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Washington, DC
Joined March 2009
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👋 Personal news: I was one of the people to take the POLITICO buyout — my last day was Friday. It’s bittersweet to end my seven years here this way, but I’m grateful for all the great stories I got to report, the impact my work had and the great reporters and editors I got to work alongside.
I’m not sure what’s next, but if anyone has leads for a policy or politics reporter, I come with a pretty versatile set of skills from the seven years I spent covering Congress, state governments, policy and campaigns for POLITICO & POLITICO Magazine. I’m also open to freelancing in the meantime!
Natalie Fertig retweeted
New from me: the share of veterans in Congress is set to hit near record lows next year.
Members with service background used to be universal, now, it's less than 17%
Natalie Fertig retweeted
Gingrich: “If the Democrats can discipline themselves to listen to the American people, they could create a new majority that could govern for quite a long time.” nytimes.com/2026/11/11/us/bl…
Can folks just add me to the rural chats thxxxx 🚜🌲🏔️🌽⛏️
Really loving all the affinity group chats that are popping up as many in the industry make their way to Denver!
#WhatsNext
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Natalie Fertig retweeted
NEW — Sen. Rand Paul will give up the top GOP seat on the Senate Homeland Security committee opening up for Oklahoma’s James Lankford to lead. Lankford, is close with DHS Secy Markwayne Mullin, has a history of immigration talks and work with incoming chair Maggie Hassan.
Natalie Fertig retweeted
"Why did Latinos go left?" is a reporting question, w/o one clear answer. There are hypotheses with strong explanatory power: gas prices, ICE racial profiling, etc. But to actually believe Latinos aren't a monolith means we need to spend more time reporting, in more places.
As Democrats flock to Denver this week to sort out the future of their party:
I went to Denver after the 2024 election for @POLITICOMag to find out why Colorado shifted less toward Trump than any other blue state, and see why some Dems think it's a model for retaking power.
As I researched this story, I became most fascinated by a group called "The Four Horsemen" — four wealthy Coloradans, including future Gov @jaredpolis — who regularly met to orchestrate the Democratic takeover:
politico.com/news/magazine/2…
Mississippi chose another protein
mississippifreepress.org/sco…
Natalie Fertig retweeted
Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts, speaking at his org’s The Forum 2026, compares GOP’s post-midterm dilemma to Washington’s Continental Army in late 1776
“They all said Washington was awful. This cause is over. Let us give in or give up.”
Adds: “Now is not the time to be engaged in a circular firing squad. Now is the time to fight.”
Natalie Fertig retweeted
So very glad to see @washingtonsun cover USDA/ag policy as a real beat right out of the gate. These issues are NOT niche, SNAP serves 36M+ ppl. School meals 30M+ kids. Ag policy affects everyone, not just farmers (also important!)
Credit to @R_Allbritton for investing in wide range of coverage.
NEW: The USDA is proposing a new rule that they estimate will remove millions of people from SNAP.
The USDA says this is closing a "long-exploited loophole." Here's what we know in the @washingtonsun:
washingtonsun.com/administra…
Natalie Fertig retweeted
New: Utah saw the biggest shift toward Democrats in the midterm elections — and it's made local Dems optimistic they can continue that trend to unseat Mike Lee in 2028
Lee has already filed for reelection and plans to run again, I'm told — and his message to Dems? "Good luck with that."
"I understand they need hope in the donor pool to be able to fundraise but we will run a campaign that resonates with Utahns," Lee's chief strategist Dan Hauser told me. "We are confident in Senator Lee’s chances for victory but if Dems want to light millions of dollars on fire in search of fools gold, have at it."
w/@BrighamTomco for @Deseret
deseret.com/politics/2026/11…
From Jared Golden comms director:
Fantastic addition to @HouseBlueDogs. KMR is a proven leader focused on the kind of place-based politics her constituents deserve.
It's also a big development because she's running for Battleground Leader, which would give the Blue Dogs an important seat at the leadership table.
Bark bark bark, indeed! 🐶
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Natalie Fertig retweeted
As I reported, @McDonaldRivet wants the battleground leadership post in the Dem caucus: washingtonsun.com/congress/r…
California @RepAdamGrayCA told me a few days ago that Blue Dogs may have a couple new recruits coming from the ranks of incumbents, and @RepMGP told me this morning they’re talking to other folks as well.
Natalie Fertig retweeted
new - Blue Dogs are welcoming a new member this am: Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet
My grandfather fought in the Asia-Pacific in WWII and was at the invasion of Okinawa. He died 10 years ago, but he was a pretty important person in my life. Toward the end of his life, he told me one story that will always stick with me:
As an enlistee with a college degree, he was quickly promoted up the officer chain and was on the bridge of his ship during battles. During one battle, a Kamikaze pilot dove straight toward his ship and missed by just a hair — close enough that he said he made eye contact with the pilot at the last second, before the plane crashed into the ocean. He said that without a second thought, he turned to the other officers on the bridge and told them, "That's one of the bravest men I've ever seen."
The other officers, he said, spluttered and were angry, telling him he couldn't say that about the enemy.
He told me it taught him two things: one, that most of the people fighting in a war, on both sides, are normal people — husbands, fathers, sons (and now sisters, mothers, daughters) just trying to fight for their country and their family. And second, to never get so caught up in your own cause or your own "side" that you can't acknowledge the truth or you cannot respect the other where it's due.
#VeteransDay
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