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Maine Democrats selected Troy Jackson, a former gubernatorial candidate and president of the Maine Senate, to replace Graham Platner on November's ballot. While Jackson shares many of Platner's political views, can he bring Platner's supporters along and unseat longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins?

This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political reporter Elena Moore, and Maine Public state house correspondent Kevin Miller.

This podcast was produced and edited by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs.

Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

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The NPR Politics Podcast

Is Troy Jackson Maine's new main man?

House Republicans had a busy week before heading out for an August recess. We discuss what measures they passed, how those items fit into President Trump's agenda and how that agenda is making life difficult for some Republicans on the midterm campaign trail.

This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales, and White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram.

This podcast was produced and edited by Bria Suggs.

Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

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How Trump's agenda complicates midterm races for Republicans

Campaigns across the country are leaning into immigration issues, spurred in part by recent fatal shootings by federal immigration officers in Maine and Texas. We discuss how politicians on both sides of the aisle are using the issue and why Republicans in particular see immigration enforcement as a winning message.

This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, immigration policy correspondent Ximena Bustillo, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson.

This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Rachel Baye.

Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

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Fatal ICE shootings reignite campaign debate over immigration

President Trump attended the dignified transfer on Wednesday of four U.S. soldiers killed in the Iran war. We discuss how the latest casualties affect the politics of the war, and how Congress took Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s request for billions more in funding for the war. 

This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, national security correspondent Quil Lawrence, and White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez.

This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Rachel Baye.

Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

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As casualties rise, do the politics of the Iran war change?

The next presidential election is more than two years away, but it's not too early to start discussing likely contenders. We do an NFL-style draft of the candidates who may lead the Republican field in 2028. If you missed our Democratic candidate draft, you can catch that here.

This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior political correspondent Tamara Keith.

This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.

Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

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2028 fantasy draft: Republicans

Tuesday is Primary Day in Arizona. We discuss the Republicans hoping to unseat Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs in November and the competitive primaries for an open Phoenix-area House seat.

This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and KJZZ correspondent Wayne Schutsky.

This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Rachel Baye.

Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

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