stephen fowler
@stphnfwlr.com
political reporter in ATL covering the south + future of GOP/Dem parties + ??? for @npr.org | always thinking of bourbon, biscuits and buc-ee’s
newsletter: stphnfwlr.substack.com
stories: https://www.npr.org/people/1219684807/stephen-fowler
newsletter: stphnfwlr.substack.com
stories: https://www.npr.org/people/1219684807/stephen-fowler
Pinned
stephen fowler
@stphnfwlr.com
· Sep 15
A record number of Congressional lawmakers aren't running for reelection in 2026. Here's the list
NPR is tracking the record number of lawmakers in Congress who have already announced they don't plan to run for reelection ahead of the 2026 midterms.
www.npr.org
NPR is tracking the record number of Congressional lawmakers who have announced they do not plan to run for reelection to their current seats in 2026.
That number currently stands at 10 senators and 27 House members.
That number currently stands at 10 senators and 27 House members.
NPR Congressional Retirement Tracker update:
Democratic Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey today brings the total to 46 lawmakers who are retiring or running for a different office in 2026.
Democratic Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey today brings the total to 46 lawmakers who are retiring or running for a different office in 2026.
A record number of congressional lawmakers aren't running for reelection in 2026. Here's the list
NPR is tracking the record number of lawmakers in Congress who have already announced they don't plan to run for reelection ahead of the 2026 midterms.
www.npr.org
November 10, 2025 at 10:04 PM
NPR Congressional Retirement Tracker update:
Democratic Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey today brings the total to 46 lawmakers who are retiring or running for a different office in 2026.
Democratic Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey today brings the total to 46 lawmakers who are retiring or running for a different office in 2026.
“The pardons are largely symbolic as none of the names listed were ever charged with federal crimes.”
The pardons include 77 allies tied to efforts to overturn the 2020 election, including Rudy Giuliani, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, and former Trump attorney Sidney Powell.
Trump grants pardons to Giuliani, Meadows, others linked to 2020 election efforts
The pardons include 77 allies tied to efforts to overturn the 2020 election, including Rudy Giuliani, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, and former Trump attorney Sidney Powell.
n.pr
November 10, 2025 at 1:36 PM
“The pardons are largely symbolic as none of the names listed were ever charged with federal crimes.”
Not that links from social media drive that much traffic (or that anyone cares about “credit”), but worth noting this thread is just copying + pasting text from my research/story on NPR from several days ago with the source buried at the end:
November 9, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Not that links from social media drive that much traffic (or that anyone cares about “credit”), but worth noting this thread is just copying + pasting text from my research/story on NPR from several days ago with the source buried at the end:
Reposted by stephen fowler
JUST IN: The Trump administration late Saturday directed states that they must "immediately undo" any actions they have made to provide benefits to low-income families via SNAP.
Trump tells states to 'immediately undo' steps to fund November SNAP benefits
The Trump administration late Saturday directed states that they must "immediately undo" any actions they have made to provide benefits to low-income families via SNAP.
n.pr
November 9, 2025 at 5:34 PM
JUST IN: The Trump administration late Saturday directed states that they must "immediately undo" any actions they have made to provide benefits to low-income families via SNAP.
Reposted by stephen fowler
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones appears to be headed for another political showdown against current Sen. Tommy Tuberville, this time for the governor’s office.
🔗: https://www.al.com/politics/2025/11/alabama-democrat-hints-at-2026-rematch-with-tommy-tuberville-stay-tuned.html
🔗: https://www.al.com/politics/2025/11/alabama-democrat-hints-at-2026-rematch-with-tommy-tuberville-stay-tuned.html
November 9, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones appears to be headed for another political showdown against current Sen. Tommy Tuberville, this time for the governor’s office.
🔗: https://www.al.com/politics/2025/11/alabama-democrat-hints-at-2026-rematch-with-tommy-tuberville-stay-tuned.html
🔗: https://www.al.com/politics/2025/11/alabama-democrat-hints-at-2026-rematch-with-tommy-tuberville-stay-tuned.html
>wait until last possible minute to head to airport in case flight is delayed
>60 seconds after I leave, flight is delayed 2 hours
>waited too long to try alternate airports or flights
at least I get to explore parts of DCA I’ve never seen!
>60 seconds after I leave, flight is delayed 2 hours
>waited too long to try alternate airports or flights
at least I get to explore parts of DCA I’ve never seen!
November 8, 2025 at 8:18 PM
>wait until last possible minute to head to airport in case flight is delayed
>60 seconds after I leave, flight is delayed 2 hours
>waited too long to try alternate airports or flights
at least I get to explore parts of DCA I’ve never seen!
>60 seconds after I leave, flight is delayed 2 hours
>waited too long to try alternate airports or flights
at least I get to explore parts of DCA I’ve never seen!
This is 32.
(featuring a straight-from-the-airport NPR Politics Podcast taping, a last-minute All Things Considered segment on SNAP benefits and fancy mirror selfies before attending an NPR donor weekend dinner)
(featuring a straight-from-the-airport NPR Politics Podcast taping, a last-minute All Things Considered segment on SNAP benefits and fancy mirror selfies before attending an NPR donor weekend dinner)
November 8, 2025 at 1:52 AM
This is 32.
(featuring a straight-from-the-airport NPR Politics Podcast taping, a last-minute All Things Considered segment on SNAP benefits and fancy mirror selfies before attending an NPR donor weekend dinner)
(featuring a straight-from-the-airport NPR Politics Podcast taping, a last-minute All Things Considered segment on SNAP benefits and fancy mirror selfies before attending an NPR donor weekend dinner)
Today on @npr.org: Here's the latest we know about SNAP benefits, and how federal food aid has been politicized even before the shutdown.
SNAP benefits have been mired in politics even before the government shutdown
The Trump administration is appealing a court order to fully fund SNAP benefits this month. The federal food aid program has been a political target for Republicans.
www.npr.org
November 7, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Today on @npr.org: Here's the latest we know about SNAP benefits, and how federal food aid has been politicized even before the shutdown.
New @npr.org Politics Podcast:
Democrats had a good day on Tuesday, winning up and down the ballot across the country. We discuss what lessons the down-ballot victories offer.
Democrats had a good day on Tuesday, winning up and down the ballot across the country. We discuss what lessons the down-ballot victories offer.
Takeaways From Democrats’ Election Wins Up And Down The Ballot : The NPR Politics Podcast
Democrats had a good day on Tuesday, winning up and down the ballot across the country. We discuss what lessons the down-ballot victories offer, as well as what the Democratic and Republican parties c...
www.npr.org
November 7, 2025 at 10:14 PM
New @npr.org Politics Podcast:
Democrats had a good day on Tuesday, winning up and down the ballot across the country. We discuss what lessons the down-ballot victories offer.
Democrats had a good day on Tuesday, winning up and down the ballot across the country. We discuss what lessons the down-ballot victories offer.
"It is clear now that claims of a fundamental realignment of American politics have been highly exaggerated." @gelliottmorris.com
The 2024 Trump "realignment" is over already
Claims of a conservative realignment of non-whites, the working class, and young voters have been highly exaggerated
www.gelliottmorris.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:16 PM
"It is clear now that claims of a fundamental realignment of American politics have been highly exaggerated." @gelliottmorris.com
Reposted by stephen fowler
Reporters from the NPR Network are covering the uncertainty and lapse in benefits in states across the country.
When SNAP benefits will arrive is still in flux. Here's what communities are doing to fill the gap
Reporters from the NPR Network are covering the uncertainty and lapse in benefits in states across the country.
n.pr
November 7, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Reporters from the NPR Network are covering the uncertainty and lapse in benefits in states across the country.
Reposted by stephen fowler
After Republicans lost big in Tuesday's elections, adding pressure to end the government shutdown, President Trump pushed changes to Senate rules to bypass the need for Democratic-votes. n.pr/4ojTXFs
Trump says election puts shutdown pressure on Republicans but wants to end filibuster
After Republicans lost big in Tuesday's elections, adding pressure to end the government shutdown, President Trump pushed changes to Senate rules to bypass the need for Democratic-votes.
n.pr
November 6, 2025 at 1:58 PM
After Republicans lost big in Tuesday's elections, adding pressure to end the government shutdown, President Trump pushed changes to Senate rules to bypass the need for Democratic-votes. n.pr/4ojTXFs
With Nancy Pelosi's retirement announcement, NPR's retirement tracker is up to 44 members of Congress who say they won't run for their current seat in 2026 (not counting Mikie Sherrill's eventual resignation after winning NJ-GOV)
The full list:
The full list:
A record number of congressional lawmakers aren't running for reelection in 2026. Here's the list
NPR is tracking the record number of lawmakers in Congress who have already announced they don't plan to run for reelection ahead of the 2026 midterms.
www.npr.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:49 PM
With Nancy Pelosi's retirement announcement, NPR's retirement tracker is up to 44 members of Congress who say they won't run for their current seat in 2026 (not counting Mikie Sherrill's eventual resignation after winning NJ-GOV)
The full list:
The full list:
New @npr.org | It's rare for President Trump and Democrats to agree, but both say the longest-ever government shutdown contributed to a dismal showing for Republicans in Tuesday's off-year election.
Here’s 4 ways the results could influence the length of the shutdown:
Here’s 4 ways the results could influence the length of the shutdown:
Trump says election puts shutdown pressure on Republicans but wants to end filibuster
After Republicans lost big in Tuesday's elections, adding pressure to end the government shutdown, President Trump pushed changes to Senate rules to bypass the need for Democratic-votes.
www.npr.org
November 6, 2025 at 12:39 PM
New @npr.org | It's rare for President Trump and Democrats to agree, but both say the longest-ever government shutdown contributed to a dismal showing for Republicans in Tuesday's off-year election.
Here’s 4 ways the results could influence the length of the shutdown:
Here’s 4 ways the results could influence the length of the shutdown:
Two Public Service Commission seats in Georgia. Top municipal races in Pennsylvania swing counties. Breaking a Senate supermajority in Mississippi.
These are some of the *other* results across the country where Democrats also won big + saw momentum grow.
These are some of the *other* results across the country where Democrats also won big + saw momentum grow.
Democrats' 2025 election wins go beyond big races to places like Georgia, Pennsylvania
Democrats enjoyed major wins beyond just the marquee races, up and down the ballot — and across the country — continuing the party's momentum heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
www.npr.org
November 6, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Two Public Service Commission seats in Georgia. Top municipal races in Pennsylvania swing counties. Breaking a Senate supermajority in Mississippi.
These are some of the *other* results across the country where Democrats also won big + saw momentum grow.
These are some of the *other* results across the country where Democrats also won big + saw momentum grow.
Reposted by stephen fowler
Democrats enjoyed major wins beyond just the marquee races, up and down the ballot — and across the country — continuing the party's momentum heading into the 2026 midterm elections. n.pr/49AB24C
Democrats' 2025 election wins go beyond big races to places like Georgia, Pennsylvania
Democrats enjoyed major wins beyond just the marquee races, up and down the ballot — and across the country — continuing the party's momentum heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
n.pr
November 5, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Democrats enjoyed major wins beyond just the marquee races, up and down the ballot — and across the country — continuing the party's momentum heading into the 2026 midterm elections. n.pr/49AB24C
Reposted by stephen fowler
New @npr.org: Democrats enjoyed major wins beyond just the marquee races, up and down the ballot — and across the country — continuing the party's momentum heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
More on the range of victories, like the GA Public Service Commission and flipping municipal seats:
More on the range of victories, like the GA Public Service Commission and flipping municipal seats:
Democrats' 2025 election wins go beyond big races to places like Georgia, Pennsylvania
Democrats enjoyed major wins beyond just the marquee races, up and down the ballot — and across the country — continuing the party's momentum heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
www.npr.org
November 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM
New @npr.org: Democrats enjoyed major wins beyond just the marquee races, up and down the ballot — and across the country — continuing the party's momentum heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
More on the range of victories, like the GA Public Service Commission and flipping municipal seats:
More on the range of victories, like the GA Public Service Commission and flipping municipal seats:
ATLANTA — Democrats flipped two seats on Georgia's statewide Public Service Commission by wide margins, one of many surprise victories for the party Tuesday up and down the ballot in the handful of races across the country.
Democrats' 2025 election wins go beyond big races to places like Georgia, Pennsylvania
Democrats enjoyed major wins beyond just the marquee races, up and down the ballot — and across the country — continuing the party's momentum heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
www.npr.org
November 5, 2025 at 5:15 PM
ATLANTA — Democrats flipped two seats on Georgia's statewide Public Service Commission by wide margins, one of many surprise victories for the party Tuesday up and down the ballot in the handful of races across the country.
New @npr.org: Democrats enjoyed major wins beyond just the marquee races, up and down the ballot — and across the country — continuing the party's momentum heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
More on the range of victories, like the GA Public Service Commission and flipping municipal seats:
More on the range of victories, like the GA Public Service Commission and flipping municipal seats:
Democrats' 2025 election wins go beyond big races to places like Georgia, Pennsylvania
Democrats enjoyed major wins beyond just the marquee races, up and down the ballot — and across the country — continuing the party's momentum heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
www.npr.org
November 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM
New @npr.org: Democrats enjoyed major wins beyond just the marquee races, up and down the ballot — and across the country — continuing the party's momentum heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
More on the range of victories, like the GA Public Service Commission and flipping municipal seats:
More on the range of victories, like the GA Public Service Commission and flipping municipal seats:
California voters have approved a ballot measure to redraw the state's congressional map to favor Democrats, marking the party's biggest victory to date in a national battle over redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterms.
California voters OK new congressional lines, boosting Democrats ahead of midterms
California voters have approved a ballot measure to redraw the state's congressional map to favor Democrats, marking the party's biggest victory to date in a national battle over redistricting ahead o...
www.npr.org
November 5, 2025 at 4:19 AM
California voters have approved a ballot measure to redraw the state's congressional map to favor Democrats, marking the party's biggest victory to date in a national battle over redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Georgia: With most of the early vote tallied, the margin for the two Democrats that appear set to flip statewide Public Service Commission is (for now) about 20 points.
Even with final margin TBD + caveats about the unusual electorate situation, it's a strong sign for Ds.
Even with final margin TBD + caveats about the unusual electorate situation, it's a strong sign for Ds.
November 5, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Georgia: With most of the early vote tallied, the margin for the two Democrats that appear set to flip statewide Public Service Commission is (for now) about 20 points.
Even with final margin TBD + caveats about the unusual electorate situation, it's a strong sign for Ds.
Even with final margin TBD + caveats about the unusual electorate situation, it's a strong sign for Ds.
👀 DDHQ projects Democrats flip both PSC seats in Georgia, the first state-level Democrats in ~two decades.
Now for the final margins and what the results may/may not foretell.
election-night.decisiondeskhq.com/date/2025-11...
Now for the final margins and what the results may/may not foretell.
election-night.decisiondeskhq.com/date/2025-11...
Another 👀 election - Early voting data points to a possibility that Democrats could flip Public Service Commission seats in Georgia.
Two statewide races in an otherwise local/municipal cycle, with Fulton+DeKalb accounting for ~26% of EV + Black voter share ~34%, *notably* up from 20/21/24.
Two statewide races in an otherwise local/municipal cycle, with Fulton+DeKalb accounting for ~26% of EV + Black voter share ~34%, *notably* up from 20/21/24.
November 5, 2025 at 12:52 AM
👀 DDHQ projects Democrats flip both PSC seats in Georgia, the first state-level Democrats in ~two decades.
Now for the final margins and what the results may/may not foretell.
election-night.decisiondeskhq.com/date/2025-11...
Now for the final margins and what the results may/may not foretell.
election-night.decisiondeskhq.com/date/2025-11...
Highly recommend folks watch Greene's interview on The View today.
As someone who's covered her evolving political career, it reminds me of the early 2023 era when she was a relatively lone voice castigating her party's holdouts during the fight that ousted Kevin McCarthy.
As someone who's covered her evolving political career, it reminds me of the early 2023 era when she was a relatively lone voice castigating her party's holdouts during the fight that ousted Kevin McCarthy.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: “The worst thing that I just can't get over is we're not working right now. And I put that criticism directly on the Speaker of the House…It is an embarrassment to me that we're not in session.”
November 4, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Highly recommend folks watch Greene's interview on The View today.
As someone who's covered her evolving political career, it reminds me of the early 2023 era when she was a relatively lone voice castigating her party's holdouts during the fight that ousted Kevin McCarthy.
As someone who's covered her evolving political career, it reminds me of the early 2023 era when she was a relatively lone voice castigating her party's holdouts during the fight that ousted Kevin McCarthy.
Among other things, using the likely outcome of a head-to-head statewide race versus a 3-person mayoral election (where *two* candidates are Democrats!) like this is just not a meaningful foundation for insight/analysis.
November 4, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Among other things, using the likely outcome of a head-to-head statewide race versus a 3-person mayoral election (where *two* candidates are Democrats!) like this is just not a meaningful foundation for insight/analysis.