Podcasts about downballot

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Best podcasts about downballot

Latest podcast episodes about downballot

Political Beats
Episode 144: Steve Singiser / Def Leppard

Political Beats

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2025 171:42


Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Steve Singiser. Steve is formerly a contributing editor at Daily Kos Elections and now is a contributor at The Downballot.Steve's Music Pick: Def LeppardDo you wanna get rocked?If the answer is yes and the decade was the 1980s, it's likely Def Leppard was at least partially responsible for the rocking. With two massive albums released four years apart, the band's songs provided the soundtrack for a generation.Pyromania lit the fuse, so to speak, with “Photograph” bursting through televisions on MTV and with “Foolin'” and “Rock of Ages” cracking the Billboard Top 40 chart. The production skills and songwriting savvy of “Mutt” Lange was key. A de-facto sixth band member, his contributions transformed the group from a solid British hard rock/heavy metal band to one that took over the world with massive pop/rock crossover success. Infinite hooks, layered vocals, processed everything, pre-choruses everywhere -- those are Lange trademarks that helped lure in listeners.Hysteria followed after a number of setbacks and delays. Drummer Rick Allen lost an arm and Lange initially pulled out of the project due to exhaustion. But once things came together, the album took off like a rocket. “Pour Some Sugar on Me” was the jet fuel to power Hysteria after initial just okay sales numbers. Eventually seven singles were released, including #1 hit “Love Bites,” fulfilling the ambitions of creating a hard rock Thriller.Unfortunately, guitarist Steve Clark lost his battle with alcoholism shortly afterward. His songwriting contributions and playing style are missed from future releases, though Vivian Campbell has proven to be a solid replacement. There's plenty to love from the first two albums, prior to the band's breakthrough, and Adrenalize and Euphoria still contain highlights (we urge you to check out “Paper Sun” from the latter album).This is also a story about loyalty. Def Leppard's line-up has been remarkably consistent through the years. When Rick Allen lost his arm, band members gave him the time to recover and learn to play in a different way. When “Mutt” Lange couldn't produce Hysteria, the band realized the project couldn't move forward without him. When Steve Clark needed help, the band gave him time off and got him into rehab as many times as possible.The band still is a huge draw on tour because songs as good as these don't die. Listen in, enjoy the tunes and feel free to rock, rock ‘til you drop.

Downballot
Downballot EP216 - Rich People Buying Chickens, Super Bowl Coming To South Bay, Berkeley Public Toilet

Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025


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Downballot
Downballot EP215 - Fremont Bad Homeless Policy, SF Cop Chases, Do Not Steal Girl Scout Cookies

Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2025


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Downballot
Downballot EP214 - Day Without Immigrants, Mayor ED209 On Immigration, Fake Red Curbs, Stolen Plaques

Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2025


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Downballot
Downballot EP213 - Sheng Thao Indicted, San Leandro City Council Raid, OPD Police Chases, Dumb Crash Coverage

Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025


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Downballot
Downballot EP212 - SOMA Mass Arrest Plan, Public Drinking, Something About A Spider Monkey

Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025


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Downballot
Downballot 2024 Year In Review

Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2025


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downballot panel producer dave
Downballot
Downballot Extra - Matt Mahan Talks About Being Mayor ED209 And The Future Of The DNC

Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2024


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mayors mahan downballot ed209 panel producer dave
Downballot
Downballot EP211 - SJSU Volleyball, Trump Proof California, Ashes Snafu, Sculpture Looks Like Poop

Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024


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Downballot
Downballot EP210 - More Election Results, Various Scandals, Butter Recall

Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2024


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Richmond's Morning News
What About the Validity of 2024's Downballot Vote?

Richmond's Morning News

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024 27:22


What About the Validity of 2024's Downballot Vote? full 1642 Mon, 18 Nov 2024 16:06:00 +0000 Icr3F4vl5Nt1X1Pk0LAaIiUMZqrTO8zm news Richmond's Morning News with John Reid news What About the Validity of 2024's Downballot Vote? On Richmond's Morning News, John Reid discusses the top stories of the day from around the world, nationally, in Virginia, and right here in the Richmond area.  Listen to news you can use, newsmakers, and analysis of what's happening every weekday from 5:30 to 10:00 AM on NewsRadio 1140 WRVA and 96.1 FM!   2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. News False https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?fee

Richmond's Morning News
CLETA MITCHELL Addresses 2024's Downballot Vote

Richmond's Morning News

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024 12:44


CLETA MITCHELL Addresses 2024's Downballot Vote full 764 Mon, 18 Nov 2024 16:01:00 +0000 FpRahuHIDLdZmT3re9ftkBPOWVnz7DPQ news Richmond's Morning News with John Reid news CLETA MITCHELL Addresses 2024's Downballot Vote On Richmond's Morning News, John Reid discusses the top stories of the day from around the world, nationally, in Virginia, and right here in the Richmond area.  Listen to news you can use, newsmakers, and analysis of what's happening every weekday from 5:30 to 10:00 AM on NewsRadio 1140 WRVA and 96.1 FM!   2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. News False https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?feed-l

Downballot
Downballot EP209 - The Results Are In And We Got Clobbered

Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024


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downballot panel producer dave
Under the Dome
Talking downballot NC races from Election Day: Courts, Council of State & General Assembly

Under the Dome

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2024 23:16


For the week of Nov. 11, 2024, Dawn Vaughan is joined by politics team colleagues Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi, Kyle Ingram and Korie Dean in part two of our post-Election Day look at the North Carolina races that were on the ballot. They talk about the N.C. Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, the General Assembly and the rest of the Council of State, from auditor to agriculture commissioner. Plus what the “working supermajority” means for swing Democrats in the House. Stay tuned to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Week.  Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Kyle Ingram, Korie Dean, Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kudzu Vine
Jeff Singer of the Downballot

Kudzu Vine

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2024 64:00


Jeff Sinnger will join us to discuss the election results from the 2024 Campaign

Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast
Meet Our First Korean-American U.S. Senator

Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2024 18:46


Despite normally blue-state New Jersey's surprisingly strong turnout for the Republican presidential candidate this election season, the Garden State is sending a new, Democratic senator to Congress.On Today's Show:Andy Kim, U.S. Representative and Senator-Elect (D NJ), talks about the election results and his plans for his move to the senate.

Downballot
Downballot EP208 - Vote Early, Recall Everyone, Campaign Sign Wars, The Propositions

Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024


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Left Anchor
What's Downballot in 2024? - 330

Left Anchor

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2024 60:29


Less than a week to go before the election, so we've got Daniel Nichanian on from the great publication Bolts. We talk about Trump's Nuremburg Rally in New York and what effects it might have, how the Republican ground game is shaping up, and the most important races for state supreme court, prosecutors, and sheriffs. Check out the rest of Bolts' excellent 2024 coverage here.

Downballot
Downballot EP207 - SJ Police Union Drug Case, Omar Torres Text Scandal, School Closures, Ranked Choice Voting

Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024


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Downballot
Downballot EP206 - No Show Sam, Omar Torres Allegations, Fremont Teen Wins Mullet Competition

Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2024


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Downballot
Downballot EP205 - Child Influencer Protection, Fremont Spicy Mayor Race, SF Mayor Forums, Vehicle vs Building

Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2024


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Downballot
Downballot EP204 - Trump In Woodside, Saratoga vs Pickeball, Ranked Choice In SF, Castro Pride Flag

Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024


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The Journalism Salute
Jeff Singer, Managing Editor: The Downballot

The Journalism Salute

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2024 30:26


On this episode we're joined by Jeff Singer. Jeff is managing editor of The Downballot, a reader-supported newsletter that covers thousands of elections other than the presidency- everything from senate to legislature to attorney general and secretary of state, district attorney and city council. It also calculates the results of the presidential election in every congressional district and produces data sets so people can evaluate elections themselves.Jeff was a writer and editor at Daily Kos, a progressive news site, for 10 years prior to this. He's a graduate of Tulane University.Jeff talked about The Downballot's function in the journalistic ecosphere, why he loves covering elections, no matter the type, and shared other resources that are important to following election coverage.Jeff's Salute: Inside Elections and NOLA.com for election coverage.Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.comVisit our website: thejournalismsalute.org Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com)Tweet us at @journalismpodSubscribe to our newsletter- journalismsalute.substack.com

Lawyers, Guns & Money
LGM Podcast: The Downballot

Lawyers, Guns & Money

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2024 50:09


Rob, Erik and I were fortunate to be able to chat with David Nir, formerly of Daily Kos elections and now at an indispensable Substack, the Downballot. We discuss a wide range of issues about the non-presidential races in the 2024 elections. This was a terrific conversation and I learned a lot from it, as […] The post LGM Podcast: The Downballot appeared first on Lawyers, Guns & Money.

podcast – Lawyers, Guns & Money
LGM Podcast: The Downballot

podcast – Lawyers, Guns & Money

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2024 50:09


Rob, Erik and I were fortunate to be able to chat with David Nir, formerly of Daily Kos elections and now at an indispensable Substack, the Downballot. We discuss a wide range of issues about the non-presidential races in the 2024 elections. This was a terrific conversation and I learned a lot from it, as […] The post LGM Podcast: The Downballot appeared first on Lawyers, Guns & Money.

Downballot
Downballot EP203 - Run Club, The Castro Is Safe, The Councilman Goes Off On Matt Mahan

Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024


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Downballot
Downballot EP202 - Antioch Grow Houses, Sunnyvale Artificial Turf War, SF Late Night Dining

Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2024


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Downballot
Downballot EP201 - Waymo Honking, Oakland School Problems, Millennium Tower Windows, Bathtubs In The Sky

Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024


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Pro Politics with Zac McCrary
Re-connecting with Election Analyst David Nir for the Launch of The Downballot

Pro Politics with Zac McCrary

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2024 69:48


Catching up this week with return guest David Nir, who for over a decade has been an influential election analyst and the creator of Daily Kos Elections. Within the past week, David has moved his analysis to an independent site - now called The Downballot. In this conversation, David provides an update on his transition: what is happening, why now, and David's long-term goals for The Downballot. Then, stay for my original conversation with David - originally released over three years ago in early 2021. David has a fascinating career arc that charts the rise of the online grassroots from a ramshackle group of political junkies in the early 00s to now being one of the pillars of the political universe.IN THIS EPISODE…Why David is launching The Downballot as a new independent, site?Living through the downturn of the online ad economy...Long-term goals David has the for The Downballot...Elected officials who rabid political junkies...What was David's first introduction to feminism?How being the child of a Holocaust survivor has informed who David is…Why David seeing a Geraldine Ferraro rally in 1984 was an ill omen for the ticket's chances…David's early memories of Rudy Giuliani in NYC politics…The candidate who taught David to avoid getting too attached to any individual politician…How David fell in love with down-ballot races…How David made the decision to forego a legal career to plunge full-time into politics…How unlikely candidates in Kentucky and South Dakota kicked off the rise of the Democratic netroots…How an "extra penny" let campaigns know the arrival of the progressive netroots…Lavishing praise upon the DKE Daily News Digest and Elections Data…David's tips for candidates and campaigns who want to connect with the Daily Kos community…The story of Daily Kos and the rise of Jon Ossoff… David helps topple the “turncoat” IDC legislative coalition in New York…What one requirement would have to be part of David's online dating profile… AND….Brendan Boyle, Ben Chandler, Wes Clark, Howard Dean, David Dinkins, John Edwards, Marc Elias, Geraldine Ferraro, Rudy Giuliani, Kaili Joy Gray, Paul Hackett, Karen Handel, Stephanie Herseth, John Kerry, Jeff Klein, John Lewis, Rachel Maddow, Walter Mondale, Markos Moulitsas, Wiley Nickel, Jean Schmidt, Jeff Singer, Elliot Spitzer, Tim Tagaris, Trent Thompson, Elizabeth Warren,  Stephen Wolf, AND MORE!

Downballot
Downballot EP200 - Public Transit Wins and Misses, Recall Watch, Teens Vote For School Board

Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2024


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Downballot
Downballot EP199 - Dog BnB, SF Block Parties and Buses, Recall Watch, Water Ski Squirrel

Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2024


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The Downballot
Tim Walz is the ultimate downballot guy

The Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2024 44:24


Tim Walz may be on the national ticket, but he's the ultimate downballot guy, so we've got to talk all about him on this week's episode of "The Downballot." We recount Walz's extensive electoral career, starting with his upset win for Congress as a "Fighting Dem" during the 2006 wave that began a streak of impressive overperformances continuing through his two bids for governor. We also explain exactly how Walz would be replaced if he's elected VP—and how his replacement would be replaced, and how that person would be replaced. Nothing is too weedy for us!Co-hosts David Nir and David Beard also recap Tuesday's meaty primary night, which set the table for a host of competitive November elections and set some other candidates on a glide path to victory. The Davids discuss why the top of the ticket will likely determine the fate of Michigan's open Senate race; why candidate quality—and not outside money—was the most important factor in Rep. Cori Bush's defeat; and why Washington's top-two primary system should be banished from the face of the earth.

The Downballot
Primary season roars back to life

The Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 50:31


Primary season is back with a vengeance! Daily Kos Elections editor Jeff Singer joins co-hosts David Nir and David Beard on this week's episode of "The Downballot" to recap Tuesday's action and preview a whole host of major races in the month ahead.The trio discusses why Democrats are upbeat about their chances to take charge of Arizona's largest county after this week's primaries—and what it could mean if the MAGA brigades instead seize control of election administration. Also on the docket: under-the-radar GOP ballot measures in Wisconsin designed to strip the Democratic governor of key powers; Republicans in Alaska struggling to adapt to the reality of ranked-choice voting; and a chance for Florida Democrats to stick their thumb in Ron DeSantis' eye.

The Downballot
We finally went there!

The Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 49:21


We've strived mightily to stick to down-ticket elections since launching our show more than two years ago, but the universe finally forced us to discuss the presidential race on this week's episode of "The Downballot"! But it's for a good reason: The new surge in Democratic enthusiasm for the top of the ticket is likely to have a salutary effect further down the ballot. And the events of the last few weeks are a reminder, as host David Nir and guest host Joe Sudbay say, that things can change awfully fast and we all need to remain humble.But have no fear: We haven't forgotten our true calling! Our guest this week is Inside Elections publisher Nathan Gonzales, who is as devoted to downballot races as anyone. Gonzales tells us how the world of election analysis has changed over the last two decades and explains how his publication's widely followed race ratings are actually put together. He also talks about Inside Elections' efforts to fill a major data gap by polling key House races—and even breaks a little news about where they'll be polling next!

The Downballot
Give up on 2024? Vote Save America says hell no!

The Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 46:40


Unnamed "senior Democrats" are at it again, saying they're "resigned" to losing in November. On this week's episode of "The Downballot," host David Nir and guest host Joe Sudbay go hog-wild on the defeatists, explaining why humility and fortitude must be the order of the day. They also delve into polling data showing that the top of the ticket is not destiny: Regardless of what happens in the race for the White House, you don't need to be huffing hopium to believe that Democrats are still very much in the game further down the ballot.And no one believes that more than our guest this week. Shaniqua McClendon runs Vote Save America, the activism arm of the Pod Save America network, which is dedicated to helping progressives across the country get involved at all levels. McClendon explains how the Pod Save crew leverages its reach to engage grassroots activists, and why VSA is devoted to ensuring small donors get the biggest bang for their buck. She also tells us about some of her top races and how listeners can get involved at votesaveamerica.com.

The Downballot
The other 499,999 elections

The Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 38:48


There are half a million elected offices in the United States, and the presidency is just one of them. This week on "The Downballot," co-hosts David Nir and David Beard revisit why they started the show in the first place: to cast a spotlight on those other 499,999 races. If you're a progressive feeling understandably depressed and/or scared right now, it's more important than ever to remember we can still have a huge impact further down the ticket—and there's lots of reason to think that even if Democrats lose the White House, they can score major victories elsewhere. And no matter what, the more seats we win, the firmer our bulwark against fascism.Indeed, two of America's most important allies showed us just that over the past week. The Davids recap monumental elections in the United Kingdom and France that saw voters across the spectrum reject the far right. The results, though, look very different. The U.K. just ushered in a massive majority for the center-left Labour Party for the first time in 14 years, while France's parliament is now split between three major blocs that themselves have internal divisions. What comes next is anyone's guess, but we can at least say that extremism and xenophobia failed to carry the day.

The Downballot
French snap elections preview

The Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 59:33


Momentous elections are taking place in just days in France, so we've brought Bolts editor-in-chief Daniel Nichanian on this week's episode of "The Downballot" to give us the complete picture. Nichanian deciphers President Emmanuel Macron's opaque rationale for calling snap elections despite his party's grim standing in the polls and explains why, for the first time ever, the longstanding firewall between the center-right and the far right has finally collapsed—and could usher in the most extreme government that America's oldest ally has seen since the Vichy regime.Co-hosts David Nir and David Beard also give due attention to elections on this side of the Atlantic, with a rundown of Tuesday's primaries. They discuss why it's a mistake to conclude that AIPAC's massive spending was the chief driver of Jamaal Bowman's fall, then delve into the not one, not two, but three different GOP primaries that saw Trump-backed candidates all lose.To all of our loyal listeners, "The Downballot" will be taking off next week for the Fourth of July, but we'll be back in two weeks' time with a new episode!

The Downballot
Freedom Caucus chair loses in a squeaker

The Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 25:53


The entire GOP from Trump on down was gunning for the head of the House Freedom Caucus on Tuesday night—and they succeeded, but only barely. We're recapping the latest primaries on this week's episode of "The Downballot," starting with Virginia Rep. Bob Good's near-escape from political doom. We've also got a compelling Democratic primary in NoVa, where a retiring congresswoman's blessing proved critical, and a brewing rumble in a swing district that will test a first-time Democratic candidate with immense fundraising prowess but limited experience on the campaign trail.

The Downballot
A crazy Dem special election overperformance

The Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2024 59:52


Holy moly! Ohio Democrats just turned in an astounding special election performance on Tuesday night—in a conservative rural district they had no reason to think would be favorable in any way. Co-hosts David Nir and David Beard discuss what it means on this week's episode of "The Downballot," including why it's a bad idea to ignore the warning signs that special elections writ large are flashing for Republicans.We also recap some wild GOP primaries in South Carolina and explain why Democrats should not challenge a successful ballot measure in North Dakota that would bar octogenarians from serving in Congress.Our guest this week is Pete Maysmith, who runs political campaigns for the League of Conservation Voters, one of the leading environmental organizations in the country. Maysmith tells us about the top environmental issues that motivate voters—and why LCV is also happy to highlight other topics, like the cost of insulin, if it'll help climate champions win. He also zooms in on several of LCV's key target races this fall and explains how addressing climate change can be a winning issue even on red turf.

The Odd Years
Mailbag: How Will Trump's Conviction Impact Downballot Races?

The Odd Years

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2024 22:08


The Cook Political Report's David Wasserman, Jessica Taylor and Erin Covey answer your mailbag questions this week.They weigh in on what Trump's conviction will mean for Republicans in down-ballot races; they go into the weeds on their process for rating two congressional districts in California; they discuss Senate races in Virginia and Minnesota; and they explain why they don't believe in what some are calling a "reverse coattails" dynamic in the presidential race.

The Downballot
Jumbo June primary preview

The Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2024 48:49


Whoa mama! June is chock-full of juicy primaries, so we've brought Daily Kos Elections editor Jeff Singer on this week's episode of "The Downballot" to give us the lay of the land. In South Carolina, we've got not one but two GOP primaries marked by accusations of infidelity on the part of Republican incumbents, while North Dakota will vote on a ballot measure that could spark a legal upheaval and pave the way for congressional term limits. And in Colorado, of course, we've got Lauren Boebert's switcheroo, but there's so much more, so tune in!Co-hosts David Nir and David Beard also recap Tuesday night's primaries, which saw a Trump-endorsed candidate lose in New Jersey thanks to the death rattle of the "county line" system. In Iowa, meanwhile, a Republican congresswoman had her own near-death experience despite outspending her challenger 100-to-1. And in New Mexico, progressives ousted several reactionary Democratic incumbents in the legislature, opening the door to more progressive legislation next year.

The Downballot
The biggest supreme court races of 2024

The Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2024 45:21


It's right there in the name of the show, so yeah, of course we're gonna talk about downballot races on this week's episode of "The Downballot"! Specifically, we drill down into the top contests for attorney general and state supreme court taking place all across the country this year. Democrats and liberals are playing defense in Montana, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, but they have the chance to make gains in many states, including Michigan, Arizona, Ohio, and even Texas.Co-hosts David Nir and David Beard also recap Tuesday's runoffs in the Lone Star State, where a GOP congressman barely hung on against an odious "gunfluencer." They also dissect a new Supreme Court ruling out of South Carolina that all but scraps a key weapon Black voters have used to attack gerrymandering. And they preview New Jersey's first primaries in a post-"county line" world.

The Great Battlefield
Covering Downballot Races at the Daily Kos with David and David

The Great Battlefield

Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2024 69:59


David Nir and David Beard join The Great Battlefield podcast to talk about their careers and hosting The Downballot podcast, where they cover elections around the country below the presidential line of the ballot.

The Downballot
UK snap election!

The Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2024 47:35


We're heading across the pond for this week's episode of "The Downballot" after the UK just announced it would hold snap elections—on July 4, no less. Co-host David Beard gives us Yanks a full run-down, including how the elections will work, what the polls are predicting, and what Labour plans to do if it finally ends 14 years of Conservative rule. We also take detours into Scotland and Rwanda (believe it or not) and bear down on a small far-right party that could cost the Tories dearly.But don't worry, we haven't forgotten about the Stars and Stripes! We also recap some of Tuesday's top election results, including one Democratic primary in Oregon that has D.C. Democrats breathing a sigh of relief. And we circle back to several big stories that we've covered recently, including a huge triumph for Missouri Democrats in the fight to protect direct democracy and restore abortion rights.

The Downballot
Missouri Dems filibuster GOP into submission

The Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2024 40:46


Democrats may be in the minority in the Missouri Senate, but you wouldn't know it after they staged an epic filibuster that just forced Republicans to abandon a cynical ploy to undermine direct democracy and thwart abortion rights.Joining us on "The Downballot" this week is state Sen. Lauren Arthur, one of the participants in Democrats' record-breaking legislative marathon. Arthur breaks down the GOP's scheme to con voters into making it harder to amend the state constitution and explains how Democrats hung together through a 50-hour filibuster to protect cherished civil rights.Co-hosts David Nir and David Beard also recap Tuesday's primaries, punctuated by Angela Alsobrooks' victory in the Democratic primary for Maryland's open Senate seat in the face of a $60 million onslaught. The Davids also highlight a big flip in Alaska, where a Democratic-backed independent is on course to unseat Anchorage's far-right mayor once final votes are tallied.1

The Downballot
The GOP Chaos Caucus grows larger

The Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2024 56:21


One key outcome of Tuesday's primaries in Indiana: House Republican leaders will have even more implacable crazies to contend with next year, and we're surveying the damage on this week's episode of "The Downballot." Marlin Stutzman, a tea party OG who helped push out John Boehner, narrowly won the Republican nod to reclaim his old seat while the erratic Victoria Spartz (who voted to oust Mike Johnson while we were recording) successfully managed to "un-retire" more than a year after saying she wouldn't seek another term. Expect even more "GOP in Disarray" headlines come 2025!We also have an in-depth discussion with Mark Hugo Lopez, the director of race and ethnicity research at Pew Research Center, about his studies of Latinos in America. Whereas the fastest-growing Latino group was once Mexicans, now it's Venezuelans. And while two-thirds of Latinos identified as Catholic not long ago, now less than half do—while the ranks of the religiously unaffiliated are soaring. Lopez zeroes in on the drop in support for Joe Biden among young Latino voters in particular but observes that it's still early: Just 25% of Latino adults tell Pew they're paying attention to the election. The show notes cannot do this conversation justice!

The Downballot
A Howard Dean comeback? YEEAARRGGHH!!

The Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2024 56:29


A Howard Dean comeback!? We couldn't believe it either, but the former Vermont governor (and one-time presidential primary frontrunner) says he's thinking about a bid for his old job, so we're strolling down memory lane on this week's episode of "The Downballot." The 75-year-old Dean would give Democrats a credible—and very recognizable—opponent for Republican Gov. Phil Scott, who currently lacks one. We gotta admit, we kinda like the idea!We're also talking primary previews with Daily Kos Elections editor Jeff Singer, who gives us the scoop on some of the top contests coming up this month. Among the races: the Republican congresswoman in Indiana who met bitter resistance when she tried to un-retire; the major battle in Maryland between a self-funder and the establishment; the most disgustingly transphobic GOP primary we've ever seen, down in West Virginia; and a "gun influencer" who could unseat a sitting Republican congressman in Texas.

The Downballot
The AZ GOP's plan to retroactively erase an election

The Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2024 33:00


Here's one way to avoid dealing with election results you don't like: just wipe them from the record books. It's not Orwell—it's Arizona, and we're talking all about it on this week's episode of "The Downballot." This fall, voters have the chance to deny new terms to two conservative Supreme Court justices, but a Republican amendment would retroactively declare those elections null and void—and all but eliminate the system Arizona has used to evaluate judges for 50 years. We're going to guess voters won't like this one bit … if it even makes it to the ballot in the first place.Co-hosts David Nir and David Beard also recap this week's primaries in Pennsylvania, where voters just chose nominees in the high-profile contest for attorney general and in several key House races across the state. But there's also some big news that has scrambled next year's elections in Virginia, with a prominent candidate dropping his bid for governor to instead seek the number two slot.

The Downballot
Dems are crushing the GOP in fundraising—again

The Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2024 45:10


It's an old story, but it never gets old: Democrats just whooped Republicans in fundraising—again. This week on "The Downballot" podcast, we're running through some of the most eye-popping numbers Democrats hauled in during the first quarter of the year (Sherrod Brown! Jon Tester! Colin Allred!) and the comparatively weak performances we're seeing from Republicans almost across the board. The GOP hopes to make up the gap by relying on self-funders, but a campaign without a strong fundraising network can be dangerously hollow.Co-hosts David Nir and David Beard also recap the week's electoral action, starting with victories in a pair of special elections in Michigan that allowed Democrats to reclaim their majority in the state House, plus a noteworthy House runoff in Alabama that could lead to a Black Democrat representing Mobile for the first time since Reconstruction.The Davids also explain why a surprise retirement from the Wisconsin Supreme Court means progressives need to be on guard against a top-two lockout in yet another critical battle for control of the court. And finally, there's the astonishing three-way House race in California that could soon turn into a humdrum two-way affair thanks to an unexpected recount.

The Downballot
The craziest effing story of the year (so far)

The Downballot

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2024 43:40


It's only April, but the Washington Post's new report on GOP golden boy Tim Sheehy is a strong contender for the craziest political story of the year. On this week's episode of "The Downballot," co-hosts David Nir and David Beard dissect the countless contradictions in Sheehy's tales about a bullet wound that he either received in Afghanistan or in a national park three years later. The Davids also explain why the Arizona Supreme Court's appalling new ruling banning nearly all abortions could lead to two conservative justices losing their seats this fall.Our guest this week is Sondra Goldschein, who runs the Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy, an organization dedicated to improving America's badly lagging "care infrastructure." Goldschein explains how issues like paid medical leave laws and greater access to childcare affect an enormous swath of the electorate—and why they're closely tied to voters' perceptions of their economic fortunes. She also highlights candidates her group is working to elect to make these policies a reality.