Episode 28: The Left Is Running — And They’re Not Waiting for Permission

In this episode, we take a sweeping look at the new wave of candidates on the left stepping into the 2026 arena and reshaping what Democratic politics could look like. Host Nick starts with some news updates regarding President Trump.Then we discuss the U.S. Senate race in Maine, where Graham Platner is launching an insurgent, people-powered campaign. Coupled with his dirty laundry, this is the kind of run that tests whether liberal identity politics outweighs bold, economic populist ideas, and so far, Platner's ideas are winning the race. From there, we turn to New York City, where democratic socialist candidates are challenging the status quo in the State Assembly. Get a quick introduction on who these candidates are and how you can support their campaigns.But the biggest political showdown may be the one unfolding in Brooklyn, where City Council Member Chi Ossé is preparing to take on House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. While Council Member Ossé gears up for this run, there are several concerning factors that have us closely watching this uphill battle for Chi. It’s a race that could test the future of the Democratic Party itself: movement vs. machine, insurgent energy vs. entrenched leadership, and two radically different answers to what Democrats should stand for in a post-Trump era. New episodes drop every Tuesday.