DLCC President Heather Williams on 2024 State Legislative Races
Release Date: 10/17/2024
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An Honorable Profession
This week, host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Fairfax County, VA, County Supervisor James Walkinshaw as he navigates the significant impact of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency on his community amid firings of federal employees who safeguard our national security, energy, social security, public health, and much more. Walkinshaw discusses how these cuts impact families, morale, and the politics of Virginia. He also talks about his path to public office, from his decade serving as Chief of Staff to Congressman Gerry Connolly to his transition to local office,...
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How Tariffs Could Exacerbate the Housing Crisis with City Councilmember Tom Beckius
An Honorable Profession
This week, host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Lincoln, NE, City Councilmember Tom Beckius. In addition to serving as an elected official, Beckius is a business owner and a housing developer. He talks with Ryan about why it’s important for Democrats to take an aggressive stance in support of small businesses, especially in the face of potentially disastrous economic policies from the Trump Administration. Beckius also explains the current challenges when it comes to building more homes, how tariffs and immigration restrictions from the federal government could worsen conditions, and his...
info_outlineIn today’s episode, NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) President, Heather Williams. Heather explains how the DLCC works to elect more Democrats to the House and Senate and win legislative majorities. She walks us through the DLCC’s strategy of targeting key states and legislature chambers, the opportunities she is most excited about this year, and the organization’s important work to raise awareness of legislative candidates and ensure that voters vote down the ballot. Tune in to learn about the many issues being shaped by state legislatures, including reproductive rights, housing, and climate, and why this year’s elections matter more than ever.
IN THIS EPISODE:
• [01:03] Introducing Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) President Heather Williams who joins us to discuss state legislative elections.
• [02:55] President Williams shares the three buckets that her work falls into this year.
• [06:55] An overview of the DLCC’s work and the cycle it follows.
• [09:54] How enthusiasm for the Harris-Walz Campaign differs from state-specific voting sentiment.
• [12:20] Factors that currently drive voter turnout including access to information.
• [15:01] Why it is important to give voters a clear option to vote for issues such as reproductive healthcare.
• [17:48] The important moment created by the Dobbs decision and how it widened people’s understanding of Roe.
• [19:34] The experience of recruiting candidates in 2024.
• [22:35] President Williams’ journey to public service.
• [25:55] What sparked a transition in representation in 2010 and how that has unfolded today.