New Podcast: In the Trenches in a Red State

Democratic candidate for Governor of Missouri Crystal Quade joins the show

Return of a warrior

Crystal Quade was a guest over a year ago on ‘On Democracy’ in our infant days on the Callin App. We were still dealing with the technical problems of that platform and bumps that go with new tech so I’ve been eager to have her back in the new season in studio.

Then she launched a campaign for Governor of Missouri…and I just had to have her back!

Representative Crystal Quade speaks in Kansas City

You may not be familiar with Crystal even if you live in Missouri. For the last 6 years she has served as the Minority Floor Leader in the state House of Representatives. Stepping up for the job only one session after arriving in Jefferson City. Since then she has led a brilliant campaign of stopping the worst ideas of the fractured Republican Party logging wins and draws in an impossible battle.

One of her greatest accomplishments has been re-energizing and focusing the Missouri House Democratic Campaign Committee to recruit, run, and support candidates across the state. Her team provides them with mentoring, services like website design, discounts on campaign materials and much more in an effort to get more Democrats to run in the hard places.

Now she is running for Governor against a crowded Republican field full of extremists and lifetime politicians who believe it’s their destiny. She has learned a lot of lessons about energizing Democrats and splitting a fractured Republican party in the last 7 years and brings that experience to a tough race.

Our conversation talks about the lessons she’s learned that apply to others across the country, why what happens in a place like Missouri matters nationally, how her life has shaped her politics, and the ways we need to push back against the growing extremism of the Republican Party among other fascinating lessons and topics.

After our chat I discussed, passionately, the outrageous behavior of Marjorie Taylor Greene in the hearing this week when she showed the actual nude photos of Hunter Biden allegedly stolen from his laptop.

This is a fascinating show I hope you’ll check out.

Crystal Quade

Representative Crystal Quade represents Missouri’s State House District 132 in Greene County and Springfield and has served as the Democratic Floor Leader throughout her six years in office. She is a candidate for governor of Missouri. Crystal was the first member of her family to graduate from high school then went on to earn a social work degree at Missouri State University. She is the former director of chapter services at Care to Learn, a nonprofit that addresses the health, hunger and hygiene needs of economically disadvantaged children in several school districts across the state. You can learn more about her campaign for Governor here!

The Stats

I opened the show with a discussion of a fascinating analysis in the Washington Post from Democratic strategists Celinda Lake and Mac Heller about how Gen Z is replacing older voters at a rapid clip and how much has changed since Donald Trump’s first run in 2016. Older voters are passing away and Gen Z is registering to vote but the drop off in the midterms shows they need to work to turn them out. Worth a read.

Turnout will matter for both parties with Gen Z

Other New Perspectives:

If you missed it, and haven’t subscribed to the MeidasTouch Network YouTube channel yet (why not?!), I have a new hot take up examining Ron DeSantis relaunch of the Florida State Guard and how our worst fears about it are coming true. Hope you’ll check it out.

A note of thanks

As always thank you for subscribing. I dropped the paywall for this edition of the podcast post so you can see what you’re missing. I’d love for you to upgrade to paid. I have made my content creation my main work now and without your support it’s not possible to keep telling the stories that matter and exposing the corruption we face. I’d be honored if you would consider upgrading!