🧵 The 117th Congress is the most diverse ever, not only racially and ethnically, it also has more women & members of the LGBTQ community.
We sat down with 5 of the newest members from both sides of the aisle to get a better look at how they tick. politi.co/3nqNYQv
1️⃣ @ByronDonalds is one of only two Black Republicans in the House. He made headlines by running on controversial ideas like speaking out against Covid-19 safety measures and contesting the 2020 election. politi.co/3xAji3X
2️⃣ @NikemaWilliams' election win was marked by history. She became the first woman to represent Georgia’s 5th district, taking over the seat of her mentor, the late civil rights icon John Lewis. politi.co/3nMOnx7
3️⃣ @RitchieTorres Torres is the first Afro Latino openly gay person elected to Congress. Raised in a housing project, Torres struggled with issues all too common among his constituents, and now represents the poorest congressional district in the U.S. politi.co/2PuPuob
4️⃣ @CynthiaMLummis is the first woman to represent Wyoming in the Senate. A self-described ‘libertarian-leaning republican,’ Lummis served four terms in the House but decided not to run for Congress again after her husband’s passing in 2015. politi.co/3aKZ7GD
5️⃣ @SenAlexPadilla is the son of Mexican immigrants and California’s first Latino senator in Washington. He comes from a political career shaped by historical shifts in California, from anti-immigrant policies to the rising influence of Latino voters. politi.co/2RhNOyP
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Record numbers of children are suffering from anxiety and depression. Experts and lawmakers are trying anything to address the spike — even if it’s unproven. politico.com/news/2024/04/1…
Since 2020, over 100 state laws have been passed to address rising depression, anxiety and suicide rates.
Seemingly no idea is off the table, from free online therapy to suing social media companies. Some states have even appointed boards to get a handle on the crisis.
Some experts are skeptical of the number of new initiatives to address the youth mental health crisis and the rush to embrace them.
They worry about wasting effort on unproven theories that won’t pan out or that could even make the problem worse. politico.com/news/2024/04/1…
In state after state, fast-growing, traditionally liberal college counties are generating higher turnout and even greater Democratic margins — and Republicans are freaking out. 👇🧵
https://t.co/bZME3xIhXIpoliti.co/3rEsEgR
College towns have already played a pivotal role in turning several red states blue – and they could play an equally decisive role in key swing states next year.
https://t.co/PHHqXMZnCXpoliti.co/3rEsEgR
Take Wisconsin, whose pivotal Supreme Court race saw a record turnout. It was no surprise that Dane County — home to University of Wisconsin — went blue. But voter turnout there was higher than anywhere else in the state, as was the Dem margin of victory. politico.com/news/magazine/…
Liberals just flipped the ideological makeup of Wisconsin's Supreme Court.
Janet Protasiewicz’s high-stakes win means the new 4-3 liberal majority is much more likely to strike down a controversial 19th century abortion ban in the state. politi.co/3m5uIMm
Liberal judge Janet Protasiewicz defeated conservative Dan Kelly 56.9% to 43.1% when the AP called the Wisconsin Supreme Court race at 9:53 pm.
The Chicago mayoral race is too close to call, with Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas separated by the narrowest of margins.
Both candidates pushed supporters to vote by mail and want to wait for outstanding ballots to be counted before claiming victory. politico.com/news/2023/04/0…
Brandon Johnson will be Chicago's next mayor.
The progressive union organizer was backed by the powerful Chicago Teachers Union and defeated moderate Paul Vallas in a runoff election centered on crime. politi.co/3KwaS6j
Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 criminal charges in a New York state grand jury indictment stemming from the district attorney’s investigation into a hush money scheme. politi.co/3KzDwDm
FYI: Each of Trump's 34 felony charges carries a potential prison sentence, but probation is most likely if he's convicted. politico.com/news/2023/04/0…