Sign in

Josh Putnam

@www.fhqplus.com
1.3K followers 478 following 2K posts

Political scientist specializing in delegate selection rules, presidential campaigns and elections. Founder of FHQ Strategies, LLC. blog: www.frontloadinghq.com newsletter: www.fhqplus.com business: www.fhqstrategies.com

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Josh Putnam
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 11h
Democrats have had a "window rule" -- a rule defining where on the calendar states can schedule presidential primaries/caucuses -- since 1980. And while Republicans lagged in establishing a similar rule, they have one too. ...and it has been amended again for 2028. www.fhqplus.com/p/republican...
fhqplus.com
Republican window takes shape for 2028
The calendar space in which states can hold primaries and caucuses is slightly different for the GOP this cycle
001
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 11h
Democrats have had a "window rule" -- a rule defining where on the calendar states can schedule presidential primaries/caucuses -- since 1980. And while Republicans lagged in establishing a similar rule, they have one too. ...and it has been amended again for 2028. www.fhqplus.com/p/republican...
fhqplus.com
Republican window takes shape for 2028
The calendar space in which states can hold primaries and caucuses is slightly different for the GOP this cycle
001
Reposted by Josh Putnam
Michael Bitzer @bowtiepolitics.bsky.social · 11h
Just released Catawba-YouGov Survey of #ncpol on: --Trump's approval/disapproval --US Senate vote intention --US House Generic Ballot #ncpol
031
Reposted by Josh Putnam
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 15/09/2026
NEW AT FHQ: Nevada a part of both parties' early state lineups for 2028 www.frontloadinghq.com/2026/09/neva...
frontloadinghq.com
Nevada a part of both parties' early state lineups for 2028
Richardo Torres-Cortz at The Las Vegas Review-Journal provides the lay of the land in Nevada as the Silver has now officially secured spots...
001
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 15/09/2026
NEW AT FHQ: Nevada a part of both parties' early state lineups for 2028 www.frontloadinghq.com/2026/09/neva...
frontloadinghq.com
Nevada a part of both parties' early state lineups for 2028
Richardo Torres-Cortz at The Las Vegas Review-Journal provides the lay of the land in Nevada as the Silver has now officially secured spots...
001
Reposted by Josh Putnam
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 14/09/2026
New at FHQ: Possible 2028 candidates talk DNC calendar, penalties in New Hampshire www.frontloadinghq.com/2026/09/poss...
frontloadinghq.com
Possible 2028 candidates talk DNC calendar, penalties in New Hampshire
WMUR's Adam Sexton caught up with potential 2028 presidential candidates, Mark Kelly and Ro Khanna, during their recent trips to the Granite...
011
Reposted by Josh Putnam
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 14/09/2026
Historically, the RNC has deferred to states and state parties on the various rules of the delegate selection (& allocation) process. But that has gradually changed over time and has evolved again for 2028 in the area of delegate binding (& unbinding). www.fhqplus.com/p/when-are-b...
fhqplus.com
When are bound delegates unbound?
For Republicans, there is incrementally more clarity (required) for 2028
011
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 14/09/2026
New at FHQ: Possible 2028 candidates talk DNC calendar, penalties in New Hampshire www.frontloadinghq.com/2026/09/poss...
frontloadinghq.com
Possible 2028 candidates talk DNC calendar, penalties in New Hampshire
WMUR's Adam Sexton caught up with potential 2028 presidential candidates, Mark Kelly and Ro Khanna, during their recent trips to the Granite...
011
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 14/09/2026
Historically, the RNC has deferred to states and state parties on the various rules of the delegate selection (& allocation) process. But that has gradually changed over time and has evolved again for 2028 in the area of delegate binding (& unbinding). www.fhqplus.com/p/when-are-b...
fhqplus.com
When are bound delegates unbound?
For Republicans, there is incrementally more clarity (required) for 2028
011
Reposted by Josh Putnam
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 11/09/2026
Republicans telegraphed this for months, but I think the interesting thing buried in this news is that South Carolina Republicans have seemingly permanently -- as permanently as anything can be with the calendar -- ceded the third spot in the GOP presidential primary calendar order.
001
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 11/09/2026
Republicans telegraphed this for months, but I think the interesting thing buried in this news is that South Carolina Republicans have seemingly permanently -- as permanently as anything can be with the calendar -- ceded the third spot in the GOP presidential primary calendar order.
001
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 10/09/2026
Iowa Republican caucuses remain at the head of the 2028 presidential primary queue www.frontloadinghq.com/2026/09/iowa...
frontloadinghq.com
000
Reposted by Josh Putnam
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 09/09/2026
Republicans ease into bonus delegates for 2028 The RNC rules revamp the delegate apportionment formula with a modest new incentive www.fhqplus.com/p/republican...
fhqplus.com
Republicans ease into bonus delegates for 2028
The RNC rules revamp the delegate apportionment formula with a modest new incentive
001
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 09/09/2026
I've heard/seen several variations on this today. "No nominations or formal party business will be happening..." Technically, that's true of the midterm convention. BUT there is formal party business happening at the RNC summer meeting happening this week in Dallas. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/09/u...
nytimes.com
Why Trump’s Republican Midterm ‘Convention’ Isn’t a Real Convention
No nominations or formal party business will be happening, as they would at a traditional presidential convention. But the made-for-TV speeches will look much the same.
100
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 09/09/2026
Republicans ease into bonus delegates for 2028 The RNC rules revamp the delegate apportionment formula with a modest new incentive www.fhqplus.com/p/republican...
fhqplus.com
Republicans ease into bonus delegates for 2028
The RNC rules revamp the delegate apportionment formula with a modest new incentive
001
Reposted by Josh Putnam
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 07/09/2026
Democrats have seen waning effects from their bonus delegates scheme over the last two decades, but the party has stuck with them. Now, Republicans will add a modest bonus delegate system of their own for 2028. What are they incentivizing? More on that here... www.fhqplus.com/p/republican...
fhqplus.com
Republicans ease into bonus delegates for 2028
The RNC rules revamp the delegate apportionment formula with a modest new incentive
001
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 07/09/2026
Democrats have seen waning effects from their bonus delegates scheme over the last two decades, but the party has stuck with them. Now, Republicans will add a modest bonus delegate system of their own for 2028. What are they incentivizing? More on that here... www.fhqplus.com/p/republican...
fhqplus.com
Republicans ease into bonus delegates for 2028
The RNC rules revamp the delegate apportionment formula with a modest new incentive
001
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 01/09/2026
Is calendar chaos in the offing for 2028? The notion is neither farfetched nor on anyone’s radar as the focus shifts to the Republicans’ calendar www.fhqplus.com/p/is-calenda...
fhqplus.com
Is calendar chaos in the offing for 2028?
The notion is neither farfetched nor on anyone’s radar as the focus shifts to the Republicans’ calendar
000
Reposted by Josh Putnam
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 31/08/2026
There's every indication that the 2028 presidential primary calendar will come together in a nice & tidy way in the coming months. Yes we're missing the Republican part of that equation, although the early lineup looks set, but things may be more fluid than they seem. www.fhqplus.com/p/is-calenda...
fhqplus.com
Is calendar chaos in the offing for 2028?
The notion is neither farfetched nor on anyone’s radar as the focus shifts to the Republicans’ calendar
001
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 31/08/2026
There's every indication that the 2028 presidential primary calendar will come together in a nice & tidy way in the coming months. Yes we're missing the Republican part of that equation, although the early lineup looks set, but things may be more fluid than they seem. www.fhqplus.com/p/is-calenda...
fhqplus.com
Is calendar chaos in the offing for 2028?
The notion is neither farfetched nor on anyone’s radar as the focus shifts to the Republicans’ calendar
001
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 24/08/2026
Defiant or disappointed? Iowa and New Hampshire find themselves on the outside looking in as the Democrats enter their super penalty era www.fhqplus.com/p/defiant-or...
fhqplus.com
Defiant or disappointed?
Iowa and New Hampshire find themselves on the outside looking in as the Democrats enter their super penalty era
000
Reposted by Josh Putnam
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 21/08/2026
So I looked back at how Democrats in IA & NH reacted to the then-new calendar rules in 2023 and compared them to how they have responded to this new set for 2028. There are some noteworthy differences. Plus I look at IA & NH in the Democrats' new super penalty era. www.fhqplus.com/p/defiant-or...
fhqplus.com
Defiant or disappointed?
Iowa and New Hampshire find themselves on the outside looking in as the Democrats enter their super penalty era
111
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 21/08/2026
So I looked back at how Democrats in IA & NH reacted to the then-new calendar rules in 2023 and compared them to how they have responded to this new set for 2028. There are some noteworthy differences. Plus I look at IA & NH in the Democrats' new super penalty era. www.fhqplus.com/p/defiant-or...
fhqplus.com
Defiant or disappointed?
Iowa and New Hampshire find themselves on the outside looking in as the Democrats enter their super penalty era
111
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 18/08/2026
Democrats finalized their primary calendar rules for 2028 over the weekend, and while the few opponents in the room questioned the feasibility of the early calendar actually being realized --ahem, New Hampshire -- the matter may come to a head as early as next month. www.fhqplus.com/p/lets-talk-...
fhqplus.com
Let's talk about the Democrats' 2028 presidential primary calendar, part two
What are the implications on the race of the six states selected to hold contests in the Democrats' early window?
000
Reposted by Josh Putnam
Dante Atkins @danteatkins.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
If you haven't by now read the full deep dive by @adambonica.bsky.social into spam and scam PAC fundraising practices on the Dem side, you absolutely need to. So, read this if you haven't, but I have a lot of thoughts about how we got here: data4democracy.substack.com/p/hook-and-s...
data4democracy.substack.com
Hook and Squeeze
How Democratic consultants, committees, and party leaders built a fundraising spam pipeline that funnels money from a captive pool of elderly donors into their own operations.
33816
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 17/08/2026
This is a good thread and I'm not going to nitpick Dante's suggestion here just because delegates came up. But it's a shame the publication of Bonica's piece was delayed. Had it been published when it initially could have been, then the DNC Rules & Bylaws Committee could have considered the options.
220
Reposted by Josh Putnam
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 16/08/2026
Although ranked choice voting got a kind of green light from the DNC yesterday, there remain some flashing yellow caution lights ahead for state parties in the delegate selection plan review process in 2027. I walk through why that is over at FHQ Plus... www.fhqplus.com/p/dnc-revers...
fhqplus.com
DNC reverses course on ranked choice voting rule
What that changes and doesn't change with respect to RCV in the 2028 presidential nomination process
001
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 16/08/2026
FWIW, the DNC *did* pass a resolution yesterday calling for the abolition of ICE. They also passed a different one calling for "concrete reforms" to ICE. apnews.com/article/demo...
apnews.com
Democrats disagree over abolishing or reforming ICE at DNC meeting
Democrats have approved dueling messages on immigration enforcement, disagreeing on whether U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement should be abolished or reformed.
000
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 16/08/2026
Although ranked choice voting got a kind of green light from the DNC yesterday, there remain some flashing yellow caution lights ahead for state parties in the delegate selection plan review process in 2027. I walk through why that is over at FHQ Plus... www.fhqplus.com/p/dnc-revers...
fhqplus.com
DNC reverses course on ranked choice voting rule
What that changes and doesn't change with respect to RCV in the 2028 presidential nomination process
001
Reposted by Josh Putnam
Rick Hasen @rickhasen.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
#ELB: “DNC reverses course on ranked choice voting rule” electionlawblog.org/2026/dnc-revers…
162
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 15/08/2026
Can we at least contextualize the scope of this "controversy" around the Democrats' primary calendar proposal? It turns out that it is pretty limited. ...to, you guessed it, Democrats in Iowa and New Hampshire. abcnews.com/Politics/dnc...
abcnews.com
DNC set to finalize controversial 2028 primary calendar, elevating South Carolina and Nevada
The DNC is expected to vote on Saturday to approve the new order of states for the 2028 presidential nominating process, amidst controversy over some of those decisions.
100
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 14/08/2026
I can see where some may consider this a "ban" in the near term. And I also know that following along with the evolution of national party rules is cumbersome. ...for most. [Some of us do it.] But... 1/ nypost.com/2026/08/13/u...
nypost.com
Drama breaks out at DNC over plan to ban ranked choice voting in Dem elections: ‘This ain’t it!’
Nancy Pelosi’s daughter and Rep. Jamie Raskin are calling out the Democratic Party for trying to do away with a bizarre voting system, used in New York City, designed to help the underdog candidate…
100
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 14/08/2026
What's up with Democrats and ranked choice voting for 2028? A proposed rules change the DNC is poised to adopt in Austin this week has triggered worries in some states and stirred backlash among RCV proponents. But is it in danger of not passing? www.fhqplus.com/p/whats-up-w...
fhqplus.com
What's up with Democrats and ranked choice voting for 2028?
A proposed rules change the DNC is poised to adopt in Austin this week has triggered worries in some states and stirred backlash among RCV proponents. But is it in danger of not passing?
000
Reposted by Josh Putnam
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 13/08/2026
The DNC is poised to pass a rules package for the 2028 presidential nomination process later this week. The calendar rules are there, yes, but so too are some changes to how the party will approach ranked choice voting this cycle. I share some thoughts on that "ban." www.fhqplus.com/p/whats-up-w...
fhqplus.com
What's up with Democrats and ranked choice voting for 2028?
A proposed rules change the DNC is poised to adopt in Austin this week has triggered worries in some states and stirred backlash among RCV proponents. But is it in danger of not passing?
002
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 13/08/2026
The DNC is poised to pass a rules package for the 2028 presidential nomination process later this week. The calendar rules are there, yes, but so too are some changes to how the party will approach ranked choice voting this cycle. I share some thoughts on that "ban." www.fhqplus.com/p/whats-up-w...
fhqplus.com
What's up with Democrats and ranked choice voting for 2028?
A proposed rules change the DNC is poised to adopt in Austin this week has triggered worries in some states and stirred backlash among RCV proponents. But is it in danger of not passing?
002
Reposted by Josh Putnam
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 07/08/2026
Let's talk about the Democrats' 2028 presidential primary calendar, part two What are the implications on the race of the six states selected to hold contests in the Democrats' early window? www.fhqplus.com/p/lets-talk-...
fhqplus.com
Let's talk about the Democrats' 2028 presidential primary calendar, part two
What are the implications on the race of the six states selected to hold contests in the Democrats' early window?
022
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 07/08/2026
Let's talk about the Democrats' 2028 presidential primary calendar, part two What are the implications on the race of the six states selected to hold contests in the Democrats' early window? www.fhqplus.com/p/lets-talk-...
fhqplus.com
Let's talk about the Democrats' 2028 presidential primary calendar, part two
What are the implications on the race of the six states selected to hold contests in the Democrats' early window?
022
Reposted by Josh Putnam
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 06/08/2026
After discussing the Rules & Bylaws Committee calendar meeting itself in part one, I cover a fair amount of ground on the implications of the Democrats' presidential primary calendar changes for 2028. 1/ www.fhqplus.com/p/lets-talk-...
fhqplus.com
Let's talk about the Democrats' 2028 presidential primary calendar, part two
What are the implications on the race of the six states selected to hold contests in the Democrats' early window?
113
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 06/08/2026
After discussing the Rules & Bylaws Committee calendar meeting itself in part one, I cover a fair amount of ground on the implications of the Democrats' presidential primary calendar changes for 2028. 1/ www.fhqplus.com/p/lets-talk-...
fhqplus.com
Let's talk about the Democrats' 2028 presidential primary calendar, part two
What are the implications on the race of the six states selected to hold contests in the Democrats' early window?
113
Reposted by Josh Putnam
Scott Huffmon @huffmon.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
In South Carolina, Republicans control all levels of government save the majority-minority 6th Congressional district. Yet, they describe the Democratic Party as better at “getting their way.” What’s going on? open.substack.com/pub/winthrop...
open.substack.com
The Depth (height?) of Republican Dominance in South Carolina and the Struggle Faced by Democrats
"We control absolutely every lever of power and have the majorities to do whatever we want ... Look out! The Democrats are about to take control!" - some Republican political consultant ... probably
043
Reposted by Josh Putnam
Elections Research Center @electionscenter.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
🚨Save the date🚨 Join the Elections Research Center on Friday, Nov. 20, for the 2026 Election Symposium aat the Discovery Building. Hear leading experts unpack the midterm results, key races, issues, vote patterns and Wisconsin’s battleground role. 🔗http://go.wisc.edu/3EOJM3
084
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 05/08/2026
New Mexico's push for 2028 early primary status could encounter logistical challenges www.frontloadinghq.com/2026/08/new-...
frontloadinghq.com
000
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 04/08/2026
I mean, this isn't exactly surprising. None of these candidates are going to come out *before their own primary elections* and state that the New Hampshire presidential primary should be anything other than first. 1/
110
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 30/07/2026
Republicans in Concord draft bill to counter DNC move against NH primary www.frontloadinghq.com/2026/07/repu...
frontloadinghq.com
"Republicans in Concord draft bill to counter DNC move against NH primary"
Adam Sexton at WMUR on the backlash in New Hampshire to the new DNC calendar rules for 2028 : "In the wake of a vote against the New Hampshi...
000
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 30/07/2026
Maine Democrats fight national party on ranked-choice voting in 2028 www.frontloadinghq.com/2026/07/main...
frontloadinghq.com
"Maine Democrats fight national party on ranked-choice voting in 2028"
Benjamin Kail at the Bangor Daily News reports on the reaction in Maine to a DNC rule proposal on ranked choice voting : "Democratic lawmake...
000
Reposted by Josh Putnam
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 28/07/2026
I'll have more to say about the implications of the DNC's 2028 presidential primary calendar, but I first wanted to dig into some of the weeds from last week's Rules & Bylaws Committee meeting. A number of calendar-related items are flying under the radar. www.fhqplus.com/p/lets-talk-...
fhqplus.com
Let's talk about the Democrats' 2028 presidential primary calendar, part one
A closer look at the Rule & Bylaws Committee meeting where the early calendar decisions were made
001
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 28/07/2026
This is a really helpful piece of perspective on the New Hampshire presidential primary and its place in an ever-changing nomination system. From @graniteprof.bsky.social: newhampshirebulletin.com/2026/07/28/h...
newhampshirebulletin.com
Has New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation law outlived its usefulness? • New Hampshire Bulletin
New Hampshire’s political elites quickly pointed fingers after a Democratic National Committee panel voted Friday to strip the Granite State of its first-in-the-nation status on the presidential nomin...
001
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 28/07/2026
I'll have more to say about the implications of the DNC's 2028 presidential primary calendar, but I first wanted to dig into some of the weeds from last week's Rules & Bylaws Committee meeting. A number of calendar-related items are flying under the radar. www.fhqplus.com/p/lets-talk-...
fhqplus.com
Let's talk about the Democrats' 2028 presidential primary calendar, part one
A closer look at the Rule & Bylaws Committee meeting where the early calendar decisions were made
001
Reposted by Josh Putnam
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 26/07/2026
Updated: FHQ Plus Annotated 2028 presidential primary calendar www.fhqplus.com/p/the-2028-p...
fhqplus.com
The Annotated 2028 Presidential Primary Calendar
Tracking the evolution of the timeline of delegate selection events that will determine the next presidential nominees
011
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 26/07/2026
I can appreciate that knives might be out for DNC Chair Ken Martin. It comes with the territory. But, I swear, an article like this deserves more than one sentence devoted to the comparative look back to other past parties out of the White House. 1/ www.nytimes.com/2026/07/26/u...
New financial reports released this week revealed the depth of the D.N.C.’s financial hole. The party is $2 million in debt, while the Republican National Committee has $128.5 million in cash on hand. The party that holds the White House almost always raises more money into its party coffers, but this year’s chasm is extraordinarily large.
133