Taniel
@taniel.bsky.social
Daniel Nichanian. Editor in chief of @boltsmag.org (follow us!). Elections, (local) politics, voting rights, criminal justice, and drag race.
Reposted by Taniel
Democrats flipped 25 state legislative seats this year—more than a 1/5 of all GOP-held seats that were up for election. Republicans flipped *zero* seats.
@taniel.bsky.social’s year-end statehouse analyses are always must-reads:
boltsmag.org/legislative-...
@taniel.bsky.social’s year-end statehouse analyses are always must-reads:
boltsmag.org/legislative-...
In 2025, Democrats Flipped 21 Percent of GOP-Held Legislative Seats - Bolts
At the start of Donald Trump’s first presidency, in 2017, large Democratic victories in New Jersey and Virginia, paired with overperformances in special elections, foreshadowed the blue wave of the......
boltsmag.org
December 10, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Democrats flipped 25 state legislative seats this year—more than a 1/5 of all GOP-held seats that were up for election. Republicans flipped *zero* seats.
@taniel.bsky.social’s year-end statehouse analyses are always must-reads:
boltsmag.org/legislative-...
@taniel.bsky.social’s year-end statehouse analyses are always must-reads:
boltsmag.org/legislative-...
Reposted by Taniel
A citizen journalist joined the Massey Commission to address what he saw as a pattern of disrespect from local police. “I signed up to be on the commission because my thought process is that we have to change things right now for the future generation.”
A Police Killing Drew National Protests. At Home, a Commission Struggles with How to Make a Difference.
More than a year after Sonya Massey was killed by police in Illinois, a namesake commission has wrestled over changes that would prevent future tragedies.
boltsmag.org
December 10, 2025 at 11:03 PM
A citizen journalist joined the Massey Commission to address what he saw as a pattern of disrespect from local police. “I signed up to be on the commission because my thought process is that we have to change things right now for the future generation.”
Reposted by Taniel
I just got my first update since becoming a subscriber at @boltsmag.org. Incredible coverage of national and local elections, ongoing coverage of police accountability, and a series of trusted news resources creating a pipeline for trustworthy coverage. I’m proud to be a supporter. You will be, too.
Support Bolts
We are a nonprofit publication that covers the nuts and bolts of political change, from the local up, and we need reader support to build our journalism.
boltsmag.org
December 11, 2025 at 1:57 AM
I just got my first update since becoming a subscriber at @boltsmag.org. Incredible coverage of national and local elections, ongoing coverage of police accountability, and a series of trusted news resources creating a pipeline for trustworthy coverage. I’m proud to be a supporter. You will be, too.
Reposted by Taniel
“The swing is even stronger than in 2017, when Democrats flipped 20 percent of all GOP-held legislative seats up for election…”
NEW, from me: One startling stat captures just how badly the year went for the GOP.
Democrats flipped 21% of all GOP-held legislative seats at play.
That's thanks to gains they made in six states this year, and I break it all down in my latest:
Democrats flipped 21% of all GOP-held legislative seats at play.
That's thanks to gains they made in six states this year, and I break it all down in my latest:
In 2025, Democrats Flipped 21 Percent of GOP-Held Legislative Seats - Bolts
At the start of Donald Trump’s first presidency, in 2017, large Democratic victories in New Jersey and Virginia, paired with overperformances in special elections, foreshadowed the blue wave of the......
boltsmag.org
December 10, 2025 at 6:36 PM
“The swing is even stronger than in 2017, when Democrats flipped 20 percent of all GOP-held legislative seats up for election…”
It’s the big day tomorrow: the Indiana Senate votes on gerrymandering, and this reporting shows it’s genuinely undecided.
Two congressional seats in the balance.
One wrinkle: several GOP senators may miss the vote. Bill has an actual 26-vote threshold.
indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/10/i...
Two congressional seats in the balance.
One wrinkle: several GOP senators may miss the vote. Bill has an actual 26-vote threshold.
indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/10/i...
Indiana Senate sets up crucial Thursday vote on mid-cycle congressional redistricting bill • Indiana Capital Chronicle
Indiana's congressional redistricting bill advanced to its final stage after lawmakers quickly rejected three amendments on Wednesday.
indianacapitalchronicle.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:32 AM
It’s the big day tomorrow: the Indiana Senate votes on gerrymandering, and this reporting shows it’s genuinely undecided.
Two congressional seats in the balance.
One wrinkle: several GOP senators may miss the vote. Bill has an actual 26-vote threshold.
indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/10/i...
Two congressional seats in the balance.
One wrinkle: several GOP senators may miss the vote. Bill has an actual 26-vote threshold.
indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/10/i...
Reposted by Taniel
“.. The swing is even stronger than in 2017, when Democrats flipped 20 percent of all GOP-held legislative seats up for election ..
@taniel.bsky.social
boltsmag.org/legislative-...
@taniel.bsky.social
boltsmag.org/legislative-...
December 11, 2025 at 12:19 AM
“.. The swing is even stronger than in 2017, when Democrats flipped 20 percent of all GOP-held legislative seats up for election ..
@taniel.bsky.social
boltsmag.org/legislative-...
@taniel.bsky.social
boltsmag.org/legislative-...
Reposted by Taniel
Republicans flipped 0%
NEW, from me: One startling stat captures just how badly the year went for the GOP.
Democrats flipped 21% of all GOP-held legislative seats at play.
That's thanks to gains they made in six states this year, and I break it all down in my latest:
Democrats flipped 21% of all GOP-held legislative seats at play.
That's thanks to gains they made in six states this year, and I break it all down in my latest:
In 2025, Democrats Flipped 21 Percent of GOP-Held Legislative Seats - Bolts
At the start of Donald Trump’s first presidency, in 2017, large Democratic victories in New Jersey and Virginia, paired with overperformances in special elections, foreshadowed the blue wave of the......
boltsmag.org
December 10, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Republicans flipped 0%
don't miss it, as it's buried in my latest analysis of the year's legislative results: where each state stands on who controls its government heading into 2026
boltsmag.org/legislative-...
boltsmag.org/legislative-...
December 10, 2025 at 9:48 PM
don't miss it, as it's buried in my latest analysis of the year's legislative results: where each state stands on who controls its government heading into 2026
boltsmag.org/legislative-...
boltsmag.org/legislative-...
The Missouri secretary of state is stepping into full-on lawlessness: missouriindependent.com/2025/12/09/m...
Missouri set to enact gerrymandered map despite 300K signatures for repeal referendum • Missouri Independent
Roughly 300,000 signatures demanding Missouri’s gerrymandered congressional map be placed on the 2026 ballot were submitted.
missouriindependent.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:04 PM
The Missouri secretary of state is stepping into full-on lawlessness: missouriindependent.com/2025/12/09/m...
Reposted by Taniel
INBOX: first reported by @kalahunter.bsky.social, weeks after Democrats flipped Georgia Public Service Commission seats by >20 points, PSC staff reached a last-minute deal with Georgia Power to generate more power by raising costs until 2075(!)
The lame duck PSC will vote on the deal next week.
The lame duck PSC will vote on the deal next week.
PSC staff cut deal with Georgia Power after criticizing new request. Will it cost you more?
Both environmental advocates and public service commissioners remarked that the agreement came as a surprise. Here’s what to know.
www.ledger-enquirer.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:46 PM
INBOX: first reported by @kalahunter.bsky.social, weeks after Democrats flipped Georgia Public Service Commission seats by >20 points, PSC staff reached a last-minute deal with Georgia Power to generate more power by raising costs until 2075(!)
The lame duck PSC will vote on the deal next week.
The lame duck PSC will vote on the deal next week.
NEW, from me: One startling stat captures just how badly the year went for the GOP.
Democrats flipped 21% of all GOP-held legislative seats at play.
That's thanks to gains they made in six states this year, and I break it all down in my latest:
Democrats flipped 21% of all GOP-held legislative seats at play.
That's thanks to gains they made in six states this year, and I break it all down in my latest:
In 2025, Democrats Flipped 21 Percent of GOP-Held Legislative Seats - Bolts
At the start of Donald Trump’s first presidency, in 2017, large Democratic victories in New Jersey and Virginia, paired with overperformances in special elections, foreshadowed the blue wave of the......
boltsmag.org
December 10, 2025 at 5:54 PM
NEW, from me: One startling stat captures just how badly the year went for the GOP.
Democrats flipped 21% of all GOP-held legislative seats at play.
That's thanks to gains they made in six states this year, and I break it all down in my latest:
Democrats flipped 21% of all GOP-held legislative seats at play.
That's thanks to gains they made in six states this year, and I break it all down in my latest:
Reposted by Taniel
JUST IN: Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Snell just confirmed, at the prodding of U.S. Magistrate Judge Keri Holleb Hotaling, that this motion for dismissal followed a "no bill" from a grand jury.
That means the grand jury refused to indict.
That means the grand jury refused to indict.
U.S. prosecutors in Chicago are dropping another case tied to Operation Midway Blitz, "without prejudice."
It's USA v. Nathan Griffin. Below is the motion, followed by excerpts from the complaint.
The feds don't say why they're dropping it, but they had until today to secure an indictment.
It's USA v. Nathan Griffin. Below is the motion, followed by excerpts from the complaint.
The feds don't say why they're dropping it, but they had until today to secure an indictment.
December 10, 2025 at 4:10 PM
JUST IN: Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Snell just confirmed, at the prodding of U.S. Magistrate Judge Keri Holleb Hotaling, that this motion for dismissal followed a "no bill" from a grand jury.
That means the grand jury refused to indict.
That means the grand jury refused to indict.
if you want more evidence the GOP had a bad, not good, terrible election year, stay tuned for my story shortly!
December 10, 2025 at 4:35 PM
if you want more evidence the GOP had a bad, not good, terrible election year, stay tuned for my story shortly!
Reposted by Taniel
We have never seen anything like this year.
@isabelaalhadeff.bsky.social attempts to list the many, many, many ways the Trump administration punished immigrants in 2025—and delighted in their cruelty.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
@isabelaalhadeff.bsky.social attempts to list the many, many, many ways the Trump administration punished immigrants in 2025—and delighted in their cruelty.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
A year of hell for immigrants
In the first Trump administration, cruelty was the point. Now, it is the norm.
www.motherjones.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:07 PM
We have never seen anything like this year.
@isabelaalhadeff.bsky.social attempts to list the many, many, many ways the Trump administration punished immigrants in 2025—and delighted in their cruelty.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
@isabelaalhadeff.bsky.social attempts to list the many, many, many ways the Trump administration punished immigrants in 2025—and delighted in their cruelty.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Taniel
Those are Dane County, Wisconsin margins in Athens. Wow.
This Georgia flip is in a district that the GOP drew to drown Democratic voters in Athens into a neighboring red county, Oconee.
But tonight, Dems in Athens were out in FULL FORCE to swamp that gerrymander.
But tonight, Dems in Athens were out in FULL FORCE to swamp that gerrymander.
December 10, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Those are Dane County, Wisconsin margins in Athens. Wow.
not a weird hobby at all, all the best people are doing it!!
My weird hobby is following obscure US elections via this website and I'm happy to report this morning that the Democrats seem to be winning all of the ones from last night (not yet on the website but you can find the results here on Blue Sky if you look).
boltsmag.org/whats-on-the...
boltsmag.org/whats-on-the...
The 25 Elections to Watch This December - Bolts
On the heels of their sweeping wins in November, Democrats have opportunities to gain further ground in December runoffs and special elections. They’re hoping for upsets in conservative territory, fro...
boltsmag.org
December 10, 2025 at 2:56 PM
not a weird hobby at all, all the best people are doing it!!
Reposted by Taniel
I don’t know that this will get much attention but it should
A huge night for Democrats:
—They flip Miami's mayorship.
—They flip a state House district in Georgia that had voted Trump by 13%.
—They keep Albuquerque's mayorship, while the liberal faction flips city council.
—And they get big overperformances (+18 & +22) in 2 Florida specials.
—They flip Miami's mayorship.
—They flip a state House district in Georgia that had voted Trump by 13%.
—They keep Albuquerque's mayorship, while the liberal faction flips city council.
—And they get big overperformances (+18 & +22) in 2 Florida specials.
December 10, 2025 at 3:37 AM
I don’t know that this will get much attention but it should
Reposted by Taniel
3 separate election nights in Georgia, all over the past 5 weeks
December 10, 2025 at 4:14 AM
3 separate election nights in Georgia, all over the past 5 weeks
3 separate election nights in Georgia, all over the past 5 weeks
December 10, 2025 at 4:14 AM
3 separate election nights in Georgia, all over the past 5 weeks
my obligatory Election Night post: if you enjoy the coverage we bring you at @boltsmag.org, and you see its unique value, consider supporting us or becoming a monthly member!
this is our end-of-year fundraising push, and you can do so in a few moments: boltsmag.org/donate
this is our end-of-year fundraising push, and you can do so in a few moments: boltsmag.org/donate
December 10, 2025 at 4:06 AM
my obligatory Election Night post: if you enjoy the coverage we bring you at @boltsmag.org, and you see its unique value, consider supporting us or becoming a monthly member!
this is our end-of-year fundraising push, and you can do so in a few moments: boltsmag.org/donate
this is our end-of-year fundraising push, and you can do so in a few moments: boltsmag.org/donate
Reposted by Taniel
The police killing of Sonya Massey ignited protests throughout the country. In Illinois, a civilian commission met over the last year to debate changes—holding tense, difficult meetings.
This story follows the commission for months—and captures just how agonizing these processes can be.
NEW:
This story follows the commission for months—and captures just how agonizing these processes can be.
NEW:
A Police Killing Drew National Protests. At Home, a Commission Struggles with How to Make a Difference. - Bolts
Part I: “I’m going to still try” On July 6, 2024, the morning after Sonya Massey was murdered by a Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy, a local citizen journalist named Calvin... Read More
boltsmag.org
December 9, 2025 at 8:28 PM
The police killing of Sonya Massey ignited protests throughout the country. In Illinois, a civilian commission met over the last year to debate changes—holding tense, difficult meetings.
This story follows the commission for months—and captures just how agonizing these processes can be.
NEW:
This story follows the commission for months—and captures just how agonizing these processes can be.
NEW:
A huge night for Democrats:
—They flip Miami's mayorship.
—They flip a state House district in Georgia that had voted Trump by 13%.
—They keep Albuquerque's mayorship, while the liberal faction flips city council.
—And they get big overperformances (+18 & +22) in 2 Florida specials.
—They flip Miami's mayorship.
—They flip a state House district in Georgia that had voted Trump by 13%.
—They keep Albuquerque's mayorship, while the liberal faction flips city council.
—And they get big overperformances (+18 & +22) in 2 Florida specials.
December 10, 2025 at 3:26 AM
A huge night for Democrats:
—They flip Miami's mayorship.
—They flip a state House district in Georgia that had voted Trump by 13%.
—They keep Albuquerque's mayorship, while the liberal faction flips city council.
—And they get big overperformances (+18 & +22) in 2 Florida specials.
—They flip Miami's mayorship.
—They flip a state House district in Georgia that had voted Trump by 13%.
—They keep Albuquerque's mayorship, while the liberal faction flips city council.
—And they get big overperformances (+18 & +22) in 2 Florida specials.
RESULTS: Democrat Tim Keller has won reelection as mayor of Albuquerque.
He defeats a former Republican sheriff, who took issue with Keller's executive order that limited collaboration with ICE.
And that's not all: Liberal faction seizes majority a city council.
He defeats a former Republican sheriff, who took issue with Keller's executive order that limited collaboration with ICE.
And that's not all: Liberal faction seizes majority a city council.
December 10, 2025 at 3:25 AM
RESULTS: Democrat Tim Keller has won reelection as mayor of Albuquerque.
He defeats a former Republican sheriff, who took issue with Keller's executive order that limited collaboration with ICE.
And that's not all: Liberal faction seizes majority a city council.
He defeats a former Republican sheriff, who took issue with Keller's executive order that limited collaboration with ICE.
And that's not all: Liberal faction seizes majority a city council.
JUST IN: Democrats are in comfortable leads in Albuquerque, as the early + mail vote has come in.
Democratic mayor Tim Keller leads his Republican opponent 58/42.
And in a city council race, Stephanie Telles leads 60% to 24%: her victory would flip the city council to the liberal faction.
Democratic mayor Tim Keller leads his Republican opponent 58/42.
And in a city council race, Stephanie Telles leads 60% to 24%: her victory would flip the city council to the liberal faction.
December 10, 2025 at 2:28 AM
JUST IN: Democrats are in comfortable leads in Albuquerque, as the early + mail vote has come in.
Democratic mayor Tim Keller leads his Republican opponent 58/42.
And in a city council race, Stephanie Telles leads 60% to 24%: her victory would flip the city council to the liberal faction.
Democratic mayor Tim Keller leads his Republican opponent 58/42.
And in a city council race, Stephanie Telles leads 60% to 24%: her victory would flip the city council to the liberal faction.
For everyone who cared about the Miami mayoral election today... Albuquerque is a more populous city, and the votes there are just coming in. Stay tuned!
December 10, 2025 at 2:27 AM
For everyone who cared about the Miami mayoral election today... Albuquerque is a more populous city, and the votes there are just coming in. Stay tuned!