How did a simple letter swing an entire presidential election? In eighteen eighty-eight, President Grover Cleveland was in a tight race against Benjamin Harrison. The most volatile voters were Irish Americans, who held a deep animosity toward Great Britain. All it would take was one political dirty trick to turn them against the president.

In this episode of Monday Madness, Stephen and Leah unpack the story of the Murchison Letter, one of the most effective "October surprises" in political history. Discover how a Republican activist penned a fake letter to the British Ambassador, baiting him into a trap. Learn how the ambassador's foolish reply was published just weeks before the election, creating a massive scandal that proved Cleveland was "pro-British" and costing him the critical state of New York and the presidency.

University of Virginia | Miller Center | The Election of 1888 | https://millercenter.org/president/grover-cleveland/the-election-of-1888

Encyclopedia Britannica | Murchison Letter | https://www.britannica.com/event/murchison-letter

Dickinson College | The Murchison Letter | https://www.dickinson.edu/homepage/1026/the_murchison_letter

Key Takeaways (Click to Expand)

Before entering politics, Dr. John Joyce practiced dermatology in Altoona, PA, for 25 years, running his own practice.

He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and served in the U.S. Navy Reserve Medical Corps.

He holds a key position on the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee, serving on the critical Health Subcommittee.

His legislative priorities are heavily informed by his medical background, focusing on healthcare reform (especially rural health), energy policy, and economic issues relevant to his south-central Pennsylvania district.

“From diagnosing patients in the exam room to diagnosing policy on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Dr. John Joyce brings a lifetime of medical expertise to Congress.”

John Joyce: The Doctor Is In the House

Representative John Joyce’s career before Congress was not spent in political circles, but in the exam rooms of his own dermatology practice. For a quarter-century, Dr. Joyce served patients in his hometown of Altoona and the surrounding rural communities of south-central Pennsylvania. This deep, practical experience in medicine, combined with his service in the Navy Reserve Medical Corps, provides him with a unique and valuable perspective in Washington.

Joyce built a successful dermatology practice from the ground up, giving him firsthand insight into the challenges faced by both patients navigating the healthcare system and small business owners managing a practice. His desire to fix what he saw as a broken healthcare system was a primary motivator for his run for office.

Elected in 2018, Dr. Joyce quickly secured a coveted spot on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, one of the oldest and most powerful committees in Congress with broad jurisdiction over healthcare, energy, telecommunications, and consumer protection. His assignment to the Health Subcommittee is a natural fit, allowing him to directly apply his decades of medical knowledge to legislative debates on prescription drug pricing, rural healthcare access, and medical innovation.

As a representative of a largely rural district heavily reliant on agriculture and energy production, Rep. Joyce is also a key voice on energy policy and rural economic development. A mainstream conservative, his work is defined by his real-world experience as a doctor and small business owner, bringing a pragmatic and knowledgeable approach to the complex issues before Congress.

Sources Used Official Biography: https://johnjoyce.house.gov/about

Ballotpedia Profile: https://ballotpedia.org/John_Joyce_(Pennsylvania)

GovTrack.us Legislative Record: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/john_joyce/412798

#Representative #Pennsylvania #Republican #JohnJoyce

Key Takeaways (Click to Expand)

Mario Diaz-Balart is the longest-serving Republican in Florida’s congressional delegation, first elected in 2002.

He comes from a prominent Cuban-American political family; his aunt was Fidel Castro’s first wife, and his brother, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, also served in Congress.

He is a powerful “cardinal” on the House Appropriations Committee, serving as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, which oversees the State Department and foreign aid budget.

A leading voice on U.S. policy toward Cuba and Latin America, he is known for his staunchly anti-communist and anti-Castro stance.

“A pillar of the South Florida political establishment and a key architect of U.S. foreign policy funding, Mario Diaz-Balart’s career bridges the worlds of exile politics and congressional power.”

Mario Diaz-Balart: A Legacy of Anti-Communism and Appropriations Power

Representative Mario Diaz-Balart is one of the most senior and influential members of Florida’s congressional delegation. His career is defined by his deep roots in the Cuban exile community, his rise to become a powerful appropriator in Congress, and his unwavering focus on U.S. policy toward Latin America, particularly Cuba.

Diaz-Balart hails from one of the most prominent families in Cuban and Cuban-American political history. His father was a politician in pre-Castro Cuba, and his aunt, Mirta Diaz-Balart, was Fidel Castro’s first wife before becoming a critic of his regime. His brother, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, preceded him in Congress. This background instilled in him a lifelong, staunch opposition to communism. Before entering federal politics, Diaz-Balart served for 14 years in the Florida state legislature, rising to leadership positions in both the State House and State Senate.

First elected to the U.S. House in 2002, Diaz-Balart has steadily climbed the ranks of seniority. His most significant role is on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, where he is one of the 12 subcommittee chairmen known as “cardinals” who control federal spending. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, he has direct oversight of the entire budget for the U.S. State Department, USAID, and all related foreign assistance programs. This makes him a central figure in shaping America’s diplomatic and foreign aid priorities.

In addition to his appropriations work, Rep. Diaz-Balart is a leading congressional voice on Latin American policy. He is arguably the most prominent advocate for maintaining a hardline stance against the Cuban regime, opposing any normalization of relations and pushing for policies that support democracy activists on the island. Representing a South Florida district with large Cuban-American and Hispanic populations, his work is a direct reflection of his constituents’ deeply held beliefs and experiences.

Sources Used Official Biography: https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/biography

Ballotpedia Profile: https://ballotpedia.org/Mario_Diaz-Balart

GovTrack.us Legislative Record: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/mario_diaz-balart/400108

#Representative #Florida #Republican #MarioDiazBalart

George Washington’s Mount Vernon | Culper Spy Ring | https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/culper-spy-ring/

National Park Service | The Culper Ring | https://www.nps.gov/long/learn/historyculture/culper-ring.htm

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) | The Culper Spy Ring | https://www.cia.gov/stories/story/the-culper-spy-ring/

Key Takeaways (Click to Expand)

Keith Self is a decorated 25-year U.S. Army veteran, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel after service in the Airborne Infantry, Special Forces, and Army Rangers.

After his military career, he served for 12 years (three terms) as the County Judge of Collin County, Texas, a major suburban county north of Dallas.

As County Judge, he was known for his strong fiscal conservatism, overseeing significant tax rate cuts during a period of rapid growth.

In Congress, he is a member of the House Freedom Caucus and serves on the Foreign Affairs and Veterans’ Affairs Committees.

“From commanding troops in the Army Special Forces to commanding the Commissioners Court in one of America’s fastest-growing counties, Keith Self’s career has been defined by leadership and unwavering conservative principles.”

Keith Self: A Veteran’s Voice for Conservative Principles

Representative Keith Self brings a lifetime of leadership—forged in the U.S. Army Special Forces and honed in local government—to his role representing the suburban communities north of Dallas. A decorated veteran and a staunch fiscal conservative, his focus in Washington is on national security, border security, and reining in federal spending.

Self’s journey began with a 25-year career in the U.S. Army. A West Point graduate, he served with distinction in Airborne Infantry, Army Rangers, and Special Forces units, deploying across Europe and the Middle East, including during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, holding high-level security clearances and earning numerous awards, including the Master Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, and Special Forces Tab.

Upon retiring from the military, Self entered public service in his home state of Texas. In 2006, he was elected County Judge of Collin County, the chief executive position for one of the fastest-growing and most populous counties in the nation. Over his three terms (12 years) in office, he built a strong reputation as a fiscal hawk, presiding over significant cuts to the county property tax rate while managing explosive growth.

Elected to Congress in 2022, Rep. Self joined the conservative House Freedom Caucus and secured committee assignments that align with his background: the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. He is a vocal advocate for securing the U.S.-Mexico border, strengthening the military, supporting veterans, and cutting federal spending, bringing his “Texas Tough” leadership style to the national stage.

Sources Used Official Biography: https://keithself.house.gov/about

Ballotpedia Profile: https://ballotpedia.org/Keith_Self

GovTrack.us Legislative Record: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/keith_self/456942

#Representative #Texas #Republican #KeithSelf

Key Takeaways (Click to Expand)

Frank Mrvan is the Vice-Chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus, making him one of the most powerful advocates for the American steel industry in Washington.

He continues a family legacy of public service; his father, Frank Mrvan Sr., was a respected Indiana State Senator for decades.

Before Congress, he served for 15 years as the North Township Trustee, a key local government role focused on community services and financial assistance.

He holds a powerful seat on the House Appropriations Committee, where he helps direct federal funding, particularly to projects supporting manufacturing and infrastructure.

“From a family rooted in Northwest Indiana public service to his role as a chief defender of the American steel industry, Frank Mrvan’s career is a story of community advocacy.”

Frank Mrvan: A Legacy of Service and a Champion for Steel

Representative Frank J. Mrvan’s work in Congress is a direct continuation of a life dedicated to serving the communities of Northwest Indiana. As the Vice-Chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus, he is a leading and powerful voice for the industry that forms the backbone of his district’s economy.

Mrvan’s roots in public service run deep. He is the son of Frank Mrvan Sr., a long-serving and widely respected Indiana State Senator, from whom he learned the importance of constituent services. Before coming to Washington, Rep. Mrvan spent 15 years in local government as the North Township Trustee. In this executive role, he was on the front lines, managing a budget and providing essential services—from utility assistance to community programs—directly to residents. This experience gave him a ground-level understanding of the economic challenges facing working families.

Elected to Congress in 2020, Mrvan succeeded longtime Representative Pete Visclosky and immediately took up the mantle as his district’s chief advocate. He secured a powerful assignment on the House Appropriations Committee, allowing him to have a direct hand in funding federal projects. He uses this role to support the domestic manufacturing industry and fund infrastructure projects that are critical to the “Region.”

His most passionate work is in his role as Vice-Chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus. Representing a district that is home to one of the largest concentrations of steel production in the nation, he is a relentless defender of the industry. He is a staunch supporter of “Buy America” provisions and the Section 232 tariffs, which he argues are essential to protect American steelworkers from unfair foreign competition and to ensure the nation’s economic and national security.

Sources Used Official Biography: https://mrvan.house.gov/about

Ballotpedia Profile: https://ballotpedia.org/Frank_J._Mrvan

GovTrack.us Legislative Record: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/frank_mrvan/456822

#Representative #Indiana #Democrat #FrankJMrvan

For decades, the law of the land in many states was "separate but equal." This doctrine, cemented by the eighteen ninety-six case Plessy versus Ferguson, allowed for systemic racial segregation in all walks of life. But in practice, especially in public education, separate was never equal. This injustice became the target of one of the most important legal battles in American history.

In this episode of Wednesday Writs, Stephen and Leah explore the monumental case of Brown versus Board of Education. Discover how this was not just one lawsuit, but five separate cases bundled together, all led by the brilliant NAACP lawyer Thurgood Marshall. We dive into the groundbreaking legal strategy that went beyond unequal funding and argued that the very act of segregation inflicted psychological damage on children, violating the Fourteenth Amendment. Learn about the unanimous nine to zero decision that changed America forever and the long, difficult fight for desegregation that followed.

Oyez | Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (I) | https://www.oyez.org/cases/1940-1955/347us483

National Archives | Brown v. Board of Education (1954) | https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/brown-v-board-of-education

Library of Congress | Brown v. Board of Education: A Resource Guide | https://guides.loc.gov/brown-v-board-of-education

Key Takeaways

Hillary Scholten is the first woman and the first Democrat in nearly 50 years to represent her Grand Rapids-based district in Congress.

Before her election, she was an attorney for the Department of Justice during the Obama administration, specializing in immigration law.

She also worked as a social worker and an attorney for the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, giving her a deep background in advocacy.

She serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where she is a key advocate for protecting the Great Lakes and addressing PFAS water contamination.

“From the Department of Justice to the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, Hillary Scholten’s career as an attorney and advocate has been a prelude to her historic role as the first woman to represent West Michigan.”

Hillary Scholten: A Historic Voice for West Michigan

Representative Hillary Scholten’s election in 2022 was a historic political shift, making her the first woman to ever represent Michigan’s 3rd District and the first Democrat to hold the Grand Rapids-based seat in nearly half a century. Her background as an attorney for the Department of Justice and a local immigrant rights advocate has defined her pragmatic, community-focused approach to leadership.

Scholten’s career began not in politics, but in social work and law. After law school, she clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals and was then selected for the Attorney General’s Honors Program to serve as an attorney at the Department of Justice. During the Obama administration, she worked on immigration policy, a specialty she brought back to her home state. In 2017, she returned to Grand Rapids and served as a staff attorney for the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, providing legal services to immigrants and refugees.

After an unsuccessful but close run for the seat in 2020, she ran again in 2022 and won. In Congress, Rep. Scholten has secured assignments that are critical to her district’s economy and environment. As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, she is a leading voice on the protection of the Great Lakes and has made securing federal funds to clean up PFAS contamination a top priority.

As a member of the Small Business Committee and the pragmatic New Democrat Coalition, Scholten focuses on economic issues vital to West Michigan, from supporting the region’s diverse manufacturing sector to cutting red tape for local entrepreneurs. Her historic election represents a new era for her district, led by a voice deeply rooted in law, advocacy, and a commitment to public service.

Sources Used Official Biography: https://scholten.house.gov/about

Ballotpedia Profile: https://ballotpedia.org/Hillary_Scholten

GovTrack.us Legislative Record: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/hillary_scholten/456919

#Representative #Michigan #Democrat #HillaryJScholten