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Leigh Ann Caldwell, Peter Hamby, Julia Ioffe, Marianna Sotomayor, John Heilemann, & Abby Livingston
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Sunday through Thursday
Puck’s daily political newsletter from Washington—featuring Leigh Ann Caldwell, Peter Hamby, Marianna Sotomayor, Julia Ioffe, John Heilemann, and Abby Livingston—on what’s really happening in this town, from the White House to the Pentagon to Capitol Hill, K Street, the campaign trail, and beyond.
THE LATEST ARTICLES
Abby Livingston
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December 8, 2025
Blue Jasmine
After a string of election victories, Democrats are pondering an honest-to-god blue wave in 2026. But progressive euphoria could be the party’s undoing in Texas, where human attack ad Jasmine Crockett just launched her Senate bid, and the moderate Colin Allred bowed out.
Abby Livingston
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December 1, 2025
The A.O.C. of the South
In the final hours of the Tennessee special election, the district Trump won by 22 points has suddenly become ultra-competitive—a supermagnet for donors and a potential early warning system for a Democratic tsunami.
Abby Livingston
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November 24, 2025
Lame Duck à l’Orange
Amid Trump’s power grabs and the Epstein revolt, the G.O.P. is facing growing discontent among the House rank-and-file, whose potential retirements could endanger their slim majority and hasten the president’s lame-duckification, even before the midterms.
Abby Livingston
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November 10, 2025
The G.O.P.’s Mess With Texas
After an election night upset defined by major swings with Hispanic voters, some Republican operatives worry they shouldn’t have started a redistricting war with California—and that their own map may backfire.
Abby Livingston
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November 3, 2025
Midnight in the Garden State of Good & Evil
A candid chat with Mike DuHaime, the veteran New Jersey Republican consultant, on the brink of the Sherrill–Ciattarelli throwdown in the Garden State.
Abby Livingston
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October 30, 2025
Maine Clown Posse
What was once a sleepy Democratic primary for a winnable Senate seat has transformed into a raging morality play between a way-too-online oysterman and a 77-year-old safe bet. “This is a layup Senate seat,” said one Democratic strategist. “Instead, our choices are a loose cannon and a grandmother.”
Abby Livingston
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October 22, 2025
McCarthy’s California Drought
The Republican campaign to prevent Democrats from redrawing California’s congressional lines seems, increasingly, like a losing effort—and insiders are angrily pondering the whereabouts of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who stirred hopes of raising $100 million to save the map.
Abby Livingston
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October 6, 2025
Texas Senate Intrigue & A Redistricting Stalemate
News and notes on two Republican power struggles: Cornyn’s tightening Texas Senate race, Corey Lewandowski’s New Hampshire mischief, and their implications for 2026.
Abby Livingston
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September 29, 2025
Blue Wave Warning Signs & The New Senate Math
Political soothsayers see diverging polling in Virginia and New Jersey, the two off-cycle states that Democrats are watching for signs of electoral life heading into the midterms. Jessica Taylor, the peerless Cook Political Report analyst, surveys the shifting 2026 map—and explains how this week’s shutdown blame game could play out in November.
Abby Livingston
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September 22, 2025
Hakeem’s House Divided
Once again, House Democrats appeared scrambled after a split vote on a ceremonial resolution honoring Charlie Kirk. But the simmering frustration, which spilled into Monday, largely underscored frustrations surrounding House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
