The NPR Politics Podcast

The NPR Politics Podcast

Every weekday, NPR's best political reporters are there to explain the big news coming out of Washington and the campaign trail. They don't just tell you what happened. They tell you why it matters. Every afternoon.

Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org. You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening for The NPR Politics Podcast.
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Episode's summary

Democrats have long seen Texas as the next state for their politicians and ideas to break through, but they haven't won a statewide race there since 1994. We look at why they think this year may break that trend. This episode: voting correspondents Miles Parks & Ashley Lopez, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced and edited by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Episodes

3423-

Texas: Democrats' eternal hope

Democrats have long seen Texas as the next state for their politicians and ideas to break through, but they haven't won a statewide race there since 1994. We look at why they think this year may break that trend. This episode: voting correspondents Miles Parks & Ashley Lopez, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced and edited by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

21 Oct 2026
3422-

Why Dems see opportunity in Alaska

Democrats think they have a shot at winning a U.S. Senate seat and the governor's mansion in Alaska this election. We look at the issues at stake, and why Republicans are playing defense in a state Donald Trump won by 13 points in 2024. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson, and Alaska Public Media Washington correspondent Liz Ruskin. This podcast was produced and edited by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

20 Oct 2026
3421-

The Kansas Senate race is looking like a toss up. Yes, really.

Kansas hasn't elected a Democratic senator since the 1930s. But political headwinds against Republicans are turning this year's race between incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall and Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton into a real contest. This episode: Voting correspondent Miles Parks, political reporter Stephen Fowler, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced and edited by Lexie Schapitl and Bria Suggs. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

20 Oct 2026
3420-

A week of warning signs for the GOP?

This week saw staffing changes at the White House, the president hitting the road to campaign in Republican strongholds, and backlash to a deal to buy diesel fuel from Russia. We break down what it all means as we enter the final sprint before the midterm elections. Plus, President Trump made inroads with young voters in 2024. But there are some signs that he's now losing that ground. And, of course, Can't Let It Go. This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and political reporter Elena Moore. This podcast was produced and edited by Lexie Schapitl and Bria Suggs. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to…

16 Oct 2026
3419-

They voted for Trump in 2024. Now, they regret it.

As part of our monthly series of focus groups with swing voters, we head to Georgia, where many voters say they regret giving Trump a second run at the White House in 2024. That regret also threatens Republicans running in local and statewide races, they say. What's behind their change of heart? This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, voting correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. This podcast was produced and edited by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

15 Oct 2026