Words This Friday (WTF) with Dr. Kyle Dell

Executive Director Dr. Kyle Dell breaks down the words making headlines this week in “Words This Friday” (WTF) — a quick, insightful look at the language shaping our news and civic conversations.

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Minnesota Governor Tim Walz Announces He Will Not Seek Reelection

Source 1: Breitbart, Source 2: NBC News

U.S. House of Representatives Passes Legislation to Extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) Subsidies

Source 1: The Hill, Source 2: PBS News

Congress

For full details on each bill, visit our Vote Smart Issue Summary page.

State

Democrat Iris Sanchez, of Connecticut, won her special general election race for State House District 25 against Republican candidate Jamie Vaughan, 66.3% to 33.7%.  Sanchez is a long-time City Council member who has touted housing, quality education, public safety, and infrastructure improvements as her campaign priorities.  The 25th House district seat, which covers part of New Britain, became vacant on Nov. 12, 2025, when Democratic state Rep. Bobby Sanchez (no relation to Iris Sanchez) resigned after being elected mayor of New Britain.

Republican Bill Fincher, of Georgia, won his special general election runoff against Democrat Scott Sanders for State House District 23, 71.4% to 28.6%. The seat was formerly held by Rep. Mandi Ballinger (R-Canton), who died in October 2025.  Fincher and Democrat Scott Sanders were the two candidates vying for the position in the runoff race after being the top two contenders in the Dec. 9 special election.  Results show that none of the six candidates met the 50 percent plus one vote threshold last month, which led to Tuesday's race between Fincher and Sanders.  

2025 Ballot Measures: California, Colorado, Maine, New York, Texas, and Washington

• Arkansas Special Primary Election, State House District 70 and State Senate District 26
• Connecticut Special General Election, State House District 25
• Georgia Special General Run-off, State House District 23
• South Carolina Special General Election, State House District 98
• Virginia Special General Election, State Senate District 15 and State House District 77