Interesting that another progressive besides Brandon Johnson hasn’t tried for mayor. Andre Vasquez was considering at one point — I believe he now isn’t.
I wonder why. Is the city just turning against progressives in general due to Johnson? Were the left afraid to challenge him? I know some of the left do not like Johnson and have accused him of betraying his former allies (not sure why, as I can’t remember. The leadership of the Chicago Teachers Union has likewise been criticized.)
Which leads me to my question. Given Johnson’s unpopularity, will other progressives running in races like City Council or School Board suffer with Johnson, or is the damage mitigated to the mayor? Curious if any IL/Chicago posters can explain.
I didn't find the poll I was looking for. So this polling on how important 12 issues are to voters reported by G. Elliot Morris/Strength in Numbers will have to do.
The most important issue is prices/inflation for 60% of those polled.
The 2nd is Jobs & the Economy, which overlaps with Prices/Inflation imho, at 40%.
Healthcare is 3rd, >35%. Again, imho has some overlap with prices/inflation because of eliminated subsidies, increased costs, etc.
Crime & safety? 20%.
I don't even know where trans fits. Maybe education? ~15%.
Blowing $50M on ads that don't address voters OVERWHELMING concern seems not smart.
I'm sure that this will get a "but it's a way to boost turnout." The problem there, & Mike Madrid is a great source on this, is that the felon won because Hispanic voters voted for him, & Rs, in 2024 because of the economy. they haven't delivered on the economy & Hispanics are switching their support to Democratic candidates. Boosting turnout won't help here. & ~75% of Independents support Democrats this election, which is unheard of.
NYC Councilman Christopher Marte is facing allegations of "misus[ing] government staff for political purposes", per Politico. A large amount of money Marte tried to allocate for a nonprofit has been frozen, and there are also accusations of illicit super PAC coordination.
The leader of the SEIU-UHW/major backer of the proposition, Dave Regan, apparently is facing allegations of threatening other labor officials into supporting the referendum, including physical assault allegations.
While the allegations have been substantiated (and Regan is alleging a political smear campaign), I personally feel the timing is a bit suspect. I don't deny Regan did these things, but I wouldn't be surprised if there is a political element to why these allegations suddenly came out now.
Not new, but Sen. Elizabeth Warren declined to endorse the tax. A bit surprising (and a little infuriating, for me personally) given her long record of going after businesses. Apparently her rationale is that a national ban is needed -- also Newsom's position (which makes it worse for me personally as I'm suspicious of Newsom's position given his ties to the tech industry. Obviously Warren is not tied to the tech industry but it is infuriating to see her go along with this in my opinion).
So, he lies about Ballard's record (Lincoln Party) and all he can find on Bayh is to suggest that his mail-in voting while in college, the military, and law school, somehow do not make him a "real" Hoosier. Bayh lives in Indiana and is part of a law firm here.
Engling does not mention his own time in D.C. working on Kevin McCarthy's staff.
What business does MO-Auditor have being so competitive 50 days out?
Interesting that another progressive besides Brandon Johnson hasn’t tried for mayor. Andre Vasquez was considering at one point — I believe he now isn’t.
I wonder why. Is the city just turning against progressives in general due to Johnson? Were the left afraid to challenge him? I know some of the left do not like Johnson and have accused him of betraying his former allies (not sure why, as I can’t remember. The leadership of the Chicago Teachers Union has likewise been criticized.)
Which leads me to my question. Given Johnson’s unpopularity, will other progressives running in races like City Council or School Board suffer with Johnson, or is the damage mitigated to the mayor? Curious if any IL/Chicago posters can explain.
I didn't find the poll I was looking for. So this polling on how important 12 issues are to voters reported by G. Elliot Morris/Strength in Numbers will have to do.
The most important issue is prices/inflation for 60% of those polled.
The 2nd is Jobs & the Economy, which overlaps with Prices/Inflation imho, at 40%.
Healthcare is 3rd, >35%. Again, imho has some overlap with prices/inflation because of eliminated subsidies, increased costs, etc.
Crime & safety? 20%.
I don't even know where trans fits. Maybe education? ~15%.
Blowing $50M on ads that don't address voters OVERWHELMING concern seems not smart.
I'm sure that this will get a "but it's a way to boost turnout." The problem there, & Mike Madrid is a great source on this, is that the felon won because Hispanic voters voted for him, & Rs, in 2024 because of the economy. they haven't delivered on the economy & Hispanics are switching their support to Democratic candidates. Boosting turnout won't help here. & ~75% of Independents support Democrats this election, which is unheard of.
NYC Council District 1:
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/newyorkplaybook
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/06/new-york-city-lawmaker-accused-of-using-government-staff-for-political-fundraising-01026591
NYC Councilman Christopher Marte is facing allegations of "misus[ing] government staff for political purposes", per Politico. A large amount of money Marte tried to allocate for a nonprofit has been frozen, and there are also accusations of illicit super PAC coordination.
Thanks for flagging and linking this. I'm shocked to read this about a politician I know about, but given New York's history, I shouldn't be.
2026 CA Prop 40 (aka the billionaire tax):
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/11/california-wealth-tax-proponent-threatened-labor-officials-report-finds-01072488
The leader of the SEIU-UHW/major backer of the proposition, Dave Regan, apparently is facing allegations of threatening other labor officials into supporting the referendum, including physical assault allegations.
While the allegations have been substantiated (and Regan is alleging a political smear campaign), I personally feel the timing is a bit suspect. I don't deny Regan did these things, but I wouldn't be surprised if there is a political element to why these allegations suddenly came out now.
Speaking of news on this referendum:
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/14/the-lefts-california-problem-01037361
Not new, but Sen. Elizabeth Warren declined to endorse the tax. A bit surprising (and a little infuriating, for me personally) given her long record of going after businesses. Apparently her rationale is that a national ban is needed -- also Newsom's position (which makes it worse for me personally as I'm suspicious of Newsom's position given his ties to the tech industry. Obviously Warren is not tied to the tech industry but it is infuriating to see her go along with this in my opinion).
That's a ridiculous and surprising position by Warren. States don't have a right to their own tax policy and initiatives?
Max Engling's campaign ads for Indiana Secretary of State:
https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2026/09/11/republicans-attack-ex-gop-mayor-ballard-in-partys-opening-secretary-of-state-ad/?utm_source=newsletters.indianacapitalchronicle.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=big-news-coming-your-way&_bhlid=16d3f2a85261eb5bdc7745e221bcfeae9120cbab
So, he lies about Ballard's record (Lincoln Party) and all he can find on Bayh is to suggest that his mail-in voting while in college, the military, and law school, somehow do not make him a "real" Hoosier. Bayh lives in Indiana and is part of a law firm here.
Engling does not mention his own time in D.C. working on Kevin McCarthy's staff.