Long Play Series

To win America, you need to win the South.

The South is the new epicenter of American politics and culture. Population growth, economic investment, cultural influence, and political realignment are reshaping the region and, in turn, the nation. For both major parties, these states have become central to their political future.

Changes to voting rights have altered the political landscape, with consequences that extend far beyond the South. Rapid population growth is also shifting political power southward, increasing the region's influence in Congress and the Electoral College.

To win in the South, you have to understand the South. Across six Southern states, this series explores the people, communities, institutions, and forces shaping one of America's most dynamic regions. We'll examine the issues driving voters, the assumptions that no longer hold, and the leaders who may shape politics and public life in the years ahead.