The PoliticsGirl Podcast

Episode: The Party of War?! A Conversation with Heather Williams
Date: September 16, 2025
Host: Leigh McGowan
Guest: Heather Williams, President of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC)

Episode Overview

This episode confronts the rising tide of authoritarianism, political violence, and attacks against American democracy in the wake of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk's assassination. Host Leigh McGowan speaks with Heather Williams about the crucial role of state legislatures in countering anti-democratic forces and how grassroots engagement at the state level can be the firewall against the far-right Project 2025 agenda. The conversation is a rallying call for pro-democracy Americans to get involved in local politics, support state-level Democratic candidates, and recognize the long-term strategic importance of these often-overlooked races.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Political Violence and Right-Wing Blame (00:00–06:23)

• Leigh McGowan opens the episode discussing the murder of Charlie Kirk by a far-right assailant, noting the weaponization of this tragedy by right-wing leaders as a means to demonize the political left:
  • “Elon Musk has called the Democrats the party of murder. Donald Trump blames the radical left...” – Leigh [01:21]
• Outlines how threats and violence are now being targeted broadly at leftwing activists, journalists, and politicians.
• Highlights frustration at intra-left infighting and recent hit pieces targeting pro-democracy content creators, which only serve to weaken opposition to authoritarianism.

2. The Power and Importance of State Legislatures (06:45–12:16)

• Heather Williams emphasizes how democracy “happens in our backyard” and credits local candidates for being closer, more responsive, and solutions-oriented than national politicians:
  • “The candidates running for these offices are… deeply engaged in your community… trying to solve a problem, not trying to gain their own personal power.” – Heather [07:09]
• Democrats in state legislatures are able to cut through national narratives and build three-dimensional, trust-based relationships with voters.

3. Honoring Melissa Hortman and the Need for Civic Courage (07:58–10:08)

• Leigh pays tribute to Melissa Hortman, former Speaker of the Minnesota House and DLCC board member, assassinated in a politically motivated attack.
• Heather reflects on public service, expressing that despite violence, people continue to step up and be leaders in their communities:
  • “We cannot allow this to be something that discourages our impact and our progress.” – Heather [09:42]

4. What is the DLCC and Its Role? (10:49–12:16)

• Williams explains the DLCC’s mission: increasing Democratic power in all 50 states, recruiting diverse local candidates, and supporting ballot-level races which ultimately build the Democratic bench.

5. State Democrats vs. the National Democratic Brand (12:16–15:07)

• Despite a struggling national Democratic brand, state-level Democrats are overperforming in local elections:
  • “Democrats have been overperforming by more than 10%... We have already protected five legislative majorities. We have flipped three Trump seats...” – Heather [14:12]
• Direct voter engagement (door-knocking, conversations) is proving more successful at earning trust and votes than national party messaging.

6. State Legislatures as America’s Firewall (19:28–23:03)

• States have significant power to secure rights (especially post-Roe), organize resistance to federal overreach, and protect vulnerable communities.
• Williams underscores how Democratic-controlled states not only safeguard their residents’ rights but also support neighbors in more repressive states:
  • “Not only were Democrats ensuring access for their own state… they were considering their neighbors that were going to lose access.” – Heather [20:53]
• The strategic importance of voting for state reps—even for lifelong Republicans—is highlighted, as these representatives are best positioned to protect rights from federal rollback.

7. The Redistricting and Gerrymandering Battle (24:24–29:38)

• Discussion about Republican use of “Project Red Map” and aggressive gerrymandering to entrench minority rule.
• Texas and California case studies illustrate current redistricting fights and how state legislatures are central actors in creating or countering unfair maps.
• “Republicans are calling into that [entrenched] power… Democrats cannot sit back and complain about the rules … we must also strategize.” – Heather [27:25]

8. Impacts of the "Big Beautiful Bill" and the Social Safety Net (34:15–37:39)

• Aspects of the new Republican budget (dubbed the “big beautiful bill”) are already harming communities, from SNAP cuts to risk of hospital closures.
• In Virginia, Democratic candidates are hearing direct voter backlash against these policies—which is fueling special election successes.

9. Recruiting Candidates and Building the Democratic Bench (38:28–43:41)

• Many previous races ran unopposed by Democrats due to under-resourcing and lack of long-term strategy.
• The party is now focusing more on supporting candidates everywhere, not just in “winnable” seats, and on making the process more accessible.
• “We love to fall in love with candidates… [in] races that we could never win… and we could have spent a quarter of that on four state legislative races and won all of them.” – Leigh [42:33]

10. Urgency, Long-Term Planning, and the 2030 Decade View (46:49–49:28)

• Critical importance of contesting and winning state legislature seats now to shape the redistricting process in 2030.
• State legislative races today will directly shape national politics for the next decade:
  • “Our strategy at DLCC for winning power in states has that decade view built into it.” – Heather [47:13]

11. Action Steps for Pro-Democracy Listeners (50:04–50:20)

• Williams calls for immediate grassroots involvement:
  • “Get involved… head to dlcc.org, figure out who’s running in your state, in your community. Run for office yourself… state legislatures are where we are currently winning elections, where we’re building democratic power, and where we can shape and build our future.” – Heather [50:04]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the Upside Down Nature of Current Politics (Leigh, 03:40):
  "If I'm being honest, I feel like I'm living in the upside down… How is it possible that the party of common sense, gun legislation… could be blamed for someone getting shot?"

• On the Frontline Role of State Legislatures (Heather, 07:09):
  "Democracy happens in our backyard… this is a real solutions-oriented ballot level."

• On Progress Despite Adversity (Heather, 09:42):
  "We cannot allow this to be something that discourages our impact and our progress."

• On the Power of Long-Term Republican Planning (Leigh, 29:38):
  "Republicans are by nature far better long-term planners… It took them 40 years, but they got [Roe] done."

• On Building the Bench (Heather, 48:54):
  "Barack Obama was a state legislator. Gretchen Whitmer is a state legislator… We are building the bench."

• On Getting Involved (Heather, 50:04):
  "Get involved… state legislatures are where we are currently winning elections, where we’re building democratic power, and where we can shape and build our future."

Notable Timestamps

• 00:00–06:23: Opening, Kirk assassination, right-wing blame, Leigh’s defense of her activism and call for unity.
• 06:45–12:16: Heather Williams introduction, why states matter, honoring Melissa Hortman.
• 12:16–15:07: Rebuilding Democratic trust, state-level success stories.
• 19:28–23:03: The firewall against Project 2025 and policy retrenchment.
• 24:24–29:38: Redistricting, Project Red Map, and strategic consequences for democracy.
• 34:15–37:39: Policy impacts of Republican federal agenda, grassroots urgency.
• 38:28–43:41: Candidate recruitment, ending uncontested Republican victories.
• 46:49–49:28: Long-term strategy and the crucial fight for the 2030s.
• 50:04–50:20: Final action call: get involved at dlcc.org, run for office, support state-level democracy.

Final Takeaways

Heather Williams and Leigh McGowan make an urgent case: American democracy is under threat, but hope and real action are possible—especially at the state level. State legislatures are the frontlines for both defending and rebuilding democracy, and everyday Americans have more power than they realize to change the country’s course. The episode is a call to arms for direct engagement—from voting, volunteering, and donating, to running for office yourself.

“Our democracy can no longer afford to have state legislative politics take a back seat in America’s political consciousness.” – Leigh [44:53]