Matt Ortega
@mattortega.com
Husband, father, small business owner, union member. Democratic candidate for CA-14.
Fight for a future you can afford at https://mattortega.com
(I am committed to the protection of your data and *no* spam texts.)
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Fight for a future you can afford at https://mattortega.com
(I am committed to the protection of your data and *no* spam texts.)
ሉካ + ኒኮ
★ ★ ★ —
Pinned
Matt Ortega
@mattortega.com
· Dec 17
Matt Ortega for Congress
Fight for a future you can afford—and the freedom to live it.
mattortega.com
For my family and yours, I'm running for Congress.
We cannot afford this broken system any longer. Higher premiums. Expensive groceries. A criminal administration's knee on our neck while the powerful pick our pockets. It's unsustainable and it must end.
I'm ready for the fight.
We cannot afford this broken system any longer. Higher premiums. Expensive groceries. A criminal administration's knee on our neck while the powerful pick our pockets. It's unsustainable and it must end.
I'm ready for the fight.
Reposted by Matt Ortega
The horror stories rolling in from Minnesota are just the tip of the iceberg. This 20-year-old, who's lawfully present in the country, was arrested for being Latino, then jailed in a filthy cell where he couldn't even sit down. 18 days of illegal detention. democracyforward.org/wp-content/u...
February 17, 2026 at 8:06 PM
The horror stories rolling in from Minnesota are just the tip of the iceberg. This 20-year-old, who's lawfully present in the country, was arrested for being Latino, then jailed in a filthy cell where he couldn't even sit down. 18 days of illegal detention. democracyforward.org/wp-content/u...
Some describe MJS’ fears expressed here as “doomerism.” There’s a difference between “dooming”—declaring all is lost so what is even the point—and the mental (and otherwise) preparation for what we might be up against in the fall.
One of my biggest fears about the midterms is that ICE could flood the polls with agents who perform Kavanaugh Stops on every non-white person before they get a chance to cast a ballot, then detain them until voting is over. Which is not far-fetched at this point. www.huffpost.com/entry/ice-po...
February 17, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Some describe MJS’ fears expressed here as “doomerism.” There’s a difference between “dooming”—declaring all is lost so what is even the point—and the mental (and otherwise) preparation for what we might be up against in the fall.
Reposted by Matt Ortega
“The number of billionaires grew over this time, too … roughly doubling between 2010 and 2024. But their political spending grew by more than 150 times.”
We’re seeing what they bought with all that spending, all around us.
We’re seeing what they bought with all that spending, all around us.
“When Citizens United was decided in 2010, billionaires had spent $18 million on the 2000 election, $13M 2004 and $16M in 2008. Then came the deluge. In 2012 it was $231M, and nearly doubled again in next three election cycles —to $682M in 2016, $1.2 billion in 2020 and $2.6 billion in 2024.” Gift:
Opinion | Affordability and the ‘Epstein Class’ Will Define American Politics
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:20 AM
“The number of billionaires grew over this time, too … roughly doubling between 2010 and 2024. But their political spending grew by more than 150 times.”
We’re seeing what they bought with all that spending, all around us.
We’re seeing what they bought with all that spending, all around us.
These people would’ve argued against civil rights.
I will never understand the principle of having no principles. People can see through poll-chasing. It makes anything you say sound like a self-serving lie.
I will never understand the principle of having no principles. People can see through poll-chasing. It makes anything you say sound like a self-serving lie.
Lakshya Jain and the Argument fled this website because they couldn't take the criticism and now he's advocating for Dems to abandon trans issues with polling about 'gender surgery for minors' a thing that is not real
February 17, 2026 at 6:49 PM
These people would’ve argued against civil rights.
I will never understand the principle of having no principles. People can see through poll-chasing. It makes anything you say sound like a self-serving lie.
I will never understand the principle of having no principles. People can see through poll-chasing. It makes anything you say sound like a self-serving lie.
Targeted deployment to harass Democratic heavy precincts in swing districts would not take that many agents.
People vote on election day when it is convenient. There’s no guarantee they come back later if dissuaded for whatever reason.
People vote on election day when it is convenient. There’s no guarantee they come back later if dissuaded for whatever reason.
Each arrest takes like a half dozen agents. They just don’t have the manpower for this. I am not even sure where the marginal utility of this type of thing would be. Maybe if they concentrated their efforts in one congressional district or something.
One of my biggest fears about the midterms is that ICE could flood the polls with agents who perform Kavanaugh Stops on every non-white person before they get a chance to cast a ballot, then detain them until voting is over. Which is not far-fetched at this point. www.huffpost.com/entry/ice-po...
February 17, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Targeted deployment to harass Democratic heavy precincts in swing districts would not take that many agents.
People vote on election day when it is convenient. There’s no guarantee they come back later if dissuaded for whatever reason.
People vote on election day when it is convenient. There’s no guarantee they come back later if dissuaded for whatever reason.
I’m sure the growing Nick Fuentesization of the Republican Party’s war on women will be dismissed as “alarmist” by the same people who said Roe wouldn’t be overturned or that “concentration camps” weren’t going to happen.
On this week's @strictscrutiny.bsky.social episode, @leahlitman.bsky.social, @kateshaw.bsky.social, and I discussed the new Heritage Foundation plan to return women to home and hearth. Apparently, this guy is all in on it.
February 17, 2026 at 6:01 PM
I’m sure the growing Nick Fuentesization of the Republican Party’s war on women will be dismissed as “alarmist” by the same people who said Roe wouldn’t be overturned or that “concentration camps” weren’t going to happen.
“The search ultimately went on for 190 hours covering 19,000 square miles, but the guardsman was never found.”
How is it possible that Kristi Noem still has this job. Imagine if you’re a family member or a shipmate of this guardsman.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
February 17, 2026 at 5:55 PM
“The search ultimately went on for 190 hours covering 19,000 square miles, but the guardsman was never found.”
Reposted by Matt Ortega
How is it possible that Kristi Noem still has this job. Imagine if you’re a family member or a shipmate of this guardsman.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
February 17, 2026 at 3:17 PM
How is it possible that Kristi Noem still has this job. Imagine if you’re a family member or a shipmate of this guardsman.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
Reposted by Matt Ortega
Bari Weiss built her career in part by whining about how the left was supposedly censoring conservatives. “The Free Press” - the unironic title of her publication - ran numerous pieces about a “censorship-industrial complex.”
Now, under her watch, we get to see real censorship - and hypocrisy.
Now, under her watch, we get to see real censorship - and hypocrisy.
Stephen Colbert blasted Brendan Carr after FCC scrutiny led CBS to pull an interview with Texas State Rep James Talarico. Instead, 'The Late Show' posted it to YouTube.
Colbert Says CBS Pulled Guest Over FCC Scrutiny; Posts Interview to YouTube Instead
Stephen Colbert blasted Brendan Carr after FCC scrutiny led CBS to pull an interview with Texas State Rep James Talarico. Instead, 'The Late Show' posted it to YouTube.
dlvr.it
February 17, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Bari Weiss built her career in part by whining about how the left was supposedly censoring conservatives. “The Free Press” - the unironic title of her publication - ran numerous pieces about a “censorship-industrial complex.”
Now, under her watch, we get to see real censorship - and hypocrisy.
Now, under her watch, we get to see real censorship - and hypocrisy.
Reposted by Matt Ortega
Jesus Christ these people are monsters.
How is it possible that Kristi Noem still has this job. Imagine if you’re a family member or a shipmate of this guardsman.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
February 17, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Jesus Christ these people are monsters.
Reposted by Matt Ortega
As an attorney with occasional experience with the Equal Time rule, I can explain what's going on here and how the FCC's Brandon Carr is leveraging his position to force late night and daytime talk show hosts to exclude Democratic candidates.
First I need to explain the Equal Time rule itself. 1/
First I need to explain the Equal Time rule itself. 1/
Stephen Colbert said that the FCC and CBS - which is in no way a compromised or complicit organization - wouldn’t allow him to broadcast an interview with Democratic State Rep James Talarico. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/17/a...
Colbert Doesn’t Give an FCC About Calling Out CBS
www.nytimes.com
February 17, 2026 at 1:37 PM
As an attorney with occasional experience with the Equal Time rule, I can explain what's going on here and how the FCC's Brandon Carr is leveraging his position to force late night and daytime talk show hosts to exclude Democratic candidates.
First I need to explain the Equal Time rule itself. 1/
First I need to explain the Equal Time rule itself. 1/
Reposted by Matt Ortega
I think it’s time for Democratic leaders to start saying “if you’re a pilot or ground crew involved in a deportation that was stayed by a judge, you’ll be held criminally liable for human trafficking.” Everyone involved in these flights should have that fear in the back of their minds.
Overnight, this probable ICE flight landed in Benin and is now returning to Senegal, likely for a crew layover.
February 16, 2026 at 10:57 AM
I think it’s time for Democratic leaders to start saying “if you’re a pilot or ground crew involved in a deportation that was stayed by a judge, you’ll be held criminally liable for human trafficking.” Everyone involved in these flights should have that fear in the back of their minds.
There ought to be a journalist whose sole purpose is to ask basic questions of elected leaders. Tuberville once stated we liberated Paris from communism in the Second World War.
February 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM
There ought to be a journalist whose sole purpose is to ask basic questions of elected leaders. Tuberville once stated we liberated Paris from communism in the Second World War.
Reposted by Matt Ortega
Not great how U.S. foreign policy is a combination of white nationalism, eugenics, preening toxic masculinity, and groveling for the approval of hostile nations before assisting our allies.
This is a direct violation of long-standing US policy toward Taiwan.
Beginning with the 1982 version, the Six Assurances to Taiwan explicitly states that the U.S. will not consult with China on arms sales to Taiwan.
Nor will the U.S. set an end date of arms sales to Taiwan.
Beginning with the 1982 version, the Six Assurances to Taiwan explicitly states that the U.S. will not consult with China on arms sales to Taiwan.
Nor will the U.S. set an end date of arms sales to Taiwan.
President Donald Trump said that he’s discussing future weapons sales to Taiwan with Chinese President Xi Jinping and teased that he would soon make a decision about future defense support for the self-governing island.
February 17, 2026 at 10:46 AM
Not great how U.S. foreign policy is a combination of white nationalism, eugenics, preening toxic masculinity, and groveling for the approval of hostile nations before assisting our allies.
Reposted by Matt Ortega
BREAKING: Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights icon and two-time presidential candidate, dies at 84.
Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights icon and two-time presidential candidate, dies at 84
“Our father was a servant leader — not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world,” the Jackson family said in a statement Tuesday.
nbcnews.to
February 17, 2026 at 9:36 AM
BREAKING: Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights icon and two-time presidential candidate, dies at 84.
CBS refused to broadcast Stephen Colbert's interview with James Talarico.
Why CBS Didn't Broadcast Stephen Colbert's Interview With James Talarico
YouTube video by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
www.youtube.com
February 17, 2026 at 7:31 AM
CBS refused to broadcast Stephen Colbert's interview with James Talarico.
Trump solicited $1 billion bribe from the oil and gas industry in exchange for whatever they wanted. Well, they keep getting what they wanted.
Elimination of emissions standards was one of the pretty clear policy stakes of the 2024 election and it received about 1% as much coverage as whether Tim Walz retiring from the national guard after 21 years was cowardly.
“The U.S. no longer has emission standards of any meaning,” said Margo T. Oge, who served as the E.P.A.’s top vehicle emissions regulator under three presidents and has since advised both automakers and environmental groups…
“Nothing. Zero,” she added. “Not many countries have zero.”
“Nothing. Zero,” she added. “Not many countries have zero.”
February 17, 2026 at 7:10 AM
Trump solicited $1 billion bribe from the oil and gas industry in exchange for whatever they wanted. Well, they keep getting what they wanted.
Reposted by Matt Ortega
Elimination of emissions standards was one of the pretty clear policy stakes of the 2024 election and it received about 1% as much coverage as whether Tim Walz retiring from the national guard after 21 years was cowardly.
“The U.S. no longer has emission standards of any meaning,” said Margo T. Oge, who served as the E.P.A.’s top vehicle emissions regulator under three presidents and has since advised both automakers and environmental groups…
“Nothing. Zero,” she added. “Not many countries have zero.”
“Nothing. Zero,” she added. “Not many countries have zero.”
With Latest Rollback, the U.S. Essentially Has No Clean-Car Rules
www.nytimes.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Elimination of emissions standards was one of the pretty clear policy stakes of the 2024 election and it received about 1% as much coverage as whether Tim Walz retiring from the national guard after 21 years was cowardly.
Reposted by Matt Ortega
Bari Weiss is doing exactly what she was expected to do. Ellison, Bezos, and other oligarchs are not trying to make their media properties profitable. They are turning them into regime media--to make their other properties more profitable.
From the @status.news on Anderson Cooper's decision not to renew his contract at CBS.
"Weiss not only failed to persuade Cooper to grow his footprint at the network, but ultimately helped chase him away from it entirely."
"Weiss not only failed to persuade Cooper to grow his footprint at the network, but ultimately helped chase him away from it entirely."
February 17, 2026 at 5:30 AM
Bari Weiss is doing exactly what she was expected to do. Ellison, Bezos, and other oligarchs are not trying to make their media properties profitable. They are turning them into regime media--to make their other properties more profitable.
Close the camps.
I know this makes me an extremist but I think our baby concentration camps should be abolished.
‘His life is in danger,’ U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro said about newborn Juan Nicolás. The child fell ill after spending almost a month — or half his life — in a San Antonio-area family detention facility.
February 17, 2026 at 4:20 AM
Close the camps.
When these people talk about "trust in news" they mean "get more right-wing readers" which they will never do.
The first ever Semafor event was Ben Smith in conversation with Tucker Carlson to discuss trust in news.
come for brendan carr. stay for matt murray.
February 17, 2026 at 4:19 AM
When these people talk about "trust in news" they mean "get more right-wing readers" which they will never do.
I worked on my first campaign in 2006 after college. Afterward I couldn't get my retail job back at the mall or anywhere else as the recession set in and had to go on unemployment. Nearly enlisted in the Army as I burned through my savings. By the end of that year I helped elect Obama from the DNC.
I got approved for SNAP today and it told me 2 things
1. I’m broke broke . But I can pinpoint how I got here. I had a savings. I had a 401k. I had a job. I did everything you’re told you’re supposed to do and things just dominoed backwards
2. I got up once, I can and will get up again.
1. I’m broke broke . But I can pinpoint how I got here. I had a savings. I had a 401k. I had a job. I did everything you’re told you’re supposed to do and things just dominoed backwards
2. I got up once, I can and will get up again.
February 17, 2026 at 1:59 AM
I worked on my first campaign in 2006 after college. Afterward I couldn't get my retail job back at the mall or anywhere else as the recession set in and had to go on unemployment. Nearly enlisted in the Army as I burned through my savings. By the end of that year I helped elect Obama from the DNC.
It didn't work for this guy, either.
February 17, 2026 at 1:32 AM
It didn't work for this guy, either.
It's right in line with Nick Fuentes' declaration that "The number one enemy in America is women... They have to be imprisoned."
"Hold on, we actually allow a failsafe"
The failsafe: Having a birth certificate, ID, and being willing to sign an affidavit on penalty of perjury.
This is what gendered administrative burdens look like.
academic.oup.com/jpart/articl...
The failsafe: Having a birth certificate, ID, and being willing to sign an affidavit on penalty of perjury.
This is what gendered administrative burdens look like.
academic.oup.com/jpart/articl...
Chip Roy on Fox News tries to explain why the SAVE America Act won't actually prevent women from voting
February 17, 2026 at 1:01 AM
It's right in line with Nick Fuentes' declaration that "The number one enemy in America is women... They have to be imprisoned."
Reposted by Matt Ortega
"Hold on, we actually allow a failsafe"
The failsafe: Having a birth certificate, ID, and being willing to sign an affidavit on penalty of perjury.
This is what gendered administrative burdens look like.
academic.oup.com/jpart/articl...
The failsafe: Having a birth certificate, ID, and being willing to sign an affidavit on penalty of perjury.
This is what gendered administrative burdens look like.
academic.oup.com/jpart/articl...
Chip Roy on Fox News tries to explain why the SAVE America Act won't actually prevent women from voting
February 16, 2026 at 10:24 PM
"Hold on, we actually allow a failsafe"
The failsafe: Having a birth certificate, ID, and being willing to sign an affidavit on penalty of perjury.
This is what gendered administrative burdens look like.
academic.oup.com/jpart/articl...
The failsafe: Having a birth certificate, ID, and being willing to sign an affidavit on penalty of perjury.
This is what gendered administrative burdens look like.
academic.oup.com/jpart/articl...