An Honorable Profession

In this week's episode, NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Gretchen Barton, founder of Worthy Strategy Group, who uses qualitative research to uncover not just what people think but why they hold those views. Gretchen draws on images voters choose and personal stories they tell to express how they experience politics and the challenges affecting their daily lives. Barton also reflects on what Democrats can learn from the 2025 to win in 2026 and 2028, and how state and local politics can rebuild Americans' sense of agency and hope. Tune in to learn more from this insightful conversation. IN THIS EPISODE: • [01:04] An introduction to Gretchen Barton and her work with The Worthy Strategy Group. • [02:28] Barton explains her deep qualitative approach to understanding public sentiment. • [04:02] The images Americans use to express feeling crushed, unseen, and overwhelmed. • [05:34] What voters now expect from leaders: strength, efficacy, and visible results. • [07:21] How Democrats can show strength without slipping into paternalism. • [10:17] The role of community action in restoring agency and hope. • [11:24] Guidance for Democrats heading into 2026 and 2028. • [14:55] Why authenticity matters and how voters judge leaders' intentions. • [18:17] How leaders can communicate care and make their work visible while governing.

In this week's episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan welcomes Oregon House Majority Leader Ben Bowman, Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Vin Gopal, and Kansas House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard for our 2026 state legislative preview. These NewDEAL Leaders set the stage for the year ahead and discuss their top priorities for the 2026 sessions, emphasizing their determination to pursue an agenda focused on affordability, even as they navigate the many challenges created by decisions made in Washington, D.C. Policy proposals include renters relief, as well as support for homeowners and homebuyers, pursuing universal free school lunch, and stopping predatory lending. The legislators also reflect on lessons from Democrats' wins in 2025 and discuss strategies to grow support in red states.Tune in to learn more about their reflection on bipartisan collaboration, planning for the unknown, and addressing constituent concerns. IN THIS EPISODE: • [01:04] Positioning this episode and the legislative year while introducing today's four guests. • [03:37] How Oregon aims to look across sectors to lower costs during the upcoming session. • [05:46] Florida's focus on alleviating inaffordability during the upcoming legislative session. • [08:21] Leader Woodard's focus on implementing Kansas's Affordability Plan and renter relief program. • [10:15] Battling corporate interests to prioritise affordability in New Jersey. • [12:23] How decisions at the federal level are impacting affordability in states like Oregon. • [13:43] The opportunity that Florida's Democrats have to leverage real action for votes. • [15:11] What led to Governor Mikie Sherrill's majority win and what comes next. • [16:50] How Kansas Democrats are working to make sure that the Republican supermajority is shattered in November. • [18:40] Effective communication in leadership in a complex media environment. • [24:00] The state of bipartisan collaboration in each of our leaders' states. • [28:25] Planning for the unknown as state legislators. • [33:00] What constituents are most worried about at the moment, and what the Senate can do to meet these needs. • [36:57] Concerns and hope for the coming election.

In this week's episode, NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Grant Hauschild, the Assistant Majority Leader in the Minnesota Senate in the midst of an exceptionally challenging time in his state. They talk about the tragedies and ongoing fallout from last week's killing of Renee Good, as well as last summer's assassination of former Speaker Melissa Hortman and the attempted assassination of Senator John Hoffman. In addition, Hauschild talks about his experience as the last Democrat standing in rural Northeast Minnesota, along with his focus on the affordability issues his constituents are facing and how to address them. The conversation ends on notes of optimism, however, as Hauschild discusses how Democrats can win back rural voters and his work on the Civility Caucus. Tune in to learn more from this engaging discussion, including about Hauschild's path to public service. IN THIS EPISODE: • [00:00] Introduction and welcome to today's guest. • [02:27] How Minnesotans currently feel amid the repeated political violence. • [04:40] Explore why Minnesota's identity is under pressure. • [06:59] Learn what the Minnesota Civility Caucus does and about its overall mission. • [08:46] Hear what got Grant interested in politics and to step up as a candidate. • [10:45] Who he replaced and how the shift created new political hurdles. • [11:52] Discover how backing rural jobs and unions helped Grant win the election. • [13:38] Find out what Democrats get wrong about rural communities and towns. • [15:29] What people in his district are most concerned about and why. • [17:28] Unpack solutions for affordability issues and what needs to change. • [19:29] Examine why program and subsidy cuts would hit rural hospitals and families harder. • [22:42] Why failure to address the concerns of communities may cause a political shift. • [24:39] He breaks down the different types of industry in his district. • [25:31] Grant shares what he is looking forward to in his role as assistant majority leader. • [27:19] His thoughts on the Democrats' chances of winning the next election. • [27:52] Final takeaways and closing comments.

Happy New Year! For our first episode of 2026, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Alaska State Representative Genevieve Mina. They discuss what it takes to craft policy in a state grappling with severe climate impacts and some of the nation's highest healthcare costs. Representative Mina offers an inside look at the unique challenges and opportunities shaping Alaska's future. The conversation also unpacks what sparked her initial interest in policy and politics, and how her perspective has shifted over the years. Mina explains how the Alaskan legislature works in both structure and culture and how it became the only state with bipartisan leadership coalitions She shares how the legislature is working to bridge Alaska's urban-rural divide and gives her take on its shifting partisan makeup. Tune in to hear about where the state may be headed politically and to learn more from this engaging conversation. IN THIS EPISODE: • [01:06] Introducing today's guest, Alaska Representative Genevieve Mina. • [02:00] Growing up in Anchorage, Alaska, to immigrant parents. • [03:30] What shaped her view of healthcare in the state of Alaska. • [04:50] Representative Mina shares what sparked her interest in policy and politics. • [07:00] How her own experience shifted her perception of politics. • [08:30] What it is like to represent the most diverse census tract in the United States. • [10:00] She recounts her decision to run, moving from supporting and advocating to putting her name on a ballot. • [12:43] Representative Mina explains how the Alaskan legislature works in both structure and culture. • [13:40] How it came to be that they are the only state with coalitions in both their chambers in the legislature. • [15:45] She explains the issues that led to the formation of coalitions. • [17:00] Their strategy for navigating health programs to expand services and potentially reduce costs. • [17:55] Representative Mina's broader agenda, including the initiatives and bills she's currently advancing. • [19:30] How the current federal chaos, economic chaos, and tariffs are landing in Alaska. • [20:55] Responding to the dramatic effects of climate change in Alaska. • [22:10] Bridging Alaska's urban-rural divide through relationship-building and mutual understanding among diverse communities. • [24:30] Examining Alaska's shifting partisan makeup and where the state may be headed politically. • [26:45] How Representative Mina is looking to spend her time and energy going forward.

Happy New Year! While our team is off for the holiday, we want to take this opportunity to revisit our conversation with Hawaii State Senator Troy Hashimoto. Host Ryan Coonerty and Hashimoto reflect on the devastating 2023 Maui wildfires, including lessons around preparing for and building resilience against natural disasters, as well as best practices for coordinating disaster safety efforts across multiple levels of government. Senator Hashimoto also discusses his efforts to address Maui's housing crisis and improve the local economy after tourism took a major hit from COVID and the fires. In addition, he explains how he approaches his legislative leadership roles as the Assistant Majority Whip, and Vice-Chair of the Housing Committee. Tune in to learn about Senator Troy Hashimoto's path to public service and the reasons why Maui should be your next destination. IN THIS EPISODE: • [00:00] State Senator Troy Hashimoto shares his protocol for natural disasters. • [05:11] How to prepare and build resilience for the next disaster. • [09:24] The Senator's recommendations for cross-government disaster safety coordination. • [12:05] Understanding Maui's housing crisis and how Senator Hashimoto is addressing it. • [17:49] The ins and outs of the Land Exchanges Bill that he championed. • [19:39] How Senator Troy Hashimoto got into public service, and his path to Senator. • [24:10] The challenges of state legislative leadership, and Maui's general political stance. • [27:56] Assessing Maui's tourism economy: Past, present, and future. • [32:18] Senator Troy Hashimoto's top reasons for why you should visit Maui.

Happy Holidays! While our team is off for the holiday, we want to take this opportunity to revisit our conversation with West Virginia Delegate Kayla Young. Host Ryan Coonerty and Young offer a political history lesson on how once-blue West Virginia took a sharp right turn, what the rest of the country can learn from the Mountain State, and how she approaches her work as part of the smallest legislative minority in the country. The conversation also dives into energy policy and politics, including the impact of the Biden Administration's investment in a clean energy economy, the Trump Administration's efforts to reverse course, with over $100 million in losses in solar investments, and rising coal mining unemployment in West Virginia. The granddaughter of a coal miner, Young explains how we should think about coal and the opportunities for miners in today's economy. She also discusses her path to public service from a food truck owner to the legislature. Tune in for an honest and clear look at the economic, environmental, legislative, and political realities in the state of West Virginia. IN THIS EPISODE: • [01:04] The political history of West Virginia and its current status with only nine democratic seats. • [03:21] What changed the trajectory of West Virginia's politics and how it has responded to Biden. • [06:00] The real-world and political impact of the coal industry.\ • [08:50] How Trump's tariffs have influenced industry and job creation in West Virginia. • [10:15] Persevering in the legislature when the numbers are against you. • [14:43] How working in food service prepared Kayla. • [17:40] Making the case for a clean environment and a sustainable economic structure. • [19:00] Why there is hope for democrats in West Virginia. • [21:00] Understanding succession in the legislature. • [24:13] Advice for those who may want to run for office.

Recorded at the 15th Annual NewDEAL Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., host Ryan Coonerty's conversation with Delaware Lieutenant Governor Kyle Gay digs into how she helped pass Delaware's equal rights amendment, her period-equity initiative, and her efforts to expand pathways to legal services. Gay talks about her time as Deputy Attorney General, representing clients in Delaware's business courts and practicing pro bono law for foster youth – experiences that now inform how she convenes communities, agencies, and decision-makers to change outcomes. The episode also explores how Gay partners with Governor and NewDEAL Alum Matt Meyer to get results, the impact of stories she's learned directly from constituents, and the responsibility she carries as a member of the Pardons Board. Tune in to learn about LG Gay's reflections on her journey into public office and why Delaware has become a place where more women can step into government leadership. IN THIS EPISODE: • [01:04] Lieutenant Governor Kyle Gay's perspective on leading the State of Delaware. • [04:33] How the Lieutenant Governor partners with the administration in her state. • [06:30] Two examples of how she has acted in her role to impact others. • [08:48] Lessons learned from hearing directly from constituents. • [10:54] Insights from working on the Pardons Board. • [12:57] Orienting state government, the legislature, and the executive branch around implementation and outcomes. • [16:01] Kyle's journey to public office and taking the role of Lieutenant Governor. • [18:44] Balancing private life and being an elected official. • [21:31] How Delaware has made it possible for more women to serve in local government. • [25:06] Picking priorities in the state legislature.

Recording from the 15th Annual NewDEAL Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., host Ryan Coonerty talks with New Hampshire State Representative and Democratic Leader Alexis Simpson about the importance of ethical leadership in these troubled times, how she approaches her legislative priorities, and how her weekends as a minister in her community informs how she does her job as a legislator. Ryan and Simpson also discuss New Hampshire's status as a swing state and "picker of presidents," and what all Americans need to know about how the state evaluates those who pursue our nation's highest office. Tune in to this insightful conversation. IN THIS EPISODE: • [01:04] How State Representative Alexis Simpson's role as a clergywoman informs her work in the legislature. • [04:34] The role that faith plays in helping her to find hope in troubled times and to navigate political life. • [07:51] Her journey from ministry to serving in New Hampshire's citizen legislature. • [10:43] Solution-based leadership based on an experience she had serving on the Environment and Agriculture Committee. • [12:38] Systems to organize New Hampshire's minority Democratic Party. • [14:27] Navigating struggles with the cost of living due to rising rental costs, taxes, and basic needs. • [16:29] The political state of play in New Hampshire in 2025. • [21:28] New Hampshire's key role as the picker of presidents. • [24:53] What State Representative Simpson most wants people to know about her state. • [26:57] Why social crises are more urgent than ever before. • [29:11] The importance of not losing hope in people across political barriers.

Recorded at the 15th Annual NewDEAL Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., host Ryan Coonerty talks with Durham, NC, Mayor Leonardo Williams. They talk about how the mayor built a career grounded in community service and leadership, and how his experiences equipped him with what he needs most to be a successful mayor. In addition, they unpack what it means to lead when there are ICE raids in your community, causing kids not to want to go to school and people not to want to go to work, and what it takes to have a vibrant community with flourishing small businesses. Tune in to learn about Mayor Williams' path from award-winning music teacher to principal, policy adviser, small-business owner, and, finally, mayor. IN THIS EPISODE: • [01:03] An introduction to Durham, North Carolina, Mayor Leonardo Williams and his city. • [04:33] A Mayor's role in the context of instilling hope in the context of national jurisdiction. • [08:53] Mayor Williams' path to public service. • [14:08] What his role has revealed about the social health of his city. • [16:47] Setting a culture of vitality through sacrifice and competition. • [18:49] How democrats can better support small businesses. • [22:08] The state of politics in North Carolina today. • [24:36] Free and fair elections in 2026 and Mayor Williams' plans for the next two years. • [27:03] How his background as a teacher and a drum major has shaped his approach to leadership.

Happy Thanksgiving! While our team is off for the holiday, we want to take this opportunity to revisit our conversation with Commissioner Lesley Briones from Harris County, TX. Host Ryan Coonerty and Briones explain her role representing the third-largest county in the country with a population larger than 26 U.S. states and 34 cities. They discuss her journey as a Harvard and Yale Law School graduate who became a public school teacher and then a judge, and how her parents instilled in her the belief that she should always help others. Briones talks about navigating the chaos of the Trump administration—including Governor Abbott's redistricting plan —how faith continues to ground her work, and how growing up as a daughter of teachers and a proud Latina on the Texas–Mexico border has made her resilient. Tune in to learn why Commissioner Briones believes Texas can become a swing state (spoiler: it's closer than you might think). IN THIS EPISODE: • [01:03] Commissioner Briones' background and entry into public service. • [02:16] The role of a County Commissioner and what that means in Harris. • [04:07] Federal challenges that Harris County faces under the Trump administration. • [10:30] Attempts to work collaboratively in the face of troubling bills. • [13:13] Staying hopeful and engaged for the generation to come. • [17:06] Sentiment towards the current administration in Harris County. • [18:51] How Commissioner Briones' background informs her work in local government. • [22:55] Her path to public service in 2019 and how it differs from working as a judge. • [30:15] Embracing faith and inclusivity as a Democratic leader.