reporter-researcher @newrepublic | associate editor @orbooks | also samrussek(.)bsky(.)social | “some skeptics,” per the NYT
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Joined September 2015
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FINALLY: I wrote about "the last mayor of Houston," ft. a second office ~5 min from City Hall, an Israeli data firm monitoring public outcry RE: HPD-ICE, and the city's attempts to barter with state Republicans while pressure from below intensifies.
bit.ly/4gIREcy
Was told upon arriving that I won a prize “for being the youngest person here.” Someone else brought me a newspaper to see if I know how to flip through its pages
Sam Russek retweeted
Thousands of Mexican workers use visitor visas twice a week to “donate” plasma to multinational corporations in the US, receiving a $50 gift card in return (a “gift” to avoid a labor designation).
For @longhaul_mag I went from Brownsville to El Paso to speak w/ those workers
Sam Russek retweeted
Incredible journalism. Proud to be a @longhaul_mag subscriber.
Thousands of Mexican workers use visitor visas twice a week to “donate” plasma to multinational corporations in the US, receiving a $50 gift card in return (a “gift” to avoid a labor designation).
For @longhaul_mag I went from Brownsville to El Paso to speak w/ those workers
Such a great author/subject pairing here from @TexasObserver—David Griscom, one of Texas populism's most thoughtful critics, appraising the modern Texas populist's virtues and limitations
New from @DavidGriscom: Populism is more than rhetoric or an us-versus-them style, it’s a movement that shaped Texas politics. And this longshot candidate is a throwback to a Democratic politics of another era.
In 2026, it might be crazy enough to work. texasobserver.org/jim-highto…
Sam Russek retweeted
When Jim Hightower came to power in the 80s, he radically changed the office of the Ag Commissioner from a sleepy office to one willing to take on progressive fights. It'd be good if we had politicians willing to take bold stands again today
New from @DavidGriscom: Populism is more than rhetoric or an us-versus-them style, it’s a movement that shaped Texas politics. And this longshot candidate is a throwback to a Democratic politics of another era.
In 2026, it might be crazy enough to work. texasobserver.org/jim-highto…
Thousands of Mexican workers use visitor visas twice a week to “donate” plasma to multinational corporations in the US, receiving a $50 gift card in return (a “gift” to avoid a labor designation).
For @longhaul_mag I went from Brownsville to El Paso to speak w/ those workers
We talked about what their twice-a-week trip provides—groceries, rent, gas money—and labor conditions in Mexico. Things have improved under the progressive Morena Party, but not nearly enough:
longhaulmag.com/liquid-asset…
Good numbers for @letitiaplummer in the new Hobby poll.
In Oct 2022, Hobby found 47% of Latinos backed Alex Mealer vs. Lina Hidalgo (44%).
This month's numbers show 48% of Latinos backing Plummer vs. Sanchez (38%).
I wrote about "DoHo": In OCT '25, city planners learned “There isn’t any reasonable combination of financial tools to deploy” to restore development
+ Tranquility Park reno—what's going on there?
+ a map of foreclosures
+ the city's “potential future litigation”
On my Substack
Sam Russek retweeted
If Gina Hinojosa really does succeed in beating Greg Abbott, her support for public education will be a key reason. She 'gets' something that Dem elites and hot takers don't: attacks on public schools are unpopular across party lines
Kinda beastmode to fuck up the numbers on your own sleight-of-hand ploy to balance the budget
New = Houston overlooked key detail on new trash fee: 'It was never communicated' houstonchronicle.com/politic… via @houstonchron @isaacyu_
