The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi

WAMU 88.5

Join Kojo and resident analyst Tom Sherwood on Fridays at noon for our weekly review of the politics, policies and personalities in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Each week Kojo and Tom help make sense of legislation, hold elected officials accountable and provide in-depth analysis of local issues and elections. The Politics Hour is also a vital forum for Washingtonians to engage directly with their local leaders.

8hr 51min

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: A historic D.C. primary election and Montgomery County voting on new leadership".

We break down D.C. primary elections with Democratic nominee for D.C. Delegate Robert White, At-Large Councilmember-elect Elissa Silverman, and WAMU's D.C. politics reporter Alex Koma. Plus, we preview Maryland's primaries with WAMU's Maryland reporter Jenny Abamu.

June 19, 202650min 27sec72.66 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: Metro GM Randy Clarke talks ridership records, RFK stadium transit plans, and red line shutdowns".

Metro GM Randy Clarke on the big July 4th weekend and how the agency became cool again. Plus, UVA's Center for Politics Larry Sabato on Virginia's primary elections next month.

July 10, 202650min 27sec72.66 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: Maryland's primary elections and the D.C. council reverses budget cuts".

Presumptive Democratic nominee for Montgomery County Executive Will Jawando talks about his message to voters, dark money, and data centers. Plus, Tara Jackson wins the Democratic nomination for Prince George's County State's Attorney and WAMU's Alex Koma on D.C. lawmakers greenlighting the budget.

June 26, 202650min 27sec72.67 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: The final countdown to the D.C. primary and Virginia lawmakers stall over the budget".

WAMU's Alex Koma and Washington Informer's Sam P.K. Collins get us ready for the D.C. primaries. Plus, Virginia Delegate Vivian Watts weighs in the data center tax breaks stalling budget negotiations.

June 12, 202648min 56sec46.99 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: D.C. budget crunch and Montgomery County schools job cuts".

Montgomery County Councilmember Kristin Mink on how MCPS is navigating cuts and what the council can do to help. Plus, D.C. Councilmember Christina Henderson on the council's first budget vote next week.

June 5, 202650min 28sec72.68 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: WAMU’s D.C. Delegate Democratic primary forum".

We are live from the MLK Library in D.C. with the Democratic candidates running to be the D.C. Delegate to Congress.

May 29, 20261hr 19min114.41 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: A tightening D.C. Mayor’s race and Virginia Governor Spanberger’s vetoes".

City Cast DC’s Michael Schaffer talks a tightening mayor’s race and VA Del. Paul Krizek on why retail cannabis is stalled again in the Commonwealth. Plus, Prince George’s County Councilmember Jolene Ivey.

May 22, 202650min 29sec72.7 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: VA Sen. Majority Leader Scott Surovell on redistricting Hail Mary".

Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell on the Democrats' last-ditch effort on redistricting and Ward 3 D.C. Councilmember Matt Frumin on why homelessness is ticking up.

May 15, 202648min 59sec47.04 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: VA Supreme Court strikes down redistricting and Montgomery County's battle over tax hikes".

VA Rep. Suhas Subramanyam reacts to the VA Supreme Court redistricting ruling, WAMU's Alex Koma breaks down the D.C. police scandal, WAMU's MD reporter Jenny Abamu previews MD-5 Congressional race, and Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich on why he wants a tax hike.

May 8, 202650min 28sec72.69 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: A year later, how has drastic federal workforce cuts changed the region?".

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' Clark Mercer on the wide-ranging impact of federal job losses and Ward 5 D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker talks youth curfews and the city's upcoming elections.

May 1, 202650min 28sec72.67 MB

The Politics Hour: A historic D.C. primary election and Montgomery County voting on new leadership

June 19, 202650min 27sec

It was a historic primary election in the District, with several top jobs on the ballot. While it perhaps took longer than expected, the big races were finally called, including Janeese Lewis George securing the Democratic nomination for D.C. mayor. WAMU's D.C. politics reporter Alex Koma gets behind the mic to break down Lewis George's monumental win and what comes next. Plus, he talks about several races that will be decided by ranked-choice voting.

In another closely-watched contest, D.C. Councilmember Robert White soundly defeated four other candidates to become the Democratic nominee in the race to succeed Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton as D.C. Delegate to Congress. The newly minted Democratic nominee joins Kojo and Tom to discuss what it means to replace a legend, his first-year priorities, and his plans to work on statehood for the District.

Four years after losing her council seat, Elissa Silverman has made a political comeback. The progressive stalwart defeated two other candidates, including current councilmember Doni Crawford, in the At-Large Council special election. The councilmember-elect is in the studio to discuss getting back on the council, her agenda, and her plans for running again in November.

Maryland is preparing for its own primary day next week, with Montgomery County Executive, Prince George's County Council positions, and local Congressional seats all on the ballot. WAMU's Jenny Abamu joins the show to break down the biggest races and questions facing voters as they head to the polls on Tuesday.

Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.org

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885