With a sudden surge of open House sets on the GOP side, we're once again in record territory. Democrats have slowed the pace recently.

Gender Quota Laws and Women in Cabinets 36 Pages Posted: 16 Dec 2024 Last revised: 11 Feb 2026 Tiffany Barnes University of Texas at Austin Giulia Venturini University of Strathclyde Ana Weeks University of Bath Date Written: December 06, 2024 Abstract Do legislative gender quotas increase women’s presence in cabinets? Women remain underrepresented in political leadership worldwide. As a remedy, over 80 countries have adopted gender quotas, requiring parties to nominate or elect a minimum share of women. But can quotas have effects beyond the positions they directly target? We argue that quotas increase the presence of women in executive cabinets by expanding the pool of experienced female legislators. Using a global dataset (168 countries) from 1990 to 2021, we find gender quotas increase the share of women ministers by 15 percent relative to the average baseline–including increases in both high- and lowprestige portfolios. Consistent with a supply-side mechanism, effects are largest in parliamentary democracies—where ministers are often selected from parliament—and in countries that experienced the greatest increases in women’s legislative representation post-quota. The findings suggest quotas can generate meaningful spillover effects at the highest levels of government.

“I am delighted to conditionally accept your article for publication in The Journal of Politics.”

🥳

We find that gender quota laws for legislatures also increase the share of women in cabinets.

w @gventurini.bsky.social @tiffanydbarnes.bsky.social

dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn...

This is just insane. It’s only a matter of time before DHS kills another innocent person here.

(clip via MPR and @davidjbier.bsky.social on X)

Just experienced the most intense tear gassing of my life by federal officers outside the ICE facility in Portland where marchers gathered. There was no fast exit as they indiscriminately threw loads of gas and flash bangs. Children were in the crowd screaming. @oregoncapitalchronicle.com

The ICE shootings are a tipping point Donald Trump's approval on immigration has collapsed 17 points since taking office, and support for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement has swung 50 points since Sept. 2024.

Public opinion has shifted dramatically against the White House's approach to immigration enforcement, as captured in the rising % of adults who want to abolish ICE (now +12 among independents, per YouGov). Dems have a lot of leverage to push for reforms rn. www.gelliottmorris.com/p/trumps-imm...

On NPR on Friday, there was a story of a 4-year-old--an American citizen--who hasn't left her house since early December, not even to play in the yard. And her 8-year-old brother recently stopped going to school, too. Their father is undocumented, and the family doesn't want to risk him being taken.

Why is Dem leadership not on the ground in MN? If the answer is “polls show Trump’s disapproval is only -15 on deportations, but -25 on prices,” thats a Bad Use Of Polling and a complete failure in their capacity as leaders to lead public opinion and fight for democracy and the rule of law

The Money Signal

The Money Signal | New book by @daniellethomsen.bsky.social, @ucirvine.bsky.social political science professor, explores how fundraising matters in American politics

@uchicagopress.bsky.social @uofcalifornia.bsky.social

AOC: An agency that is attacking U.S. citizens, kidnapping five-year-olds and using them as bait, and privately circulating the idea that they can violate the rights of Americans by busting down their doors—they deserve to be defunded, and I’ll take any step in that direction.

Photo of Liam Conejo Ramos, who was used as bait by ICE agents in Minnesota.

This family did every single thing they’ve been asked to in order to seek asylum here.

Yet in less than 24 hours, this kid and his Dad were nabbed off our streets and sent to Texas, using tactics that can only be described as pure evil.

Preschooler and three other students detained by ICE, school district leader says The detentions of Columbia Heights students come after weeks of heightened concern and enforcement presence near and on Twin Cities school property.

"Liam’s teacher, Ella Sullivan, teared up when thinking about Liam. 'He’s a bright young student,' she said, 'and he’s so kind and loving. His classmates miss him.'"

www.startribune.com/preschooler-...

Given that David Valadao, the only other remaining House Republican to vote for impeachment in 2021, is sitting in one of the seats targeted by California's redistricting efforts, there may be zero such members come 2027.

ICE PEPPER SPRAYED A ONE-YEAR-OLD because her mother was filming them.

We've got you 👍

OPINION TODAY featured podcast —
The money chase: In congressional primaries and general elections, the top fundraiser wins 92% of the time. @daniellethomsen.bsky.social finds that candidates are raising money earlier and in larger amounts than ever.
opiniontoday.substack.com/i/177548584/...

Big thanks to @mattgrossmann.bsky.social for the invitation to discuss my new book!

Opinion: Why Washington University must not sign Trump's 'compact' Washington University in St. Louis has built its reputation on a simple ideal: excellence wins. For decades, our researchers have competed for and won federal grants based on the quality

New editorial from me and @keithschnak.bsky.social.

“Why Washington University must not sign Trump's 'compact'”

Great turnout on pacific coast highway. Deeply moved by support for democracy, science, and the values that set America apart.

Thanks Tim!

Thanks for the plug, Bruce!

I just finished reading this book. It is terrific.

The Money Signal A data-rich, eye-opening look at how, when, and why political fundraising is consequential.  Over the last two decades, the number of competitive congressional races has declined precipitously. Yet ca...

As fundraising heats up this cycle, it's a good time to announce the publication of my new book, The Money Signal! The main argument is that money matters because it is a widely used indicator of viability and strength in American politics.

press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...

BJPolS abstract discussing trends in congressional election dropouts in the United States from 1980 to 2022, analyzing data on 26,000 candidates and exploring strategic exit motivations.

#OpenAccess from Augusts 2025 -

Early Money and Strategic Candidate Exit - cup.org/3HnnDBk

"exit of experienced candidates has important implications for the choices that voters have"

- @daniellethomsen.bsky.social

The emphasis on dollars has a variety of implications for American democracy:
-- excludes those without access to deep pockets
-- dominates the day-to-day activity of running for office
-- campaign resources are highly unequal
-- moves representation beyond the district

Unsurprisingly, candidates who raise more money are more successful at the ballot box, and one chapter explores the advantages in primary elections in particular.

But the broader aim is to rethink the value of money in American politics long before and well after election day.

Candidates also spend a lot of time dialing for dollars. A survey of House candidates shows that those with prior office experience spend more time on fundraising than on other campaign activities.

And top fundraisers raise a lot more early money today, especially in favorable environments like open seat races.

Candidates raise money earlier and earlier in the cycle (in both earlier and later primaries).

Quote from House candidate: “The advice that you get all the time is that the only thing that matters is raising money. That definitely gets into your head. It becomes the only thing you think about when you go to bed, and it becomes the only thing you think about when you get up in the morning."

Scholars have analyzed the effect of money on the behavior of lawmakers and on election outcomes. The goal here is to suggest that the power of money is broader. Turning to fundraising as a focal point sheds new light on why candidates and lawmakers care so much about fundraising.