As a former Dallasite for over 30 years, the Veasey/Allred/Crockett story is of interest to me. Let's hope this dance after redistricting nets us all three fantastic people positions in Congress. That alone would be a repudiation of the Texas / Supreme Court gluttony tor Trump.
Yes, longtime Allred supporter here - it's great that he's running to re-enter the House. He is definitely needed there. That's excellent news, and clears the field for Senate seat.
I listened to an interview with Bobby Cole on Meidas. Cole is running for GOV of Texas. He possesses very interesting background, and I was impressed with what he articulated, though I'm mindful of Simon's admonition about first-time candidates. For those living in TX, has Cole gained any traction?
I was worried about a contentious primary. I love Colin Allred and Jasmine Crockett. I really like what I know about James Talarico. Colin Allred is a class act. I hope he wins this House seat he has decided to run in and gosh I hope we can finally send Ted Cruz packing. Here's hoping my Texan Latino peeps finally vote blue in big numbers as well as others.
I just was getting funding texts and emails from Allred last week. Quite a development. I think he's a good candidate, but maybe someone else should have a shot now.
Between Talarico, Crockett, and Allred, we have three great candidates that we need to find three positions for! Hopefully we can, somehow, get them all a national office position in 2026. I'm not following these things closely, but it looked to me like Crockett and Talarico were both contesting in the Senate primary.
By running for a Congressional seat, Allred *is* moving out of the way and giving Talarico a shot at the Senate.
I’m hoping Jasmine Crocket has the wisdom to not run for Senate – but to stay in the House where she is needed and doing a great job. Perhaps Hakeem Jeffries should tempt her with the promise of a nice committee leadership position for when Democrats take back the majority?
I think Colin Allred is being smart and strategic to get back into Congress in the new district and with Veasey moving over to Jasmine's district. A win-win unless she loses the primary. She has a strong voice since being in Congress.
Another item not mentioned earlier is Allred will need to run against the incumbent Democrat, Julie Johnson who is the first LGBTQ+ from TX in Congress.
I didn't know about Julie Johnson. Hopefully, whomever wins the primary can keep the seat. I really like Colin Allred but I'm sure Julie Johnson is fantastic as well. I just hope it doesn't divide the voters and all rally behind the winner of that primary.
Just called 4 Dem senators and gave them an earful about selling out to Putin and undermining our national security. Robert Hubbell has an interesting take on the awful NSS (there are so many petitions coming through about this - sign as many as you can). He is always measured and way HOPIUM. I needed something to temper my outrage and anxiety. I am also wondering about whether we can stop this even if we win the mid terms....
Calls are in to Dem and Republican members of Congress regarding our 5 part agenda and NSS. I did remind the Rep members (and stressed to the young person who took my call) to watch The American Revolution documentary. Thanked Dem Senator for her work and stressed the importance of going beyond healthcare and affordability and hit hard the damage being done to our democracy.
I love to see the move by Allred. It would be wasteful to have 3 top tier candidates competing for the same seat where two would be losers and out of elected government.
Im giving again to the Audacious Fund. Calling my reps to keep up the heat on investigations into Hegseth (Carribean) and Wykoff (Kremlin) and my concerns that ICE has become normalized and they must push back harder .
A new week, a new adventure. Keep pushing everybody.
Here in MN, ICE is up to its usual abuses. A Somali-American citizen was held for 24 hours and her family alleges that she was sexually assaulted, kids were left alone in a car in the freezing cold while their parent was kidnapped, and our Somali communities are living in terror. Meanwhile, a mosque and school was set on fire in Central Minnesota. I keep thinking of Simon's exhortations to refer to these immigrants (whether recent or generations old) as people, and I hope all Dems take this up. Meanwhile, there's a bot army on social media spreading hate. It's just so awful.
Walz and Ellison are doing a good job and our Minneapolis mayor is rising to the occasion--something he's not generally known for. Earlier in the year, Klobuchar called the CECOT issue "a distraction," but she's standing up now, as are our reps. I keep calling them and encouraging them to do so--and to stand up for Ilhan Omar.
I tried to find the story and the source isn't great. The mainstream media is reporting "Touched her inappropriately." I have my theories on the reason for the difference, but of course I can't be sure. I'll keep my eyes out.
Simon, I don't know if you have talked about the NSS statement yet. I try to keep up. This year I have been enraged, angry, scared, deeply saddened and a whole lot more. But after reading the NSS, what has actually been put to paper, I am chilled to the bone.
How do we tell the world that this is not who we are, and we will not stand for this. This will not hold.
The thought of so many R's abandoning ship because they are scared of FFOTUS threats of violence and retaliation is scary to me. Yes I want better legislators who want to do the job regardless of the power dynamics, but think the people who will run to replace them will be the very people FF has pardoned and / or who want to advance his cruel agenda...like the J6er's he pardoned! With the likes of Crueller(sp?), vetting Democrats and R's is critical.
A reminder that we try very, very hard here to not turn clear wins into losses. The way the the House Rs are failing apart and crumbling is an incredibly good thing for our democracy and for us. Period. Full stop.
remember, though, they have to win their elections. and that might get harder and harder, especially in districts where Republicans already feel their seats are threatened.
The Dem electeds have been taking death threats from MAGA since 2016. IF MAGA is afraid of death threats now it points to the collapsing of the coalition and their general cowardice. Simon has said, "politics is not for sissies", but in the Trump era it has a whole new meaning. I'm not particularly sympathetic to the GOP's plight. They had no problem when it wasn't directed at them. They stayed silent. They created the problem they are in.
What is changing is the calculus that they will be in the minority, have to put up with Trump's sh*t, AND defend him against any consequences a Democratic led congress can bring on Trump and his administration. If they were true believers they would do it, but as self-serving opportunists, the risks/rewards just don't add up.
One thought I had that I've mentioned before is the accountability piece of our work. I think having a Select Committee with subcommittees working on different topics the way the Jan 6. committee worked is the way to go. And why not do both Senate and House, and split it up between them? Would be a shame to waste the legal & research talent in the Senate.
Will be calling Sens. Kim & Booker today on our project goals. Sad to hear Sen. Kim's father was just diagnosed w Alzheimer's-he will be laser-focused on healthcare, even more than before. Here's his Substack video: https://senatorandykim.substack.com/p/my-dads-alzheimers-diagnosis-and
I don't want to pre-judge the situation, but a white male, christian soft spoken but firm pro-democracy candidate in Texas, or a black, female fire breathing pro democracy candidate, going up against the white nationalist status quo that has basically been in power since LBJ .... and to lose Ms/. Crockett in the House, whether she wins or loses the Senate race? I agree with you kitkatmia and Mr. Stones.
Maybe she will change her mind, Allred will win a seat and we get TX30 and TX33 and a U.S. Senator in 2026.
Millie Polli Haskell....Reporting-first, It looks like Trump wants to have greater control over the Independent Federal Agencies! FTC, Federal Reserve, Claims Courts, etc..How much more of Our Democracy can the Supreme Court hand Over to Trump!! This the SANE/INSANE. Is there any limit? We will see what the outcome is I made my calls to Sen. Scott and Rep. Luna's offices. I was VERY, VERY, LOUD when I DEMANDED that they "ACT UPON OUR FIVE PART AGENDA"
they rarely rule against trump....but provide a mandate for health insurance or forgive student loans...those things are outside a president's power, apparently....
Someone posted a few months ago that the Supreme Court continues to rule the Constitution is Unconstitutional. I add, unless it's a Democrat in office.
You know, I'll admit to you guys, when I heard where all this seemed to be heading today, I had to turn off and turn away. I'm so appalled. I've been reflecting on my NY liberal bubble, the one I grew up in, and how we were raised to regard the Supreme Court and separation of powers. And now, I have zero respect. Now, I am all in on drastic reforms that must be taken as soon as Dems win back the power to do so.
From what I recall hearing experts say, among the reforms that would have an impact is to increase the Court exponentially -- not just by a few -- to avert a supermajority. And that's a very scary remedy for lots of lawmakers.
yes, a few legal sites/ substacks talk about it - I'll link something when I run across again. As I recall needed is an enforecable ethics code as in all other levels of judiciary and expansion of the court to 13 match the number of Federal Appeals Court circuits, don't recall other points
While I disagreed with John Roberts, I, foolishly, truly believed he had morals and integrity. I am beyond disgusted with him. He is just as corrupt, if not more, as the other five.
When I called Senator Kaine, I thanked him for his recent video about Trump's pardons of drug king pins which looks like/smells like a pay-for-pardon scheme. In the opening words of this video, Kaine says "We must get to the bottom of this!" I said I agreed and it's time to do an amicus brief on this and so many other criminal acts of this regime.
Then when I called Rep Walkinshaw's office, I spoke with a staff person, and I went over all 5 of Simon's points. I also said that I had looked at Walkinshaw's Blue Sky account and was surprised that it was mostly "plain vanilla" -- as if we weren't living though horrific times! I pointed out that Kaine had done a video about Trump's pay for pardon scheme and that's the kind of speaking standing up and speaking out I was hoping to see from Walkinshaw, too. The staff person thanked me for telling him about Kaine's video and said that he thought Walkinshaw would want to see it and work with Kaine on this matter.
Called my Senators and Rep today. I've divided my topics into 1) impeaching and removing Robert Kennedy and stopping attacks on public health and medical research, with an example about my not-yet-fully-vaccinated granddaughter; and 2) defending democracy, the rule of law, and our safety and security. Then I tuck all the other 4 Hopium points into that second category.
As a former Dallasite for over 30 years, the Veasey/Allred/Crockett story is of interest to me. Let's hope this dance after redistricting nets us all three fantastic people positions in Congress. That alone would be a repudiation of the Texas / Supreme Court gluttony tor Trump.
Yes, longtime Allred supporter here - it's great that he's running to re-enter the House. He is definitely needed there. That's excellent news, and clears the field for Senate seat.
I listened to an interview with Bobby Cole on Meidas. Cole is running for GOV of Texas. He possesses very interesting background, and I was impressed with what he articulated, though I'm mindful of Simon's admonition about first-time candidates. For those living in TX, has Cole gained any traction?
His website is https://www.coleforgovernor.com/
I was worried about a contentious primary. I love Colin Allred and Jasmine Crockett. I really like what I know about James Talarico. Colin Allred is a class act. I hope he wins this House seat he has decided to run in and gosh I hope we can finally send Ted Cruz packing. Here's hoping my Texan Latino peeps finally vote blue in big numbers as well as others.
Cruz not up
Thank you for correcting me. It is John Cornyn who is up for re-election.
I hope you’re correct about the NPA’s in Miami. I worked the election in Sarasota in 2024 and the NPA’s appeared to be MAGA.
Sarasota is not Miami and it’s 2025 not 2024.
🤣
I just was getting funding texts and emails from Allred last week. Quite a development. I think he's a good candidate, but maybe someone else should have a shot now.
He's def needed in the House. :)
Between Talarico, Crockett, and Allred, we have three great candidates that we need to find three positions for! Hopefully we can, somehow, get them all a national office position in 2026. I'm not following these things closely, but it looked to me like Crockett and Talarico were both contesting in the Senate primary.
I agree all three are great candidates. I don't know much about Talarico but what I do know, I really like.
By running for a Congressional seat, Allred *is* moving out of the way and giving Talarico a shot at the Senate.
I’m hoping Jasmine Crocket has the wisdom to not run for Senate – but to stay in the House where she is needed and doing a great job. Perhaps Hakeem Jeffries should tempt her with the promise of a nice committee leadership position for when Democrats take back the majority?
Her district was gerrymandered away, from what I've heard. I'm pleased Allred dropped out.
Thank you for clarifying. I would be very interested in the partisan lean of her new district – or prospective districts.
will let you know what I find out.
We need to be talking about Trump aligning with Russia and abandoning Ukraine and undermining Europe. https://www.npr.org/2025/12/05/g-s1-100893/trump-national-security-strategy-foreign-policy
Are we going be able to stop this even if we win the mid-terms???
If you haven’t, read Simon’s post on this on Friday. Dems need to get real loud on this.
I expect if Donald shuffles off this mortal coil, JD will continue these policies and the rest of the party will get very fond of Europe very quickly.
I think Colin Allred is being smart and strategic to get back into Congress in the new district and with Veasey moving over to Jasmine's district. A win-win unless she loses the primary. She has a strong voice since being in Congress.
Another item not mentioned earlier is Allred will need to run against the incumbent Democrat, Julie Johnson who is the first LGBTQ+ from TX in Congress.
I didn't know about Julie Johnson. Hopefully, whomever wins the primary can keep the seat. I really like Colin Allred but I'm sure Julie Johnson is fantastic as well. I just hope it doesn't divide the voters and all rally behind the winner of that primary.
I thought Texas’ redistricting was throwing all that up in the air?
You are correct. Julie Johnson was the incumbent of the former 32nd CD.
I thought that as well.
Barbara Moschner,
Colin Allred did the right thing to protect our Democracy.
Colin Allred is a class act. I hope he wins but I'm sure Julie Johnson is great as well.
Just called 4 Dem senators and gave them an earful about selling out to Putin and undermining our national security. Robert Hubbell has an interesting take on the awful NSS (there are so many petitions coming through about this - sign as many as you can). He is always measured and way HOPIUM. I needed something to temper my outrage and anxiety. I am also wondering about whether we can stop this even if we win the mid terms....
Calls are in to Dem and Republican members of Congress regarding our 5 part agenda and NSS. I did remind the Rep members (and stressed to the young person who took my call) to watch The American Revolution documentary. Thanked Dem Senator for her work and stressed the importance of going beyond healthcare and affordability and hit hard the damage being done to our democracy.
I love to see the move by Allred. It would be wasteful to have 3 top tier candidates competing for the same seat where two would be losers and out of elected government.
Im giving again to the Audacious Fund. Calling my reps to keep up the heat on investigations into Hegseth (Carribean) and Wykoff (Kremlin) and my concerns that ICE has become normalized and they must push back harder .
A new week, a new adventure. Keep pushing everybody.
Here in MN, ICE is up to its usual abuses. A Somali-American citizen was held for 24 hours and her family alleges that she was sexually assaulted, kids were left alone in a car in the freezing cold while their parent was kidnapped, and our Somali communities are living in terror. Meanwhile, a mosque and school was set on fire in Central Minnesota. I keep thinking of Simon's exhortations to refer to these immigrants (whether recent or generations old) as people, and I hope all Dems take this up. Meanwhile, there's a bot army on social media spreading hate. It's just so awful.
Walz and Ellison are doing a good job and our Minneapolis mayor is rising to the occasion--something he's not generally known for. Earlier in the year, Klobuchar called the CECOT issue "a distraction," but she's standing up now, as are our reps. I keep calling them and encouraging them to do so--and to stand up for Ilhan Omar.
Called it re: the masked goons are going to sexually assault women including citizens.
Do you have a link to the story, or court filing? I’d like to use it in contacting my team red state legislature reps if possible.
I tried to find the story and the source isn't great. The mainstream media is reporting "Touched her inappropriately." I have my theories on the reason for the difference, but of course I can't be sure. I'll keep my eyes out.
https://www.fox9.com/news/u-s-citizen-arrested-during-immigration-crackdown-family-says
Ugh, of course they would do this to a Muslim woman. 😠
Thank you for the link.
Mon. calls script:
[Senators]:
- Pass HR 6019.
- Keep ICE detention facilities out of Oregon.
[House Rep]: Keep ICE detention facilities out of Oregon.
[Governor]: Keep ICE detention facilities out of Oregon.
[State AG]: Keep ICE detention facilities out of Oregon.
[State legislature senator & rep]: Keep ICE detention facilities out of Oregon.
Simon, I don't know if you have talked about the NSS statement yet. I try to keep up. This year I have been enraged, angry, scared, deeply saddened and a whole lot more. But after reading the NSS, what has actually been put to paper, I am chilled to the bone.
How do we tell the world that this is not who we are, and we will not stand for this. This will not hold.
Well, through that NSS statement, Trump is certainly telling the world who he is!
The thought of so many R's abandoning ship because they are scared of FFOTUS threats of violence and retaliation is scary to me. Yes I want better legislators who want to do the job regardless of the power dynamics, but think the people who will run to replace them will be the very people FF has pardoned and / or who want to advance his cruel agenda...like the J6er's he pardoned! With the likes of Crueller(sp?), vetting Democrats and R's is critical.
A reminder that we try very, very hard here to not turn clear wins into losses. The way the the House Rs are failing apart and crumbling is an incredibly good thing for our democracy and for us. Period. Full stop.
remember, though, they have to win their elections. and that might get harder and harder, especially in districts where Republicans already feel their seats are threatened.
I’m gonna steal FFOTUS
The Dem electeds have been taking death threats from MAGA since 2016. IF MAGA is afraid of death threats now it points to the collapsing of the coalition and their general cowardice. Simon has said, "politics is not for sissies", but in the Trump era it has a whole new meaning. I'm not particularly sympathetic to the GOP's plight. They had no problem when it wasn't directed at them. They stayed silent. They created the problem they are in.
What is changing is the calculus that they will be in the minority, have to put up with Trump's sh*t, AND defend him against any consequences a Democratic led congress can bring on Trump and his administration. If they were true believers they would do it, but as self-serving opportunists, the risks/rewards just don't add up.
One thought I had that I've mentioned before is the accountability piece of our work. I think having a Select Committee with subcommittees working on different topics the way the Jan 6. committee worked is the way to go. And why not do both Senate and House, and split it up between them? Would be a shame to waste the legal & research talent in the Senate.
Will be calling Sens. Kim & Booker today on our project goals. Sad to hear Sen. Kim's father was just diagnosed w Alzheimer's-he will be laser-focused on healthcare, even more than before. Here's his Substack video: https://senatorandykim.substack.com/p/my-dads-alzheimers-diagnosis-and
would hate to lose jasmine crockett. she is a fire breather!! very explicit on tv, social media, etc.
She’s probably my top fav person in congress. 💙
Imho, Jasmine Crocket should not run for Senate, but stay and continue to do a great job in the House.
I don't want to pre-judge the situation, but a white male, christian soft spoken but firm pro-democracy candidate in Texas, or a black, female fire breathing pro democracy candidate, going up against the white nationalist status quo that has basically been in power since LBJ .... and to lose Ms/. Crockett in the House, whether she wins or loses the Senate race? I agree with you kitkatmia and Mr. Stones.
Maybe she will change her mind, Allred will win a seat and we get TX30 and TX33 and a U.S. Senator in 2026.
she was gerrymandered out, but I don't know the details. should look for the details
Millie Polli Haskell....Reporting-first, It looks like Trump wants to have greater control over the Independent Federal Agencies! FTC, Federal Reserve, Claims Courts, etc..How much more of Our Democracy can the Supreme Court hand Over to Trump!! This the SANE/INSANE. Is there any limit? We will see what the outcome is I made my calls to Sen. Scott and Rep. Luna's offices. I was VERY, VERY, LOUD when I DEMANDED that they "ACT UPON OUR FIVE PART AGENDA"
I am also worried about the SCOTUS hearing today.
me too. This is a get out in the streets kind of moment in my opinion. The court is acting like articles 1-3 of the Constitution don't exist. SMDH.
they rarely rule against trump....but provide a mandate for health insurance or forgive student loans...those things are outside a president's power, apparently....
Someone posted a few months ago that the Supreme Court continues to rule the Constitution is Unconstitutional. I add, unless it's a Democrat in office.
You know, I'll admit to you guys, when I heard where all this seemed to be heading today, I had to turn off and turn away. I'm so appalled. I've been reflecting on my NY liberal bubble, the one I grew up in, and how we were raised to regard the Supreme Court and separation of powers. And now, I have zero respect. Now, I am all in on drastic reforms that must be taken as soon as Dems win back the power to do so.
From what I recall hearing experts say, among the reforms that would have an impact is to increase the Court exponentially -- not just by a few -- to avert a supermajority. And that's a very scary remedy for lots of lawmakers.
yes, a few legal sites/ substacks talk about it - I'll link something when I run across again. As I recall needed is an enforecable ethics code as in all other levels of judiciary and expansion of the court to 13 match the number of Federal Appeals Court circuits, don't recall other points
While I disagreed with John Roberts, I, foolishly, truly believed he had morals and integrity. I am beyond disgusted with him. He is just as corrupt, if not more, as the other five.
When I called Senator Kaine, I thanked him for his recent video about Trump's pardons of drug king pins which looks like/smells like a pay-for-pardon scheme. In the opening words of this video, Kaine says "We must get to the bottom of this!" I said I agreed and it's time to do an amicus brief on this and so many other criminal acts of this regime.
Then when I called Rep Walkinshaw's office, I spoke with a staff person, and I went over all 5 of Simon's points. I also said that I had looked at Walkinshaw's Blue Sky account and was surprised that it was mostly "plain vanilla" -- as if we weren't living though horrific times! I pointed out that Kaine had done a video about Trump's pay for pardon scheme and that's the kind of speaking standing up and speaking out I was hoping to see from Walkinshaw, too. The staff person thanked me for telling him about Kaine's video and said that he thought Walkinshaw would want to see it and work with Kaine on this matter.
Good Work Leni !!!!!
This is such great work Leni🙏🏻🇺🇸
Called my Senators and Rep today. I've divided my topics into 1) impeaching and removing Robert Kennedy and stopping attacks on public health and medical research, with an example about my not-yet-fully-vaccinated granddaughter; and 2) defending democracy, the rule of law, and our safety and security. Then I tuck all the other 4 Hopium points into that second category.