I Hate Politics Podcast

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Max Socol for Maryland Senate District 18 IHP Candidate Interview May 27, 2022

Show notes

Maryland State District 18 seat is one of the few contested state legislative offices in Montgomery County. Viable challenges to state legislative incumbents are rare, but in the 2022 community organizer and social activist Max Socol is challenging longtime senator Jeff Waldstreicher. Sunil Dasgupta talked to Socol about affordable housing. Waldstriecher did not respond to interview requests. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.

Marc Elrich for Montgomery County Executive IHP Candidate Interview May 20, 2022

Show notes

The Montgomery County Executive race is one of the most closely watched and contested elections in the 2022 primary. Sunil Dasgupta talks with incumbent Marc Elrich about housing and jobs. Elrich is in a three-way race with businessman David Blair and Councilmember Hans Riemer. Prior to becoming county executive, Elrich sat on the Montgomery County Council for 12 years. IHP candidate interviews with Blair and Riemer appeared earlier in February 2022. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.

Montgomery County Council District 4 IHP Candidate Interview May 13, 2022

Show notes

Montgomery County Council District 4 is a newly created seat in the southern part of the county starting in Takoma Park and going all the way over Kensington and to North Bethesda on Rockville Pike. Sunil Dasgupta spoke with three candidates running for the seat: bartender John Zittrauer (timestamp 4:44) about safe injection sites for drug users, Takoma Park mayor Kate Stewart (22:33) about housing, and nonprofit executive Amy Ginsburg (49:26) about economic development. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.

Montgomery County Board of Education District 3 IHP Candidate Interview May 06, 2022

Show notes

Montgomery County Board of Education District 3 used to be held for a long time by Pat O'Neill, who died in fall 2021. The Board chose education consultant Scott Joftus to replace her. Joftus is now running to keep his seat and Julie Yang, a former MCSPS career and college counselor, is running against him. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Joftus (timestamp 4:11) about how he will bring to bear his education consulting experience, and with Yang (31:22) about student mental health. Yang's interview is truncated because of lost audio. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.

The House of the Apple Ballot Apr 29, 2022

Show notes

The Apple Ballot is the voter guide issued by the teacher's union in Maryland that has been one of the most powerful endorsements for public office in the state. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Jennifer Martin, president of the Montgomery County Education Association, the county teachers' union, about education politics. Very local news as police return to schools in Montgomery County and anger erupts over the local Sierra Club's political endorsements. Music for the episode comes from Montgomery County vibes and drums player, Pete Chauvette.

Earth Day with the Sunshiners Apr 22, 2022

Show notes

IHP 64 Earth Day with the Sunshiners

Earth Day episode with The Sunshiners, a local band of climate activists debuting on the show their first album, Endangered Species. Kipyn Martin, Rick Sullivan, and Jeffrey Weisner bring their talents to the cause in the hope that music speaks louder than words alone. We play the full album. News update about political candidate shuffling and a war update from faraway Ukraine.

Montgomery County Council District 7 IHP Candidate Interview Apr 15, 2022

Show notes

Montgomery County Council District 7 is a newly created seat eastern upcounty centered on Olney, Damascus and Montgomery Village. Sunil Dasgupta spoke with three candidates running for the seat: Dawn Luedtke (timestamp 3:34) about public safety, Jacqueline Manger (27:13) about jobs, and Ben Wikner (46:58) about the Montgomery Village Equity Center. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.

Anthony Brown and Katie O'Malley for MD Attorney General IHP Candidate Interview Apr 08, 2022

Show notes

The Maryland Attorney General's race in 2022 features two heavyweights on the Democratic side. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Congressman Anthony Brown, who served as lieutenant governor before and ran to be governor; and with Judge Katie Curran O'Malley, former first lady of the state and longtime circuit court judge in Baltimore. They talk about public safety, civil rights, and rethinking the office. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.

Baba Cissé and Arvin Kim for SMOB IHP Candidate Interview Mar 31, 2022

Show notes

Sunil Dasgupta speaks with Albert Einstein High School junior Baba Cissé and Walt Whitman High School junior Arvin Kim, the two finalists for the Student Member of the Montgomery County Board of Education in 2022. The SMOB is one of the eight members of the county school board, nearly co-equal with other generally elected members of the Board, but voted for only by secondary school students in the county. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.

Three Voices Behind the News Mar 25, 2022

Show notes

An exhausted Ukrainian medic talks about life and war in her country, a Maryland Delegate finds unexpected celebrity support for his bill on court transparency, and a mayor ponders on voter turnout and election management. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Maria Nazarova and David Moon, and Andtew Saundry talks with Jud Ashman in an episode that goes from global to national to local news. Music for this episode comes from Washington DC area band Bad Robot Jones. Zach Parkman vocals and guitar; Doogie Whittaker bass and vocals, and Joey Jenkins drums.

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