Fenit Nirappil

Fenit Nirappil

@fenitn.bsky.social

Deputy national politics editor at The Washington Post. Contact: fenitn.33 on Signal; fenit.nirappil@washpost.com

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Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

Professional update: After 5 1/2 years on the health team, I'm thrilled to become @washingtonpost.com's deputy campaigns and democracy editor. I'm helping to run our coverage of the midterm elections and the future of political parties and voting. All ears for feedback and tips! Contact in bio

Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

Trump 2024 voters who now disapprove of him make up about 8 percent of the electorate and are key to the midterms. What a voter quote: “It’s kind of like if your wife is screwing the guy next door. You know, you’re kind of butt hurt about it.” www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

washingtonpost.comThese Trump voters changed their minds — and are key to the midtermsAbout a fifth of those who voted for Trump in 2024 now disapprove of his performance. How they vote -- or whether they stay home -- will strongly shape the scale of Republican losses this year.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

Last night in Michigan, Obama directly tied Abdul El-Sayed's campaign and political story to his own, including how they both faced anti-Muslim rhetoric. “We have seen this movie before. I starred in it,” Obama said. “This stuff didn’t work on me." www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

washingtonpost.comIn first midterm rallies, Obama assails Trump administrationDemocrats have embraced the former president as their most effective closing messenger in the final weeks of the high-stakes midterm campaign.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

For Democrat Scott Colom to pull off the biggest upset of the midterms in Mississippi, he needs huge Black voter turnout and about a quarter of the white vote. @schneidergs.bsky.social went to Mississippi to report on why that's so hard www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

washingtonpost.comA Black Democrat has a chance to win in Mississippi’s Senate raceScott Colom has a shot to make history in Mississippi with massive Black voter turnout and fed-up White voters willing to back a Democrat.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

More than a year ago, @drdemetre.bsky.social resigned from CDC leadership to protest RFK Jr. and fight him from the outside. @lenasun.bsky.social has stayed in touch to report on what happened next. Read the last installment of our Fight or Fold series for free: wapo.st/4BqcoiO

wapo.stHe resigned from CDC leadership. Now he’s fighting RFK Jr. from the outsideDemetre Daskalakis, CDC’s top immunization official, resigned in 2025 to protest Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., then became one of his loudest critics.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

A mom featured in a campaign ad accused a House Democratic candidate of endangering kids because of her votes on transgender issues. Turns out the woman in the ad once pleaded guilty to endangering kids. wapo.st/4ieRiLA

wapo.stWoman in ad who said a Democrat endangers kids pleaded guilty to endangering kidsShellie Flockhart, who called Iowa Democratic House candidate Sarah Trone Garriott “dangerous” for kids, pleaded guilty after authorities said she drove drunk with her children in the car in 2017.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

EXCLUSIVE: Myla Roundy goes deep into the safety record of a business led by John Braun, the Republican challenging Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez in one of the most competitive House races. Read for free: wapo.st/4i8n2Sk

Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

Annie Andrews took on Darline Graham for saying national security "isn't really my thing." "If your surgeon said that appendectomies aren’t really his thing, would you still hand him a scalpel?" Other moments from the South Carolina Senate debate: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

washingtonpost.comTakeaways from first S.C. Senate debate between Darline Graham, Annie AndrewsSen. Darline Graham (R-South Carolina) clashed with Democrat Annie Andrews in their only scheduled debate of a Senate race that has become unexpectedly competitive.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Darline Graham says we need to “stop depending on Communist China for things America can make ourselves.” But her husband, Larry Nordone, has management roles in two companies that rely on Chinese manufacturing, our reporting shows wapo.st/4dwHSJI

wapo.stDarline Graham opposes Chinese manufacturing. Her husband’s job relies on it.The senator and sister of the late Lindsey Graham has said the U.S. must “stop depending on Communist China for things America can make ourselves.”
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

The Post recently joined Pete Buttigieg as he campaigned for other Democrats and consistently heard the same thing from voters: They like him, but don’t think America is ready for a gay president. Here was his response, and a gift link to the story wapo.st/4yTXgIg

Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

EXCLUSIVE: David Flippo, a Republican congressional candidate in Nevada, inflated his military record multiple times in recent years. Experts on military awards say such exaggerations are tantamount to lying. Read for free: wapo.st/4d4OqPA

wapo.stTrump-backed Nevada Republican exaggerated Bronze Star award in two campaignsCongressional hopeful David Flippo said his staff made a mistake in an announcement video in 2023. The video was deleted three years later.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

The office created in part to address Black infant mortality and lower life expectancy now focuses spending on “the root causes of infertility and reproductive health conditions”— including “low sperm count” and “erectile dysfunction,” as well as promoting physical activity

The Wall Street Journal@wsj.com

HHS moved money from a minority health office to help pay security costs for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., according to people familiar with the matter and a document reviewed by the WSJ on.wsj.com/4xE2vuA

on.wsj.comHHS moved money from a minority health office to help pay security costs for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., according to people familiar with the matter and a document reviewed by the WSJThe cost of the health secretary’s security grew from roughly $10 million in 2025 to $17 million in 2026.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

A GOP super PAC canceled $6.5 million in advertising reservations in the North Carolina Senate race. Republicans aren't totally giving up, but privately concede they appear set to lose that race. "There will be a pulse until election day," one strategist said. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

washingtonpost.comGOP appears deeply worried about Senate race in N.C., a once reliable stateRepublicans privately say the key battleground for Senate control may be out of reach as nominee Michael Whatley’s ties to the president bog him down.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

Some Republicans eyeing presidential runs aren't being very coy. "the Republican primary electorate’s probably more with me" -Rand Paul “What was that song that the Judds sang — ‘Why Not Me?’" -John Kennedy “The best job is to be the president" -Rick Scott www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

washingtonpost.comRepublicans start making moves to challenge JD Vance for 2028 nominationA fractious GOP presidential contest could force the vice president to reckon with President Donald Trump’s unpopular policies.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

We’ve updated our list of the top megadonors who’ve pumped more than $1.7 billion into the midterms. In August, the Winklevoss twins who are now crypto players donated $10 million while crypto regulation was on the Hill. Read the full list for free: wapo.st/4ybxvU7

Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

Michigan likely voters want a Democratic Senate by an 8-point margin, but only back Democrat Abdul El-Sayed by a 3-point margin. Our poll of the race finds why he's underperforming his party. Read for free: wapo.st/46sUspC

wapo.stPoll finds close Michigan Senate race. Here’s how El-Sayed lags his party.A Post-Schar School finds 53 percent of Michigan’s likely voters say they want Democrats to control the Senate, but 48 percent support Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in the Senate race.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

He said “Black people come up the highway and they kill Mainers” and that drug traffickers with names like “D-Money” often come to Maine and “impregnate a young White girl.” Now Maine's former governor Paul LePage is poised to flip a House seat www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

washingtonpost.comA centrist House Democrat may be replaced by ‘Trump before Donald Trump’Former Maine governor Paul LePage is seen as the likely winner against progressive Matt Dunlap in the race for retiring Rep. Jared Golden’s seat.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

EXCLUSIVE: A top staffer to Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) appeared to wear an SS uniform while marching near Nazi flags in photos. He also created a public Spotify playlist called “Tales From Rhodesia," the White-run African colony embraced by white supremacists. Gift link: wapo.st/4xkuEa0

wapo.stOhio Senate campaign staffer used Nazi soldiers as profile photoA top staffer for Sen. Jon Husted's reelection campaign recently made a playlist of songs in honor of White colonists in Rhodesia and wore a Nazi uniform.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

It's been so hard trying to keep track of the dozens of battleground House races. Worth bookmarking this heroic effort by @mariana-alfaro.bsky.social, @annalissroy.bsky.social & Eric Lau to help wrap our heads around the key themes and campaigns. wapo.st/4gPQoV7

wapo.stThese are the most important House races to watch in NovemberDemocrats are favored to win the House, but Republicans have viable paths to keeping control. These are the key themes and races to keep an eye on.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

Whistleblower warns that the Postal Service has adopted an internal “zero-percent failure policy” that would reject a batch of thousands of ballots if a single barcode could not be scanned or matched with information submitted through a new online portal. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

washingtonpost.comPostal Service plans may keep voters from getting ballots, whistleblower saysAn anonymous federal official warns that a rushed USPS portal tied to Trump’s mail-voting order could reject large batches of ballots before the midterms.

Fenit Nirappil reposted

Lena Sun
@lenasun.bsky.social

NEW: The CDC is excluding two deaths reported by Pennsylvania from the agency’s weekly update on measles dashboard, a decision that came from new CDC director Erica Schwartz, per sources. Me and @Rachelroubein.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comNew CDC director delays adding Pennsylvania deaths to measles dataThe deaths have been at the heart of a bitter political dispute between RFK Jr. and Gov. Josh Shapiro (D).
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

Beth Macy, author of "Dopesick" and the memoir "Paper Girl," is running in a deep red Virginia district as something of a Democratic counterpart to JD Vance. But in her view, he blames poor people for their own plight whereas she focuses on outside forces harming them. Gift link: wapo.st/4i1oibG

washingtonpost.comThis Appalachian memoir author is running as a Democratic contrast to JD VanceBeth Macy is challenging Rep. Ben Cline in a bright-red Virginia district, hoping her own story and the stories she told about the region will win back rural and working-class White voters.

Fenit Nirappil reposted

Caitlin Gilbert
@caitlingilbert.bsky.social

NEW: Shapiro + RFK Jr. are feuding over measles—Kennedy and his allies are attacking Dems after a coroner said measles didn’t play a role in the death of a newborn, while MMR rates in Lancaster have plunged from 94% to 87% since 2019. wapo.st/4xpgDsi @lenasun.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social

wapo.stMeasles’ role in child’s death ignites fight between RFK Jr. and Pennsylvania governorA county coroner said that the pathologist who examined a newborn who tested positive for measles did not believe the virus played a role in the baby’s death.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

EXCLUSIVE: A former staffer for Republican Georgia Senate candidate Mike Collins shared images of a swastika and one that depicts himself in Ku Klux Klan robes. It follows controversial actions and rhetoric from other Collins associates that have dogged his campaign. Gift link: wapo.st/3STgs9P

Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

Right-wing rhetoric about Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed shifted from fixating on socialism to attacks on his religion. Our data analysis quantifies the latest instance of open Islamophobia embraced within the GOP wapo.st/4xiVXCs

Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

How did a false allegation lead to Pete Buttigieg's separation from his kids? Our exclusive reporting shows how authorities did not take steps to vet the caller who left her contact. We found the caller who said she wanted to thwart his White House ambitions. Gift link: wapo.st/45ok5XP

washingtonpost.comSource of false Buttigieg allegation appeared ‘mentally unstable,’ records showThe Michigan attorney general’s office is investigating how the accusation that prompted the ex-Cabinet secretary's separation from his 4-year-old twins was handled.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

In a previously unreported outburst, we found out that Nancy Mace upbraided her 26-year-old nephew in front of elected officials because he accepted an endorsement from her political rival www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

washingtonpost.comNancy Mace’s thrashing in South Carolina governor’s race caps a rough downfallThe congresswoman finished fifth in the state’s GOP gubernatorial primary, according to unofficial returns, solidly losing even her own home county and district.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

Behind the downfall of Nancy Mace and her trouncing in South Carolina: Years of brazen political opportunism, a hunger for media attention at any cost, rejecting advisers’ counsel and turning on many allies, more than a dozen former supporters told The Post www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

washingtonpost.comOnce a rising star, Nancy Mace suffers resounding defeat in governor’s raceThe South Carolina congresswoman finished fifth in the state’s GOP gubernatorial primary, according to unofficial returns, solidly losing even her own home county and district.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

EXCLUSIVE: Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) told Republican House candidates that he will suspend the May 16 House primaries to redraw the state's congressional map. This would help Republicans pick up another seat or two in the midterms www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

washingtonpost.comLouisiana governor prepares to suspend House primaries after court rulingGov. Jeff Landry (R) told Republican House candidates he plans to suspend the May 16 primary elections so lawmakers can redraw the congressional map.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

In a key Pennsylvania House district, Bob Brooks, a Democratic candidate embraced for his appeal to white working class voters, once called Colin Kaepernick a "douchebag" and posted in defense of police after George Floyd's killing. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

washingtonpost.comDemocrat in key race defended guns after mass shooting and insulted KaepernickBob Brooks, a firefighter who appeals to the White working class, engaged with right-wing content. His endorsers in the Pennsylvania House race stand by him.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

Republicans keeping falsely claiming that Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed tax hikes that she never backed and that never even passed. She talked about what she learned from this in a interview with @schneidergs.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

washingtonpost.comSpanberger counters false GOP claims of tax hikes: ‘A desperate tactic’Republicans keep criticizing Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger over proposed tax increases by Democratic legislators that never passed and that she never endorsed.

Fenit Nirappil reposted

Mr. Dan Zak
@mrdanzak.com

“Ultimately it was a group of liberal online influencers — not party bigwigs — who made it their mission to ensure that someone facing multiple allegations of misconduct should not be elevated to the highest office in California.” wapo.st/4cd1t1t

wapo.stHow Eric Swalwell rose to the top of Democratic politics as rumors followed himAllies like Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Ruben Gallego say they knew nothing about the misconduct allegations, with Gallego saying the congressman led a “double life.”
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

Kamala Harris explicitly says she's thinking about running for president again, electrifying a crowd of thousands at Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network. @schneidergs.bsky.social was there www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

washingtonpost.comCrowd chants ‘Run again!’ to Kamala Harris, who said she’s ‘thinking about it’The former vice president’s statement at a Black political convention was one of her most explicit signals yet that she could campaign again for president in 2028.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

Outside Democratic groups haven’t helped Janet Mills get on the airwaves as she struggles against Graham Platner in the Maine Senate race. Chuck Schumer now faces a question of cutting his losses or trying to rescue the candidate he recruited www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

washingtonpost.comIs Chuck Schumer leaving his top candidate recruit twisting in the wind?Maine’s Democratic governor, Janet Mills, has gone negative against Graham Platner. The attacks have not worked, and Minority Leader Charles Schumer so far has declined to bail her out.
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social

The DNC expected a surge of big donations after the big Democratic wins in November. It didn’t happen, and the DNC shelved plans for investments in the South & a midterm convention, sources tell the Post www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

washingtonpost.comThe DNC expected big money after big Democratic wins. It never came.The Democratic National Committee has scaled back some of its plans as donors remain reluctant to give, despite candidates’ recent victories.