Accessibility links
Don Gonyea Gonyea is NPR's National Political Correspondent, a position he has held since 2010. His reports can be heard on all NPR News programs and at NPR.org.
Don Gonyea 2010
Stories By

Don Gonyea

Is The Election Over Yet?

The Republican candidate for Arizona's 2nd Congressional District, Martha McSally, speaks at a news conference on Nov. 5, the morning after the election. McSally's race against Democrat Ron Barber is so close it triggered a recount. Ross D. Franklin/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Ross D. Franklin/AP

It's All Politics

Is The Election Over Yet?

Election Day has come and gone, but in some midterm races there's still no winner just yet.

Is The Election Over Yet?

Listen · 3:04
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/363842770/363842771" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Record Numbers Of Women, Minorities Make Up Incoming Congress

The incoming Congress will have the first black female Republican, a record number of women and minorities and the biggest GOP majority in the House since before World War II.

Record Numbers Of Women, Minorities Make Up Incoming Congress

Listen · 3:59
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/363713125/363713126" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Republicans Gain Seats In State Legislatures, Governors Mansions

The GOP takeover of the U.S. Senate was the big headline. But it also increased the number of state legislative chambers it controls, and added 3 new governorships, bringing that total to 33.

Republicans Gain Seats In State Legislatures, Governors Mansions

Listen · 3:53
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/361942894/361942895" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Getting Out The Vote A More Challenging Task In The Midterms

Political campaigns are intensely focused on voter turnout in the final hours before Tuesday's midterm election day. And with good reason — overall voter participation is always down in non-presidential years.

Getting Out The Vote A More Challenging Task In The Midterms

Listen · 3:54
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/361206280/361206281" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Iowa Senate Candidates Get In Last-Minute Campaigning

Over the weekend in Iowa, candidates in one of the nation's hardest fought U.S. Senate races crisscrossed the state. Some big names joined in, urging their supporters to get to the polls on Tuesday.

Iowa Senate Candidates Get In Last-Minute Campaigning

Listen · 4:16
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/361069778/361069779" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The Devastating History Of Midterm Elections

U.S. President Ronald Reagan quiets a cheering crowd at a Republican rally in November 1986. Douglas C. Pizac/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Douglas C. Pizac/AP

Politics

The Devastating History Of Midterm Elections

Over the past century, midterm elections have been pretty rough on the party that holds the White House.

The Devastating History Of Midterm Elections

Listen · 4:13
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/360133533/360179325" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Big GOP Names Stump For Local Candidates With Eye Toward 2016

Many national figures in the Republican Party have been trying to give GOP candidates a boost in competitive races — and potentially help their own future presidential ambitions. Renee Montagne checks in with NPR's Don Gonyea, who's been keeping tabs on who's out on the trail.

Big GOP Names Stump For Local Candidates With Eye Toward 2016

Listen · 4:31
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/359760573/359760574" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

With Biden By His Side, Minnesota Democrat Mines For Blue-Collar Vote

Embattled Democrat Rep. Rick Nolan, who represents Minnesota's Iron Range, gets a campaign visit from the administration's blue-collar vote whisperer, Joe Biden.

With Biden By His Side, Minnesota Democrat Mines For Blue-Collar Vote

Listen · 4:48
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/358471582/358471583" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Obama Sits Out Campaigning As Fill-Ins Stump For Democrats

With President Obama's popularity suffering, other big-name Democrats are trying to give candidates a boost. Steve Inskeep talks to NPR's Don Gonyea about what they're telling voters.

Obama Sits Out Campaigning As Fill-Ins Stump For Democrats

Listen · 5:03
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/357999022/357999023" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Senate Race Delivers A Surprise Jolt To Conservative South Dakota

Democratic candidate Rick Weiland, a businessman, plays at a union hall in Sioux Falls, S.D. "We've tried to make this campaign fun," he told the crowd. "We're enjoying it. I hope you are." Don Gonyea/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Don Gonyea/NPR

Politics

Senate Race Delivers A Surprise Jolt To Conservative South Dakota

The state's now-rollicking U.S. Senate battle is turning it into a battleground, complicating efforts to predict which party will emerge from the midterm elections with control over the chamber.

Senate Race Delivers A Surprise Jolt To Conservative South Dakota

Listen · 4:28
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/356728087/356728088" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Ducking Social Issues, GOP Struggles To Keep Conservatives Close

Iowa's Westside Conservative Club holds breakfast meetings at a Machine Shed restaurant outside Des Moines. Longtime GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley spoke at a recent breakfast. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Scott Olson/Getty Images

It's All Politics

Ducking Social Issues, GOP Struggles To Keep Conservatives Close

Republicans are expecting to do well in November, and one thing they're not doing this election is emphasizing social issues. That choice is causing some frustration among core supporters.

Ducking Social Issues, GOP Struggles To Keep Conservatives Close

Listen · 4:48
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/355050983/355050984" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National Security

Secret Service's Hollywood Allure Fueled By Its Secrecy

Before Secret Service agents found themselves the butt of late-night TV jokes, they were more used to being portrayed in big-budget Hollywood movies. We look at the service through Hollywood's lens.

Secret Service's Hollywood Allure Fueled By Its Secrecy

Listen · 4:37
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/353678988/353678989" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
In Michigan, A Low-Key Campaign For A High-Stakes Senate Seat

Terri Lynn Land walks in the Labor Day Parade in Romeo, Mich., on Sept. 1. Land has made some public appearances like this one but overall is running a low-key race in the state. Paul Sancya/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Paul Sancya/AP

Politics

In Michigan, A Low-Key Campaign For A High-Stakes Senate Seat

GOP candidate Terri Lynn Land is taking it slow when it comes to public events. Her opponent, Democrat Rep. Gary Peters, leads in polls, but the race is close.

In Michigan, A Low-Key Campaign For A High-Stakes Senate Seat

Listen · 5:14
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/352661377/352661387" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript