Journalist Hanna Trudo may run for Congress, citing Democrats’ failure to serve working-class voters.

Veteran Reporter Considers House Bid Amid Party Disillusionment

Hanna Trudo, a longtime political journalist and self-described lifelong Democrat, is weighing a congressional run in New Hampshire’s First District as Representative Chris Pappas prepares to leave the seat to run for the U.S. Senate. Trudo, a fourth-generation New Hampshire native, says the Democratic Party has repeatedly failed to deliver for working-class Americans, pushing voters toward President Donald Trump.

Trudo, who has reported for The Hill, The Daily Beast, Wired, The New Republic, and Politico since 2012, expressed growing frustration with her party’s inability to meet the needs of its base. "When you're not able to deliver on what people are asking you to deliver on, you lose," she said. The journalist pointed to a pervasive disconnect between the party’s donor and consultant class in Washington and the actual concerns of working Americans across the country.

She acknowledged contemplating a career shift even before Trump’s re-election last year. His continued support from the working class, according to Trudo, highlights a fundamental failure by Democratic leaders to connect with the electorate. "There's a big disconnect from the D.C. punditry... to what actual Democrats, working-class people, of all parties, frankly, what they want," she said.

Trudo aligns herself with economic populism but avoids the "Democratic socialist" label. Instead, she prefers to be described as a "working-class Democrat." She praised Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, describing it as an example of the type of bold, grassroots-driven politics that could reinvigorate the party.

While New Hampshire has leaned Democratic in recent presidential elections, it remains politically independent. It currently has two Democratic senators but a Republican governor and GOP-controlled legislature. Trudo noted that state leadership often reflects centrist or conservative tendencies that don't match the values or priorities of many residents. "There's sort of this disconnect between the leaders that we elect... and the actual mood of the people," she observed.

Democratic Strategy and Media Bias Under Scrutiny

Trudo’s candid critique of the Democratic establishment touches on broader concerns about party strategy and media alignment. Reflecting on her experience in political journalism, she questioned the impartiality of mainstream media but emphasized the need to remain committed to truth above ideological loyalty. "We have to be really careful... I do think we have to be on the side of truth," she remarked.

Though critical of Trump’s antagonism toward the press, Trudo acknowledged his openness to media engagement and contrasted that with what she views as a "closed-off mentality" among many Democratic candidates. She believes overly rehearsed messaging and risk-averse interviews alienate voters. "They don't want to say anything controversial or off the cuff. And it's alienated a lot of people in the party," she said.

After offering to appear on the conservative Ruthless Podcast, Trudo was accused by the hosts of ignoring follow-up attempts to schedule an interview. The hosts criticized her for perceived hypocrisy, claiming she was avoiding tough questions. In response, Trudo posted on X, defending herself against what she described as personal attacks on her appearance and background. She said she had initially reached out to discuss policy but was met with hostility and mischaracterization.

While she has not set a timeline for formally entering the race, Trudo said she remains focused on preserving critical social programs like Medicaid and Social Security. She argues that Democrats must embrace a more populist economic message to rebuild credibility. "It's going to take someone who's not beholden to the inter-party dialog... It's definitely failed people here," she concluded.