State and Local Elections

Bob Frese

Arresting Criticism: When Complaining About a Public Official Can Land You in Jail Arresting Criticism: When Complaining About a Public Official Can Land You in Jail

Criminal defamation laws are relics of a bygone age.

May 1, 2023 / David Cole and Brian Hauss

Philadelphia’s historic City Hall

Pick ’Em: Making Sense of the Free-for-All Primary for Mayor of Philadelphia Pick ’Em: Making Sense of the Free-for-All Primary for Mayor of Philadelphia

For a job the current incumbent seems eager to leave, the contest has drawn a remarkably diverse field of candidates—and no obvious front-runner.

Apr 26, 2023 / Gene Seymour

Approximately 15 anti-abortion advocates stand outside the Supreme Court with signs opposing abortion.

The Poison Pill in the Mifepristone Lawsuit That Could Trigger a National Abortion Ban The Poison Pill in the Mifepristone Lawsuit That Could Trigger a National Abortion Ban

In their push for a nationwide abortion ban, anti-abortion groups and Republican officials alike seem to be embracing the idea of giving the Comstock Act new life.

Apr 26, 2023 / Amy Littlefield

abortion protest, Washington, DC

Democrats Should Make Abortion a Cornerstone Issue Democrats Should Make Abortion a Cornerstone Issue

As the Republican Party keeps radicalizing, Democrats need to elevate reproductive freedom.

Apr 24, 2023 / Jeet Heer

make Amazon pay sign

There Is No Future for a Labor Movement That Fails to Organize at Amazon There Is No Future for a Labor Movement That Fails to Organize at Amazon

In the 20th century, organizing basic industries like coal, steel, and manufacturing automobiles was key to reviving the labor movement. Today, Amazon workers occupy the same strat...

Apr 24, 2023 / Jonathan Rosenblum

Nashville protesters at an April 18 demonstration in support of gun control.

Organizing Our Way Out of Tennessee’s Democracy Crisis Organizing Our Way Out of Tennessee’s Democracy Crisis

Reformers seeking to undo the state's drift into authoritarianism have to adopt a both-and strategy to repair democracy from the ground up.

Apr 21, 2023 / Shanna Singh Hughey

Justin Jones raises his arms

What Happened in Tennessee Proves That We Need a Third Reconstruction What Happened in Tennessee Proves That We Need a Third Reconstruction

The ousting of two Black Democrats from the Tennessee House of Representatives makes clear that the US urgently needs to salvage and rebuild a true multiracial democracy.

Apr 17, 2023 / Mondaire Jones

Chicago’s Rich Organizing Tradition Paid Off, Delivering Victory for Brandon Johnson

Chicago’s Rich Organizing Tradition Paid Off, Delivering Victory for Brandon Johnson Chicago’s Rich Organizing Tradition Paid Off, Delivering Victory for Brandon Johnson

The Windy City's first movement mayor faces a formidable array of challenges, testing him and the coalition that brought him into office.

Apr 13, 2023 / Barbara Ransby

Scott Walker campaigning for Senate candidate Leah Vukmir in 2018

Wisconsin Is Finally Coming Out of Its Scott Walker Nightmare Wisconsin Is Finally Coming Out of Its Scott Walker Nightmare

The ex-governor seems terrified that the state’s recent elections could threaten the conservative domination he helped create—and he should be.

Apr 11, 2023 / John Nichols

Election 2023 Chicago Mayor

How the Midwest Was Won How the Midwest Was Won

Pundits write off the region as a vast expanse of red states. But recent progressive victories show there's more to it than that.

Apr 10, 2023 / Chris Lehmann

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