How Democrats are Ready to Win Back State Races

Summary

The MeidasTouch Podcast: "How Democrats are Ready to Win Back State Races"
Release Date: March 24, 2025

In this engaging episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, hosts Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas delve deep into the strategies and momentum driving the Democratic Party to reclaim state-level races across the United States. Combining insightful political analysis with the trademark brotherly banter, the episode provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the current political landscape, the challenges faced by Democrats, and the pivotal role of local elections in shaping the future of American democracy.

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1. The Shift in Voter Sentiment: Regrets Among Former Trump Supporters

The episode opens with a candid discussion about voters who previously supported Donald Trump but are now experiencing regret. This shift is highlighted through the personal account of Ron Filipkowski, who shares his own journey:

Ron Filipkowski [02:20]: "I did [vote for Trump]. Three times."

Ron Filipkowski [02:24]: "Because I thought he was the right person for the job and I didn't expect this."

This confession underscores a growing disillusionment among some voters who feel let down by their initial support, setting the stage for why Democrats believe they can win back these individuals in upcoming state races.

2. The Local Impact of Federal Policies: Stories from the Ground

Heather Williams introduces the concept that "all politics is local," emphasizing how federal decisions reverberate at the community level. The hosts present real-life stories illustrating the tangible effects of federal policies on individuals:

• Disabled Veteran's Struggles: A poignant story is shared about Stephen Dow, a disabled veteran who lost his federal job despite exceptional performance reviews. This narrative serves to humanize the broader political debates and highlight the personal consequences of governmental decisions.

Heather Williams [02:30]: "Stories like that individual, a disabled veteran who was recently fired from his job after glowing performance reviews... that three-time Trump voter who now has regrets."

3. Special Elections as Battlegrounds for Democratic resurgence

The discussion transitions to the significance of special elections in states like Iowa and Pennsylvania. The hosts argue that these races are critical opportunities for Democrats to demonstrate their influence and reverse Republican gains:

Ron Filipkowski [07:32]: "What we're seeing is people show up for these special elections. This idea that we are powerless is not actually true."

Heather Williams elaborates on the performance of Democrats in these contests:

Heather Williams [07:32]: "State Democrats are now over performing by an average of 9 points in state legislative special elections."

This section highlights the strategic focus on state legislative seats as a means to build momentum and secure foundational support for larger electoral battles.

4. The Pivotal Pennsylvania Race: A Microcosm of National Trends

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing a key race in Pennsylvania's state House. The contest between Democrat Davis Guggenhauer and Republican Fire Chief Jay Davis is presented as a critical battleground that could determine majority control:

Heather Williams [08:19]: "This is a place where state Democrats did well. We held onto this chamber by one seat... this will be the fifth opportunity this year for Democrats to hold legislative chamber."

The hosts discuss the potential ramifications of this race, emphasizing that a Republican victory could jeopardize protections for education, children's welfare, and other community services, furthering the "Doge-ification" of Pennsylvania.

Ron Filipkowski [09:50]: "Every Republican should be held accountable for what they are doing to dismantle our government... protect for kids, for our education, funding for the things that make our communities thrive."

5. Economic Policies and Their Local Consequences

The episode also scrutinizes federal economic policies, particularly tariffs, and their detrimental effects on local businesses and consumers. A clip from a Pennsylvania butcher illustrates the real-world impact:

Borger [04:13 - 04:31]: "You used to work at Costco... If you get a 25% tariff... that's going to increase the price and so the consumer's going to pay for it."

Ron Filipkowski responds by advocating for consumer-focused business strategies despite external economic pressures:

Ron Filipkowski [04:31]: "My philosophy is to sell it as low as you can to show a savings of value to the customer and hopefully you have more customers to generate your revenue."

This segment underscores the interconnectedness of federal economic decisions and their rippling effects on local economies and individual livelihoods.

6. The Threat to Scientific Progress: Funding Cuts on Critical Research

A critical issue discussed is the impact of governmental spending cuts on scientific research. The hosts highlight how delayed NIH grants threaten advancements in Alzheimer's research, potentially stalling life-saving developments:

Ron Filipkowski [05:18]: "A promising advance in the fight against Alzheimer's could be threatened by doge cuts and funding delays... This is an example of how spending cuts and confusion in Washington are affecting critical scientific research."

This discussion reinforces the argument that federal mismanagement not only hampers scientific progress but also directly affects public health outcomes.

7. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee's (DLCC) Role in State Races

Heather Williams brings attention to the DLCC's efforts in focusing on state elections, emphasizing the importance of local engagement and grassroots mobilization:

Heather Williams [06:55]: "We're seeing people rise up in these town halls and make sure that their voice is heard against this incredible Republican harm that is being done."

Ron Filipkowski outlines the DLCC's strategic initiatives:

Ron Filipkowski [11:49]: "These local races are everywhere and they are a great place to channel your energy... build power in the states alongside building our federal power."

He encourages listeners to get involved through various platforms and emphasizes the synergy between state victories and national political strength.

8. Closing Stories: The Human Cost of Political Division

The episode concludes with a moving account of Stephen Dow, a disabled veteran unjustly terminated from his federal job, serving as a stark reminder of the human costs of political decisions:

Ron Filipkowski [13:15]: "It's estimated at least 6,000 veterans have lost their government jobs over the past month... Dow served in the air force for 20 years. A blast in Afghanistan left him with a broken neck."

This narrative encapsulates the overarching theme of the episode: the urgent need for Democrats to reclaim state races to protect vulnerable populations and restore integrity to governmental institutions.

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Conclusion and Call to Action

Throughout the episode, The MeidasTouch Podcast effectively combines storytelling, data-driven analysis, and passionate advocacy to illustrate why state races are pivotal in the current political climate. By highlighting personal stories, strategic successes, and the tangible impacts of federal policies on local communities, the podcast makes a compelling case for Democratic engagement and voter mobilization at the state level.

Listeners are encouraged to support the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, participate in local elections, and stay informed through the DLCC's resources. The episode serves as both an informative analysis of current political dynamics and a rallying cry for action to preserve and advance democratic values across the nation.

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Notable Quotes:

• Ron Filipkowski [02:20-02:24]: "I did [vote for Trump]. Three times... Because I thought he was the right person for the job and I didn't expect this."

• Ron Filipkowski [07:32]: "This idea that we are powerless is not actually true."

• Heather Williams [08:19]: "This will be the fifth opportunity this year for Democrats to hold legislative chamber."

• Ron Filipkowski [09:50]: "Every Republican should be held accountable for what they are doing to dismantle our government..."

• Ron Filipkowski [11:49]: "Build power in the states alongside building our federal power."

These quotes capture the essence of the episode's themes, emphasizing voter sentiment shifts, the importance of state races, accountability of Republican policies, and the strategic focus of Democratic efforts at the local level.

Transcript

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[Ron Filipkowski]

Did you vote for President Trump? I did. Three times.

[Heather Williams]

Why?

[Ron Filipkowski]

Because I thought he was the right person for the job and I didn't expect this.

[Heather Williams]

I didn't expect this. You know they say all politics is local and when you go and speak to people now at the local level, you're hearing Stories like that individual, a disabled veteran who was recently fired from his job after glowing performance reviews. More on him in a moment. That three time Trump voter who now has regrets. You look at red states like Iowa, a recent town hall that was held there with Senator Chuck Grassley, who's been representing that state for like literally decades and decades. Here's what happened at that town hall in Ruby Wright, Iowa. Let's play it. Congress is created and in violation of the Constitution. My question to you is, why do you believe that President Trump is above the law? And I'll just reinforce what other people have been saying here. Why have you not spoken out for it? And we have trusted you with our votes. We have sent you to Congress for decades. We expect you to follow through what we Iowans really want our government to.

[Ron Filipkowski]

Do and not to be have a federal government that is being dismantled by.

[Heather Williams]

This President Trump and Elon Musk. Please stand up for what's right and do your job. Please stand up for what's right and just do your job. I'll take you to a Pennsylvania butcher who's commenting on how Trump's tariffs crushing their business. Let's play it here.

[Ron Filipkowski]

This is all domestic, but as you.

[Heather Williams]

Know, you used to work at Costco, the big chains, they get a lot of their beef from Canada and Mexico. If you get a 25% tariff on.

[Ron Filipkowski]

That, what's that do? It's going to, it's going to increase the price and so the consumer's going.

[Heather Williams]

To pay for it. You on board with that?

[Ron Filipkowski]

Well, listen, I mean, you have no choice in a way. I mean, me, my philosophy is to sell it as low as you can to show a savings of value to the customer and hopefully you have more customers to generate your revenue.

[Heather Williams]

Notable as you look at that Chiron right there, you see the market tanking once again for a lot of Americans, especially when you ask them at a local level as well, that means their pensions are getting destroyed, their 401ks are being destroyed, their life savings is suddenly disappearing. In addition to a lot of people being affected in lots of different ways by what's going on in the government. I mean, take a look at this. You have a promising advance in the fight against Alzheimer's now being threatened by doge cuts.

[Ron Filipkowski]

A promising advance in the fight against Alzheimer's could be threatened by doge cuts and funding delays. Researchers have developed an experimental drug that appears to del symptoms in some people who are genetically destined to get the disease in their 40s or 50s. It is a first of Its kind study, but early results have been encouraging. However, the NIH grant that researchers hoped would fund further research to save lives has been delayed. An example of how spending cuts and confusion in Washington are affecting critical scientific research.

[Heather Williams]

You know, finally, Donald Trump's commerce secretary, billionaire Howard Lutnick, he's been the one who's been on TV telling people to buy Tesla stock and he wants everyone to in the future buy Tesla robots for $30,000 a piece. Must, must be nice. He went on a tech bro podcast called the All In Podcast, where I guess they just talk about like rich people problems and like their mansions and their stock portfolios, like whatever their bitcoins. I don't know what the hell they talk about, but here they ask Howard Lutnick, should we be speaking in a more empathetic way about Doge destroying people's lives? The official answer from the Trump regime. Let's play it.

[Ron Filipkowski]

Before we get there, I want to ask one last question on the cuts. Can we speak, do we need to speak in a more empathetic way? Because that trillion dollars of spending flows into someone's pocket. Some percentage of that pays people a salary and they live on that income. And I think a lot of. Okay, I think this is important for you to highlight because a lot of people are reacting.

[Heather Williams]

No, no, no, we shouldn't be more empathetic. Let's just be the way we are and just destroy people's lives. I want to bring in Heather Williams. She's the president of the dlcc, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. You focus on the state races. All things are local. Heather, you watch that. Some of the data that we have shows that this is permeating some of the local special elections. I want you to speak about that. But state Democrats are now over performing by an average of 9 points in state legislative special elections. Can you, can you speak to what you're seeing at the state level and how important it is at these state races?

[Ron Filipkowski]

Yeah. Thank you. And I love being here with you. What we're seeing is people show up for these special elections. This idea that we are powerless is, is not actually true. We have a lot of impact and power at the state level. 50% of Americans have legislative Democrat power in their state. And these special elections are showing us a place where we can channel our energy, much like we're seeing folks rise up in these town halls and make sure that their voice is heard against this incredible Republican harm that is being done. These special elections provide a great opportunity for people to show up and make their Electoral voice heard. And we've got another really important one coming up on Tuesday in Pennsylvan.

[Heather Williams]

Big race in Pennsylvania. As you mentioned, majority control in the state House there in Pennsylvania in the Commonwealth will be determined by this race. A Democrat passed away. So right now it's 101, 101. And this race right here features an individual by the name of Guggenhauer, who's the Democratic candidate against the Republican. Davis Guggenhauer is a police officer who supervise detectives and he serves on the school board. And then he's running against a guy who's a fire chief. And, you know, this one's been, I guess, nationally a little bit under the radar. I think people in the Commonwealth, you know, know about it. In my view. I think it was important to share all of those clips at the beginning because, you know, I think the strategy, and correct me if you think I'm wrong, here is the Republican candidate, the fire chief. He's trying to go under the radar. He's trying to disconnect himself from the ramifications, which would be the doge ification of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A vote for the Republican in this race means all of those things that Elon Musk is doing at the federal level. They're going to wreck the Commonwealth and it's just going to become Doge all over again. So the protections that Governor Shapiro has been able to fight for, that may be in jeopardy now if you tip the scales to the Republican, tell us about that race.

[Ron Filipkowski]

That is exactly right. Every Republican should be held accountable for what they are doing to dismantle our not only our government, but cancer, protection for kids, for our education, funding for the things that make our communities thrive. And what's interesting, it's a little more context maybe about this Pennsylvania race is in 2024, this is a place where state Democrats did well. We held onto this chamber by one seat, the federal results obviously being different. And this will be the fifth opportunity this year for Democrats to hold legislative chamber. And Pennsylvanians, I think, are well aware of their choices and their options. And there is no way that Republicans here can dodge what is happening within their party and what they are ult supporting can't dodge.

[Heather Williams]

Doge, it's right in your face. They're calling Social Security a Ponzi scheme. They're taking away your Medicaid. You feel it in your 401k. And every day you wake up and it's like, what new drama are these people going to be inflicting in our lives. It feels like, as I like to say it, we're kind of non consensual participants and their dystopian reality show. And all we want to do is just try to take care of our family and, and get on with our day and make an honest day's living. What else should people know about your organization? And it's very important. Everyone always talks about how one of the ways Democrats have been outflanked in the past was that Republicans focused on local, they focused on the states. And so I want to highlight what you're doing because Democrats are now focusing on the states and local and you're the person leading that. I mean, you're an official, it's an official arm of the Democratic Party at the local level. This is what people have been asking for to see. So I want to show them this is what's happening. So what should they know? What can they do? Anything else you want to tell the people?

[Ron Filipkowski]

Yeah, you know, we've got elections again coming up sort of all the time. We start in November with really critical, important races in Virginia where we'll be holding onto that chamber and then moving into next year. These local races are everywhere and they are a great place to channel your energy. We need to win at the ballot box against these Republicans and build power in the states alongside building our federal power. You can head to dlcc.org, find out more. You can follow us at DLCC across all the social platforms. Lots of opportunities to get involved. Lots of opportunities to channel your energy and your frustration and to stand up for Democratic values that really just mean we're fighting for people to live the lives they want to live with the opportunities that they deserve in communities that are resilient and support supportive of all.

[Heather Williams]

The lives they want to live, the opportunities they have and just treat people right. I said at the beginning I was going to go back to that first clip I showed you of that veteran. And I just want to briefly close this video by showing people the types of individuals who Doge and Trump are picking on disabled veterans. And if they're picking on disabled veterans, don't think that you are immune. If they haven't already come for you, trust me, they're coming for you. So why don't we play out with this, with this clip right here, just so we can see. Here, play it.

[Ron Filipkowski]

It's estimated at least 6,000 veterans have lost their government jobs over the past month. Kind of ironic. Many of them are disabled vets like Stephen Dow. And then they said, you have about five minutes. Pack up your personal things. Dow served in the air force for 20 years. A blast in Afghanistan left him with a broken neck. Why did you decide to look for a job with the federal government? Because I want to continue to serve. He started working as an executive assistant at the Pentagon nine months ago. I mean, your review says you have a mastery of technology. Steve sets the standard for productivity. You were good at your job.

[Heather Williams]

I was, yeah.

[Ron Filipkowski]

I take initiative for things. I find things that are broken and try to fix them. And that's ingrained in me from when I was in the military. Did you vote for President Trump? I did. Three times. Why?

[Heather Williams]

And that right there, I think, shows you the problem and shows you what the solution is. Heather Williams, thank you so much for joining us. We appreciate you.

[Ron Filipkowski]

Thank you.

[Heather Williams]

Can't get enough Midas? Check out the Midas plus substack for ad. Free articles, reports, podcasts, daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski and more. Sign up for free now [e-mail].