Daniel Nichanian

Founder and Editorial Director, Political Report

Daniel Nichanian is the founder and editorial director of The Appeal: Political Report, a vertical of The Appeal that covers the local politics of criminal justice and mass incarceration. He also writes in the Political Report, and sends its weekly newsletter.

He has also written on criminal justice, voting rights, local politics, and political theory in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Philosophy & Rhetoric, Democracy, The Daily Beast, FiveThirtyEight, NBC News, Vox, and other publications. He completed his PhD in political theory at the University of Chicago, where he also worked as a postdoctoral fellow.

@Taniel

Articles by Daniel Nichanian

How Alvin Bragg Rejects Bill Bratton and Broken Windows Policing

The Manhattan DA candidate makes his case that more incarceration does not bolster public safety, one week from the Democratic primary.

Daniel Nichanian Jun 16, 2021

Norfolk Elects Prosecutor Who Says Crime Is a “Symptom of Structural Racism”

Virginia’s primaries on Tuesday saw Ramin Fatehi clinch the Democratic nomination for Commonwealth Attorney in Norfolk, the site of a major showdown over reform in 2019. He is unchallenged in November.

Daniel Nichanian Jun 10, 2021

Wins for Larry Krasner and New Allies Signal Reformers’ Growing Reach

Progressive gains in Philadelphia’s primaries for judge and DA showcase a movement intent on taking over broader swaths of the criminal legal system.

Daniel Nichanian May 20, 2021

Your Guide to Criminal Justice in Pennsylvania’s Elections Today

From a historic DA race to judge candidates against mass incarceration, these elections could reshape the criminal legal system.

Daniel Nichanian May 18, 2021

Nevada Prosecutors Are Standing in the Way of Abolishing the Death Penalty

Time is running out for the state Senate to advance a bill repealing the death penalty. Two influential Democratic senators also work as prosecutors, and the state’s DA association is fighting the reform.

Daniel Nichanian May 07, 2021

This Public Defender Has Fought the Manhattan D.A.’s Office. Now She Wants To Lead It.

Eliza Orlins, who is running in the June 22 primary, lays out how she would overhaul the "prosecutorial-industrial complex."

Daniel Nichanian Apr 19, 2021

She Lost Her Right to Vote Over A Felony. Now This Lawmaker Has Helped Enfranchise Thousands.

Tarra Simmons lays out why she championed a new law that restores voting rights to people on probation and parole once she joined Washington’s state legislature.

Daniel Nichanian Apr 08, 2021

Two Mayoral Elections May Shape Policing Next Week

The Appeal: Political Report’s April 2 newsletter

Daniel Nichanian Apr 02, 2021

The Next Virginia Governor Could Wipe Out New Voting Rights Gains

People with felony convictions who aren’t in prison can now vote. State elections could bring further progress or a sharp retreat.

Daniel Nichanian Mar 26, 2021

Efforts to Abolish the Death Penalty Triumph in the South for the First Time

The Appeal: Political Report’s March 25 newsletter

Daniel Nichanian Mar 25, 2021

Landmark Rulings Show ‘Untapped Potential’ of State Courts To Advance Civil Rights

An emboldened progressive majority on Washington State’s highest court struck down a law that criminalized drug possession and expanded restrictions on life without parole.

Daniel Nichanian Mar 17, 2021

Debates Around Criminal Justice Reform Take Center Stage in a Slate of Red States

The Appeal: Political Report’s March 11 newsletter

Daniel Nichanian Mar 11, 2021

‘Life Sentences Are Death Sentences.’ How This D.A. Candidate Wants to Decarcerate Manhattan

Dan Quart makes the case for addressing the "systemic breakdown" in New York’s prisons and jails with shorter sentences, ending cash bail, and other reforms.