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Intelligence for the New World Economy

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Intelligence for the New World Economy
Semafor World Economy
David Weigel

David Weigel

Politics Reporter, Semafor

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Talarico touts endorsement from man who accused Paxton of stealing his pen

Joe Joplin left his $1,000 pen in a dish near a courthouse metal detector, after which a security camera captured Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton picking it up and walking away.
James Talarico
Joel Angel Juarez/Reuters

Hong’s defeat shows the left evolving further away from 2020

Hong’s narrow defeat in Wisconsin revealed how many Democrats worry that they’ll lose if they “talk like aliens.”
David Crowley and Francesca Hong
“David Crowley and Francesca Hong during Democratic Primary debate on July 28, 2026” by LaShawnda Jones, CC BY-SA 4.0

Four takeaways from a huge primary Tuesday

Not every one of Tuesday’s primaries can be called yet, but the big trends are clear. 
Peggy Flanagan
Tim Evans/Reuters

Voters head to polls in South Carolina, Wisconsin, Minnesota

Nine primary races to watch that will test progressives’ staying power and Trump’s endorsement.
Mike Lindell at a Trump campaign event in 2024
Rachel Mummey/Reuters

Democratic establishment uses a ‘vulnerability’ attack on the left

Rep. Angie Craig is warning that fraud investigations could dog her progressive rival for Minnesota Senate, and she’s not alone.
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan
Tim Evans/Semafor

Tennessee Republican booted in primary upset

Tennessee voters ousted Rep. Andy Ogles in Thursday’s primary, despite his endorsement by President Donald Trump.
Andy Ogles
Annabelle Gordon/Reuters

Campaign ridicule was the real winner of Michigan’s Democratic primary

Abdul El-Sayed’s victory was a clear win for anti-AIPAC Democrats — and ridicule.

An inconclusive Tuesday, in Michigan and beyond

The Democratic establishment couldn’t get some of its candidates over the line, and the party’s rising left wing couldn’t win some key races.

Michigan Senate and 10 other races to watch

The matchup between El-Sayed and Stevens is the biggest story of the day.

Democratic socialists rework platform as they step into spotlight

Democratic Socialists of America is in a brighter spotlight than ever.

Progressives’ Midwest insurgency is powered by the growing data center backlash

From Francesca Hong to Abdul El-Sayed, the left is winning Democrats’ message battle on the issue.

How Congress entrenched its own unpopularity by trying to rein in stock trading

The STOCK Act, by forcing transparency, has created a perception of an unfixable institution.

‘Give him a chance’: Democrats sticking by embattled chair

There are real drawbacks to an attempted ouster of national party chief Ken Martin, despite mounting questions about his tenure.

Democrats recommend South Carolina to host first 2028 primary

The Democratic National Committee’s rules and bylaws committee recommended keeping the state at the front of their primary calendar.

Manchin launches council to elect independents

“We’re trying to build a true independent network,” the former senator told Semafor.

Democrats crash their own party

Democrats are tending towards do-overs that might create a problem for their base.

Center-left Democrats seek distance from Medicare for All

The center-left Searchlight Institute is urging Democrats to work toward universal healthcare in ways that don’t disrupt private insurance.

How Democrats learned to embrace Native American land acknowledgments

The party has kept to a formal custom that Republicans at times try to turn into a culture-war wedge issue.