"...It's bigger."

“This isn’t about the presidency.”

“It isn’t?”

“No. It’s bigger.”

You might think I wrote those words yesterday. Or that it’s an excerpt from my recent non-fiction book Laboratories of Autocracy.

But no. I wrote those words several years ago. Before 2020. Trying to explain the importance of statehouses in shaping our nation’s politics in the course of a political thriller.

New followers and friends may not know this, but I write fiction. And that excerpt comes from a book called The Voter File. Which came out in 2020.

I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, but amid thrills and drama, in my works of fiction (going back to my first book, The People’s House ) I try to share inside knowledge and provide a little primer about politics.

One reason I’ve done this is to reach a broader audience—which of course includes political insiders. But also readers who are NOT political insiders who might learn a thing or two about politics along the way.

And, heading into 2020, I wrote The Voter File in part because I was concerned not enough people have any idea how much statehouses shape national politics. Federal contests dominate the nation’s attention even as statehouses have huge amounts of power over our democracy. Needless to say, 2020 and its aftermath have confirmed just how true that is.

And that is why I used that line about statehouses in the book—that, in certain ways, they are “bigger” than the presidency.

I also did it elsewhere.

At one point, I describe the corruption of statehouses: “the typical statehouse session involved two tasks—enact a steady stream of extreme legislation designed to fend off primary challenges, and usher through lobbyist-backed legislation to cater to the special interests and donors. Then repeat the drill, year after year."

Unfortunately, that description is all too accurate.

At another, I describe the poison of gerrymandering: “Gerrymandering had long ago meant that few of the pols walking the halls of the statehouses had had to win a general election to get there…all they had to do to stay in office was stave off any challenge in their next primary."

Sad but true.

I even incorporated a whole theme about how too few industries dominate most sectors of the nation’s economy, leading to higher prices and deeper dangers to our democracy: “Americans faced monopolies from birth to death; baby formula and diapers to pacemakers and coffins."

Hmmm.

While my goal isn’t to foretell the future, my books have had a tendency to mirror events that are right around the corner. While they haven’t predicted things exactly, they’ve come close enough to get attention.

That’s not because I have a crystal ball. It’s because I’ve been close enough to these institutions and processes that I see how they can be––and are––taken advantage of.

But have no fear, the book is an entertaining read as well, as Jack Sharpe gets to the bottom of the national plan to hijack those statehouses.

With its focus on statehouses, The Voter File is a great companion to Laboratories of Autocracy.

And here’s the best news.

BookBub is currently promoting the e-book version of The Voter File for only $1.99. That’s right, you can buy it for only $1.99.

(The paperback will also be coming out in August—more on that later).

So as we hit the summer, if you’re looking for a well-reviewed political thriller that also sheds some light on today’s politics, grab your e-book of The Voter File today.  Or feel free to share this with others.

You can get The Voter File at this link: [link removed] ( [link removed] )

Thanks for all you’re doing to lift democracy.

Onward,
David

GET "THE VOTER FILE" FOR $1.99 ( [link removed] )

P.S. If you've not yet heard, I've founded a new community –– Blue Ohio ( [link removed] ) –– that's focused on making sure every Democrat running for statehouse in Ohio has resources to fight for democracy. Too many Ohio statehouse races have gone uncontested and unsupported, giving the GOP nominees free passes, while Democrats in those districts feel abandoned.

By working together, our Blue Ohio community is showing up for Ohio’s Democrats, making sure no Ohio voter is left without a choice … and no Republican waltzes into office without a fight. Our community is building the power to hold Republicans accountable while lifting up our own nominees.

Community members who join at $10/month or more are automatically invited to our monthly brown bag (virtual) lunches, where we talk about what's going on in the statehouse and how folks can help. We're joined by special guests, too. This month's lunch is this Friday, and Ohio Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner will be joining us.

You should, too.

You can join our community by going to www.BlueOhio.org ( [link removed] ) and clicking the "join" link. If you're already a Blue Ohio member, please share the project with three people that you know care about the future of Ohio. The more people who join our community, the more powerful we become.

David Pepper

Blue Ohio, a joint project of David Pepper and It Starts Today, 237 Florida Ave NW , Washington , DC 20001

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