In this episode, hosts Steve Wildsmith, Nathan Higdon, and Jeremy LaDuke welcome Lee Jones, Middle Tennessee Regional Vice Chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party and Chair of the LGBTQ+ Caucus, for a deep dive into what Democrats need to do to win—and it's not what you might think.
Opening with the stunning upset victory of democratic socialist Zoran Mamdani in New York's mayoral primary, Steve sets the stage for a crucial question: Can authentic progressive candidates win in the rural South? Mamdani ran on a $30 minimum wage, rent freezes, and taxing the rich—and won with 43.5% of the vote, powered by young people and first-time voters who were energized by his refusal to moderate his message.
Key Topics:
- Why authenticity beats focus-grouped messaging every time
- How Democrats have been gaslighted into thinking they need to move right
- The corporate money vs. grassroots values tension within the party
- Why progressive values are actually rural values—and how to communicate that
- The upcoming Tennessee District 7 special election and what it means for the future
- How Lee transformed a Republican stronghold in West Nashville into a Democratic powerhouse
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