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Don Gonyea Don Gonyea is a NPR National Political Correspondent based in Washington, D.C., and travels throughout the United States covering elections and the country's political climate. His reports can be heard on all NPR programs and at NPR.org.
Don Gonyea 2010
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Don Gonyea

Politics

Fla. Special Election Will Reflect Shutdown's Impact

The death of Florida congressman Bill Young is likely to lead to the first congressional election in a competitive district following the government shutdown and debt ceiling fight. An election date has not yet been set by Gov. Rick Scott, but could be in March.

Fla. Special Election Will Reflect Shutdown's Impact

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Tea Party Activist: It Was Worth 'Getting In The Ring'

Sal Russo of the Tea Party Express speaks at the National Press Club in 2011. Russo predicts the Tea Party will be re-energized for the 2014 midterm elections. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

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Alex Brandon/AP

Politics

Tea Party Activist: It Was Worth 'Getting In The Ring'

It's been a tough week for the Tea Party and its supporters in Congress. But activist Sal Russo and others say that their movement isn't going away. They're looking ahead to next year's midterm elections, as well as to next month's local races.

Tea Party Activist: It Was Worth 'Getting In The Ring'

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Obamacare Fight Leads Sen. Roberts To Turn Against Old Friend Sebelius

Kathleen Sebelius stands with Sen. Pat Roberts (right), R-Kan., and former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole in 2009. Susan Walsh/AP hide caption

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Susan Walsh/AP

It's All Politics

Obamacare Fight Leads Sen. Roberts To Turn Against Old Friend Sebelius

Despite their failure to defund the health care law, Republicans still detest it — and now there's a movement underway to oust Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. What's unexpected is that the effort is being led by Sen. Pat Roberts, a fellow Kansan she has long had close ties to.

Obamacare Fight Leads Sen. Roberts To Turn Against Old Friend Sebelius

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Politics

Message To Congress In One Georgia District: Don't Back Down

While recent polling suggests public opinion is weighing against the GOP's approach to the government shutdown, the message is very different for Republican congressmen from deeply conservative districts. The word from back home is to continue to take a hard line. That's the case in one district in the northwest corner of Georgia, which is home to Congressman Tom Graves, a leader of the defund Obamacare movement in the House who was elected in 2010.

Message To Congress In One Georgia District: Don't Back Down

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Politics

How The Shutdown Is Playing In Conservative Media

Conservatives have driven the debate and the showdown in Washington this week. But even as national polls have shown strong public disapproval of the government shutdown, conservative media outlets — on the air, on cable, and on the Internet — have provided a voice of support for Republicans on the Hill and created a like-minded community for their audience.

How The Shutdown Is Playing In Conservative Media

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GOP Establishment Grapples With A Tea Party That Won't Budge

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., is among the Republicans who want to pass a spending bill not tied to defunding or delaying the Affordable Care Act. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

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J. Scott Applewhite/AP

It's All Politics

GOP Establishment Grapples With A Tea Party That Won't Budge

Beyond voicing frustration, the traditional Republican power players on Capitol Hill and in the business community haven't been able to do much so far to end the current congressional standoff.

GOP Establishment Grapples With A Tea Party That Won't Budge

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Politics

Not All Republicans Embrace Big Business All The Time

The Republican Party in the past has had a close relationship with Wall Street and big business. But lately there's growing tension and disagreement as some Republicans in Congress consider a possible government shutdown. The Tea Party seems to have the strongest criticism of big business.

Not All Republicans Embrace Big Business All The Time

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Conservative Group To Young People: 'Opt Out' Of Obamacare

Linda Norman (right) and Joanna Galt, both from Florida, hold their banners during a "Exempt America from Obamacare" rally on the West Lawn of the Capitol on Sept. 10. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP hide caption

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Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

It's All Politics

Conservative Group To Young People: 'Opt Out' Of Obamacare

This fall the conservative group Generation Opportunity will fan out across college campuses to urge young Americans to be wary of Obamacare. The effort kicked off this week with some controversial and purposely creepy Web ads.

Conservative Group To Young People: 'Opt Out' Of Obamacare

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National

Gun Control Advocates Say Little After Navy Yard Shooting

In the aftermath of this week's shooting rampage at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., there has been no revival of the debate over gun control. In fact, the response from both sides in the debate has been muted. That's very different from what happened after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in December.

Gun Control Advocates Say Little After Navy Yard Shooting

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6 Lessons From The Colorado Gun Wars

A man walks past a Democratic campaign office (left) and a pro-gun-group's office, which display signs against, and in favor of, recalling Democratic state Sen. Angela Giron, on the day of the Sept. 10 recall vote in Pueblo, Colo. Brennan Linsley/AP hide caption

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Brennan Linsley/AP

Politics

6 Lessons From The Colorado Gun Wars

There's still a big gap in the level of intensity between gun groups and gun control advocates.

6 Lessons From The Colorado Gun Wars

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Politics

Tea Party Won't Let Congress Forget Obamacare Issues

Tea Party Patriots are making a push for Congress to defund the new health care law as part of debates over the budget and funding the federal government. On Capitol Hill Tuesday, Tea Party activists have scheduled an afternoon gathering to rally support for cutting off funding for the health law often referred to as Obamacare.

Tea Party Won't Let Congress Forget Obamacare Issues

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The March On Washington At 50

March On Washington Had Lasting Impact On 3 Detroiters

Fifty years ago on Wednesday, 250,000 people crowded onto the National Mall in front of the Lincoln Memorial. They came from all across the country for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and to see Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Three of those people from the Detroit area share the lasting impact the event had on their subsequent lives.

March On Washington Had Lasting Impact On 3 Detroiters

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Politics

2016 May Seem Just Around The Corner For Political Rivals

With a public battle between two likely Republican presidential contenders, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, and a private meeting between possible Democratic rivals Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, it feels like 2016 is just around the corner. The two parties are already aligning themselves for a presidential race that's still three years away.

2016 May Seem Just Around The Corner For Political Rivals

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Politics

Iowa Could Pose Problem For GOP Outreach

While the GOP autopsy on the 2012 election talks explicitly about reaching out to women and minorities to expand the party, it does not get into detail about its Iowa problem. Specifically, the state GOP that begins the presidential nominating season is dominated by religious conservatives most resistant to a broader, more inclusive party message.

Iowa Could Pose Problem For GOP Outreach

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