Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Francesca Hong, Governor of Wisconsin

Before 2016, the last time Wisconsin had voted for a Republican was in 1984. If, like me, you are wondering what caused the transformation from a solidly Democratic state in presidential elections to one that supported a right-wing candidate, the answer has something to do with Wisconsin’s labor history. Once the only state that voted for the Progressive Party in 1924, and a state where Socialist Eugene V. Debs won over 11% of the vote in 1920, the reason for Wisconsin’s progressive politics had to do with the strength of organized labor in the state, and the support of workers for candidates who were solidly pro-worker. But in the 21st Century, with the systematic dismantling of unions’ power in the state, along with the rise of grievance politics that struck a nerve with disempowered workers, many in the working class in Wisconsin ironically decided to politically support the same party that took away their power.

We are hoping that change starts now, with the re-empowerment of the working class by progressive politicians. Francesca Hong (she/her), is one such candidate. Fran is a millennial State Assemblywoman and is running for Governor as a Democratic Socialist. Fran is solidly working class - in addition to her job as a lawmaker, she is a line cook and bartender in a restaurant. Fran’s platform is all about providing more for the working class: universal childcare, paid leave for all, fairer cheaper healthcare, and fully funded public education. In addition, she advocates for the abolition of ICE, and introduced legislation aimed to “protect Wisconsin residents from the terroristic overreaches of DHS’s occupation of our communities.”

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Kelly Garrett, Michigan House of Representatives District 18

Due to the large number of retirements this year, a lot of seats are opening up. Some are quitting politics for good, while others are launching campaigns for other elected office. In Michigan’s 18th District, State Representative Jason Hoskins, the incumbent, is giving up his seat to run for Michigan State Senate. Into this vacancy stepped millennial Mykale (Kelly) Garrett (she/her). Kelly is being endorsed in her race by US Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, a Democratic Socialist who defeated a primary challenge from Kelly in 2022. As mayor of Lathrup Village, she advanced key initiatives focused on public safety, infrastructure, and community engagement. Kelly credits her Christian faith with shaping her views on protecting women’s rights (including reproductive and voting), protecting trans individuals from violence and discrimination, and ensuring that all children have access to quality education.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 57.8Andrew FApril 23, 2026Black culture, black, election, election 2026, #election, politician, political, politics, Politics, #politicsComment

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Brianna Titone, Colorado State Treasurer

We are currently living in a frightening time in this country, where we have a right-wing federal government hellbent on rolling back US citizens’ civil rights. At this moment, our president is encouraging Congress to pass the “SAVE America Act”, a law that aims to restrict voting measures for US citizens. But Trump has slipped something else in this bill — conditions to restrict rights to transgender Americans, including preventing gender-affirming care for minors and preventing trans Americans from competing in sport.

At this critical moment, America needs more transgender leaders to show that the trans community will not be cowed, that trans Americans are equal with all other Americans, and they are proud and unafraid to represent the communities where they live. Brianna Titone (she/her), is one such American. Currently a state representative in the Colorado General Assembly, Brianna is running to be the next State Treasurer in Colorado. She has dedicated her life to service, not only as a scientist in multiple disciplines, but also as a volunteer firefighter in her community, and she became the first trans elected official in Colorado’s history in 2019. Brianna cares deeply about protecting the working class from corporations and billionaires, investing in affordable housing, protecting consumers from predatory corporations and unbridled AI, and protecting Colorado’s natural environment from fossil fuel exploration and production.

Anastasia Washington: Fierce But Funny

Actress, comedian, filmmaker, and model Anastasia Washington is doing it all. Her latest project features her playing multiple roles in the four-part horror comedy anthology “Grind.” Anastasia is also a fierce advocate for bipoc and women, tackling tough subjects, including police brutality, eating disorders, colorism, and more through the content she makes. To learn more about Anastasia Washington and her new film, read on.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Lucia Simonelli, Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District

One of the candidates running in the Democratic primary election for this district is Lucia Simonelli (she/her), a millennial who grew up without healthcare or financial stability but went on to get her PhD in Mathematics and works as a scientific advisor in the U.S. Senate. Her top issues in her campaign are Climate Change, Medicare for All, and abolishing ICE.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 57.8Andrew FMarch 30, 2026progressive, climate change, ICE, U.S. Senate, election 2026, electionComment

Reifier's Electronic Experimentation

Multidisciplinary producer, composer, vocalist, and engineer Reifier just released their debut EP titled “The Unfolding.” The project is an experimental electronic journey that explores self-discovery and transformation. Dedicated to supporting women and LGBTQ artists, Reifier also co-runs a supportive music studio called Forastero Sound and Music. To learn more about Reifier and their new music, read on.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Rachel Fetty Anderson, U.S. Senate, West Virginia

In West Virginia, a working class state whose Republican representation in Congress has repeatedly failed its citizens, a new generation is beginning to challenge aged representatives (75% of West Virginia’s Congressional representation is over age 72). Rachel Fetty Anderson (she/her/Ma’am), is a pro-bono attorney, bocce coach, and mom of four whose Christian faith inspires her to do good works for the poor and working class. When she was 17 she was lured to Switzerland and put into indentured servitude due to her illegal immigration status, which has given her a unique perspective on the plight of undocumented immigrants in America today. Today she is passionate about Medicare for All, providing government services for the homeless and working poor, and restoring public utilities to working condition in a state where 250,000 people lack access to safe drinking water.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 57.8Andrew FMarch 26, 2026election 2026, christian, mother, politics, U.S. SenateComment

How to Live an Analog Life, and Why People Are Making the Shift

In the increasingly digital world, it can feel like your entire life is spent online. Rapid technological advancements have raised significant social, personal and environmental concerns, from the spread of misinformation and doomscrolling to the environmental impacts of data centers.

Articles, zIssue 57.8Cora GoldMarch 24, 2026analog, lifestyle, sustainable, nature, slow livingComment

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Kate-Lynn Holley, Indiana State Senate, District 6

The current political landscape has inspired people from all walks of life to run for public office in the 2026 midterm elections! One of those is Kate-Lynn Holley (she/her), a former WWE RAW wrestler and current real estate agent based in northwest Indiana. This mother of one and lover of pink says her Christian faith has inspired her to care for and about the downtrodden, needy, and those failed by the current Republican administration in Indiana, and is running to harness the power of the legislature to begin to work to empower the working class instead of corporations. Her campaign is centered around making community safety, education, healthcare, and the economy more accessible to everyday Hoosiers who are not being properly served by the Indiana legislature.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 57.8Andrew FMarch 23, 2026election 2026, election, Motherhood, mother, Community, faith, christianComment

Vanessa Shakib: Advancing Animal Advocacy

Attorney Vanessa Shakib is driving change in the field of animal law through fearless activism. Her work dedicated to protecting animals has been featured by news outlets like CNN, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and more. Shakib is also the co-founder and co-director of the non-profit law firm Advancing Law for Animals. To learn more about Vanessa Shakib and her passion for animal advocacy, read on.

Our Favorite Candidates in 2026 - Gabrianna Gratzol, Indiana State Senate District 11

Gabrianna Gratzol (she/they) is a queer Gen-Z factory worker running for office in north-central Indiana. This area has a long history of organized labor, and Gabrianna has seen the state weaken the rights of the working class over her lifetime — while pregnant with her son, she was fired from her job after disclosing her pregnancy. This Dungeons and Dragons nerd is most passionate about quality, accessible, and equitable education, saying “I believe that one of the factors that leaves people vulnerable to the dehumanizing, callous ideologies of the right is the disenfranchisement that our current failing systems have trapped us in. I believe (and evidence supports) the idea that knowledge and community is the best inoculation against hate.”

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 57.8Andrew FMarch 19, 2026gen-z, mother, working class, labor, queer, lgbtqiaComment

Whiskey Flower's Unapologetic Honesty

Queer duo Whiskey Flower creates music that pulses with the beat of honesty, understanding, and resilience. They recently released their single “Stop Stereo,” the first taste of their upcoming EP “Double Yellow Lines,” a gritty, unflinching bark of laughter in the face of conformity that empowers listeners to embrace authenticity. Playing fundraisers for Santa Fe’s Girls Inc. organization, their dedication to inspiring authenticity continues. To learn more about Whiskey Flower and their upcoming EP, read on.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Katie Bansil, New Jersey's 6th Congressional District

In February 2026, former US President Barack Obama said that one of the problems with Democrats is gerontocracy: “There is an element of, at some point, you age out. You’re not connected directly to the immediate struggles that folks are going through.” Frankly, Obama is late to the conversation. For over the past year, Democrats in Congress have been bedeviled by their age, so much so that three of them died in 2025 while in office, and many others are starting to see the political handwriting on the wall, that they no longer have the connection or energy to represent their constituents adequately.

One of the most egregious offenders of this in the Democratic Caucus is Representative Frank Pallone (NJ-6). Elected to Congress in 1988, he is now one of the oldest and longest-serving members of Congress and is running for a 20th term in office. He is being challenged in the Democratic Primary by Katie Bansil (she/her), a queer millennial Filipina who immigrated to New Jersey at age 15 and has lived in the area ever since. Pallone not only has been in office for as long as Katie has lived in the neighborhood, but for longer than she has been alive. Katie brings a fresh perspective not only to the times we live in but also the problems of the day. Her electoral platform is supported by a triad of issues: universal health care, universal child care, and abolishing ICE. With New Jersey’s particular party system giving more power to established politicians than the residents of New Jersey, Katie will have to win over the state party, but with the political winds changing and the unique threats facing Americans today, and trying to replicate the recent success of Analilia Mejia in winning the Democratic nomination for New Jersey’s nearby 11th District, Katie aims to bring similar change to NJ-6 as Zohran Mamdani in nearby New York City.

The Unfuck America Tour Inspires Young Voters

Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands! When the democrats weren’t responding to the tours Charlie Kirk were taking to college campuses the National Ground Game Team stepped in. Traveling to college campuses across the country, the Unfuck America Tour is inspiring young voters, shifting perspectives, and directly fighting the propaganda conservative organizations like Turning Point USA are spreading. To learn more about the Unfuck America Tour, read on.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Bushra Amiwala, Illinois's 9th Congressional District

Schakowsky’s retirement set off a rush to replace her, and a whopping 15 candidates are running in the primary on March 17. One of them is Bushra Amiwala (she/her), who in 2019 became the first elected official in the United States from Gen Z when she was elected to the Board of Education in hometown of Skokie, Illinois. Bushra supports the organizations A Just Harvest, RefugeeOne, and The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. She is centering her campaign around the affordability crisis, Medicare for All, and the Green New Deal.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 57.8Andrew FMarch 12, 2026gen-z, muslim, election 2026, 2026 election, lawmakingComment

What to Know About the US-Israeli War with Iran

President Donald Trump built a large part of his campaign on the promise to not get the U.S. involved in a war. During the late afternoon on Feb. 27, he gave the orders to move forward with an operation titled “Epic Fury.” Throughout the early morning hours of the 28th, the U.S. and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran. Since then, it has been reported that over 1,000 people, including more than 150 schoolchildren, have lost their lives.

Celebrating the U.S. Female Winter Olympics Champions

Now that the 2026 Winter Olympics have finally come to a close, it’s time to highlight all of the incredible U.S. female athletes who made it onto the podium. This year marks a record breaking number of medals won for the U.S. in women’s events. Six out of the 12 gold medals won for the U.S. were won by women, eight if you count mixed team events, and 17 of the 33 total medals won by the U.S. were won by women, increasing to 21 if you count mixed team events. Breaking yet another record, more than 40 American women have left the Games with at least one medal.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Evan Turnage, Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District

When progressives think of places to settle, Mississippi rarely, if ever, enters their minds. The state ranks 47th in infrastructure (including last in road safety), 49th in economic strength, and dead last in healthcare. The GOP has a stranglehold on the state and local elective offices, and 3 out of 4 US Congressional districts are held by Republicans (in 2010, 3 out of 4 districts were Democratic). Little, if any, money that goes to the state rarely goes to the citizens who need it most.

The only Democratic US Representative from Mississippi, Bennie Thompson, is 78 years old and has represented the state in Congress since 1993. But in 2026, progressive voters are looking for a generational change in Congressional representation. Evan Turnage (he/him), was one year old when Thompson began his tenure in Congress. Now Turnage is running to challenge him in the Democratic primary. An antitrust lawyer by training, Evan is focusing his campaign on, you guessed it, the issues where Mississippi falls near or at the bottom of US state rankings: infrastructure, the economy, and healthcare.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 57.8Andrew FMarch 6, 2026millenial, African American, 2026 election, election 2026, congressComment

Kiyan Foroughi: The Journey Back to Yourself

Multi-cultural producer and storyteller Kiyan Foroughi has collaborated with vocalist Rachelle Ruby and rapper Maisa One on “Beautiful Distraction,” the second single off of his upcoming debut concept album, “inner light. OUTER SPACE.” This track is a seductive collision of genres that leads you to give into desire. Beyond the music, Foroughi shows his support for accessible healthcare by investing in the organization Watsi. To learn more about Kiyan Foroughi and his upcoming album, read on.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Oliver Larkin, Florida's 23rd Congressional District

When most people think of Florida, they do not think of a progressive political landscape. But Oliver Larkin (he/him/his) is trying to change this. A Democratic Socialist, Oliver has many years of experience in progressive political organizing and advocacy and wants to bring change to his home in South Florida (he grew up in Fort Lauderdale) which is Ground Zero for the MAGA movement. When he and his wife Sandra moved back to South Florida in 2022, they discovered astronomical rental rates as they bounced around Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and Deerfield Beach, looking for affordable housing. Oliver is centering his campaign around Medicare for All, a $25 minimum wage, and universal child care.