An Honorable Profession

In this week’s episode, Ryan Coonerty is joined by Clark County, Nevada, Commissioner Michael Naft. During a wide-ranging conversation, Commissioner Naft talks about Nevadans’ role in deciding who the next president will be as well as how some of the world’s most significant cultural and sporting events, like the Super Bowl and Formula 1 races, have come to Clark County, and what it takes to run them successfully. He tells the story of his path to public service, what you likely don’t know about Las Vegas, and how he thinks about making change at the local level. Tune in to learn about how Vegas manages the complexities of being a global destination and the keys for Democrats to win in Nevada this November. IN THIS EPISODE:  • [01:04] Introducing Clark County Nevada Commissioner Michael Naft • [02:07] A look at the political landscape in political swing state Nevada, with a focus on Clark County. • [04:47] The long-lasting impact of the pandemic on the state due to the economy’s reliance on tourism. • [07:01] Why local government is extra important in Nevada. • [10:47] The wide scope of Commissioner Naft’s role in local government and his areas of focus. • [13:35] His journey into public service which began as Director of Finance in the non-profit world. • [16:02] Working closely with the former Sheriff and current governor. • [16:43] Affordable housing efforts in Nevada with a focus on expanding non-profit organizations. • [20:59] Traffic safety challenges and successes. • [28:16] The value of entertainment and sports in Nevada.  

In this week’s episode, Ryan Coonerty sits down with Illinois State Representative Bob Morgan. They reflect on the horrific mass shooting in the representative's community of Highland Park during a 4th of July Parade in 2022 – a timely topic as he returns from a visit to the White House, as he co-chairs the Illinois House Firearm Safety Reform Working Group. Morgan shares his experience working on this crucial issue and the personal ties that ignited his passion for combating gun violence. In addition, Ryan and Representative Morgan delve into his highly debated efforts to eliminate junk fees in Illinois, his commitment to reducing healthcare costs, and his approach to building strong relationships within the legislature, as well as his experience as a Jewish leader during a surge of antisemitism across the country. Tune in to learn about his push to end daylight savings time and the obstacles to making this a reality.  IN THIS EPISODE:  • [01:04] Introducing Illinois State Representative Bob Morgan and his efforts to work on gun safety. • [02:36] The stories of gun violence that ignited his passion for taking this issue seriously. • [05:23] Prospects for reducing these kinds of incidents in US communities. • [07:43] Representative Bob’s journey to public service. • [13:17] Building and maintaining relationships with colleagues by building your understanding of them. • [14:26] Issues he has worked on and why healthcare is a focus for him. • [20:04] Why no changes have been made to daylight savings. • [22:40] Facing the rise of antisemitism as a member of the Jewish caucus. • [27:26] Predictions for the upcoming convention and the elections to follow.

Today, we’re sharing NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan’s recent appearance on the Pro Politics podcast – a political podcast that interviews people who work in and around the political industry. Host Zac McCrary and Debbie talk about growing up in a middle-class family in Sacramento, CA, her active role in her church, and her Capitol Hill internship with the late Congressman Vic Facio. They discuss her experience working for the Democratic Leadership Council for 15 years, what led her to her current role as CEO of NewDEAL, and some of the success stories of the rising leaders with whom she has worked. Debbie goes on to talk about NewDEAL’s “Freedom Agenda,” released in partnership with the New Democrat Coalition, the role that the issue of abortion will play in this year’s election, and much more. Tune in to learn more from this engaging conversation and about Debbie’s most unusual, successful work habit. IN THIS EPISODE [01:04] Growing up in an apolitical, middle-class family in Sacramento. [04: 36] A formative DC internship for her local Congressman, Vic Fazio. [08:05] Debbie's early experiences working in CA campaign fundraising and managing. [09:42] Debbie's 15 years working at the DLC, the Democratic Leadership Council & the impact the DLC had on American politics. [17:39] Starting the center-left NewDEAL non-profit to engage and promote young Democratic leaders. [22:14] Using Pete Buttigieg as an example to talk through the role NewDEAL can play in the rise of a public figure. [25:00] How Debbie has worked to develop to a well-rounded skillset to lead a national organization. [31:00] The "Freedom Agenda" NewDEAL has helped develop. [33:15]The role Debbie sees the issue of abortion rights playing in the '24 election cycle. [35:20]Advice for the next generation of political operatives. [37:22] Debbie's most unusual, successful work habit.

This week, NewDEAL CEO and host Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett. She talks about what it’s like to serve in local government, her Congressional race in 2020, and her motivation to speak out against far-right extremism. Coming from a background in technology and media, Barrett also shares her work to ensure that all county residents have access to high-quality, affordable internet and healthcare. In addition, Debbie and Commissioner Barrett discuss Georgia’s political landscape heading into November, the role of reproductive rights in swaying voters, and Fulton County’s work to ensure a smooth election. Tune in to learn about her unique path into public service and what we can all expect from Georgia this year.   • [01:05] Introducing Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett. • [02:03] Her experience as the newly appointed Commissioner; what has surprised, challenged and gratified her. • [03:52] Navigating the challenge of being on a contentious board of seven. • [05:39] The state of reproductive rights in Fulton County. • [07:25] Why this is the case despite a Democrat majority. • [08:36] Commissioner Barrett’s work to get a rainy day fund for healthcare into her budget. • [11:51] Her efforts to supply affordable internet access for all and her background in tech. • [15:34] How Commissioner Barrett became involved in media as a radio host and began to use her platform to speak about politics. • [19:10] Running for Congress in 2020. • [22:44] A temperature check on the political landscape in Georgia at the moment. • [26:32] How reproductive rights might affect the upcoming election. • [30:44] Commissioner Barrett’s worries and hopes for the upcoming election.

This week, we bring you another episode of our Road to November 2024 election series, as co-hosts Debbie Cox Bultan and Ryan Coonerty sit down with Jesse Ferguson. Jesse is a leading Democratic strategist and consultant. With over two decades of experience, he has led national campaigns on issues ranging from health care to clean energy. Today, Jesse discusses recommended strategies for effectively engaging with persuadable voters across a range of topics. He talks with Debbie and Ryan about former president Trump’s legal issues and specific messaging around the economy, public safety, and abortion, as well as how to appeal to young and rural voters. Jesse also gives us practical and inspiring advice – offering tangible do’s and don’ts for Democratic candidates and supporters. Tune in to gain valuable insights on connecting with voters and learn about the critical issues that will define November’s election.   • [01:04] Introducing today’s guest, leading Democratic strategist, Jesse Ferguson. • [01:49] Jesse’s insights on persuadable voters throughout the country. • [05:38] Trump’s felony charges and convictions,and what it means for his candidacy. • [07:47] The challenge of reaching young, persuadable voters, and what resonates with them. • [11:55] How Democrats can improve their messaging about the economy. • [15:39] Strategies for running against someone who lies and makes up the facts. • [17:44] The impact of third-party candidates in this election. • [20:05] Rural voters: how Democrats can appeal to them. • [24:20] How Democrats should be talking about public safety. • [25:50] Addressing the issue of abortion in this election. • [28:15] Reforming the immigration system and meeting voters where they are. • [29:50] Why the issue of democracy is not too big a topic for voters to understand. • [33:08] What drew Jesse to this field and how he stays motivated.

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.