@knassre.bsky.social
Software engineer, electoral geography hobbyist, and puggle-lover.
Reposted
No lawmaker in Congress should be able to buy, own, and sell individual stocks. Period. Let's make Congressional stock trading illegal.
November 19, 2025 at 4:01 PM
No lawmaker in Congress should be able to buy, own, and sell individual stocks. Period. Let's make Congressional stock trading illegal.
Reposted
Republicans got some sudden and unexpected bad news Tuesday when a three-judge federal court blocked Texas from using its new GOP-drawn congressional districts. Our new Digest examines why a Trump appointee made this momentous ruling and what it does—and doesn't—mean for the redistricting wars.
Morning Digest: Court blocks new Texas map, dealing surprise blow to Republicans
An appeal is already underway, but the GOP's redistricting push could backfire massively
www.the-downballot.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Republicans got some sudden and unexpected bad news Tuesday when a three-judge federal court blocked Texas from using its new GOP-drawn congressional districts. Our new Digest examines why a Trump appointee made this momentous ruling and what it does—and doesn't—mean for the redistricting wars.
Reposted
In response to the TX ruling, Dem Rep. Lloyd Doggett says that "I have a renewed opportunity to continue serving the only town I have ever called home."
Doggett had announced his retirement rather than face an incumbent-vs.-incumbent primary against Greg Casar.
Doggett had announced his retirement rather than face an incumbent-vs.-incumbent primary against Greg Casar.
November 18, 2025 at 7:18 PM
In response to the TX ruling, Dem Rep. Lloyd Doggett says that "I have a renewed opportunity to continue serving the only town I have ever called home."
Doggett had announced his retirement rather than face an incumbent-vs.-incumbent primary against Greg Casar.
Doggett had announced his retirement rather than face an incumbent-vs.-incumbent primary against Greg Casar.
Reposted
Whoa: A federal court just barred Texas from using its new congressional map, drawn by the GOP to target Dems.
"Substantial evidence shows that Texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 Map."
Court says the old map must be used in 2026. Appeals are certain. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
"Substantial evidence shows that Texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 Map."
Court says the old map must be used in 2026. Appeals are certain. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
November 18, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Whoa: A federal court just barred Texas from using its new congressional map, drawn by the GOP to target Dems.
"Substantial evidence shows that Texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 Map."
Court says the old map must be used in 2026. Appeals are certain. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
"Substantial evidence shows that Texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 Map."
Court says the old map must be used in 2026. Appeals are certain. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted
Court ruled the TX gerrymander is illegal in part bc it was spurred by a letter from Trump's DOJ that demanded a redrawing for explicitly racial reasons.
(First 2 images.)
@mcpli.bsky.social had told Bolts of DOJ letter: "starts to look a lot like intentional racial discrimination."
(3rd image)
(First 2 images.)
@mcpli.bsky.social had told Bolts of DOJ letter: "starts to look a lot like intentional racial discrimination."
(3rd image)
November 18, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Court ruled the TX gerrymander is illegal in part bc it was spurred by a letter from Trump's DOJ that demanded a redrawing for explicitly racial reasons.
(First 2 images.)
@mcpli.bsky.social had told Bolts of DOJ letter: "starts to look a lot like intentional racial discrimination."
(3rd image)
(First 2 images.)
@mcpli.bsky.social had told Bolts of DOJ letter: "starts to look a lot like intentional racial discrimination."
(3rd image)
Reposted
Where things stand right now in states that have drawn new maps:
• TX: Blocked by court (+5 R max)
• MO: Likely to be blocked by referendum (+1 R)
• NC: +1 R at most, could be zero
• OH: Up to +2 R, could be zero
• CA: Likely +5 Dem
• UT: +1 Dem
Other new maps could also emerge.
• TX: Blocked by court (+5 R max)
• MO: Likely to be blocked by referendum (+1 R)
• NC: +1 R at most, could be zero
• OH: Up to +2 R, could be zero
• CA: Likely +5 Dem
• UT: +1 Dem
Other new maps could also emerge.
November 18, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Where things stand right now in states that have drawn new maps:
• TX: Blocked by court (+5 R max)
• MO: Likely to be blocked by referendum (+1 R)
• NC: +1 R at most, could be zero
• OH: Up to +2 R, could be zero
• CA: Likely +5 Dem
• UT: +1 Dem
Other new maps could also emerge.
• TX: Blocked by court (+5 R max)
• MO: Likely to be blocked by referendum (+1 R)
• NC: +1 R at most, could be zero
• OH: Up to +2 R, could be zero
• CA: Likely +5 Dem
• UT: +1 Dem
Other new maps could also emerge.
The mechanics of gerrymandering are pretty complicated, as are the "natural" biases that exist in different states. These biases can shift dramatically depending on the exact granularity of seats (e.g. does each seat have 50k, 100k, 500k, 800k, 1M seats).
November 18, 2025 at 7:32 PM
The mechanics of gerrymandering are pretty complicated, as are the "natural" biases that exist in different states. These biases can shift dramatically depending on the exact granularity of seats (e.g. does each seat have 50k, 100k, 500k, 800k, 1M seats).
Reposted
This is the strength of our city. We’ll honor the trust these families put in us by making this a place where they can thrive.
November 17, 2025 at 7:07 PM
This is the strength of our city. We’ll honor the trust these families put in us by making this a place where they can thrive.
Reposted
It’s entirely possible that, just as John Paul II is remembered for standing up to authoritarian regimes in the East, Leo will be remembered for standing up to authoritarian threats in the West.
November 16, 2025 at 5:52 PM
It’s entirely possible that, just as John Paul II is remembered for standing up to authoritarian regimes in the East, Leo will be remembered for standing up to authoritarian threats in the West.
Reposted
I’m still struggling with the fact that ICE “brown shirts” went to a taco shop and thought they would get served.
F that!
F that!
November 16, 2025 at 9:11 PM
I’m still struggling with the fact that ICE “brown shirts” went to a taco shop and thought they would get served.
F that!
F that!
Reposted
Both parties should support this. Using AI to generate a video of a candidate saying something he didn’t say should be illegal. Especially since many voters think it is real. I will condemn any candidate from either party who does this.
November 14, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Both parties should support this. Using AI to generate a video of a candidate saying something he didn’t say should be illegal. Especially since many voters think it is real. I will condemn any candidate from either party who does this.
Reposted
Gosh, why and how could that be? Such an enigma!
November 14, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Gosh, why and how could that be? Such an enigma!
Reposted
Georgia Democrats have a chance on Dec. 9 to flip a legislative seat that backed Donald Trump by 13 points—but that Democrats won by even more last month in two statewide races.
Morning Digest: Georgia Democrats could flip this red seat in a December special election
After two massive statewide wins last week, the wind is at their backs
www.the-downballot.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Georgia Democrats have a chance on Dec. 9 to flip a legislative seat that backed Donald Trump by 13 points—but that Democrats won by even more last month in two statewide races.
Reposted
Update: All votes are now in and Andrew ended up 257 votes (0.89%) short of a *major* upset in the Harrisonburg/Rockingham seat for the #Virginia House of Delegates anchored at James Madison University.
This was the closest HoD race for 2025.
Welcome to the frontline for 2027.
This was the closest HoD race for 2025.
Welcome to the frontline for 2027.
November 13, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Update: All votes are now in and Andrew ended up 257 votes (0.89%) short of a *major* upset in the Harrisonburg/Rockingham seat for the #Virginia House of Delegates anchored at James Madison University.
This was the closest HoD race for 2025.
Welcome to the frontline for 2027.
This was the closest HoD race for 2025.
Welcome to the frontline for 2027.
Reposted
For decades, any Utah Democrat who wanted to go to Congress had to campaign as a moderate or conservative. Now that the state has a solidly blue congressional seat, though, running as a progressive is suddenly an effective strategy.
Morning Digest: Utah will soon host its first a contested Democratic primary for a blue House seat
Moderate Democrats are starting to refashion themselves as more pugnacious
www.the-downballot.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:19 PM
For decades, any Utah Democrat who wanted to go to Congress had to campaign as a moderate or conservative. Now that the state has a solidly blue congressional seat, though, running as a progressive is suddenly an effective strategy.
Reposted
Reposted
Also: I was annoyed provisional ballots weren't reallocated back to precincts like early in-person early ballots and mail-in absentee ballots (regular and PE), so we passed my bill SB 1044 this year to do that.
So now you can see provisional vote totals by precinct.
lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
So now you can see provisional vote totals by precinct.
lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
November 12, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Also: I was annoyed provisional ballots weren't reallocated back to precincts like early in-person early ballots and mail-in absentee ballots (regular and PE), so we passed my bill SB 1044 this year to do that.
So now you can see provisional vote totals by precinct.
lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
So now you can see provisional vote totals by precinct.
lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
Reposted
This is awesome. Truly one of us.
Also: I was annoyed provisional ballots weren't reallocated back to precincts like early in-person early ballots and mail-in absentee ballots (regular and PE), so we passed my bill SB 1044 this year to do that.
So now you can see provisional vote totals by precinct.
lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
So now you can see provisional vote totals by precinct.
lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
November 12, 2025 at 10:21 PM
This is awesome. Truly one of us.
Reposted
In fact, VA01 - which Abigail Spanberger narrowly won last Tuesday - is also VERY competitive, even before any possible redistricting (which isn't "ill advised" at all; it's an ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY response to what Republicans are doing across the country) bluevirginia.us/2025/11/u-s-...
November 12, 2025 at 3:21 PM
In fact, VA01 - which Abigail Spanberger narrowly won last Tuesday - is also VERY competitive, even before any possible redistricting (which isn't "ill advised" at all; it's an ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY response to what Republicans are doing across the country) bluevirginia.us/2025/11/u-s-...
Reposted
BREAKING: Rep. Adelita Grijalva signs the Epstein discharge petition, serving as the 218th vote to force the bill to the floor for a full vote of the House.
November 12, 2025 at 9:25 PM
BREAKING: Rep. Adelita Grijalva signs the Epstein discharge petition, serving as the 218th vote to force the bill to the floor for a full vote of the House.
Reposted
Reposted
Ranking Member Robert Garcia: "The more Donald Trump tries to cover up the Epstein files, the more we uncover. These latest emails and correspondence raise glaring questions about what else the White House is hiding and the nature of the relationship between Epstein and the President."
BREAKING:
House Democrats just released emails in which Jeffrey Epstein wrote that Trump had "spent hours at my house" with one of Epstein's victims — among other messages that suggested Epstein believed Trump knew more about his abuse than he has acknowledged. tinyurl.com/5yj3dfpx
House Democrats just released emails in which Jeffrey Epstein wrote that Trump had "spent hours at my house" with one of Epstein's victims — among other messages that suggested Epstein believed Trump knew more about his abuse than he has acknowledged. tinyurl.com/5yj3dfpx
November 12, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Ranking Member Robert Garcia: "The more Donald Trump tries to cover up the Epstein files, the more we uncover. These latest emails and correspondence raise glaring questions about what else the White House is hiding and the nature of the relationship between Epstein and the President."
Reposted
Utah Democrats are getting something they haven't had in a very, very, very long time: a safely Democratic U.S. House seat to run for.
Morning Digest: Utah's new congressional map guarantees a Democratic pickup
And that means a Republican will have to walk the plank—but which one?
www.the-downballot.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Utah Democrats are getting something they haven't had in a very, very, very long time: a safely Democratic U.S. House seat to run for.
Yes we need generational change and new blood in the Democratic party.
However, if your automatic reaction when seeing "person X who is related to politician Y is running for office Z" is to boo them without knowing anything about person X's merits or policies, then you are a hateful clown.
However, if your automatic reaction when seeing "person X who is related to politician Y is running for office Z" is to boo them without knowing anything about person X's merits or policies, then you are a hateful clown.
November 12, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Yes we need generational change and new blood in the Democratic party.
However, if your automatic reaction when seeing "person X who is related to politician Y is running for office Z" is to boo them without knowing anything about person X's merits or policies, then you are a hateful clown.
However, if your automatic reaction when seeing "person X who is related to politician Y is running for office Z" is to boo them without knowing anything about person X's merits or policies, then you are a hateful clown.
Reposted
2-3? Try 4.
Adam Carlson (@admcrlsn)
Mid-decade redistricting update:
— Rs have redrawn maps in MO, NC, OH & TX for a gain of 6-9 seats
— Ds redrew their map in CA & got a favorable ruling in new UT map, for a gain of 4-6 seats
~6 states could still redraw but it’s looking like those may cancel each other out. https://t.co/kbFi9KKkAi
xcancel.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:16 AM
2-3? Try 4.