Let’s be real for a second: Election coverage gets exhausting fast. Most of what floods your feed is designed to make noise, not make sense.
I’m Jonathan Franklin, and I’m not here to waste your time with daily poll watching or recycled talking points. My goal with this newsletter is simple: give you sharp, honest political analysis that respects your intelligence, explains why it matters, and keeps it moving.
If we haven’t crossed paths before, let me properly introduce myself. I’m a journalist based in Washington, D.C., but I’ll always claim South Carolina as home. For the past few years, I’ve been out in the field, talking to people and reporting on where politics, race, justice, and identity all intersect.
From local reporting at WUSA9, the CBS affiliate in D.C., to covering national breaking news and cultural shifts as an NPR reporter, my mission has always been to center the real communities and lived experiences behind the headlines. I’ve covered everything from the racial justice demonstrations following George Floyd’s murder and the January 6 Capitol attack to landmark Supreme Court decisions and pivotal national elections.
What We’re Building Here
Most political coverage these days feels like watching a game show. It’s all about who’s up, who’s down, and what the latest poll says. But that misses the bigger question: What does it really take to build and protect a multiracial democracy that works for all of us?
This newsletter isn’t about talking at you; it’s about being in conversation with you.
For the midterm election season, we’re not just repeating the same old talking points. We’ll look at what’s really happening in our politics through the lens of multiracial representation and holding leaders accountable. Here’s what we’ll dig into:
- The Reality of Multiracial Democracy: Highlighting the leaders, candidates of color, and grassroots coalitions redefining power across America
- The Pushback and Policy: Investigating systemic efforts to roll back access to the ballot box, gerrymandering battles, and the coordinated attacks aimed at diluting the influence of diverse communities
- Smart, Digestible Analysis: Delivering the context you need in a sharp, conversational format that respects your time without cutting corners on depth
We’ll break down key down-ballot races, look at how policies affect Black and brown communities, and call out the barriers that keep some voters on the sidelines. This space is here to help you see what’s really at stake.
Let’s Get to Work
Our democracy is only as strong as we make it. That means showing up and holding leaders to account. I’m glad to be in your corner.
Hit reply anytime with your thoughts, stories from your backyard, or issues you want explored and broken down.
Let’s dig in together.
