Shawn Griffiths

Chicago

Freelance Writer and Editor at Freelance

"Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make." Editor. Journalist. Writer. Election reform expert. Horror enthusiast. #MutantFam

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Articles

Who Really Pays for Congress? Local Donors All but Disappear in 2024

2 days ago | thefulcrum.us | Shawn Griffiths

WASHINGTON, D.C. - There is an old saying: All politics is local. However, many voters may get the impression this is becoming less and less a reality -- particularly in US House and Senate elections where candidates are elected to represent specific districts or states, but campaign to a national audience. This is because local influence in the most contested races is dying out -- a statement not contrived from opinion, but fact.
Open Primaries President: Voters Don't Trust Reformers Right Now; We Need to Earn That Trust

2 months ago | thefulcrum.us | Shawn Griffiths

The nonprofit reform group Open Primaries hosted its first Primary Buzz Discussion of 2025 last week. But this conversation worked differently as Open Primaries President John Opdycke was the one being interviewed. Opdycke was interviewed by Chloe Akers, the Founder and CEO of The Best of Tennessee about the state of primary reform, lessons learned in the 2024 elections, and what reformers should focus on going forward. It wasn't a conversation of minced words.
5 Things Americans Agree on at The Start of Trump's Second Term

Jan 31, 2025 | msn.com | Shawn Griffiths

Continue reading More for You Continue reading More for You
5 Things Americans Agree on at The Start of Trump's Second Term

Jan 31, 2025 | msn.com | Shawn Griffiths

Continue reading More for You
5 Things Americans Agree on at The Start of Trump's Second Term

Jan 31, 2025 | thefulcrum.us | Shawn Griffiths

More In Common, a nonprofit dedicated to finding ways to bridge political divisions in the US, released a new report that spotlights key areas of agreement across the political spectrum in the early days of the Trump administration. The report, released last week, reveals a shared consensus on wildfire relief, respect for our allies, a commitment to the constitution, and a desire for unity even though each side is skeptical of the other.
Yes, elections have consequences – primary elections to be specific

Nov 24, 2024 | thefulcrum.us | Shawn Griffiths

Can you imagine a Republican winning in an electoral district in which Democrats make up 41 percent of the registered electorate? Seems farfetched in much of the country. As farfetched as a Democrat winning in a R+10 district. It might be in most places in the U.S. – but not in California. Republican Rep. David Valadao won re-election in California's 22nd congressional district, where registered Republicans make up just shy of 28 percent of the voting population. But how did he do it?
Voters, activists set to rally for open primaries ahead of historic elections

Oct 9, 2024 | thefulcrum.us | Shawn Griffiths
Nightmare on Film Street's #31DayHorrorChallenge (2024)

Oct 1, 2024 | letterboxd.com | Shawn Griffiths

Every October, the Nightmare on Film Street podcast organizes the #31DayHorrorChallenge. Each day has a theme and the challenge is to watch a film that fits the theme. Check out my current picks for October 2024.
‎‘Brightwood’ review by Shawn Griffiths • Letterboxd

Mar 18, 2024 | letterboxd.com | Shawn Griffiths

Admittedly, Brightwood took me a bit to get into. The characters initially come off as two people you would not want to be trapped in the same room with, much less a temporal paradox. At first, I thought it was a bit nonsensical (a comment that got actor Max Woertendyke's attention lol) -- especially when compared to other temporal paradox films like The Endless and Triangle. However, this is a film that hits its stride at about the halfway mark.
House to Vote on New Speaker -- Why Not an Independent?

Oct 3, 2023 | ivn.us | Shawn Griffiths

Photo Credit: Louis Velazquez on UnsplashThe House of Representatives voted Tuesday to oust US Rep Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker. It is the first time a speaker has been removed by a House resolution brought forth by a member to remove them. The question now is, who will replace him? It is conceivable that we could see a repeat of the last Speaker vote, in which it took McCarthy 15 ballots to take the gavel.