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.
