Episode 46: Vote for Chuck Park and Shamsul Haque to Take Down the Queens Machine

Episode 46: Vote for Chuck Park and Shamsul Haque to Take Down the Queens Machine

With less than three weeks for the Democratic primaries in New York, we have to untangle the web of Queens politics to support progressive Democrats. In this week's election-focused episode, we chat about two amazing candidates running in the heart of Queens: Chuck Park and Shamsul Haque. Chuck Park (notably campaigning as Chuck for Queens) is running for Congress in NY-6. Park is giving the incumbent, establishment Democrat Grace Meng a run for her money -- literally! Rep. Meng has accepted $1.3 million in large donations with most coming from corporate PAC money and lobbyist donations, including AIPAC. In contrast, Chuck Park rejects all corporate PAC money and lobbyist donations and advocates for overturning Citizens United. He's the only candidate in the race to support Medicare for All, abolishing I.C.E., taxing the rich, and challenging the status quo. Shamsul Haque is running for State Assembly in District 30. Quite similarly to Park, Haque is running a grassroots campaign that rejects corporate PAC and lobbyist donations. He's also out-raised his fellow primary candidates by four times over -- all while keeping his average donation around $50! Haque's history is his strength, and with endorsements from Bernie Sanders, Jamaal Bowman, and Diana Moreno, he's got the democratic socialists in his corner. So what makes these two candidates so integral to Queens politics? They are challenging the local Democratic Establishment infrastructure leftover from Rep Joe Crowley. Yes, the same notorious Queens County Democratic Chairman hailed a kingmaker that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defeated in a landslide victory. From sharing corporate donors to sharing the same family tree, find out how we can win these elections without getting caught up in the intricacies of Queens Democratic politics. Make sure you're a registered Democrat to participate in the primary election. Early voting begins Saturday, June 13th and Election Day is June 23rd. Vote for  Chuck Park for Congress in NY-6 and Shamsul Haque for State Assembly for District 30! Now THAT is suitable for democracy.

Episode 45: How James Talarico Could Flip Texas for the U.S. Senate

In Episode 45, we discuss the U.S. Senate race happening in Texas. Just this week, Republicans nominated Attorney General Ken Paxton. Was it the right choice? In 24 hours, Democratic nominee James Talarico raised $3 million. We explore the competitive March 3rd primaries for Democrats and Republicans. Starting with Democrats, the progressives in Texas had a tough choice between Texas Tough's Rep. Jasmine Crockett versus State House Rep James Talarico. Their respective platforms and vision truly shaped the Democratic primary season, signaling that Talarico's wealth inequality and fight against Trump's agenda are the winning combo, as noted by Graham Platner in Main and Abdul El-Sayed, who's leading in the polls, in Michigan.  In an even closer election, the Republican five-way primary saw no winner in March. The top two candidates, Senator Joh Cornyn and Ken Paxton advanced to a runoff election that  took place on May 26th. In these high profile primary contests, both former Vice President Kamala Harris and President Trump endorsed candidates in these primaries. How did that play out?  Now as Texans head into the general election for the 2026, we examine how each of the nominee's campaigns are set up for success. We'll review how optimizing campaign websites for fundraising and mobile devices can make all the difference. Then lastly, we shed some insight on the campaigns strategies and dive into what Talarico will have to do to make history and flip Texas in November. Can Talarico build a winning coalition Texas has never seen? All that and more questions to answer on Not Suitable for Democracy. New episodes every week!

Episode 44: From Astoria to Woodside: A New Chapter in Organizing

Life can change literally overnight. For us, that means we moved to Woodside!  What does that mean for the show? We're doing more episodes each week, filming shorter episodes for clarity, and focusing on NEWS Suitable for Democracy: a daily dose of good news that keeps hope alive. In this episode, we'll share some history about Woodside and how our new neighborhood came to be. How has transition has been so far? What can we learn about new places to go, organizing groups, and our new representatives? If you have any recommendations, then feel free to reach out on social media. This approach to organizing is how we build community and learn from each other — now THAT is suitable for democracy. Stay tuned for at least TWO new episodes every week.

Episode 43: Democratic Identity Crisis: Harris, Swalwell, Mamdani, Platner, and El-Sayed.

In this episode of Not Suitable for Democracy, we cover a whirlwind week in American politics that speak the identity crisis happening within the Democratic Party. Have Democrats learned their lesson since 2024? We begin with former Vice President Kamala Harris appearing alongside Al Sharpton at the National Action Network’s 35th annual convention, where she confirmed she’s considering a 2028 presidential run. We break down what else she revealed in the conversation and what it signals about the Democratic Party’s future. Next, we dive into the Swalwell scandal and what the controversy surrounding Eric Swalwell could mean for Democrats—and the ripple effects it may have on California’s upcoming gubernatorial primary and expulsion for four members of Congress. We then shift to New York to review Zohran Mamdani’s first 100 days in office. From policy priorities and political messaging to the way he’s using his new platform, we take a close look at his early impact and growing national profile.  Shifting to hyper local politics, we share our on-the-ground experience at the Ink and Impact event organized by Brian Romero and his campaign for State Assembly, where grassroots organizing and creative political engagement took center stage. Finally, we take a deeper dive into two pivotal Democratic U.S. Senate primaries in Maine and Michigan, breaking down how each race reflects the party’s ongoing debate about its future. In Maine, the primary highlights a strong contrast between Democratic primary front runner Graham Platner versus Republican incumbent Susan Collins. Platner is running on a bold, grassroots-powered agenda centered on Medicare for All, a shift in foreign policy, and campaign finance reform, while Collins runs on a problematic record. We explore how each contender’s record—whether in public service, activism, or local leadership— is shaping the race. In Michigan, the conversation shifts to a primary shaped by the state’s role as a political bellwether. Two of the candidates’ progressive visions focus heavily on rebranding the Democratic Party versus rebuilding it. We examine how State Senator Mallory McMorrow's and Abdul El-Sayed's campaign strategies reflect their records and potentially negative campaigning—signaling the kind of winning campaign that's needed to get them to the general election. Overall, these candidates and elected officials offer a snapshot of the Democratic Party’s evolving identity: how bold policy goals, electoral strategy, and candidate experience intersect as the party prepares for the next national election cycle.

Episode 42: Ousting an Authoritarian from Hungary and How to Do It in America

In this week's episode of Not Suitable for Democracy, we turn our attention overseas to a political earthquake in Hungary. After 16 years in power, Viktor Orbán has been voted out, ending one of Europe’s most closely watched experiments in modern authoritarianism. We break down the undemocratic tactics Orbán used to consolidate control—reshaping the courts, tightening his grip on media, and rewriting the rules of the political game to entrench his party’s power. We then explore the stunning rise of Péter Magyar, the political newcomer who formed his own party and swept to victory in a landslide election. How did a new movement break through a system designed to resist change? What made Hungarian voters finally turn the page? And what lessons can be drawn from the coalition-building, messaging, and grassroots energy that powered this historic upset? Finally, the conversation turns homeward. What does Hungary’s election reveal about the fragility—and resilience—of democracy? Could similar strategies be used to challenge rising authoritarianism in the United States? This episode connects the dots between global democratic struggles and the fight unfolding right here at home. Stay tuned for new episodes each week!