Great LakesQ
@qglpolicywonk.bsky.social
🌈Passionate advocate. Loves working with smarty pants folks to create innovative solutions to seemingly intractable challenges.
Great Lakes, LGBTQ, health (HIV/cancer) enviro bi-national with 🇨🇦 policy wonk. Loves elevating 🎶 & women’s sports ball.
Great Lakes, LGBTQ, health (HIV/cancer) enviro bi-national with 🇨🇦 policy wonk. Loves elevating 🎶 & women’s sports ball.
Keep an 👀 on this weeks elections
A busy stretch of elections is coming up next week. Bolts is watching a legislative primary in Arkansas on Tuesday, a congressional primary in New Jersey on Thursday and then, on Saturday, contests in Louisiana and Texas.
The 20 Elections to Watch This February - Bolts
Democrats hold the narrowest of majorities in Maine and Pennsylvania’s state Houses. They now need to defend vacant seats to retain their edge in each through the end of the... Read More
boltsmag.org
February 1, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Keep an 👀 on this weeks elections
Reposted by Great LakesQ
‼️💛🍭 Liam is home ‼️💜🧸
Here with Ilhan Omar
& Joaquin Castro
Now let's get the other
children out 🛝❤️💙💛💚🎠
Here with Ilhan Omar
& Joaquin Castro
Now let's get the other
children out 🛝❤️💙💛💚🎠
February 1, 2026 at 5:14 PM
‼️💛🍭 Liam is home ‼️💜🧸
Here with Ilhan Omar
& Joaquin Castro
Now let's get the other
children out 🛝❤️💙💛💚🎠
Here with Ilhan Omar
& Joaquin Castro
Now let's get the other
children out 🛝❤️💙💛💚🎠
💜💜💜💜
JUST IN: The five-year-old Columbia Heights Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, who have been in an ICE detention facility in Texas, are on their way home.
Liam Conejo Ramos and his father have landed back in Minnesota following a judge's order
Liam Conejo Ramos, the 5-year-old whose detention by ICE sparked national fervor, returned home to Minnesota with his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, Sunday morning after a judge ordered their release.
www.mprnews.org
February 1, 2026 at 5:04 PM
💜💜💜💜
As we are relieved for Liam & his dad.
Let us keep fighting for all the children & families in detention.
Let us keep fighting for all the children & families in detention.
Adding to this news: four more children from Liam’s Columbia Heights school district are believed to be still in TX in ICE custody. This includes two elementary students from Liam’s school as well as another high school and elementary student from his district, according to CH district leaders.
Yesterday, five-year-old Liam and his dad Adrian were released from Dilley detention center. I picked them up last night and escorted them back to Minnesota this morning.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
February 1, 2026 at 5:04 PM
As we are relieved for Liam & his dad.
Let us keep fighting for all the children & families in detention.
Let us keep fighting for all the children & families in detention.
💜💜💜💜💜💜
NEW: “Liam Conejo Ramos and his father have landed back in Minnesota following a judge's order,” @mprnews.org reports: www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
“On Saturday, as this longest of months comes to a close, a federal judge in Texas granted a writ of habeas corpus ordering the release of 5-year-old Liam Ramos and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias.”
In today’s Law Dork:
In today’s Law Dork:
February 1, 2026 at 5:02 PM
💜💜💜💜💜💜
Oh goodness such good news. 💜Thank @joaquincastrotx.bsky.social we need more leaders like you.
Hoping Liam & his father get the love & support they need. Liam will need much care to process the experience.
Let us be thankful for Liam & Adrian 💜 & keep fighting for those in detention.
Hoping Liam & his father get the love & support they need. Liam will need much care to process the experience.
Let us be thankful for Liam & Adrian 💜 & keep fighting for those in detention.
Yesterday, five-year-old Liam and his dad Adrian were released from Dilley detention center. I picked them up last night and escorted them back to Minnesota this morning.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
February 1, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Oh goodness such good news. 💜Thank @joaquincastrotx.bsky.social we need more leaders like you.
Hoping Liam & his father get the love & support they need. Liam will need much care to process the experience.
Let us be thankful for Liam & Adrian 💜 & keep fighting for those in detention.
Hoping Liam & his father get the love & support they need. Liam will need much care to process the experience.
Let us be thankful for Liam & Adrian 💜 & keep fighting for those in detention.
Reposted by Great LakesQ
:This Black History Month, we’re honoring Black coaches leading w/ vision, passion & purpose. Their impact goes far beyond the sidelines & we're excited to dive deeper into their stories."
#Unrivaled 1/2
#Unrivaled 1/2
February 1, 2026 at 3:51 PM
:This Black History Month, we’re honoring Black coaches leading w/ vision, passion & purpose. Their impact goes far beyond the sidelines & we're excited to dive deeper into their stories."
#Unrivaled 1/2
#Unrivaled 1/2
Reposted by Great LakesQ
Another Dem win for the House.
Thank you, TX-18.
Thank you, TX-18.
February 1, 2026 at 5:59 AM
Another Dem win for the House.
Thank you, TX-18.
Thank you, TX-18.
Reposted by Great LakesQ
Reposted by Great LakesQ
Reposted by Great LakesQ
Statement from Leigh Wambsganss after loss to Taylor Rehmet in Tarrant County: "Tonight is a wake up call for Republicans in Tarrant County, Texas and the nation."
February 1, 2026 at 6:24 AM
Statement from Leigh Wambsganss after loss to Taylor Rehmet in Tarrant County: "Tonight is a wake up call for Republicans in Tarrant County, Texas and the nation."
Congratulations to my friend and our newest State Senator from Tarrant County, Taylor Rehmet! I met Taylor years ago through labor organizing.
Don’t tell us what can’t be done in Texas. When we show up #TexasTough, we change the game. Today we proved what we’ve known all along: Texas is in play.
Don’t tell us what can’t be done in Texas. When we show up #TexasTough, we change the game. Today we proved what we’ve known all along: Texas is in play.
February 1, 2026 at 7:24 AM
Reposted by Great LakesQ
Hey Texas.
Check and double check your voter registration.
The GOP just lost in an R+17 district so take nothing for granted.
Check and double check your voter registration.
The GOP just lost in an R+17 district so take nothing for granted.
Texas: the voter registration deadline is just a few days away on Monday, February 2nd.
To check your registration visit IWillVote.com
To check your registration visit IWillVote.com
February 1, 2026 at 6:59 AM
Hey Texas.
Check and double check your voter registration.
The GOP just lost in an R+17 district so take nothing for granted.
Check and double check your voter registration.
The GOP just lost in an R+17 district so take nothing for granted.
Reposted by Great LakesQ
As you see the reports out of Texas SD-9, keep in mind: This was the cash discrepancy.
Money speaks -- but it's not as loud as it used to be.
Money speaks -- but it's not as loud as it used to be.
February 1, 2026 at 2:03 AM
As you see the reports out of Texas SD-9, keep in mind: This was the cash discrepancy.
Money speaks -- but it's not as loud as it used to be.
Money speaks -- but it's not as loud as it used to be.
Reposted by Great LakesQ
2026 is going to be a great year to run for office. Filing deadlines are coming up fast -- in most places, it's not too late to get on the ballot. We'll help you get started. runforwhat.net
Where Can I Run by Run for Something
Take the next step: Look up offices you can run for
runforwhat.net
February 1, 2026 at 2:09 AM
2026 is going to be a great year to run for office. Filing deadlines are coming up fast -- in most places, it's not too late to get on the ballot. We'll help you get started. runforwhat.net
Yippeee 🎉🥳🎉🥳
Folks give @amandalitman.bsky.social & @runforsomething.net 💰💰
& LFG!
& fight for our freedom & democracy !!!
Folks give @amandalitman.bsky.social & @runforsomething.net 💰💰
& LFG!
& fight for our freedom & democracy !!!
He won 🥹😎😭🎉✨
Whether he wins or not, @runforsomething.net is so proud to be part of Taylor Rehmet’s team - and to have planted the seed for him to run back in 2019! 😎
February 1, 2026 at 7:07 AM
Yippeee 🎉🥳🎉🥳
Folks give @amandalitman.bsky.social & @runforsomething.net 💰💰
& LFG!
& fight for our freedom & democracy !!!
Folks give @amandalitman.bsky.social & @runforsomething.net 💰💰
& LFG!
& fight for our freedom & democracy !!!
Check out the funding disparity in the TX SD-9 race ‼️
As you see the reports out of Texas SD-9, keep in mind: This was the cash discrepancy.
Money speaks -- but it's not as loud as it used to be.
Money speaks -- but it's not as loud as it used to be.
February 1, 2026 at 7:05 AM
Check out the funding disparity in the TX SD-9 race ‼️
👇👇👇‼️👇👇
Here is Konni Burton, a conservative former state Senator from the area who was a central part of the Tarrant County Tea Party, agreeing that a Rehmet win would be a 9.5 on the Richter scale.
February 1, 2026 at 7:04 AM
👇👇👇‼️👇👇
Hard to overstate how big a deal a Rehmet win would be. Tarrant County is the epicenter of Christian nationalism in Texas, an incubator for far-right policies, and nexus of billionaire Tim Dunn's network, which is riding hard for Wambsganss. Rehmet almost entirely funded by donations of $100 or less
‼️‼️ Still a lot TBD, but Rehmet is leading early vote count by **13 POINTS** in a district that Trump won by 17 points. I'll be updating in this thread throughout the night.
February 1, 2026 at 7:03 AM
📣📣Good news alert 📣📣
Friends! When we fight & stand together we can win!!
Just flipped TX state house from R → D Won by 12 pts
It's been 35 yrs! LFG!!!!
Friends! When we fight & stand together we can win!!
Just flipped TX state house from R → D Won by 12 pts
It's been 35 yrs! LFG!!!!
Hasn’t elected a Democrat since 1991
February 1, 2026 at 7:02 AM
📣📣Good news alert 📣📣
Friends! When we fight & stand together we can win!!
Just flipped TX state house from R → D Won by 12 pts
It's been 35 yrs! LFG!!!!
Friends! When we fight & stand together we can win!!
Just flipped TX state house from R → D Won by 12 pts
It's been 35 yrs! LFG!!!!
📣📣Good news alert 📣📣
Friends! When we fight & stand together we can win!!
Just flipped TX state house from R → D Won by 12 pts
It's been 35 yrs! LFG!!!!
Friends! When we fight & stand together we can win!!
Just flipped TX state house from R → D Won by 12 pts
It's been 35 yrs! LFG!!!!
BREAKING: Democrat Christian Menefee wins special election for Texas U.S. House seat, narrowing GOP's slim majority.
Democrat Christian Menefee wins election for US House, narrowing GOP's slim majority
Democrat Christian Menefee has won a Texas U.S. House seat in a special election that will narrow Republicans’ already-slim majority.
bit.ly
February 1, 2026 at 7:01 AM
📣📣Good news alert 📣📣
Friends! When we fight & stand together we can win!!
Just flipped TX state house from R → D Won by 12 pts
It's been 35 yrs! LFG!!!!
Friends! When we fight & stand together we can win!!
Just flipped TX state house from R → D Won by 12 pts
It's been 35 yrs! LFG!!!!
Reposted by Great LakesQ
Ohio is bracing for an ICE enforcement surge as TPS for Haitian refugees is set to end next week. Gov. DeWine says Springfield could face 30 days of enforcement unless courts intervene. The ACLU warns communities are at risk. Losing TPS means detention and deportation. #sheshed
January 31, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Ohio is bracing for an ICE enforcement surge as TPS for Haitian refugees is set to end next week. Gov. DeWine says Springfield could face 30 days of enforcement unless courts intervene. The ACLU warns communities are at risk. Losing TPS means detention and deportation. #sheshed
WOW
This is incredible???
An unidentified man dressed in a Batman costume angrily confronted Santa Clara city officials during a joint meeting of the City Council, city authorities, and the Santa Clara Stadium Authority on Monday, using his public comment to condemn the city’s stance on cooperation with ICE.
January 31, 2026 at 10:45 PM
WOW
Reposted by Great LakesQ
FLAG: Federal agents were told this week that they have broader power to arrest people without a warrant, according to an internal ICE memo reviewed by NYT.
The change expands the ability of lower-level ICE agents to carry out sweeps rounding up people they suspect are undocumented immigrants.
The change expands the ability of lower-level ICE agents to carry out sweeps rounding up people they suspect are undocumented immigrants.
ICE Expands Power of Agents to Arrest People Without Warrants
www.nytimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 8:26 PM
FLAG: Federal agents were told this week that they have broader power to arrest people without a warrant, according to an internal ICE memo reviewed by NYT.
The change expands the ability of lower-level ICE agents to carry out sweeps rounding up people they suspect are undocumented immigrants.
The change expands the ability of lower-level ICE agents to carry out sweeps rounding up people they suspect are undocumented immigrants.
Reposted by Great LakesQ
There's a lot happening in the courts that's coming out of Operation Metro Surge. I have your report at Law Dork on a nonstop 36 hours: www.lawdork.com/p/minnesota-...
BREAKING: Federal judge orders Adrian Conejo Arias and his minor son, L.C.R., released.
"The Great Writ and release from detention are GRANTED."
"Civics lesson to the government: Administrative warrants issued by the executive branch to itself do not pass probable cause muster."
"The Great Writ and release from detention are GRANTED."
"Civics lesson to the government: Administrative warrants issued by the executive branch to itself do not pass probable cause muster."
![Ultimately, Petitioners may, because of the arcane United States immigration system, return to
their home country, involuntarily or by self-deportation. But that result should occur through a more
orderly and humane policy than currently in place.
Philadelphia, September 17, 1787: "Well, Dr. Franklin, what do we have?" "A republic, if you
can keep it."
With a judicial finger in the constitutional dike,
It is so ORDERED.
SIGNED this 31st day of February [sic], 2026.
Fred Biery
FRED BIERY
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Credit: Bystander
Matthew 19:14
John 11:35](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreiak3ebffxgjk622vrkrsj2zbsqdvs63ap6mz7sm3xinrcofrpxky4@jpeg)
January 31, 2026 at 9:49 PM
There's a lot happening in the courts that's coming out of Operation Metro Surge. I have your report at Law Dork on a nonstop 36 hours: www.lawdork.com/p/minnesota-...