Blue Bench Podcast

Jorgia and Andy go through the highlights of the 2026 Montana Democrats Platform Convention! A two year moratorium on data centers, corner crossing, surveillance, water rights... and that's a drop in the bucket. Final platform live on montanademocrats.org soon! They also cover the newest requirements for Montana Medicaid. These strict requirements that will keep people from accessing healthcare we...

Andy and Jorgia break down everything you need to know heading into Election Day on June 2. How to cast your ballot, who's on your ballot... and how Republicans have made it harder to vote than years prior. Plus, dive in to the allegation that Seth Bodnar may have bribed Montana voters when gathering signatures. It is TOO LATE to mail your ballot. Drop it off in person at your county elections off...

Jorgia and Andy go through the candidates you'll see on your primary ballot. Sign, date, print your birth year, and get those ballots in the mail by May 25th! Ballots must be received by the county election's office by 8pm on June 2. Plus, Democrats begin the subpoena process on Christi Jacobsen after she released Montana's sensitive voter information to the federal government. Stay tuned for more...

Jorgia and Andy break down how the Republican Big Beautiful Bill really meant a Long Brutal Tax Season for most Montanans. Congress still hasn't passed a War Powers Resolution -- although Montana Democrats (and 8 Republicans!) keep asking the Congressional delegation for answers. Plus, everything you need to know about the latest Republican firing circle... and what it means for your property taxe...

Did you attend No Kings last weekend? Jorgia and Andy lay out three easy steps you can take this week to help Democrats win in November. They also explain how Republicans rejected a shutdown deal... and then went on vacation. Also, Trump's war, tariffs - and well, presidency - is hurting Montana farmers and the numbers prove it.

Welcome back to No Time for Neutral! Andy and Jorgia recap Zinke dropping out, Sheehy breaking a Marine's arm, Daines ALSO dropping out, and Montana Democrats' annual get together. The pair also touches on executive malpractice: Trump's war in Iran and Gianforte's Capitol ban. It's primary season! Head to montanademocrats.org/candidates to find out more information about the Democratic candidates...

Jorgia and Andy break down the SAVE Act and why it threatens your right to vote - if you're married and changed your name, this is for you! The pair gets into Gov. Gianforte and AG Knudsen's latest hypocritical stunt (Spoiler: They're suing the city of Helena for not cooperating with ICE) and explain what's going on with Jeremy Carl, a white nationalist Montanan whose power can be traced back to t...

Jorgia and Andy break down Secretary Jacobsen's latest move to cleanse Montana's voter rolls. She's providing confidential information like SSNs and driver's license numbers with the intent of removing "ineligible people" from the rolls. Check your voter registration and give her a call to let her know this won't slide: 406-444-2034. They also break down the appropriations fight in Congress, Democ...

Jorgia and Andy lay it out in the simplest of terms: Montanans don't want Greenland. And they don't want another government shutdown either. But yet, Montana's delegation is seemingly doing nothing on either front -- give them a call! Plus, more on the release of the Epstein Files (or lack thereof). They also break down the latest news on Secretary Jacobsen's "election security" postcard that cost...

Happy New Year, Montana! We hope you had a restful holiday season. Jorgia and Andy return from the break with the MT Dems statement on the tragic ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis. They also discuss the Senate's war powers resolution and the House passing (finally) a resolution to extend ACA subsidies. Did you get a mailer from Ryan Zinke or Christi Jacobsen lately? We've got your fact check --...

Jorgia and Andy break down all you need to know about this week's ACA vote -- Republicans have had over 10 years to make another healthcare plan, and they STILL can't decide with three weeks until subsidies expire. Plus, Trump's latest announcement on a $12B bailout for farmers... which wouldn't be necessary if he recalled the tariffs. Bozeman! You have a representative to appoint. Gallatin County...

We hope you had a great Thanksgiving holiday. We've got your back for what happened while everyone was at dinner! Jorgia and Andy break down the results of the TN-07 election and what it might mean for Montana's 1st District. They also discuss the plan (or lack thereof, thanks Republicans) for ACA subsidies that expire at the end of the year. Plus, Governor Gianforte's latest photo op and how the...

Jorgia and Andy wish you the happiest of Thanksgivings! And if you still need a dose of politics this week, we've got you covered. Donald Trump has called for the execution of sitting members of Congress after reminding military members to remember their oath to the Constitution. And Marjorie Taylor Greene resigned? Plus, find out how the midterms are shaping up for Democrats. Sen. Steve Daines si...

Jorgia is joined by Aren, the data manager for the Montana Democratic Party! The two unpack Trump's complete flip on releasing the Epstein files and how the bill went through Congress... although the timing is making everyone a bit uncomfortable. Plus, the Montana Public Service commission is debating yet another increase for Northwestern Energy (for their fossil fuels plant). Don't working Montan...

Jorgia and Andy explain how the government finally got re-opened - who, what, when, where and why. Plus, the pair get into the latest Epstein bombshell (AKA a set of emails largely incriminating Donald Trump). *Montana Democrats are still raising food and money to help our neighbors! Reach out to info@montanademocrats.org for more information.

Jorgia and Andy debrief everything you need to know about this week's elections. Democrats won up and down the ballot across the country, including right here in Montana. Plus, you'll get their take on why the levies failed and the latest shutdown update. *Reach out to info@montanademocrats.org to find out how to plug into your local food drive.

Jorgia and Andy recap the president's latest spat with Canada, the resulting tariffs, and how this is yet another blow in a string of them for Montana farmers. They get into how SNAP is running dry, since Republicans refuse to negotiate healthcare prices. Plus, races they're watching for Election Day next week. *Don't forget to put your birth year on your ballot! It will be rejected without it. Th...

Jorgia and Andy recap Pete Hegseth's latest decisions to stifle freedom of the press and Trump's laundry list of taxpayer-funded side quests. Plus, Mike Johnson STILL has not sworn in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, Republicans have had not one - but TWO - Nazi scandals, and how Trump's latest handout to Argentina will hurt Montana ranchers the most. *CALLING ALL CATS FANS: Missed your tickets to the...

Jorgie and Andy provide everything you need to know of how Republicans shut down the government. Refusing to negotiate, kicking almost 40 million Americans off healthcare... to name a few.

Jorgia and Andy return from the break! Montana Democrats were busy at convention this month - tune in for the new rule changes! The pair also consider what free speech looks like now in America, and recap the latest ICE detainment in Montana. Head to @flathead.democracy for more information on Luisa and Fergie.

Join the Montana Democratic Party for the 2025 State Convention Saturday, September 13th-14th! This week on the Blue Bench Podcast, interim executive director Justin Ailport and development director Tiffany Williams explain what happens at the convention and how you can join in the action. For more info, visit our website www.montanademocrats.org/2025convention

Jorgia and Andy return to kick off the start of fall in Montana. Schools are back in session -- and so is Congress. The pair break down the effects of eliminating the de minimis tariff loophole (spoiler: it's expensive). They also explain the Medicare cuts Republicans DON'T want you to know about, and the latest Republican attack on 6.3 million acres of Montana public land.

This week on the Blue Bench Podcast, we dig into the rapid rise of data centers in Montana and what it means for our communities. Our special guest, Anne Hedges from MEIC, breaks down the environmental and economic impacts. Tune in for a timely conversation on the future of energy and water in our state.

In this episode, we dive into how tariffs are affecting Montana farmers, from grain prices to the ripple effects across rural communities. Our guest, Jason Boeshore, manages the UGC grain elevator in Culbertson, MT, where he purchases grain from local farmers and provides services such as grain marketing. Jason is a proud member of the Montana Democratic Party board and is the chair of the Richlan...

Jorgia and Andy sit down to explain the two major ways Republicans are coming after your voting rights. Trump wants to eliminate mail-in ballots, which 60% of Montanans use. Texas and California are duking it out over gerrymandering, and they walk through the whole situation. Trump and Putin also dined on filet mignon and creme brulee - ending the summit with nothing while the war rages on. Make s...