Zach Montellaro
@zachmontellaro.bsky.social
Editing news at @POLITICO.com. Nothing you say will upset me more than the Mets. Email me at zmontellaro(at)politico(dot)com
Louisiana is asking SCOTUS to overturn precedent and entirely ban the use of race in redistricting, making the unusual decision to not defend its own map. It represents an existential challenge to the Voting Rights Act. My latest: www.politico.com/news/2025/08...
Louisana asks Supreme Court to gut Voting Rights Act and ban use of race in redistricting
The case could strike a major blow to the landmark civil rights-era law.
www.politico.com
August 27, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Louisiana is asking SCOTUS to overturn precedent and entirely ban the use of race in redistricting, making the unusual decision to not defend its own map. It represents an existential challenge to the Voting Rights Act. My latest: www.politico.com/news/2025/08...
Trump's assertion that he has the authority to issue national election policy by decree is an audacious power grab, one that crosses a significant red line on elections — a line that Republicans have vigorously defended in the past. My latest for Nightly www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Trump’s elections power grab
www.politico.com
August 20, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Trump's assertion that he has the authority to issue national election policy by decree is an audacious power grab, one that crosses a significant red line on elections — a line that Republicans have vigorously defended in the past. My latest for Nightly www.politico.com/newsletters/...
The Voting Rights Act recently celebrated its 60th anniversary. But will it make it to 61? My latest on the significant legal challenges the landmark civil rights law is facing in front of the Supreme Court, for POLITICO Nightly www.politico.com/newsletters/...
It’s been 60 years since the Voting Rights Act was signed. Will it make it to 61?
www.politico.com
August 8, 2025 at 10:48 PM
The Voting Rights Act recently celebrated its 60th anniversary. But will it make it to 61? My latest on the significant legal challenges the landmark civil rights law is facing in front of the Supreme Court, for POLITICO Nightly www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Last night, the Supreme Court might have dropped a big hint about how it will handle the Voting Rights Act, a law the Roberts court has long been hostile to. More from me and @joshgerstein.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2025/08...
The Supreme Court just dropped a hint about its next big Voting Rights Act case
In a pending case on Louisiana’s congressional map, the justices ordered briefing on whether it’s constitutional to intentionally draw majority-Black districts.
www.politico.com
August 2, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Last night, the Supreme Court might have dropped a big hint about how it will handle the Voting Rights Act, a law the Roberts court has long been hostile to. More from me and @joshgerstein.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2025/08...
Do you want to understand American politics? Watching this weekend's #WrestleMania is a pretty good place to start. My latest on the lessons the president has learned from pro wrestling, in POLITICO Nightly www.politico.com/newsletters/...
The WrestleMania presidency
www.politico.com
April 14, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Do you want to understand American politics? Watching this weekend's #WrestleMania is a pretty good place to start. My latest on the lessons the president has learned from pro wrestling, in POLITICO Nightly www.politico.com/newsletters/...
my spam work emails are getting a little too philosophical for my tastes
March 21, 2025 at 2:53 PM
my spam work emails are getting a little too philosophical for my tastes
I've finally made it
February 4, 2025 at 2:08 PM
I've finally made it
Some personal news, as they say: Excited that I am now the breaking news editor at @politico.com. I've loved my time with the POLITICO Florida team, and can't wait for this new challenge in this urgent moment for news.
And ... we're hiring: recruiting.ultipro.com/PER1013PCLL/...
And ... we're hiring: recruiting.ultipro.com/PER1013PCLL/...
recruiting.ultipro.com
January 24, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Some personal news, as they say: Excited that I am now the breaking news editor at @politico.com. I've loved my time with the POLITICO Florida team, and can't wait for this new challenge in this urgent moment for news.
And ... we're hiring: recruiting.ultipro.com/PER1013PCLL/...
And ... we're hiring: recruiting.ultipro.com/PER1013PCLL/...
I'll remember this, Playbook
December 9, 2024 at 4:10 PM
I'll remember this, Playbook
Reposted by Zach Montellaro
So does this count as a Ronaissance or a ReSantis? Asking for a friend who may or may not be @zachmontellaro.bsky.social
President-elect Donald Trump is considering nominating Republican presidential rival Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as defense secretary, as Pete Hegseth's prospects for confirmation appear to be dimming amid allegations of sexual assault and alcohol abuse www.politico.com/news/2024/12...
Trump considers DeSantis for Defense secretary as Hegseth appears to falter
Hegseth has faced allegations of alcohol abuse and sexual assault.
www.politico.com
December 4, 2024 at 5:19 PM
So does this count as a Ronaissance or a ReSantis? Asking for a friend who may or may not be @zachmontellaro.bsky.social
Supported some nonprofit journalism today for #GivingTuesday from @bolts.bsky.social, @planetmoney.bsky.social and my alma mater The GW Hatchet. Please consider supporting what you read/listen to!
December 3, 2024 at 11:52 PM
Supported some nonprofit journalism today for #GivingTuesday from @bolts.bsky.social, @planetmoney.bsky.social and my alma mater The GW Hatchet. Please consider supporting what you read/listen to!
I hate seeing pilots in their full uniform on the metro ... it is unnatural
December 2, 2024 at 10:14 PM
I hate seeing pilots in their full uniform on the metro ... it is unnatural
did john thune even have time to call his family to tell them about the exciting new promotion he got at work
November 13, 2024 at 8:44 PM
did john thune even have time to call his family to tell them about the exciting new promotion he got at work
My job has changed since I last logged on here! I am now deputy national editor at @politico.com. I am largely a lurker on Twitter and plan to do the same here, but will try to do my best to cross post on both sites.
November 13, 2024 at 8:22 PM
My job has changed since I last logged on here! I am now deputy national editor at @politico.com. I am largely a lurker on Twitter and plan to do the same here, but will try to do my best to cross post on both sites.
Louisiana has a new congressional map. The Legislature passed lines that will add a second majority-Black district in the state, sacrificing GOP Rep. Garret Graves' home base in the process. Democrats will almost assuredly net one seat. More from me www.politico.com/live-updates...
Louisiana Legislature spurns Johnson, enacts new House map he opposed
The new map means an all-but-certain pickup for House Democrats.
www.politico.com
January 19, 2024 at 8:48 PM
Louisiana has a new congressional map. The Legislature passed lines that will add a second majority-Black district in the state, sacrificing GOP Rep. Garret Graves' home base in the process. Democrats will almost assuredly net one seat. More from me www.politico.com/live-updates...
Millions of Americans will be heading to the polls this year. And with 2023 serving as the set-up, it was a "very, very" good year for voter access. A first look at the Institute for Responsive Government's 50 state (and D.C.) scorecard from me, in tonight's Nightly www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Why 2023 was a ‘very, very’ good year for voter access
www.politico.com
January 19, 2024 at 12:14 AM
Millions of Americans will be heading to the polls this year. And with 2023 serving as the set-up, it was a "very, very" good year for voter access. A first look at the Institute for Responsive Government's 50 state (and D.C.) scorecard from me, in tonight's Nightly www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Regular voters were asked about the health of American democracy. To say they were discouraged would be an understatement. My report from a focus group in Northampton County, Pa., on Americans' fears of political violence (and more) in 2024 www.politico.com/news/2024/01...
These voters will pick the next president. They’re frightened about American democracy.
“I almost feel numb to it,” one focus group participant said of the violence on Jan. 6.
www.politico.com
January 17, 2024 at 6:44 PM
Regular voters were asked about the health of American democracy. To say they were discouraged would be an understatement. My report from a focus group in Northampton County, Pa., on Americans' fears of political violence (and more) in 2024 www.politico.com/news/2024/01...
Louisiana could be getting a new congressional map. But we get some fun parochial fights between Gov. Jeff Landry and Bayou State native Speaker Mike Johnson first. A little explainer for what comes next from me, in our Inside Congress newsletter! www.politico.com/newsletters/...
January 16, 2024 at 11:45 PM
Louisiana could be getting a new congressional map. But we get some fun parochial fights between Gov. Jeff Landry and Bayou State native Speaker Mike Johnson first. A little explainer for what comes next from me, in our Inside Congress newsletter! www.politico.com/newsletters/...
The problem with the caucuses is there's no polls closing time, and the state party started releasing results. Kinda like how some states with multiple timezones will release results before last polls close.
(That being said, I am Team Wait here.)
More: www.politico.com/live-updates...
(That being said, I am Team Wait here.)
More: www.politico.com/live-updates...
January 16, 2024 at 2:42 AM
The problem with the caucuses is there's no polls closing time, and the state party started releasing results. Kinda like how some states with multiple timezones will release results before last polls close.
(That being said, I am Team Wait here.)
More: www.politico.com/live-updates...
(That being said, I am Team Wait here.)
More: www.politico.com/live-updates...
Republican state parties in several battlegrounds are besieged by leadership fights, from a battle in Michigan over who actually is in charge to Nevada's chair being charged for being a fake elector. Madison Fernandez and I round up what's been going down www.politico.com/news/2024/01...
‘We just hit rock bottom on chaos’: Battleground state GOPs besieged with leadership fights
Michigan, Florida, and Nevada are facing leadership crises heading into the 2024 elections.
www.politico.com
January 10, 2024 at 8:21 PM
Republican state parties in several battlegrounds are besieged by leadership fights, from a battle in Michigan over who actually is in charge to Nevada's chair being charged for being a fake elector. Madison Fernandez and I round up what's been going down www.politico.com/news/2024/01...
We're just weeks away from some congressional primaries, but the House battleground is far from set. Here's a guide from me on all the redistricting changes that have happened since the midterms — and where to watch before November www.politico.com/news/2024/01...
The changing congressional map is shifting the fight for control of the House
With primaries in some states just weeks away, there are still big unresolved questions of what some districts will look like.
www.politico.com
January 8, 2024 at 6:46 PM
We're just weeks away from some congressional primaries, but the House battleground is far from set. Here's a guide from me on all the redistricting changes that have happened since the midterms — and where to watch before November www.politico.com/news/2024/01...
The 14th Amendment ball is really in SCOTUS' court now. Trump has appealed the Colorado decision declaring him ineligible for the presidency to the nation's top court. It is unclear on when they'll act. More from the team www.politico.com/news/2024/01...
Trump asks Supreme Court to keep him on Colorado ballot
The petition asks the justices to reverse last month's decision from Colorado that deemed him ineligible to return to office under the 14th Amendment.
www.politico.com
January 3, 2024 at 11:38 PM
The 14th Amendment ball is really in SCOTUS' court now. Trump has appealed the Colorado decision declaring him ineligible for the presidency to the nation's top court. It is unclear on when they'll act. More from the team www.politico.com/news/2024/01...
Trump has filed an appeal in Maine state court after the state's top election official deemed him ineligible to run for president because of Jan. 6. But in reality, everyone's just waiting for SCOTUS. More from me on the day's filings www.politico.com/news/2024/01...
Trump appeals Maine decision deeming him ineligible to run for president
He is contesting last week's ruling from the Maine secretary of state. A similar case out of Colorado has already reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
www.politico.com
January 2, 2024 at 11:20 PM
Trump has filed an appeal in Maine state court after the state's top election official deemed him ineligible to run for president because of Jan. 6. But in reality, everyone's just waiting for SCOTUS. More from me on the day's filings www.politico.com/news/2024/01...
I spoke with Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows about her decision finding Trump ineligible to run for president under the 14th Amendment. She said it was her duty to do so, and that she doesn't get an out because it is complex. Read more here www.politico.com/news/2023/12...
December 29, 2023 at 10:31 PM
I spoke with Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows about her decision finding Trump ineligible to run for president under the 14th Amendment. She said it was her duty to do so, and that she doesn't get an out because it is complex. Read more here www.politico.com/news/2023/12...
BREAKING: Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has determined that Trump is ineligible to be on the ballot in the state, saying he engaged in an insurrection on Jan. 6 and was disqualified under the 14th Amendment. More from me soon www.politico.com/news/2023/12...
Maine kicks Trump off ballot under 14th Amendment
Bellows, a Democrat, made the call in Maine because state law requires the secretary to adjudicate ballot challenges to candidates’ eligibility. Her decision can be appealed through the state judici...
www.politico.com
December 28, 2023 at 11:59 PM
BREAKING: Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has determined that Trump is ineligible to be on the ballot in the state, saying he engaged in an insurrection on Jan. 6 and was disqualified under the 14th Amendment. More from me soon www.politico.com/news/2023/12...