Ross Barkan

Ross Barkan is a Nation contributing writer. He also writes a column on national politics for The Guardian and is a contributing writer at New York magazine.

Can New York Make Deadbeat Dolan Stop Freeloading at Madison Square Garden?

Can New York Make Deadbeat Dolan Stop Freeloading at Madison Square Garden? Can New York Make Deadbeat Dolan Stop Freeloading at Madison Square Garden?

If the city and state can’t prevent the Knicks owner from barring his critics, perhaps they can at least shut down his sweetheart tax subsidy.

Feb 21, 2023 / Ross Barkan

Kathy Hochul’s Nomination of Hector LaSalle Is a Self-Inflicted Wound

Kathy Hochul’s Nomination of Hector LaSalle Is a Self-Inflicted Wound Kathy Hochul’s Nomination of Hector LaSalle Is a Self-Inflicted Wound

Nominating a Latino conservative as chief judge might have seemed like a clever triangulation. Instead, New York's governor has only underlined the limits of her power.

Jan 5, 2023 / Ross Barkan

Elon Musk and his Twitter profile.

Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Twitter Files? Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Twitter Files?

Just because the mainstream media decided to ignore them doesn’t mean the files aren’t newsworthy—or important.

Dec 20, 2022 / Ross Barkan

Lee Zeldin and Kathy Hochul participate in a debate hosted by Spectrum News NY1.

Why Isn’t Kathy Hochul Running Away With Her Race for Reelection? Why Isn’t Kathy Hochul Running Away With Her Race for Reelection?

Republican Lee Zeldin is pro-Trump, anti-choice, and running in a state Joe Biden carried by 23 percent—yet recent polls put him within the statistical margin of error of pulling o...

Oct 27, 2022 / Ross Barkan

Dan Goldman marching at NYC Pride with his daughter. He's holding a pride flag and wearing a rainbow lei. His daughter holds a sign reading

A Disunited Left Clears the Field for a Moderate in NY 10 A Disunited Left Clears the Field for a Moderate in NY 10

A congressional primary spanning swaths of Manhattan and Brooklyn proves that you can have too many progressive candidates.

Aug 19, 2022 / Ross Barkan

Kathy Hochul, in red, waves a Pride flag.

How Many Battalions Does the Left Have in New York State? How Many Battalions Does the Left Have in New York State?

After a disastrous showing in last week’s Democratic primary, the state's institutional left looks weak and inconsequential.

Jul 7, 2022 / Ross Barkan

Bill De Blasio grooves in front of drummers dressed in red.

What Makes Bill de Blasio Run… for Congress? What Makes Bill de Blasio Run… for Congress?

He’s the obvious favorite. But in an exclusive interview with The Nation, the former mayor recognizes that his road to political redemption might not be all downhill.

Jun 17, 2022 / Ross Barkan

Two congresspeople sit next to each other during President Biden's State of the Union address.

The Latest Act in New York’s Redistricting Circus Is a Killer The Latest Act in New York’s Redistricting Circus Is a Killer

For national Democrats counting on the state’s redistricting to help hold the House, the latest electoral maps, which pit progressives against each other in several districts, are ...

May 27, 2022 / Ross Barkan

New York’s Redistricting Chaos Is Now the Nation’s Problem

New York’s Redistricting Chaos Is Now the Nation’s Problem New York’s Redistricting Chaos Is Now the Nation’s Problem

National Democrats were counting on the state’s redistricting to help hold the House. That’s now very much in doubt.

May 6, 2022 / Ross Barkan

Brian Benjamin’s Resignation Is a Gift to New York Progressives

Brian Benjamin’s Resignation Is a Gift to New York Progressives Brian Benjamin’s Resignation Is a Gift to New York Progressives

With New York’s lieutenant governor out of action, the path to power for veteran activist Ana María Archila just got a lot easier. But only if supporters can raise the funds that w...

Apr 15, 2022 / Ross Barkan

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