The NPR Politics Podcast – Bonus Episode: What's the 'Biggest' Thing On Our Political Radar for Next Year?

Date: December 7, 2025
Hosts: Sarah McCammon (Politics) & Sam Greenglass (Congress)

Episode Overview

This special bonus episode—usually exclusive to Politics+ subscribers—features an engaging, reflective conversation between Sarah McCammon and Sam Greenglass. The pair dive into the “biggest” political things on their reporting beats for 2026, spotlighting the upcoming midterms, shifting demographics, electoral challenges, and their personal journalism journeys. They share insider perspectives on the political storylines likely to dominate 2026 and answer a listener’s question about influences on their careers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Congressional Radar: The 2026 Midterms, Redistricting, and Election Integrity

[04:12] Sam Greenglass:

• The 2026 midterms are “obviously the huge part” of Sam’s coverage.
• Major focus areas:
  • Redistricting Arms Race: Ongoing battles could reshape representation and House control. Also monitoring “implications for how people are represented and their ability to have issues… voiced in the Capitol.”
  • Republican Party Dynamics: Watching for splits between Trump and GOP candidates, especially with Trump not running for re-election.
  • Affordability as a Theme: “Really curious to follow how some of these affordability themes play out in races.” Health care remains central.
  • Election Administration: Continued concerns about threats, harassment, and efforts to interfere, even with a non-presidential midterm. “Already some of these Indiana lawmakers considering redistricting have faced threats and harassment.”

2. Affordability & Voter Sentiment

[06:36] Sam Greenglass:

• Notes Democrats now heavily focus on affordability (healthcare, housing, groceries), learning from being “slow to recognize the importance of cost of living” in the previous cycle.
• ACA enhanced subsidies may expire, giving Democrats “a hammer on Republicans” if no deal is made.
• Quotes a recent interview: “Of all the issues about affordability, healthcare is the most personal.”
• Points out some Republicans also criticize their party’s inaction, e.g., Marjorie Taylor Greene’s public complaints as she prepares to leave Congress.

3. State Battlegrounds to Watch

[08:02] Sam Greenglass:

• Personal connections and political importance to two states:
  • Georgia: “Senator John Ossoff is the only incumbent Democrat defending a Senate seat in a state that Trump won.”
  • Michigan: Sam’s home state, a “fascinating place for politics,” with heated Senate, governor, and House races.

4. Cultural & Demographic Shifts

[08:41] Sarah McCammon:

• Her beat covers politics and culture—ranging from reproductive rights, gender, to demographics.

• Key 2026 focus: “What’s happening with demographics.”

  • Noted that exit polls in 2024 showed “surprising demographic shifts… most groups moving to the right, moving toward Trump, including voters of color, especially men of color.”
  • Core question: “Is that a realignment for the Republican Party or is it a one-off?”

• Describes on-the-ground reporting in communities like Dearborn, Michigan (large Arab and Muslim population), Nevada (Asian American voters), and Pennsylvania (Hispanic voters), identifying both overlap and distinctness in concerns among minority voters.

5. Minority Voters: Cultural and Policy Factors

[10:34] Sarah McCammon:

• Hispanic voters (PA): “I heard a lot about cultural issues and a sense that… these were conservative, Christian, Hispanic, who felt that the Republican Party was speaking to their concerns.”
• Arab/Muslim voters (MI): Worries about LGBTQ rhetoric in schools, aligning with GOP language, but also heavy focus on Middle East policy.
• “The question for Republicans is, can they hold on to this support? Will it be lasting? And so far, there are a lot of signs, Sam, that they can’t.”

6. Lessons from Off-Year Elections: Signals or Noise?

[12:06] Sarah McCammon:

• Cautions against reading too much into 2025 off-year results, as electorates in VA/NJ are “really different.”
• Still, Democrats outperformed in both states, focusing on affordability.
• Memorable voter quote:
  [13:19] Lashawn Jordan: “He talked things that he thought we wanted to hear… but we needed to hear them from a Democratic candidate. And a lot of us were bamboozled… it was a good word.”
  (African American woman who voted for Trump, then felt misled.)

7. The Latino Vote: 2026 and Beyond

[13:56] Sarah McCammon:

• Looking to the future of the Latino vote, with cultural, religious, and immigration policy factors figuring prominently.
• Notes polling suggesting Latino voters may be “starting to move away from Trump” as immigration policy hardens.
• Reiterates the group’s diversity: “Within the Latino vote… there are many different people from different backgrounds, and religion comes into play.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sam Greenglass [04:12]:
  “One is the implications of this redistricting arms race that’s happening right now—not only for who controls the House at the end of next year, but implications for how people are represented and their ability to have issues that they care about voiced in the Capitol in Washington.”

• Sarah McCammon [08:41]:
  “Most groups moving to the right, moving toward Trump, including voters of color, especially men of color... Is that a realignment for the Republican Party or is it a one-off?”

• Lashawn Jordan [13:19]:
  “He talked things that he thought we wanted to hear… but we needed to hear them from a Democratic candidate. And a lot of us were bamboozled. You know, it was a good word.”

Personal Influences: Why Journalism?

[15:12] Sam Greenglass:

• Credits his high school journalism teacher, Nikki Shuler, for showing him “the power of journalism and storytelling, even in small issues,” and the importance of being a good person when reporting.

[15:43] Sarah McCammon:

• Shares gratitude for Bill Norton, editor of the Kansas City Star’s “Teen Star” page, who taught rigor and resilience:
  “I remember getting articles back with lots of red marks and like crying in my parent’s basement… It was humbling and really, really instructive.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:53 – Sarah & Sam welcome listeners, introduce the “Political Mosts” concept
• 04:12 – Sam: Top issues to watch for Congress in 2026 (midterms, redistricting, affordability, election integrity)
• 06:36 – Affordability as a battleground issue, healthcare implications
• 08:02 – States to watch: Georgia and Michigan
• 08:41 – Sarah: Demographics and shifting voter coalitions, on-the-ground community reporting
• 10:34 – What cultural, policy issues are motivating minority voters
• 12:06 – Lessons and caution from off-year (2025) elections
• 13:19 – Lashawn Jordan’s story and quote on voting for Trump
• 13:56 – The evolving Latino vote and immigration policy
• 15:12 – Listener asks: What/who inspired your journalism careers?
• 15:43 – Sarah’s story of mentorship and learning journalism

Tone & Style

Engaged, curious, and conversational—a “political wonk” vibe with personal anecdotes, grounded reporting, and a casual but thoughtful dynamic between the hosts.

Summary Takeaway

This bonus episode offers a sharp, accessible look at the major trends and questions animating 2026 politics. Listeners gain clear, journalistic insights into the mechanics of the midterms, evolving party coalitions, and the lived realities behind demographic data. Alongside the analysis, both Sam and Sarah provide a behind-the-scenes window into their reporting and the personal foundations that guide their coverage. Perfect for anyone seeking depth on next year’s political challenges, shifts, and storylines.