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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

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Reposted by Josh Putnam
Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 15h
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
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Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 15h
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 · 15h
Just released Catawba-YouGov Survey of #ncpol on: --Trump's approval/disapproval --US Senate vote intention --US House Generic Ballot #ncpol
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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
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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...
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 09/09/2026
And there is an outside chance the RNC could make some rules changes that have significant impacts on elements of the 2028 nomination process. ...in both parties. 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
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Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 09/09/2026
The presidential nomination rules for 2028 *should* be adopted at that concurrent event, the RNC summer meeting. It is the last (in-person) opportunity for tweaks to be made to those rules before the deadline to complete them at the end of the month.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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?
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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.
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Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 17/08/2026
And there's probably a six month (or so) window -- starting now -- for that to occur. /end
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Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 17/08/2026
However, there are other options outside of the delegate rules. And debate access (and the formula for it) are fertile ground. As Dante said, that formula -- the one adopted for 2020 adding a new fundraising component -- probably needs revisiting if not restructuring.
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Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 17/08/2026
But now, at this point in the 2028 cycle, it's too late. The DNC just adopted the delegate rules for 2028 over the weekend and they are locked in. So, at best, action on Dante's specific suggestion could not be addressed until the 2032 cycle.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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…
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Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 15/08/2026
And for what it is worth and statement notwithstanding, Buckley did not speak against the calendar *in the meeting.* I found that notable and he'll likely hear about that back home. Only Hart, unsurprisingly as she noted, rose to speak against it. The voice vote for the calendar was overwhelming.
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Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 15/08/2026
Eh, both Buckley and Hart have constituencies back home that they have to message to. It doesn't change the fact that the rules for going rogue are more severe for 2028 than they have ever been. And they have real teeth. www.fhqplus.com/p/democrats-...
fhqplus.com
Democrats devise their own super penalty for primary calendar violations
The Rules and Bylaws Committee adopted new enhanced penalties to punish states and candidates who break timing rules in 2028
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Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 15/08/2026
Yeah, that's a different question. And although progress has been slow on the National Popular Vote plan, there has been progress.
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Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 15/08/2026
To put CA first would be to invite many states to break the national party rules and destabilize the nomination system. Neither party wants that. In many ways, CA is damned it does go early, damned if it doesn't. CA lawmakers have (re)learned that lesson many times over the last generation. 2/2
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Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 15/08/2026
One way to think of CA is like a star (the space kind): It has its own gravity that tends to pull other planets (states) with it when it moves (...especially to earlier spots on the calendar). To varying degrees that was the case in 1996, 2000, 2008 and 2020. 1/
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Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 15/08/2026
Mainly because neither major party has sanctioned early contests by either CA or NY. One of the few values both Democrats and Republicans still share is a kind of easing into the heart of primary season rather than jumping right in with a big state first (or going to a national primary).
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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.
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Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 14/08/2026
Yes, states/state parties will very likely have to better tailor their respective RCV methods for use under DNC rules to be successful in that waiver process, but that is not exactly a ban, FWIW. More on that here: 3/3 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?
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Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 14/08/2026
But folks who are most negatively reacting to this possible RCV rules change by the DNC are missing 1) the history of the Rules & Bylaws Committee and RCV and 2) that state parties will be able to request waivers from the rule during the delegate selection plan review process in 2027. 2/
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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…
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Josh Putnam @www.fhqplus.com · 14/08/2026
Read recently that due to severe drought and water shortages/outages that parts of Puerto Rico are using the water from AC condensation to flush toilets. But your pic is of permanent signage, so that probably isn't what is prompting it in this case. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/07/u...
nytimes.com
Puerto Rico Will Begin Rationing Water Amid Fresh Crisis
Starting on Friday, the island’s water authority is scheduled to shut off water for rotating 48-hour periods in parts of San Juan and surrounding areas.
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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?
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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?
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