I’m eager to talk about what happened in Texas last Tuesday, but first, I just got back from Israel and I’d like to give you a look at the mood on the street there.
Pretty much every person in Israel is walking around traumatized, exhausted, hurting, frustrated and angry. It’s been more than two-and-a-half years since the horrific attack that, lest we forget, left over 1,200 people -over 800 of whom were civilians- dead, 251 taken hostage, and dozens of women and some men brutally and repeatedly raped (not crazy made-up stories of rape, but multiple gang rapes that were streamed and recorded online and some that were commited while on FaceTime on the victims’ phones with their families watching in horror). Israelis believe that the world has completely forgotten and moved on, and they are probably correct.
Two-and-a-half years later, Hamas is still in control of Gaza (except for a widened strip that Israel actively maintains), Iran has come out of the war stronger and more resilient than when it went in, and Hezbollah has shown remarkable ability to reconstitute itself as an ongoing threat despite being thoroughly pummeled. Israeli soldiers are still being killed in combat, and residents of towns within internationally recognized borders in northern Israel still can’t return to their homes. Prices are out of sight (an Adidas hoodie cost me $130!), reservists are still being pulled from their families for active, often dangerous duty, and Israelis -who universally share a love of travel- are at risk for bodily harm when speaking Hebrew in foreign cities.
Two-and-a-half years later, Bibi Netanyahu is still Prime Minister. He is still the defendant in three ongoing trials related to his overt corruption, and his coalition is still relying on some horrifying racist criminals and ultra-Orthodox parties that he placed in major positions of power so he can hang on to his job. And not unimportantly, he has alienated an entire generation of diaspora Jews and destroyed Israel’s reputation as a shining beacon of democracy and decency in a region not known for either.
Bibi’s only electoral advantage was that people believed he was the guy who could keep them safe. That’s gone, and when elections are held this Fall, he will be gone. It can’t come soon enough.
Speaking of despicable, despotic autocrats whose power is collapsing, let’s turn to Texas.
Last Tuesday, Texas held a run-off primary to choose the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. Donald Trump’s last-minute endorsement of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sank the re-election hopes of the somewhat-sane Senator John Cornyn. At the same time, it significantly raised hopes that Democrats could at last capture the white whale, a Senate seat from Texas.
Despite Cornyn’s cloying loyalty to him, Trump just couldn’t resist endorsing Paxton because he models everything DJT loves: a long history of corruption, securities fraud, marital infidelity, plus a penchant for spewing absurd, vile, racist and misogynistic MAGA platitudes. Hacks on Tap began this week’s podcast with this clip from Republican Senator Thom Tillis saying, “To call Paxon ethically challenged is to call Jeffrey Dahmer suffering from an eating disorder.”
This being a Republican primary in Texas, Paxton beat the sitting Senator by 28 points.
Trump won the day, but it may well cost him control of the Senate. “All this leaves an opening for a candidate like Mr. Talarico — a member of the Texas House of Representatives who blends progressive ideas with an overt embrace of his Christian faith,” writes Jack Herrara in a NYTimes guest essay.
How so? First, Texans were treated to tens of millions of dollars spent on many weeks of non-stop negative ads against Paxton financed by Republican dark money groups who feared his selection would cost them the seat. Second, Paxton’s over-the-top anti-abortion actions as Texas Attorney General don’t play well in a state where over 80% of the voters feel government should stay out of their bedrooms. Third, general election voters do not look the same as primary voters. Nate Cohn notes that “Texas is one of the most diverse states in the country, and national polls show Democrats surging back in support among young and nonwhite voters — and especially Hispanic voters.”
Fourth, Dems are pumped up and itching to get to the polls, while Republicans are disheartened and more likely to save gas and stay home. And finally, Talarico is a unique personality who just might convince folks that you can be a Texan and still vote for a Democrat.
All that said, remember, this is Texas. If you’re a Democrat, Texas will always break your heart. (This begs for a country song. Send us your lyrics.) So where does this fit in the larger picture?
Democrats need a net gain of four seats to win control of the Senate. That means holding on to all thirteen seats we currently hold, including tough races in Georgia, Michigan, and New Hampshire. On top of that, we need to pick up four currently Republican held seats. The most likely possibilities -in alphabetical order because I am a coward- are Alaska, Iowa, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas.
One more ray of hope. The other Senate seat in Alaska, which is not up for election this cycle, is currently held by Lisa Murkowski, the only Republican Senator to vote in favor of impeaching Trump for the January 6th insurrection who is still in office. She told a podcast last June that since she has no future as a Republican in these MAGA times, she may become an Independent and caucus with the Dems. It’s a long shot, but a guy can dream.
Viktor Orbán is out in Hungary because of corruption. Bibi is on his way out in Israel because of corruption and his responsibility for ignoring all the signs that October 7th was imminent. Next up: Trump loses both the House and Senate, cutting his stranglehold on America, and Democrats win a trifecta in 2028. From our lips to Gawd’s ears.
P.S. Check out Oath’s Give Here, Not There Memo, and while you’re at it, visit Project 218 as well to target and maximize your political contributions.
IL Legislature fetes Senator Durbin. Senator Dick Durbin’s retirement victory tour featured a rare address to a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly on Wednesday, May 27th. The opening portion of his appearance included remarks from two former staff members—House Leader Kam Buckner and Senator Mike Simmons—as well as Rep. Theresa Mah, an alum of IWIL, an organization founded by Durbin’s wife, Loretta Durbin, to elect more Democratic women in Illinois.
Durbin’s speech began with references to his family history and several of his well-known accomplishments—banning smoking on airplanes, fighting for DREAMers, and working to stop invasive Asian carp. He closed with these dramatic words:
“Today we meet five months before a national election. Debates in Congress and contests in our courts indicate this next election may be challenged in ways we have never seen before in our history. Abraham Lincoln, in the ‘House Divided’ speech that he gave here in Springfield, gave a grim warning that the divisions in America over the issue of slavery could destroy our nation...The challenge we face in the days ahead could be just as serious. I hope that those of us blessed to live in this land of Lincoln will remember his warnings in 1858 and his counsel to those who lead this nation in our time.”
Illinois has been well served by Dick Durbin’s leadership, and I have never had a better boss, client, mentor or friend. Wishing a long and satisfying retirement to Dick and Loretta.
Culture is our North Star. Lou Raizin makes the case that Chicago’s greatest advantage is its culture — the creativity, experiences and identity that make the city feel alive and globally recognized. His essay was part of Chicago 2050: Envisioning the City in 25 Years” series, a collaboration between Tribune Opinion and World Business Chicago exploring what Chicago “could and should” look like in 2050.
At its core, the piece emphasizes that Chicago’s future success will depend on its ability to invest in culture, creativity and shared public experiences — with initiatives like the Cultural Stadium positioned to play a major role in shaping that vision and bringing it to life through collaboration among civic, business and cultural leaders.
This just in: At a concert earlier this week in Washington, D.C., Bruce Springsteen announced that he will be headlining a Power To The People Concert on October 3, 2026, in Columbia, MD. The Boss will be joined by the Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews, Tom Morello, Joan Baez, Jack Black, plus a long list of featured artists. Pre-sale begins Friday, May 29 at 9:00 a.m. CDT — sign up here — with general on-sale happening this Saturday, May 30 at 9:00 a.m. CDT.
You’re gonna love this: The Atlantic reports that scientists have discovered a mysterious health benefit from a food we all love. Here’s a hint: it’s particularly good with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Don’t miss Nutrition Science’s Most Preposterous Result reported by David Merritt Johns.
And while we’re on the subject of health tips, check out How To Stop a Mosquito Bite From Itching courtesy of WaPo.
Worth it: It’s that time of year: graduation ceremonies are happening from coast to coast. Check out this unique and outstanding commencement address at UNC-Chapel Hill by country singer Eric Church, using the strings of his guitar as the basis of his message and plucking heartstrings at the same time.
The NYTimes is out with their list of The Fifty Best Restaurants in North America, and Chicago’s own Smyth was named number one!
Earlier this year, I recommended Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. Theo, the main character, is from Portugal, and after just returning from a trip there, I was reminded how much I enjoyed the book. Thank you, Elaine and Debby, for inviting me to join you—what fun we had! And if you’re thinking about a trip to Portugal, I’d be happy to share a few recommendations.
Not Worth It: My book group picked Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. It’s been getting a lot of buzz, and the premise was total catnip for a group like ours. Natalie Heller Mills, a Harvard-educated “tradwife” influencer, curates a picture-perfect traditional life online, complete with hidden help, a carefully staged image, and a strained marriage. Then she wakes up in 1855 and has to actually live the life she’s been romanticizing. The book plays with the tradwife phenomenon, the tension between modern and traditional values, and the idea of identity as performance.
That said…don’t look to me for a recommendation. I found the main character lacking dimension and unlikable. Plus, the time travel element did not work for me.
Looking to hear your summer book recommendations. Please share with me.
Be a champion. At a time when antisemitism and hate are rising across Chicago, Alderwoman Debra Silverstein has been one of the few leaders willing to speak clearly and directly about what the Jewish community is facing. Please join Alderwoman Debra Silverstein at her Annual Summer Reception with special guest Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias on Tuesday, June 2nd, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Summer House Santa Monica. RSVP here.
Melissa Bean for Congress. Please join hosts Hon. Cheri Bustos, Leonard Cannata, Mike Cassidy, Jessica Fuentes, Zach Koutsky, Billy Lawless, Donovan Pepper, Mike Ruemmler, Matt Sanchez, Jay Stieber, Chuck Swirsky, Sean Tenner, Sam Toia, Mark Zipperer and Jason Molchanow as they welcome Melissa Bean in support of her run for Congress in IL-08. The event will be held on Wednesday, June 3rd, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at The Gage. Click here to RSVP or to donate.
Chicago History Museum. Art Johnson and Jim Alexander invite you to join them in honoring Fred Eychaner, philanthropist and long‑time civil‑rights activist, as he receives the Daniel H. Burnham Making History Award in Visionary Leadership from the Chicago History Museum at its annual Making History Awards. The event will be held on Wednesday, June 3rd, at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. The reception begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. You can RSVP here.
Pride Kick-Off Brunch. Please join Equality Illinois for its annual brunch celebration to kick off 2026 Pride celebrations. They will be honoring Aisha N. Davis, Antonio King, and Hon. Kevin Morrison. A big shout-out to brunch co-chairs Justin DeJong and Liz Stovall. The brunch will be held on Sunday, June 7th, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Venue West in Chicago. Click here for more information and to RSVP.
Women Rock 2026. IWIL alum Jaemie Neely will receive the President’s Award in recognition of her outstanding leadership and impact on the Federation of Women Contractors and the construction industry. The award will be presented on Wednesday, June 10th, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Offshore Rooftop on Navy Pier. The event brings together 500+ industry and government leaders to celebrate impact, connection, and progress across construction and economic development. Tickets and sponsorships are available here.
IWILTA Spring Fundraiser. Please join IWIL Training Academy for their Spring Fundraiser on Tuesday, June 16, at 5:00 p.m. for a virtual conversation on Zoom with special guest Senator Amy Klobuchar. Click here to sign up.
NCJW Gala. The NCJW Chicago North Shore Women of Moral Courage Gala will honor U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky with the Hannah G. Solomon Award on Tuesday, June 16th at 6:00 p.m. at the Doubletree Hilton in Skokie. The evening will showcase a conversation between Jill Wine Banks, author of The Watergate Girl, MSNBC legal analyst, and co-host of the podcast #SistersInLaw, and Lynn Sweet, prominent journalist with the Chicago Sun-Times. Click here for tickets and tributes.
Margaret Croke & Eva-Dina Delgado. There will be a Summer Soirée in support of Margaret Croke for IL State Comptroller and Eva-Dina Delgado, State Representative for the 3rd District and Assistant Majority Leader. The event will be held on Wednesday, June 24th, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the home of Hon. Lucy & Matt Moog in Lincoln Park. Click here for tickets or sponsorships.
Robyn Gabel & Anna Moeller. There will be a summer reception in support of State Representatives Robyn Gabel, Majority Leader from the 18th District, and Anna Moeller, Chair of the Human Services Committee from the 43rd District, on Tuesday, June 30th, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at O’Brien’s Riverwalk Cafe in Chicago. Click here for more information or to donate.
NEW! Genita Robinson, principal at GCR Consulting, LLC, is looking for someone to support her work, in particular with scheduling. This is a long-term independent contractor position. The previous incumbent worked with her for close to three years. You can reach out to her directly at genita@gcrconsultingllc.com. (5/29/2026)
All Chicago Making Homelessness History (All Chicago) offers targeted emergency funds that fill gaps, works with community partners across the city to help diverse populations, and ensures these partners are informed and prepared to meet old and new challenges. They are seeking a President and CEO who brings strategic insight, emotional intelligence, and operational discipline, along with a deep commitment to their mission. Get more information here. (5/15/2026)
The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust is a leading nonprofit organization in Chicago dedicated to preserving and interpreting Frank Lloyd Wright's design legacy. Since 1974, the Trust has operated four Wright-designed sites, including two nationally accredited museums and a UNESCO World Heritage site, welcoming over 135,000 visitors annually from around the world. The Trust is seeking a CEO to serve as its strategic leader and continue strengthening the Trust as a respected institution of cultural distinction. Get more information and application instructions here. (5/1/2026)
The Obama Presidential Library is about to open in June and is now accepting applications for a wide variety of roles. Click here and remember to check back frequently for openings. (1/9/2026)
The Woods Fund Chicago has links to job openings at various organizations it funds. Check out their newsletter and scroll down for the job listings.
Know someone looking for an internship? Send them to Brandon’s Hillternship Hub to track opportunities on the Hill. And then they should subscribe to brandonsbulletin.substack.com to learn about internships in progressive politics, nonprofits, and foreign policy/international affairs.
Finally, here are some useful links to check out if you’re searching for a job in politics, policy, or advocacy:
NEW! Arena Careers has a Daily Jobs Digest that lists jobs at all levels for Democratic candidates and electeds across the country. Get started here.
Daybook is a valuable resource for individuals seeking political, policy, and government jobs nationwide.
Want to work with progressive organizations or nonprofits doing good? Check out the listings at Democracy Partners, Grossman Solutions, and NPAG.
Here are two good sites to land campaign jobs at the entry level and beyond: Emily’s List and GainPower.
Thanks for reading and welcome to our new subscribers. Special thanks to the still-growing ranks of great folks who have demonstrated their support by becoming paid subscribers; you’re an exceptional bunch and we appreciate you.
Who are we? Since 2003, we’ve been sharing our news, views and to-dos. The NKC Occasional Update is brought to you by Nancy Kohn, a seasoned political consultant in Chicago, and Art Friedson, a dedicated political enthusiast. We enjoy hearing from our readers, so feel free to post directly on this article or send us an email. Thank you for your support!
Nancy Kohn nkohn@kohnconsulting.com Art Friedson art.friedson@gmail.com
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