
About this episode
Earlier this month, a new Democratic machine scored a major victory in Connecticut. First-time congressional candidate Luke Bronin won his Democratic primary by a landslide, ousting 14-term progressive incumbent Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.). Bronin’s win is part of a larger, national push — funded by a secretive hedge fund manager — to elect more establishment-aligned Democrats. Who is this man pouring his millions into the fight?
Today on Lever Time, David Sirota sits down with Lever reporters Katya Schwenk and Luke Goldstein to unmask the man behind the machine. They discuss Schwenk and Goldstein’s recent hit article exploring how one billionaire Democratic donor is attempting to handpick corporate-friendly candidates and crush their most progressive opponents in this year’s midterms.
You can check out more of Katya Schwenk and Luke Goldstein’s reporting here:
How A Hedge Fund Billionaire Became The Democrats’ New Kingmaker
The Democratic Primary Operative With A Wall Street Side Gig
The New Democratic Machine – And The Billionaires Behind It
Get ad-free episodes, bonus content and extended interviews by becoming a member at levernews.com/join.
To leave a tip for The Lever, click here. It helps us do this kind of independent journalism.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get every episode summarized
Each time Lever Time publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Lever Time

How Troy Jackson Can Put Collins' Career On The Chopping Block
Lever Time
Sep 3, 202630:46pending

Master Plan S2 E6: Obama’s Kill List
Lever Time
Aug 20, 20261:16:24pending

This Bernie Organizer Is Coming For A “DeSantis Democrat”
Lever Time
Aug 13, 202639:21pending

Big Money Lost To Abdul El-Sayed. Where Will It Go Next?
Lever Time
Aug 6, 202657:02pending