Episode 34: Texas Senate Showdown, Zohran vs. Hochul on Taxing the Rich, & NY State Senate District 12 Primary Explained

On today’s episode of Not Suitable for Democracy, we’re connecting the dots between national ambition and neighborhood power. First, we head to Texas, where the U.S. Senate race between Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico is shaping up to be a battle over the soul — and strategy — of the Democratic Party. What kind of candidate can actually build a winning statewide coalition in Texas? And what does this race say about the future of progressive Democrats?Then we’re back in New York, where Zohran Mamdani responds to a snowstorm with more than just plows and press releases. He's not only tackling the A.B.C.: (Eric) Adams Budget Crisis, but he's forcing Governor Hochul to show her hand with the cards she'd been dealt. Will she tax the 33,000 millionaires and billionaires or will she do nothing to stop property taxes from going up on 3 million units and 100,000 commercial buildings? If she continues to refuse to tax the rich, will that hurt her electoral chances in November?Finally, we dive into the New York State Senate District 12 Democratic primary — a race that just opened up after Majority Deputy Leader, Mike Gianaris announced that he will not seek re-election. He's been a tactical politician, shaping power in Astoria and Albany. Learn about who's entering this race and how it will shape up.Here’s the truth: local primaries decide who writes the laws that govern your rent, your schools, your transit, and your healthcare. If you ignore them, someone else won’t. Whether it's Texas or New York, primary elections matter.National politics matters. Local politics decides your life. Organize accordingly.Stay tuned for next week's episode where we announce the winner of the Texas Democratic Primary for U.S. Senate.