An Honorable Profession

In this week’s episode, NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks with Newport News, VA’s youngest elected mayor Phillip Jones. They discuss his first State of the City Address, where he proclaimed 2024 as the Year of the Youth, thanks to his initiatives like Night Nets and the Summer Youth Employment Program, as well as investments in expanded childcare throughout his city. Debbie and Mayor Jones also talk about his journey to becoming an “Education Mayor,” his work on climate justice, and what has surprised him the most about the job of mayor. Tune in to listen to Mayor Jones' tips on how to engage young people in government and his insights into what will motivate Virginia voters this November.   • [01:04] Welcome to Newport News, VA, Mayor Phillip Jones, the youngest person to be elected mayor of his hometown. • [02:36] His favorite thing about being Mayor so far and why his parents are his toughest constituents. • [05:08] The two initiatives that funding allocated to the youth is going towards: Night Nets and Youth Career Program. • [08:52] Why education is always top of mind for Mayor Jones and the results he has seen. • [11:55] His efforts to impact climate change. • [13:06] What Mayor Jones loves most about his city. • [15:05] How service became such a major theme in his life. • [16:21] The journey to running for office. • [20:29] How education became a priority prior to his appointment as mayor. • [21:58] Which issues Mayor Jones hears about the most and how he is responding to them. • [23:10] Advice for young people looking to get involved in politics.

This episode continues our Road to November 2024 election series, as co-hosts Debbie Cox Bultan and Ryan Coonerty talk with political consultant and co-founder of the Lincoln Project Mike Madrid. Madrid has long been a leading analyst of Latino voters and has led strategic outreach to Latino communities for various campaigns over the past 30 years. Now, he’s written a forthcoming book, titled The Latino Century: How America's Largest Minority Is Transforming Democracy, to provide a comprehensive study on voting trends among Latino voters. In today’s conversation, Mike, Debbie, and Ryan discuss why both Democrats and Republicans have struggled to reach Latino voters, how issues like the economy and housing are pushing Hispanic voters further right, and why dangerous stereotypes are costing both parties key votes. Mike also addresses how Republicans have changed their tone on American exceptionalism and instead embraced “cowardly” anti-immigration, anti-Latino rhetoric. Tune in to hear what drew Madrid to the Republican party many years ago and what inspired him to push back against Trump and co-found the Lincoln Project in 2019.  Find more information on The Latino Century: How America's Largest Minority Is Transforming Democracy and pre-order the book here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Latino-Century/Mike-Madrid/9781668015261 • [01:04] Welcoming Mike Madrid to this episode of An Honorable Profession. • [01:52] Discussing some themes of Mike’s new book, The Latino Century. • [06:48] The young nature of the Latino vote and why there’s no compelling economic agenda. • [11:26] What each party gets wrong for Latino voters and who Mike thinks will win. • [18:01] Mike debunks incorrect perceptions about Latino voters and their political views. • [23:37] Our guest shares his opinions on what’s needed to win the upcoming election. • [28:44] The evolution of the Republican Party and his work with The Lincoln Project. • [37:40] How Mike feels about the 2024 election and what we can expect from The Lincoln Project. Learn more about The Democracy Group at www.democracygroup.org.    

Exciting news! An Honorable Profession has found a new home at The Democracy Group – a network of podcasts united around the goal of helping listeners understand what’s broken in our democracy, and how people are working together to fix it. Learn more at www.democracygroup.org. In today’s episode, Ryan Coonerty sits down with the Idaho House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel for an energizing conversation on reproductive rights, governing in a superminority, and the November outlook from the Gem State. Rubel is a shining example of beating the odds; she was born in Canada to a single mother and lived out of a car throughout her childhood years. Armed with a keen understanding of how policy impacts the most vulnerable communities, Rubel found her way to D.C. to attend Georgetown University and then to Cambridge to receive her J.D. from Harvard Law School. Now, as the Democratic leader in the Idaho House of Representatives, she continues to beat the odds, winning approval for legislation to protect public schools, defend the right to contraceptives, and legalize fentanyl testing strips. During her interview, Rubel breaks down the pending Supreme Court case on Idaho’s new law that prevents abortions for women experiencing dire medical conditions, and she describes the economic consequences of the state’s abortion ban along with the mass exodus of qualified medical professionals from Idaho. She also provides an analysis of the political landscape of Idaho heading into November and what issues will be key to voters in her community this year.   • [01:04] Idaho Representative Ilana Rubel updates listeners on happenings in her State. • [04:54] The current lawsuit around the legal implications of Idaho’s abortion ban. • [07:05] How the people of Idaho are reacting to the extremity of this ban. • [08:40] Systems in Idaho that have led to the lack of public opinion representation in the law. • [12:41] Impacts that the republican changes have made to business. • [14:54] Representative Rubel’s path to public service rooted in her own experience. • [17:50] Some of the surprising things she has been able to achieve even as a minority. • [19:58] How she navigates door-knocking and interfacing with Republican constituents. • [21:37] Advice for minority Democrats in Republican states. • [23:54] How she hopes to create change as a leader. • [26:04] Candidate recruitment in Idaho.

Political communications strategist Nina Smith discusses engaging young and Black voters, handling GOP tactics, and combating misinformation in elections. She emphasizes the importance of empathic messaging, staying relevant, and addressing challenges in historically marginalized communities.

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan discuss high voter turnout, young voter sentiment, election legislation, and historical accomplishments. Secretary Simon shares his early interest in current events and meeting the cast of Hamilton.

Recorded on stage at the NewDEAL Forum Ideas Summit in Phoenix, AZ, this week’s episode features Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb in conversation with host Ryan Coonerty. They talk about Bibb’s aspirations for improving his city, how he has set his top priorities, and his strategy to improve public safety and revitalize underserved neighborhoods using the influx of federal resources from the Biden Administration. They also talk about Bibb’s plans for building climate resilience and chartering healthy and safe communities. In addition, Bibb shares examples from his experiences as a first-time Mayor to highlight opportunities he has found for Democrats and Republicans to work together in Ohio. Tune in to hear about how Bibb manages a packed schedule and his predictions for the Buckeye State this November.   • [01:04] The story of how Justin Bibb came to be Mayor of Cleveland in 2022. • [01:39] Maximizing the impact of Biden-era investments in Cleveland. • [04:00] Two main areas that the city is allocating its recent investments. • [06:09] How Mayor Bibb plans to leverage technological advancements to benefit Cleveland. • [08:00] The once-in-a-generation opportunity that investment is affording cities. • [09:38] Climate resilience in Cleveland and Mayor Bibb’s advocacy in this area. • [11:40] The evolving role of mayors and the movement toward a country of city-states. • [13:17] Predictions for Ohio’s voting and the unique opportunity to work together as Democrats and Republicans. • [14:20] Expunging low-level marijuana convictions in his first year of office. • [16:08] How Mayor Bibb uses structure to ensure he honors his priorities.

Recorded at the NewDEAL Forum Ideas Summit in Phoenix, AZ, this week’s episode features infectious disease doctor and Iowa State Representative Megan Srinivas. She and co-host Ryan Coonerty talk about her journey as the child of immigrants in a small Iowa town, to a life changing visit to Kenya, to Harvard, and back to Iowa home to represent disadvantaged communities. They discuss her storytelling strategies to create a middle ground on key issues like abortion and why medical professionals are well-positioned to run for office. Srinivas also explains how she embraces the diverse experiences of Iowans to align her messaging on key policy issues with people’s needs. Tune in to learn about her big policy ideas rooted in her unique background and how she balances her medical and legislative duties.   • [01:06] An introduction to Iowa Representative Dr. Megan Srinivas and what motivates her to work in the legislature while practicing medicine. • [05:30] Her work to improve the Prior Authorization policy in the form of a bipartisan bill. • [07:42] A trip to rural Kenya that transformed how she relates to others. • [09:17] Formative experiences that sparked Dr. Srivas’s interest in global health and policy. • [13:02] Applying global practices to rural Iowa by adopting a broader interpretation of healthcare. • [16:42] Reframing key policies in order to create a middle ground with those who disagree. • [19:38] Iowa’s identity as a Purple State and what it takes to connect with Iowans. • [22:35] Predictions for 2024 and the messaging necessary to move the needle. • [24:45] Advice for healthcare practitioners who might want to run for office. • [26:01] How being a medical professional has helped Dr. Srinivas to build relationships. • [29:23] The dearth of mental health support and facilities in Iowa and what needs to change. • [31:46] Why there is an education crisis in Iowa and how this could be solved. • [33:22] How Dr. Srinivas chooses to focus her energy in order to enact change.

Recorded at the NewDEAL Forum Ideas Summit in Phoenix, AZ, this week’s special episode features Oregon State Representative and recently elected majority leader Ben Bowman. He recaps Oregon’s uniquely short legislative session, shares what the rest of the country can learn from the state’s approaches to housing and addiction, and highlights the importance of campaign finance reforms. Ryan and Bowman also talk about his professional journey, his early engagement in public service through student government, and how he aims to foster bipartisan relationships in his new role. Tune in to hear his advice for other young, LGBTQ+ leaders who are interested in getting involved in public service but are afraid their voices won’t be heard.      • [01:51] Ben Bowman highlights the recent Oregon Legislature short session and his appointment as majority leader. • [03:18] The key housing issues that were discussed and possible changes on the horizon. • [05:35] Assessing the Oregon housing market and in particular, affordability. • [06:51] How Oregon aims to curb its addiction crisis, and a brief look at California’s plans. • [13:11] Our guest walks us through his state’s campaign finance reforms. • [15:03] Ben’s professional journey and why he joined public service at such a young age. • [19:15] His advice to minorities who want to get into public service but are too afraid to do so. • [21:11] How he views his new role as majority leader, and how he plans to get the job done. • [24:13] The bipartisan relationships he’d like to foster as majority leader. • [26:14] Oregon in 2034, as projected by Ben.  

In our latest episode, co-host Ryan Coonety talks with Michigan Senator and Congressional candidate Kristen McDonald Rivet. They discuss Michigan’s Democratic leadership and how the state is adapting to the changing economy, addressing the public’s frustration with out-of-touch leaders, and enduring threats from extremist insurrectionists. Senator McDonald Rivet discusses her caucus’s priority of improving the economy and how, with the newly instated Democratic trifecta in the state, she has successfully championed the Working Family Tax Credit. In addition, she explains that, although Democrats have earned impressive successes, there are still political divides across Michigan with the public showing signs of frustration. McDonald Rivet talks about her journey in and out of public service positions and offers critical insights on building coalitions centered around a singular cause. Tune in to learn why she believes leading with hope is essential for the future of our country.   IN THIS EPISODE [01:05] An introduction to Michigan State Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet. [02:02] Senator McDonald Rivet offers an overview of the current political climate in Michigan, which she refers to as ‘The Blue Wall’ of the midwest. [03:37] Legislative changes and the economic focus behind the senator’s ‘Michigan Dream.’ [08:55] How policies championed by Michigan Democrats are translating to political sentiment on the ground. [11:55] Reclaiming the concept of patriotism with a sense of hope. [15:00] How working on Head Start programs with impacted families has changed her approach to policymaking and governing. [16:00] Senator McDonald Rivet’s move into elected office after working behind the scenes. [18:13] Why building a coalition starts with one person. [23:20] What McDonald Rivet thinks is often behind the decision to vote for Trump in Michigan communities. [25:20] Her decision to run for Congress and how she hopes to lead if elected.  

In today’s special bonus episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Arizona Corporation Commissioner Anna Tovar about last week’s state Supreme Court ruling to resurrect an 1864 near-total abortion ban. Commissioner Tovar gives us an on-the-ground report of the ruling and the fallout in Arizona, including the decision led by extremist Republicans in the state legislature to block an appeal of the draconian law. They also talk about a recent poll conducted by NewDEAL showing that a strong majority of Arizonans believe that the government should protect reproductive rights and, by a large margin, believe that Democrats, more than Republicans, are working to protect the basic freedoms that are important to them. Tovar tells us what the ruling means for Arizona’s election this November, including a potential ballot measure to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution and the fate of two Arizona Supreme Court justices who are on the ballot. Tune in to hear Tovar talk about the work happening on the ballot measure and find more information on our polling at www.newdealleaders.org.