NewsPoliticsGovernment

The Downballot

David Nir & David Beard

The Downballot podcast is dedicated to the thousands of elections below the presidency, from Senate to city council. With more than 20 years of experience analyzing U.S. elections, we provide unparalleled insight into congressional, state, and local races nationwide. Tune in every Thursday morning for one-of-a-kind coverage of these key contests.

www.the-downballot.com

Play

Open in

21 episodes
weekly
Avg 54 min
English

Episodes 21

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

Thursday · 44 min
The GOP cuts its first House candidate loose
Election Day is still almost two months off, but Republicans have already begun making once-touted recruits walk the plank. On this week’s episode of The Downballot podcast, co-hosts David Nir and David Beard explain why the decision by GOP power players to torpedo one of their own candidates in a New York House race that should be competitive is such a grim moment for Republicans. It may be their first act of triage, but it won’t be the last. The Davids also recap Tuesday’s primaries in New Hampshire, including a Democratic battle in a swingy open seat that, once again, ought to be fiercely contested by Republicans but won’t be. They wrap up with the chaotic situation unfolding in Missouri, where dueling court rulings have ordered election officials to use different congressional maps in November, prompting chaos, confusion, and a massive flurry of legal filings. Get full access to The Downballot at www.the-downballot.com/subscribe
September 3 · 1 hr 7 min
How Democratic 'spam PACs' victimize vulnerable seniors
We’ve all been bombarded with those histrionic text messages making over-the-top requests for donations, but they’re more than just annoying—there are hidden victims of these hyper-aggressive fundraising practices. On this week’s episode of The Downballot podcast, Stanford political scientist Adam Bonica discusses his deep investigation into the ways Democratic organizations and “spam PACs” are deploying these frenzied messages, which end up exploiting many senior citizens—some of whom have responded by donating literally thousands of times. But the harm runs even deeper. As Bonica explains, even as these techniques rake in huge sums from the elderly, they’ve alienated many other donors. That’s created a serious risk of a broader crash in grassroots fundraising that could seriously undermine Democrats, something Republicans have already experienced thanks to their own slash-and-burn approach. Co-hosts David Nir and David Beard also recap Tuesday’s primaries in Massachusetts and preview next week’s contests in New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Finally, they make sense of the chaos in Alaska, where a deadline for candidates to drop out following the state’s unique top-four primary prompted a reshuffle of the November ballot in all of the top races. Get full access to The Downballot at www.the-downballot.com/subscribe
August 27 · 1 hr 2 min
The Downballot’s ‘Senate flip’ fantasy draft
Runoffs were the big story this week, with close races in South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Georgia. On this week’s episode of The Downballot podcast, co-host David Beard and guest host Kari Chisholm discuss how two Trump-endorsed candidates—Darline Graham in South Carolina and Mike Mazzei in Oklahoma—narrowly won their races, along with their prospects in the general election. They also preview next week’s primaries in Massachusetts, including Rep. Seth Moulton’s faltering challenge to Sen. Ed Markey. Then in our deep dive, we channel the spirit of fantasy football season for a “Senate flip” fantasy draft. David and Kari take turns “drafting” each of this year’s top Senate contests, based on how likely every seat is to change hands. Of course, as with any draft, there’s plenty of analysis of every prospect! Get full access to The Downballot at www.the-downballot.com/subscribe
August 20 · 51 min
Democrats claim another big special election victory
Democrat Brandon Dukes won the last special election before November and became the 31st Democrat to flip a legislative seat since the beginning of 2025—compared to zero for Republicans. On this week’s episode of The Downballot podcast, co-host David Beard and guest host Joe Sudbay discuss that race as well as the last big primary night of 2026, with a big upset in Florida’s Democratic Senate primary. Then in our deep dive, we talk to state Sen. Cindy Holscher, the Democratic nominee for governor of Kansas, about her race. She tells us how she got into politics during former Gov. Sam Brownback’s disastrous time in office and how Democrats have strengthened in Kansas during the Trump era. We also discuss her call for a data center moratorium in the state, why it’s become such a big issue for voters, and how to support economic growth while ensuring everyday people aren’t left out of the benefits. Get full access to The Downballot at www.the-downballot.com/subscribe
August 13 · 1 hr
What the hell just happened in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin’s Democratic primary for governor saw a shocking upset Tuesday night as David Crowley, who had dropped out of the race earlier this summer before jumping back in, defeated Francesca Hong, who’d been leading in polls by double digits. On this week’s episode of The Downballot podcast, co-host David Beard and guest host Joe Sudbay run through all the key election results from Tuesday night, including Minnesota’s races for governor and Senate, South Carolina’s special Senate primary to replace Lindsey Graham, and the defeat of another House incumbent, this time in Connecticut. David and Joe then preview the last big primary night of the season, with key races in Alaska and Florida. The hosts explain how Alaska’s unique top-four primary has scrambled the governor’s race, leading to real uncertainty about which major candidates will advance. And in Florida, they discuss the battles for governor and Senate as well as several House races that got upended by the GOP’s extreme new gerrymander. Get full access to The Downballot at www.the-downballot.com/subscribe
August 6 · 55 min
The pro-pipe bomb Republican running for secretary of state
Once again, Republicans are fielding an array of election deniers who nevertheless want to oversee their state’s elections, though this year’s crop might just take the cake. On this week’s episode of The Downballot podcast, Chelsey Wininger, the executive director of the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State, walks us through every competitive race her shop is focused on—including the showdown in Arizona, where the GOP nominee wants to repeal the state’s ban on pipe bombs. And no, we’re not kidding. Co-hosts David Nir and David Beard also recap all of this week’s high-profile primaries, including Michigan’s Democratic Senate battle, an extraordinary GOP botch in a swingy House district, and some very good news for an endangered Democrat in Washington state. They wrap up with the latest on two scandal-plagued House Republicans, including one who just bailed on his bid for reelection and another whom fellow Republicans would like to see vamoose as well. Get full access to The Downballot at www.the-downballot.com/subscribe
July 30 · 1 hr 6 min
El-Sayed vs. Stevens tops major primary night
Primary season is back with a vengeance on Tuesday, with no fewer than five states holding elections—chief among them Michigan. On this week’s episode of The Downballot, we break down the bitter fight between Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed as they vie to become the Wolverine State’s Democratic nominee for Senate, but there’s a lot more on the docket. The list includes a ballot measure to make future ballot measures impossible in Missouri; a GOP effort to turn the Kansas Supreme Court into a partisan rubber stamp; and a House primary in Washington where a Republican is helping the Democrat he beat two years ago. And speaking of Michigan, co-hosts David Nir and David Beard talk all about its hotly competitive general elections with Curtis Hertel, the chair of the state Democratic Party. Hertel spotlights the GOP candidates for governor and Senate, whose fealty to Donald Trump has taken center stage. He also explains how Democrats can flip several seats in the House and take back control of the state legislature in November. Get full access to The Downballot at www.the-downballot.com/subscribe
July 22 · 50 min
The Downballot's first-ever live podcast!
For the first time ever, we broadcast The Downballot’s weekly podcast as a video livestream this week and took questions from viewers! Co-hosts David Nir and David Beard recapped Arizona’s primaries, including: • Rep. Dave Schweikert’s mysterious decision to get predictably crushed by fellow Rep. Andy Biggs in the GOP race for governor • Why the DCCC keeps losing when it intervenes in Democratic House primaries • How Democrats can flip two seats on the state’s powerful body that regulates utilities—and potentially take control in 2028 And several more contests. The Davids also explain the unfolding drama in Wisconsin’s Democratic primary for governor, where establishment forces are scrambling to halt the rise of a democratic socialist. Then they dive into the races to replace Senate nominees in Maine, where Democrats are in whatever the opposite of disarray is, and South Carolina, where Republicans are very much not deferring to Donald Trump’s pick to replace the late Lindsey Graham. If you prefer to listen to our show as a traditional podcast, have no fear: We’ll continue to make it available on all apps, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. And if you’d like to join us for future livestreams, the easiest way is to download the free Substack app. If you’d like to participate in our Q&A sessions during these live shows, all you need to do is upgrade to a paid subscription! We’d be extremely grateful for your support. Get full access to The Downballot at www.the-downballot.com/subscribe
July 16 · 53 min
How Democrats can make Mississippi competitive
“We have to fall in love with math,” Senate candidate Scott Colom tells us on this week’s episode of The Downballot podcast. Colom, a Mississippi district attorney, is vying to unseat Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, who blocked his nomination to the federal judiciary in 2023. Now, as the cost of living and political corruption have skyrocketed, Colom is making the case that his home state is a worthy investment because of how cheap it is to campaign there—and how close Democrats have come in several recent statewide races. Co-hosts David Nir and David Beard also get listeners caught up on the latest developments in both states that suddenly have to pick replacement Senate nominees. They emphasize Lindsey Graham’s rancid legacy, including his effort to help Donald Trump overturn Georgia’s election in 2020, and note that the GOP could wind up with a substantially weaker candidate. They also explain how Maine Democrats will choose a substitute to take on Susan Collins at a convention later this month. Get full access to The Downballot at www.the-downballot.com/subscribe
July 9 · 1 hr 17 min
The Graham Platner debacle
Maine’s Senate race hangs in the balance following bombshell accusations by a woman named Jenny Racicot, who accused Democrat Graham Platner of raping her in 2021. As we recorded this week’s episode of The Downballot podcast, Platner’s future was still up in the air, though he dropped his bid soon after. We brought on frequent guest host—and dyed-in-the-wool Mainer—Joe Sudbay to pore over the entire debacle. We discuss all the red flags that brought us to this moment; the arrogant lack of vetting by those who recruited Platner; the mistakes made by Chuck Schumer and Janet Mills; Racicot’s bravery in coming forward; what Maine Democrats are doing to rectify the situation; and the party’s deep bench of potential replacement candidates. Co-hosts David Nir and David Beard also catch up on recent primaries in New York and Colorado, where candidates connected to the Democratic Socialists of America recently won a string of stunning victories. The Davids explain how DSA’s strategy is paying off, but they also emphasize that the simplistic “socialists vs. establishment” framework glosses over many other faultlines that impacted each of these outcomes. Incumbents everywhere, though, should take heed. Get full access to The Downballot at www.the-downballot.com/subscribe
June 25 · 47 min
SCOTUS' war on voting rights
The Supreme Court’s decision gutting the Voting Rights Act two months ago was a devastating blow to American democracy, but it didn’t emerge out of the blue. Instead, it was the culmination of a decades-long effort on the right to capture the courts so that partisan jurists could enshrine minority rule. On this week’s episode of The Downballot podcast, author David Daley takes us on a 60-year journey that began just weeks after the VRA first became law, when reactionaries first began plotting to sabotage it. Daley, a senior fellow at FairVote, explains how, after initial challenges failed, conservatives mobilized to ensure favorable outcomes by reshaping the judiciary—a strategy that ultimately worked to perfection. But nothing in politics is permanent. Daley tells us what supporters of democracy must do to reform the Supreme Court, including how they must make the case for radical changes to both the public and politicians. He also details his wish-list for legislation that would protect voting rights, end gerrymandering, and restore the majority rule in America—measures that only stand a chance under a new-look SCOTUS. Get full access to The Downballot at www.the-downballot.com/subscribe
June 18 · 49 min
Georgia gives Trump a black eye
Tuesday’s primary runoffs in Georgia were not good news for Donald Trump—or termed-out Gov. Brian Kemp. On this week’s episode of The Downballot podcast, co-hosts David Nir and David Beard explain how the campaign of Trump’s pick to lead the Peach State campaign imploded so badly, and why that in turn helped kill a push by Kemp to further gerrymander the state’s electoral maps. The Davids also recap this week’s other races in Oklahoma, D.C., and Alabama before diving into a preview of all the major contests coming up in the second half of the month. In South Carolina, Trump could get another black eye as his choice for governor stumbles toward her runoff, while in New York, Democrats are hosting a variety of House primaries that have exposed notable divides—both ideological and geographic. And we’ve got Utah, Maryland, Louisiana, and Colorado all on tap as well! Get full access to The Downballot at www.the-downballot.com/subscribe
June 11 · 50 min
Nancy Mace's spectacular crashout
South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace’s political career imploded in astonishing fashion on Tuesday night when she finished fifth in the GOP primary for governor—one of the most notable results that co-hosts David Nir and David Beard recap on this week’s episode of The Downballot podcast. There’s also Lindsey Graham, who needed $15 million in outside help to survive a race against a guy who advocated for “medical cocaine,” plus several important uncalled races in Maine, where ranked-choice tabulations will determine the winners next week. State Sen. Mike Gianaris also explains how New York Democrats are moving to counteract the GOP’s new turbocharged gerrymanders. Gianaris tells us why the state’s redistricting system, which was designed to prop up Republicans, is so broken, and how a new constitutional amendment would allow Democrats to enact a new congressional map before 2028. But, he cautions, the vote on that amendment—likely in November of next year—will be a difficult and expensive battle. Get full access to The Downballot at www.the-downballot.com/subscribe
June 4 · 49 min
Tuesday's massive primary night
The biggest primary night of the year unfolded on Tuesday—and it’s still not over. On this week’s episode of The Downballot podcast, co-hosts David Nir and David Beard recap all the top action and update listeners on where things stand in key contests that remain uncalled. On the docket is California’s race for governor, where Republicans are now looking at a possible lockout, as well as major battles in Iowa, Montana, and South Dakota, plus a whole ton of House races. The Davids also speak with Georgia Democrat Peter Hubbard, who won a spot on the state’s Public Service Commission in a shocking landslide last year. Hubbard explains why races like his have become so salient, particularly as Americans face soaring utility bills and unwelcome data center construction. And with Democrats in position to take a majority on the PSC this fall, he tells us how the commission could achieve a “win-win-win” for Georgians by promoting renewable energy. Get full access to The Downballot at www.the-downballot.com/subscribe
May 21 · 46 min
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford previews his race for governor
Nevada is set to host one of the most competitive governor’s races in the country this fall as Attorney General Aaron Ford takes on incumbent Republican Joe Lombardo. On this week’s episode of The Downballot podcast, co-host David Beard and guest host Joe Sudbay talk to Ford about how he got into politics, how Trump and Lombardo have made life hard for Nevada families, and how he’s going to work to bring costs down as governor. This week has also seen plenty of primary action, highlighted by President Trump’s revenge tour against Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy and Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie—and with Texas Sen. John Cornyn up next. We discuss how these defeats of Republican incumbents will make Congress even harder to govern, and also highlight some other key primary results in Pennsylvania and Georgia. Get full access to The Downballot at www.the-downballot.com/subscribe
May 14 · 49 min
The GOP races to dismantle Black districts
The news on the redistricting front remains grim for anyone who believes in democracy and minority voting rights. On this week’s episode of The Downballot podcast, co-hosts David Nir and David Beard survey the latest damage, which includes new Republican maps tearing apart majority-Black districts in Alabama, Louisiana, and Tennessee. Democrats’ efforts to fight back were also dealt a devastating blow in Virginia, where the state Supreme Court invalidated plans for a new map that a majority of voters supported. But there are many people working hard to safeguard democracy, including our guest, Andrea Hailey, the CEO of Vote.org. Hailey explains how her organization, the largest nonpartisan group in the country dedicated to boosting voter participation, helps voters throughout the entire process, from registration through Election Day. She also tells us about Vote.org’s efforts to fight attempts to make voting harder in states like Arkansas and reveals her favorite states that make the process as smooth as possible. Get full access to The Downballot at www.the-downballot.com/subscribe
May 7 · 51 min
GOP gerrymandering just keeps getting worse
With the demise of the Voting Rights Act, Republicans are racing like mad to dismantle Black districts across the South. On this week’s episode of The Downballot podcast, co-hosts David Nir and David Beard recap all the latest developments, including Donald Trump’s successful ouster of Indiana Republicans who opposed his drive to gerrymander their state, plus GOP efforts to impose new maps in Alabama, Louisiana, and Tennessee just six months before Election Day. And just how did we get here? Kevin Morris, a senior research fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice, tells us all about the history of the Supreme Court’s efforts to undermine voting rights, from Reconstruction through the Roberts court. Since 2013, SCOTUS has repeatedly chipped away at the VRA, with Callais serving as the final blow. Morris warns that the gravest effects are likely to be felt at the state and local level, which have yet to receive the attention they deserve. Get full access to The Downballot at www.the-downballot.com/subscribe
April 30 · 48 min
How Dems can fight back, post-VRA
Wednesday was one of the darkest days ever for American democracy, as the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act while pretending it was doing no such thing. But on this week’s episode of The Downballot podcast, co-hosts David Nir and David Beard explain how Democrats can fight back, both by drawing new maps of their own and laying the groundwork for major SCOTUS reforms. The Davids also talk with Eugene DePasquale, the chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, about why he’s bullish on the midterms. DePasquale tells us about much-improved Democratic fortunes in voter registration and highlights four critical congressional races in the Keystone State. He also explains how Democrats can retake full control of state government in November for the first time since the early 1990s. Get full access to The Downballot at www.the-downballot.com/subscribe
April 16 · 54 min
Good riddance to Eric Swalwell
Democrats kicked Eric Swalwell to the curb lightning-quick, and it’s a very good thing he’s gone. On this week’s episode of The Downballot podcast, co-hosts David Nir and David Beard discuss the brave women who came forward to accuse Swalwell of sexual assault and wound up ending his political career. We also assess the fallout from his departure—and how it differs so starkly compared to the way Republicans dealt with a miscreant of their own, Tony Gonzales. The Davids then talk with Maryam Jazini, the senior director of litigation at Common Cause, about the Justice Department’s efforts to wrest confidential vote data from nearly every state. Jazini explains why the DOJ’s crusade is such a dangerous component of Donald Trump’s hopes of asserting federal control over our elections. But groups like Common Cause are fighting back—and winning in court. P.S. The Downballot podcast is taking next week off, but to attend the live recording of the Strength In Numbers podcast with Nir and G. Elliott Morris on April 23 in Washington, DC, please RSVP here! Get full access to The Downballot at www.the-downballot.com/subscribe
April 9 · 53 min
The progressive landslide in Wisconsin
It was a massive blowout for progressives up and down the ticket in Wisconsin on Tuesday night, capped by a rout in the race for the Supreme Court that saw liberals expand their hard-won majority. On this week’s episode of The Downballot podcast, co-host David Beard and guest host Joe Sudbay break down all of the top contests, as well as the special election for Marjorie Taylor Greene’s old seat, which saw another massive Democratic overperformance. Beard then talks with G. Elliott Morris from Strength in Numbers about his new report on Donald Trump’s job approval broken down by congressional district, which shows Trump underwater in a huge number of Republican seats. Elliott explains how he produced this unique data set and tells us where Trump has lost the most ground—and with which groups of voters. Get full access to The Downballot at www.the-downballot.com/subscribe

Showing 1–20 of 21 episodes