The Politics Chicks Podcast

Could Democrats win back Congress—and what could still get in their way? Political scientist David Schultz joins Christy Branham and Monica Healy to discuss the 2026 midterms, Donald Trump’s political vulnerabilities, and why Democratic gains depend on more than dissatisfaction with the president.Schultz, Distinguished University Professor of Political Science and Legal Studies at Hamline University and an adjunct law professor at the University of St. Thomas, walks through his House and Senate scenarios and explains why Minnesota deserves particular attention.We discuss undecided voters, the limits of polling, turnout, affordability, and the Democrats’ messaging problem. Schultz also explains why he sees the decentralized election system as a safeguard against presidential interference—and why winning a congressional majority would still leave significant obstacles to governing.Plus: the Senate filibuster, outside money in state races, and the first question voters should ask when an attack ad appears: Who paid for it?Recorded October 21, 2026. Election scenarios and polling discussed reflect the conversation at that time.GUEST RESOURCESDavid Schultz — Hamline University faculty profilehttps://www.hamline.edu/faculty-staff/david-schultzDavid Schultz — University of St. Thomas School of Lawhttps://law.stthomas.edu/about/faculty-staff/directory/david-schultz/FOLLOW THE POLITICS CHICKSYouTube | Substack | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky | TikTok @ThePoliticsChicks

America Votes’ executive director on making a voting plan, the power of local elections, and organizing beyond November.Your vote has consequences long after Election Day. So does staying home.With the 2026 midterms approaching, America Votes Executive Director Daria Dawson joins Christy Branham and Monica Healy for a conversation about what voters are telling organizers, how to make a voting plan, and why the work of democracy doesn’t end when the ballots are counted.Daria shares what she’s hearing about affordability, health care, reproductive rights, and threats to voting access. She explains why she sees people responding to intimidation by showing up, and why campaigns need to listen to voters instead of assuming they already know what matters to them.We get practical about checking your registration, confirming your polling location, researching your ballot, and understanding your options for early, mail, or Election Day voting. We also talk about the races that are easy to overlook: city councils, school boards, utility regulators, park commissioners, and judges. Those offices make decisions that reach directly into our daily lives.And yes, we ask about Kamala Harris and 2028. Daria says that decision belongs to Harris, then turns to what every potential candidate should be doing now: talking to voters, building relationships, and organizing well before the next presidential campaign.In this episode:- What organizers are hearing from voters in the final weeks before the midterms- Making a voting plan and checking the rules where you live- Why civic education and trusted messengers matter, especially for people who don’t usually vote- Researching local and nonpartisan races all the way down the ballot- What 2024 taught Daria about organizing beyond battleground states- Kamala Harris, the Democratic bench, and the work that needs to happen before 2028- Building trust across a coalition of more than 400 organizations- How elections shape the courts and the balance of power- What’s giving Daria hope, and why engagement has to continue after NovemberThis episode includes a voting message from Sounds of Blackness.Recorded October 20, 2026. Election Day is November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, ballot-return rules, early voting options, and time-off-to-vote protections vary by state. Check your state or local election office for the rules that apply to you.GUEST AND VOTER RESOURCESAmerica Votes: https://americavotes.org/about/Find your state or local election office: https://www.usa.gov/election-officeVoter registration information: https://vote.gov/Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/VJLO6K0W3EcTHE POLITICS CHICKSWe’re two Midwestern moms who have a lot to say about politics and take Minnesota Nice with a grain of salt.If something in this conversation moves you, challenges you, or makes you see things differently, please like, comment, and share. It helps more than you know.Substack: https://thepoliticschicks.substack.comThreads: https://www.threads.com/@thepoliticschicksFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepoliticschicksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepoliticschicks/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thepoliticschicks.bsky.socialTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.politics.chicksWe’re stronger together.

Race, privilege, difficult conversations, and the political power we risk leaving unused.What do we risk when we speak up about racism, sexism, or a family member’s politics? And what do we allow to continue when we don’t?Richard Chew, host of Chew’s Views on WCPT 820 in Chicago, joins Christy Branham and Monica Healy for Episode 59 of The Politics Chicks. It’s a candid conversation about race, privilege, political responsibility, and the uncomfortable work of standing up for one another.Richard shares the family lessons that shaped him, his journey from financial planning to radio, and why he made it a goal to visit all 50 states. Then we get into the questions that are harder to ask: how privilege and proximity to power can influence white women’s votes, why Black voters shouldn’t be treated as a monolith, and what happens when the history we weren’t taught changes how we understand the present.Through stories about everyday bias, a neighbor’s difficult family conversation, and a lesson from his older sister that still brings him to tears, Richard explores what speaking up can look like in real life. Christy and Monica reflect on their own blind spots and the fear of damaging relationships by challenging people they love.We also discuss concerns about abuses of federal power, what Richard is hearing from listeners ahead of the 2026 midterms, and why he believes winning elections must be followed by sustained pressure on elected officials. The conversation returns to a question that reaches beyond Election Day: what are we willing to do with the power we already have?GUEST RESOURCESChew’s Views on WCPT / Heartland Signalhttps://heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views/Richard Chew on Substackhttps://richardchew.substack.com/WATCH THIS EPISODEhttps://youtu.be/4t0Wbx0QxmIFOLLOW THE POLITICS CHICKShttps://thepoliticschicks.substack.com/

Minnesota House District 34A candidate Jason Heaser joins The Politics Chicks to discuss public safety, school funding and protecting children from AI abuse. The Army veteran and prosecutor explains why he wants to bring an evidence-based approach to the legislature.What does accountability look like when the goal is a safer community? Jason talks about funding probation and rehabilitation, protecting due process, and addressing gaps he sees in laws covering online harm to children.Christy and Monica also ask about teacher health insurance, property taxes, credit-card swipe fees and the infrastructure demands of growing communities in Rogers, Dayton and Champlin. The conversation connects those everyday concerns with Jason’s experience in public service.We close with the Boundary Waters, his campaign’s conversations at the doors, and the people giving him hope—even when they disagree with him. Listen for his priorities and his view of what Minnesota can do when Washington won’t act.As always, if you find value in what we do, please RATE, REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE so we can grow the show, open the dialogue and inspire change moving forward. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear this conversation.Guest and ResourcesJason Heaser campaign: https://www.heaserforhouse.com/Campaign platform: https://www.heaserforhouse.com/platformAbout Jason: https://www.heaserforhouse.com/aboutWatch the episode: https://youtu.be/lWwMzbgUzYAWatch the teaser: https://youtu.be/RF23tJvcmSoMinnesota voting information: https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/other-ways-to-vote/vote-early-in-person/Follow The Politics ChicksWebsite: https://www.thepoliticschicks.com/Threads • Instagram • Bluesky • Facebook • Substack • TikTok@ThePoliticsChicks💙 xoxo — Christy & MonicaJason Heaser, Minnesota House District 34A, Minnesota politics, The Politics Chicks, Minnesota elections 2026, public safety, school funding, teacher health insurance, AI child safety, working families, property taxes, credit card swipe fees, Rogers Minnesota, Dayton Minnesota, Champlin Minnesota, Boundary Waters, Army veteran, prosecutor, Minnesota DFL

What happens when fraud estimates, improper payments, and proven theft get treated as the same thing? Minnesota’s fraud debate demands accountability—and a closer look at the evidence behind the headlines.In Episode 57 of The Politics Chicks, veteran Minnesota journalist Dane Smith joins Christy and guest co-host Renee, our investigative editor and Minnesota citizen researcher. Drawing on his decades covering government and politics for the Star Tribune and St. Paul Pioneer Press, Dane challenges the claim that Minnesota is uniquely bad at preventing fraud.We examine the widely repeated $9 billion figure, the missing context in state comparisons, and the legislative decisions that shaped oversight. The conversation also explores privatization, managed care organizations, shrinking newsrooms, and why Dane argues that accountability must extend across party lines.Fraud and failed oversight deserve scrutiny. So do the political claims built around them.GUEST RESOURCESDane Smith’s Star Tribune commentary: Minnesota’s ranking on fraud is still unknownhttps://www.startribune.com/minnesotas-ranking-on-fraud-is-still-unknown/601324524Dane Smith’s author page at Minnesota Reformerhttps://minnesotareformer.com/author/dane-smith/FOLLOW THE POLITICS CHICKSYouTube | Substack | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky | TikTok @ThePoliticsChicks