Montana Republicans broke with their party to form a new majority in the state senate. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/03/u...

In Montana, a Rare Sight: Republicans and Democrats Voting Together

Derided by critics as the “Nasty Nine” and censured by the state party, a group of Republican state senators said they were simply advancing common-sense legislation and supporting the governor’s agen...

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Scoop: Former Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak is weighing a 2026 comeback and a rematch with GOP Gov. Joe Lombardo, who ousted him in 2022. He’s conducting polling as he considers. If he runs, he’d likely face Aaron Ford, NV AG, in a Dem primary. More here: www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/u...

Swept Out of Office by Covid, a Democratic Governor Eyes a Comeback

Steve Sisolak, the former governor of Nevada, says he is weighing a rematch against Gov. Joe Lombardo, the Republican who ousted him in 2022.

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Wrote about a trio of young Democrats -- @katmabu.bsky.social , @georgehornedo.bsky.social and Deja Foxx -- and how their bids for office signify rising frustration among young voters with the status quo. “It’s time to pass the torch” - @amandalitman.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/u...

Younger Democrats Don’t Plan to Wait Their Turn

A new crop of Democrats are announcing runs for office — sometimes against incumbents — in an expression of frustration with the establishment.

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Xaviaer DuRousseau once marched in Black Lives Matter protests. Then he started watching PragerU videos, the conservative advocacy group, and Candace Owens, a right-wing influencer. They resonated with him.

How a Black Progressive Transformed Into a Conservative Star

Xaviaer DuRousseau once marched in Black Lives Matter protests. Then he started watching PragerU videos — and they resonated with him.

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Much has been made about Gen Z voters shifting to the right. Here’s the story of how one of them — Xaviaer DuRousseau — evolved from liberal Black Lives Matter protester to fervent Trump supporter, becoming a high-profile influencer along the way. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/u...

How a Black Progressive Transformed Into a Conservative Star

Xaviaer DuRousseau once marched in Black Lives Matter protests. Then he started watching PragerU videos — and they resonated with him.

nytimes.com

With Trump in full control of the GOP, I wrote about one state that stands out as an exception: Utah. Mormon voters - lifelong Republicans - are moving away from Trump, while center-right groups there are reasserting themselves & clashing w/the MAGA wing. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/18/u...

A Lonely Holdout Where Republicans Still Resist Trump: Utah

Bolstered by Mormon voters’ distaste for MAGA politics, the center-right is trying to reassert itself in a ruby-red state.

nytimes.com