Thanks, Simon! I think James Talarico is, like Jon Ossoff, doing a good job linking corruption to affordability. We can walk and chew gum!
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to say the president is not in touch with reality and must be removed. I'm writing postcards to Ohio voters.
Corruption, corruption, corruption. Talarico and Ossoff (Epstein class!) have it down. Repeat as necessary. It was a key issue that led Hungary to throw our Orban. And it is so blatant and in our faces that even (some) Republicans are reacting in horror at the Insurrectionist Slush Fund.
Margaret I understand that Randy has lots of grassroots support but the GOP are attacking her and trying to knock her out. What do you think that means?
Here is an article for Margaret and Kate that further explains the situation. It's entitled "Why a GOP PAC appears to be boosting a Democrat in California’s Central Valley." It discusses the "attempt by Republicans to elevate Villegas, whom they view as the easier candidate to beat, according to multiple political experts. The PAC is dedicated to electing Republicans to the House, per its website."
This article also refers to the NYT article "Mysterious Meddling in Democratic Primaries Has G.O.P. Fingerprints." It's about how the Congressional Leadership Fund, the official super PAC of House Republicans, is trying to knock out the weaker Democratic candidates to boost the chance of a Republican being elected. Simon has discussed this strategy in TX (and elsewhere), and that's why we supported Johnny Garcia. Hopium is fighting against this repub cognitive warfare.
In the first hour of voting in Charleston Cty 1,400 people voted. There was a long line at my polling place at 8:45 and a total of 45,000 voters. Also, We had Bill Webster who is running for governor speak at our retirement community to a large group of democrats and republicans. There is wind at our backs.
Today's Hopium has such a wonderful, celebratory vibe. The new name "Not-So-Audacious-Any-Longer Expansion Fund" is both uplifting and well deserved. Looking forward to our discussion with Kendall Scudder.
Right now I'm busy with the ongoing Democratic primary election in NM with phone banks and sharing information about candidate qualifications and platforms, and making sure everyone writes-in the name of our Bernalillo County Chair, Jacob Trujillo, for Public Education Commission District 3. The position is vacant, and it's the only way we will get a Democrat on the ballot. I love seeing how Young Democrats are supporting our 26-year-old leader in this race since voters may skip this one if they don't know we have a declared write-in candidate.
Regarding CA 22 - I hope this community will not rush headlong into that race in favor of the DCCC candidate. It’s terrible that the Republicans are trying to poison that race. It is also important to know that Randy Villegas has been running in that district since mid 2025 with strong support from the grassroots community, is endorsed by La Raza Indivisible and recently clearing the bar to be endorsed by Indivisible National who presented him on a national call. https://indivisible.org/candidates/randy-villegas-ca-22/
Kate, I hear you and want to ask you the same question I've asked others - why would they be attacking Bains if they were not scared of her, and want Villegas?
For to be clear they are only spending here if they see internal polling showing her as a stronger candidate, more likely to win. It's the only reason they would engage here.
I appreciate the complexity here Simon, I really do, and certainly respect your years of experience. I deeply support cohesion in the family and speak to the importance of that at every opportunity. I was just defending Ken Martin a few days ago using what I have learned from you. I also have some discomfort with the out-of-state based consultant class that I have seen ride into town somewhat late in the game in my district. I’m going to a meeting of active life long Democrats this afternoon and will be alerting them to this new dirty trick that the Republicans are playing. We’ll get through this together.
I want to use this opportunity to air out a few things, and appreciate everyone's patience as we work through this. But folks have to remember that the Senate and House party committees only have one job - win. That's it. No emotional ties, no he's a good guy, no he took this vote or that vote, just win. That's all they care about. And they use data and analysis to win, and years of experience of doing this stuff all over the country. And some times they get things right and some times they don't. But in a time like ours, where so much is on the line, we need people to draw lines and make hard calls. The DCCC has endorsed in very few primaries this cycle and only made hard calls when they felt it necessary, like in CA-22. My advice to you Kate, and Margaret, is to not dismiss what the DCCC is doing, or what the Rs are doing, but understand it. The denigration of the national party infrastructure has become too flippant and juvenile in grassroots circles. Look at the great candidates we've been meeting, the remarkable electoral success we've had all across the country. I haven't made the call on CA-22 yet but am grateful for the opportunity to have a respectful dialogue about it.
Finally, I also want to make clear that the position that grassroots groups can endorse in primaries but the national party cannot is on its face absurd. I understand the sentiment behind it but just as a matter of politics it just cannot be that it's ok for certain groups to endorse and not others, particularly the ones who have the sole responsibility of flipping the House this cycle. As you heard from Will Van Nuys the party doesn't like to go into primaries but just claiming that it is something that can never happen is just not real world stuff.
One fun data nugget from last night - Cornholio got more votes in the first round than Ken got in the second round, 910k vs 885k. But Cornholio couldn’t turn them out for round two, managing a pathetic 501k (98% reporting). Is this malaise and discontent from the traditional, “moderate” GOP voter?
I'm curiuous about the TX senate R turnout - my inexpert perusal of the interwebs says it was a low R turnout, but inexpert is the operative word here. Any expert thoughts anyone?
Simon, thank you for mobilizing our Hopium Community to help defeat Maureen Galindo, one of the most vile antisemites to ever run as a Democrat! I am so relieved that Johnny Garcia defeated her in the runoff. He’ll be a great Democratic candidate for Texas’ 35th Congressional district!
Looking forward to the gathering tonight. Tomorrow I will go the the David Jolly Townhall event and figure out what's going on with canvassing, which, I was told before, was supposed to happen on May 30. The campaign has been great but I would say sometimes their communication with volunteers is a bit disorganized and spotty. I suggested maybe we could have a free version of Slack (or something like that) to organize stuff locally, but no one took it up. At least the core volunteers might communicate that way. I might just do it myself and see who will join it.
As Texas goes so goes the nation…….
Young people wake up!
Thanks, Simon! I think James Talarico is, like Jon Ossoff, doing a good job linking corruption to affordability. We can walk and chew gum!
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to say the president is not in touch with reality and must be removed. I'm writing postcards to Ohio voters.
Corruption, corruption, corruption. Talarico and Ossoff (Epstein class!) have it down. Repeat as necessary. It was a key issue that led Hungary to throw our Orban. And it is so blatant and in our faces that even (some) Republicans are reacting in horror at the Insurrectionist Slush Fund.
Yes, and I love how Talarico in his video ties corruption to pocketbook issues.
And even to higher taxes!
I normally agree with all of Hopium's endorsed candidates. But Jasmeet Bains is not the best Democratic candidate for CA-22, it's Randy Villegas.
Margaret I understand that Randy has lots of grassroots support but the GOP are attacking her and trying to knock her out. What do you think that means?
Here is an article for Margaret and Kate that further explains the situation. It's entitled "Why a GOP PAC appears to be boosting a Democrat in California’s Central Valley." It discusses the "attempt by Republicans to elevate Villegas, whom they view as the easier candidate to beat, according to multiple political experts. The PAC is dedicated to electing Republicans to the House, per its website."
https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article315729181.html
This article also refers to the NYT article "Mysterious Meddling in Democratic Primaries Has G.O.P. Fingerprints." It's about how the Congressional Leadership Fund, the official super PAC of House Republicans, is trying to knock out the weaker Democratic candidates to boost the chance of a Republican being elected. Simon has discussed this strategy in TX (and elsewhere), and that's why we supported Johnny Garcia. Hopium is fighting against this repub cognitive warfare.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/12/us/politics/gop-mystery-pac-midterms.html?unlocked_article_code=1.llA.dm8u.VF0mlFjE0RQP&smid=url-share
"…trying to knock out the weaker Democratic candidates"
Deborah, I suspect you mean that the GOP is trying to knock out the *stronger* Democratic candidates?
In the first hour of voting in Charleston Cty 1,400 people voted. There was a long line at my polling place at 8:45 and a total of 45,000 voters. Also, We had Bill Webster who is running for governor speak at our retirement community to a large group of democrats and republicans. There is wind at our backs.
I think James Talarico's calling his race "The People V Ken Paxton" is brilliant!
Priceless! What a brilliant way to underscore Paxton’s impeachment and utter corruption!
Not sure if I should share this but virtual rally for Talarico and our governor candidate tonight!
I signed up for notifications from his campaign and received this last night. Plan to register and attend.
https://talarico4tx.com/pKtWBb
Today's Hopium has such a wonderful, celebratory vibe. The new name "Not-So-Audacious-Any-Longer Expansion Fund" is both uplifting and well deserved. Looking forward to our discussion with Kendall Scudder.
Right now I'm busy with the ongoing Democratic primary election in NM with phone banks and sharing information about candidate qualifications and platforms, and making sure everyone writes-in the name of our Bernalillo County Chair, Jacob Trujillo, for Public Education Commission District 3. The position is vacant, and it's the only way we will get a Democrat on the ballot. I love seeing how Young Democrats are supporting our 26-year-old leader in this race since voters may skip this one if they don't know we have a declared write-in candidate.
Regarding CA 22 - I hope this community will not rush headlong into that race in favor of the DCCC candidate. It’s terrible that the Republicans are trying to poison that race. It is also important to know that Randy Villegas has been running in that district since mid 2025 with strong support from the grassroots community, is endorsed by La Raza Indivisible and recently clearing the bar to be endorsed by Indivisible National who presented him on a national call. https://indivisible.org/candidates/randy-villegas-ca-22/
Kate, I hear you and want to ask you the same question I've asked others - why would they be attacking Bains if they were not scared of her, and want Villegas?
I think this is a reality we have to discuss.
For to be clear they are only spending here if they see internal polling showing her as a stronger candidate, more likely to win. It's the only reason they would engage here.
I appreciate the complexity here Simon, I really do, and certainly respect your years of experience. I deeply support cohesion in the family and speak to the importance of that at every opportunity. I was just defending Ken Martin a few days ago using what I have learned from you. I also have some discomfort with the out-of-state based consultant class that I have seen ride into town somewhat late in the game in my district. I’m going to a meeting of active life long Democrats this afternoon and will be alerting them to this new dirty trick that the Republicans are playing. We’ll get through this together.
I want to use this opportunity to air out a few things, and appreciate everyone's patience as we work through this. But folks have to remember that the Senate and House party committees only have one job - win. That's it. No emotional ties, no he's a good guy, no he took this vote or that vote, just win. That's all they care about. And they use data and analysis to win, and years of experience of doing this stuff all over the country. And some times they get things right and some times they don't. But in a time like ours, where so much is on the line, we need people to draw lines and make hard calls. The DCCC has endorsed in very few primaries this cycle and only made hard calls when they felt it necessary, like in CA-22. My advice to you Kate, and Margaret, is to not dismiss what the DCCC is doing, or what the Rs are doing, but understand it. The denigration of the national party infrastructure has become too flippant and juvenile in grassroots circles. Look at the great candidates we've been meeting, the remarkable electoral success we've had all across the country. I haven't made the call on CA-22 yet but am grateful for the opportunity to have a respectful dialogue about it.
Finally, I also want to make clear that the position that grassroots groups can endorse in primaries but the national party cannot is on its face absurd. I understand the sentiment behind it but just as a matter of politics it just cannot be that it's ok for certain groups to endorse and not others, particularly the ones who have the sole responsibility of flipping the House this cycle. As you heard from Will Van Nuys the party doesn't like to go into primaries but just claiming that it is something that can never happen is just not real world stuff.
One fun data nugget from last night - Cornholio got more votes in the first round than Ken got in the second round, 910k vs 885k. But Cornholio couldn’t turn them out for round two, managing a pathetic 501k (98% reporting). Is this malaise and discontent from the traditional, “moderate” GOP voter?
I'm curiuous about the TX senate R turnout - my inexpert perusal of the interwebs says it was a low R turnout, but inexpert is the operative word here. Any expert thoughts anyone?
Simon, thank you for mobilizing our Hopium Community to help defeat Maureen Galindo, one of the most vile antisemites to ever run as a Democrat! I am so relieved that Johnny Garcia defeated her in the runoff. He’ll be a great Democratic candidate for Texas’ 35th Congressional district!
Looking forward to the gathering tonight. Tomorrow I will go the the David Jolly Townhall event and figure out what's going on with canvassing, which, I was told before, was supposed to happen on May 30. The campaign has been great but I would say sometimes their communication with volunteers is a bit disorganized and spotty. I suggested maybe we could have a free version of Slack (or something like that) to organize stuff locally, but no one took it up. At least the core volunteers might communicate that way. I might just do it myself and see who will join it.
COLBERT FOR PRESIDENT !!!