Left Out Loud

A Conversation with John Hsu

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In this episode of Left Out Loud, Ally sits down solo with John Hsu, a Democratic candidate for New Jersey’s 6th Congressional District, just hours after he officially made the ballot. John talks about why he ran in 2024, why he is back in 2026, and how his campaign is rooted in grassroots organizing, labor solidarity, anti-war politics, and a rejection of corporate PAC and AIPAC money.

Links and Resources

  • John Hsu for Congress  
  • Ballotpedia candidate profile for John Hsu  

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  • (00:10) - Ally opens the episode and introduces John Hsu as a progressive candidate running in New Jersey’s 6th District
  • (01:13) - John joins the show and shares the breaking news that he officially made the ballot
  • (01:53) - John’s political background, Bernie organizing, and local progressive work
  • (03:13) - Why he first ran in 2024, including Palestine and frustration with the incumbent
  • (04:13) - What is different about the 2026 run, including AI and opposition to war with Iran
  • (06:13) - Frank Pallone’s long tenure and John’s view on term limits
  • (08:13) - Why Democratic incumbents have structural advantages in primaries
  • (10:13) - From software engineer to candidate, and how Department of Education cuts affected his work
  • (11:16) - What DOGE-era cuts did to federal education data and international testing
  • (13:19) - John’s environmental platform, public transit, and why EVs alone are not enough
  • (15:23) - Environmental justice fights, stopping a power plant, and saving public land from privatization
  • (17:25) - How his software background shapes the way he thinks about government systems
  • (20:30) - Bernie Sanders, progressivism, and where John thinks the movement still falls short
  • (23:33) - Supporting striking nurses and fighting for safer staffing ratios
  • (26:36) - Why Democrats have lost ground with working-class voters
  • (29:45) - John confirms he takes no corporate PAC money and no AIPAC money
  • (30:49) - Voters on the doors are already asking about outside money
  • (32:50) - How listeners can support the campaign, from small donations to following along online
  • (34:51) - Closing thoughts and Ally wraps the episode
    • ...more
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    Left Out LoudBy Alison Warhol