Nov. 26, 2025, 11:41 a.m.
Happy Thanksgiving from Hotline! To celebrate the season, we asked key figures in the political world what they’re thankful for.
“I’m thankful for being an American.” — Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA)
“At UVA, I'm thankful that I get to work with some great students on a regular basis. As those of us who follow elections know, the process can be messy and divisive. But I tell people that if we want politics to get better, we need to keep getting good people involved. I'm seeing a younger generation that's engaged in and informed about politics, so I think that bodes well for the future.” — Sabato's Crystal Ball associate editor J. Miles Coleman
“I’m thankful for family as usual—but this year we grew by two! We welcomed a second granddaughter and a daughter in-law in 2025!” — DCCC Chairwoman Suzan DelBene
“I’m grateful that President Trump is working hard to save the world. Thanks to his leadership, our country has never been hotter. This holiday season, we’re thankful for a President who puts Americans first.” — RNC Chairman Joe Gruters
“I'm thankful for every Democratic candidate, elected, and staffer trying to do things differently. We're not getting out of this with the same old same old. Stay weird out there guys.” — Democratic communications adviser Andrew Mamo
“I’m thankful for my dog Smokey being one year cancer-free and for friends who adopt you as family after losing your parents.” — Cook Political Report with Amy Walter Senate and governors editor Jessica Taylor
“Oh my gosh, too many things. Forty-one years of marriage. Our anniversary is Nov. 24 so it's always right around Thanksgiving. It always makes it easier for me to remember my anniversary, since it's right around Thanksgiving, but it also reminds me of the things that I'm most thankful for.” — Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA)
“Oh gosh. The first thing I'm always thankful for is my family. You know, I'm blessed. I grew up in public housing and I was able to build companies, but I'm really thankful for my family and my country. The fact I was introduced to Jesus Christ as a young man. So probably the big things.” — Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL)
“My granddaughter. It’s fun to have a grandkid.” — Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
“I’m grateful for my family. This has been a tough year for us. We lost a daughter. I miss her but I am grateful for my family. I’m grateful that she was in my life and she had such an impact on me and I’m grateful for my son and my wife.” — Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA 02)
“I am thankful for a blessed life and family and a wonderful staff.” — Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC 03)
“My wife and our little guys. My Hudson Valley community. And Army Football—Beat Navy!” — Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY 18)
“NFL Red Zone, DecisionDesk HQ, Chuck Todd, Trader Joe’s Cranberry Orange Relish, my amazing wife, soccer, Peter Baker’s analysis, Death by Lightning, Substack/YouTube and other homes for independent news creators, the two girls on TikTok who pretend they are at Hogwarts.” — So What journalist Chris Cilliza
“I am thankful for my amazing husband Joseph, who is my rock and keeps all the ships running at home when I am in D.C.” — Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI 08)
“Every morning, I have a ritual—I repeat something my first boss and mentor, Senator Paul Wellstone, who was like the O-G Bernie Sanders, would often say: ‘We can remake the world daily.’ So this Thanksgiving, and honestly, every day, I’m grateful to be in the thick of the fight to remake the world. I’m grateful to be surrounded by so many brilliant and hard-working people who, more than anything, want this country to be a place where every family can pay their bills, give their kids a better life, and reach for their American Dream. I’m grateful to spend time with family and friends and neighbors—not in some glitzy gilded ballroom, but in a home. I’m grateful for the health of my loved ones. And I’m grateful to God for all life’s blessings and challenges.” — DNC Chairman Ken Martin
“Well, thankful for my health and my family's prosperity. And all my constituents.” — Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA 10)
“I am thankful to God for His divine guidance and blessings in my life, for my wife and our two boys who have supported me through my military career, law enforcement career, and are now standing with me as we serve again in Congress, and for the responsibility entrusted in me by the people of Colorado’s 8th District. As always, my focus remains on ensuring Colorado and the United States remain a beacon of freedom to the world, and a great place to live, work, and raise a family.” — Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO 08)
“Thankful for the five pillars of American happiness: Faith, Family, Friends, Football, and Food. If those are solid, everything else usually falls into place.” — Former Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley (R)
“For family. For a very understanding dog.” — Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
“Thanks always starts with your family. My grandma said, ‘if you had your health, you have everything.’ So I'm grateful for a healthy family for the most part. I do have a couple that are sick. I'm grateful that we get to gather together and celebrate Thanksgiving, and especially share time with my children and grandchildren, and my parents and my wife's mom are still alive to see that as well. I had this very special relationship with my grandparents, and I hope to have that same relationship with my grandkids.” — Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS)
“I’m thankful for my family, my friends, and Jamelle Bouie’s Letterboxd account.” — Inside Elections deputy editor Jacob Rubashkin
“I am thankful for Taylor Swift's latest album, a day where I will be doing nothing but cooking and focused on that, and, of course, being a member of Congress for the greatest state in the Union.” — Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE AL)
Editor’s note: Hotline is off the rest of the week for Thanksgiving. We’ll be back in your inbox on Monday, Dec. 1.
— Hotline staff
hotmail@nationaljournal.com
