With the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, rising inflation, and the resurgence of Covid-19, 2021 was a difficult year for President Biden to say the least. This could seriously imperil Democrats' chances in next year's midterm elections if the President can't turn his fortunes around before November. On this episode of Downballot Counts, hosts Greg Giroux and Kyle Trygstad talk about why Democrats had a disappointing year and what next year could bring. They also talk with Kelly Burton, head of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, about the fight over redrawing the country's lines.

Downballot Counts

Downballot Democrats Need Biden to Rebound

On this episode of Bloomberg Government's Downballot Counts, hosts Kyle Trygstad and Greg Giroux talk with a Republican redistricting consultant about the decennial battle between the two parties over the shape of the country's congressional districts.

The Redistricting Trench Warfare Fights Have Begun

On today's episode of Bloomberg Government's podcast, Downballot Counts, hosts Kyle Trygstad and Greg Giroux interview Jessica Taylor, a senior author of the 50th edition of the revered Almanac of American Politics. Taylor talks about being the first woman to hold this post and also analyzes the small number Senate races that could determine who controls Washington after next year.

Senate Races Far From Settled With Many Crowded Primaries

In 2018, Liuba Grechen Shirley made waves when she successfully petitioned the Federal Election Commission to allow her to use campaign funds to pay for child care. The Long Island Democrat ultimately lost her race against then-Congressman Peter T. King, but now her full-time job is to make it easier for mothers to get elected across the country. Shirley founded the Vote Mama Foundation and she speaks with podcast hosts Greg Giroux and Kyle Trygstad about the many obstacles that prevent working mothers from running for public office. Greg and Kyle also go over the most recent campaign finance disclosures and find that anti-Trump Republicans seem to be raking in the dough.

Working Hard to Get Working Moms into Office

Last year's elections didn't go quite as well as Democrats had hoped, and one group of centrists in the party just issued a report looking at why. On this episode of Downballot Counts, hosts Kyle Trygstad and Greg Giroux speak with Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) about how he thinks his party should avoid losing its slim House majority next year. Also, Greg breaks down exactly what ranked-choice voting is and why it seems to be catching on. Have feedback on this episode of Downballot Counts? Give us a call and leave a voicemail at 703-341-3690.

A Centrist's Plan to Save the Democratic Party

On this episode of Downballot Counts, Kyle and Greg look at the political ramifications of redistricting and reapportionment, which will merge some congressional districts and force incumbents to battle each other to stay in power. Also, we hear from Tom Lopach, the CEO of the nonprofit nonpartisan Voter Participation Center, about recent legislation in the states to restrict voting access.

Redistricting to Pit Incumbent Against Incumbent in the House

Nearly half a dozen Republicans Senators will not be seeking reelection next year, with more retirement announcements potentially on the way. On this episode of Downballot Counts, hosts Kyle Trygstad and Greg Giroux look at whether this is a good or bad thing for the Grand Old Party. And we also feature a special St. Patrick's Day-themed political trivia question. Erin go Bragh!

Wave of Senate Retirements Test GOP Luck in 2022

We're just a few months in to the 2022 election cycle and the dynamics at play are already starting to look fascinating. Democrats have two special election winners running for full terms in the Senate, while Republicans are dealing with at least three open Senate seats--and possibly more. Downballot Counts hosts Kyle Trygstad and Greg Giroux break down what we know so far and talk about why, at this moment, neither party appears to have the upper hand.

Senate Retirements Means 2022 Cycle Will Be Extra Spicy

Downballot Counts hosts Kyle Trygstad and Greg Giroux break down the results from last week's Georgia Senate runoff elections. They say Democrats were victorious because turnout in these contests far exceeded anything previously seen in a runoff so soon after a general election.

Democrats Have Senate Now Thanks to Turnout in Georgia

Bloomberg Government's Emily Wilkins is in Georgia covering tomorrow's all-important Senate runoff elections. She talks with hosts Kyle Trygstad and Greg Giroux about how we got here, the similarities between Democrats' and Republicans' closing messages, and the challenges of holding campaign rallies during a pandemic.

Georgia Runoffs With Stratospheric Stakes Grip the Nation

Despite decades of work to educate more Black lawyers, the percentage of Black associates and partners in firms across the U.S. remain very low, and well below those of other professional careers. Big Law firms across the board are ramping up social justice efforts as the nation engages in a renewed dialogue on race and equality. But some have accused firms of using minorities as “diversity props” to impress clients and misrepresent their inclusiveness to potential employees. So what are law firms doing to fix their lack of diversity? Hosts Adam Allington and Lisa Helem, along with reporters Ayanna Alexander, Ruiqi Chen, and Meghan Tribe, interviewed lawyers across the industry, from corporate general counsels to top Am Law 200 lawyers to current law students, each sharing their experience navigating the legal space as a person of color. We try to answer what law firms are doing to recruit more diverse classes of lawyers, and how they are addressing barriers to entry for Black lawyers.

Introducing: Black Lawyers Speak

Regardless of the final outcomes of the still-uncalled House races or the two upcoming Senate runoffs in Georgia, it's clear both chambers of Congress will have razor-thin partisan margins next year. On the latest episode of Downballot Counts, hosts Kyle Trygstad and Greg Giroux talk about what this will mean for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and whoever it is that will become Senate Majority Leader in the new Congress.

Thin Margins to Make Life Difficult for Political Leaders

It's Nov. 16, and there are still a handful of uncalled House races. But it's becoming more clear, now that a few weeks have passed since the elections, that partisan margins in both houses of Congress will be razor thin. On this episode of Downballot Counts, hosts Kyle Trygstad and Greg Giroux discuss where there are still undecided races and why Democrats underperformed in this year's Congressional elections.

Political Future Becoming Clearer Despite Uncalled Races

Contrary to popular belief, the results of last week's elections weren't as far off from final polling projections as they initially appeared. But the discrepancy was large enough that it indicates a fundamental flaw in the way polling is conducted, according to Democratic pollster Jefrey Pollock with the firm Global Strategy Group. On this post-election episode of Downballot Counts, we speak with Pollock about his industry's painful soul-searching and about what this election says about where the country's two parties are at.

'Something Has to Be Wrong,' Democratic Pollster Says

We're about 36 hours or so before polls close and election results start to come in. But it's not too soon to start analyzing what this historic election cycle has meant. On this episode of Downballot Counts, Kyle Trygstad and Greg Giroux talk about the forces that shaped 2020's congressional races and about which races they'll be paying close attention to tomorrow night.

On Election Eve, a 'Pre-Mortem' Analyzing This Year's Races

Downballot Counts is a podcast from Bloomberg Government about the 2020 U.S. House and Senate elections, and the fight for control of Congress. Hosted by Greg Giroux and Kyle Trygstad, Downballot Counts will explore how the high-profile presidential election will influence the congressional races. Could the Democrats win control of the Senate or might the Republicans reclaim the House? Each week Giroux, Trygstad and their guests discuss the latest developments in the most competitive Senate and House races.

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Downballot Counts

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