Crooked Con is Back
Last year, we held the first-ever Crooked Con, an event that science said was impossible: a fun political conference.
Thousands of people showed up to hear from potential presidential candidates, campaign strategists, pollsters, organizers, journalists, creators, and even lowly podcast hosts. But it was also a chance for everybody to gather in one place, in real life, to commiserate, learn from each other, politely disagree, impolitely disagree, laugh at J.D. Vance, laugh at ourselves, have a drink or two, and perhaps explore an unacknowledged romantic tension roiling just beneath the surface.
Crooked Con 2025 totally exceeded our expectations. And this year, coming out of the midterms, and heading into a presidential election in which the stakes will be existential, we realized: we’re gonna need a bigger Crooked Con.
So join us November 5-7
in Washington, DC
We’ll reflect on the lessons of 2026 — whether we’re celebrating a massive victory or figuring out who to blame for a shocking defeat. And we’ll debate the best ways to turn those lessons into — imagine it — strategies to win in the campaigns to come. There will be more panels across bigger stages, candidate forums, live shows, interviews, organizing events, and tense but cathartic moments between prominent media figures who have yelled at each other on the internet.
Here’s The Deal For This Year
This time, Crooked Con will come just days after the midterms — and we will have a lot to learn, and a lot to do, to get ready for the next two years. We don't know how the midterms will turn out, no matter what the betting markets say, but regardless, we know that the stakes heading into 2027 and 2028 are total.
- We’ll kick it off on Thursday, November 5 with a Pod Save America live show.
- Then on Friday, November 6 you can also catch Strict Scrutiny and Lovett or Leave It live.
- And then on Saturday, November 7 a full day of Crooked Con panels and meet-ups will take place. Which means you won’t even have to take a day off of work.
Each event is ticketed separately.
THE BIGGER
THE TENT,
THE CLOSER
TO GOD
Crooked Con is HERE!
Join presidential candidates, campaign strategists, pollsters, organizers, journalists, creators, and even lowly podcast hosts as we gather in one place to unpack the lessons of 2026, debate, argue, commiserate, fall in LOVE (?), and chart the path forward to 2028.
Experience Preview
Lessons From 2026
What worked? What flopped? What confirmed our biases? What forced us to confront our deepest anxieties?
ATTENTION
How do campaigns reach and persuade voters in a fractured and chaotic media environment??
The Agenda
What are the policy debates that will define the presidential primary and the future of the party?
THE DEMOCRATIC BRAND
How do we build a movement people want to join? Should Democratic candidates redefine the party’s image, or run from it?
4 Stages,
Endless Takes
The Big Tent
Big room. Big conversations and interviews.
The Echo Chamber
Conversations about politics, the media, and the way forward.
The Vote Save America Stage
Get in, we’ve got organizing to do and 2028 to win.
The Reflecting Pool
We can’t build this coalition alone. So we’ve invited some friends to curate panels, conversations, and live podcasts to maximize your time at Crooked Con.
Look, you’re out there, you’re doing it.
What happens at Crooked Con does not stay at Crooked Con. We want you to connect with your fellow attendees and spread the Good News at home.
Vote Save America Partners
Vote Save America is going to be all over Crooked Con, not just on the VSA Stage. They’ll help you connect with pro-democracy organizations from around the country and get involved in local elections in your community.
Straw Poll
With the 2026 midterms behind us (hopefully! Mostly!), we’ll be asking ourselves, each other and anyone within earshot—WHO SHOULD BE THE 2028 PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE? We’ll ask all Crooked Con attendees, too, and we’ll reveal the results at the end of the day!
CROOKED CON BOOKSTORE
Shop books authored and recommended by Crooked Con panelists, creators, and speakers. You can even meet your favorite Crooked Con-ers at book signings throughout the day.
CROOKED STORE
Stock up on necessities and accessories to make it through the day. Plus, we’ll have new and exclusive merch just for Crooked Con attendees.
Food
There are a handful of meal and snack options in the convention center itself, plus dozens of walkable restaurants and cafes around the perimeter of the convention center. There will also be drinks.