HEY GRITTY KITTIES! Welcome to Catty Chats Live! The weekly livestream and podcast where we talk to people who are working to make things suck less. Today we are talking to three more candidates ahead of the 2026 mid term elections: Cat Ladies for America is an all volunteer grassroots organization, but our reporting, events and activism still incur bills. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber to our Substack, or buying some of our purr-fect merch! SPECIAL EVENT ALERT! We’re spearheading a month-long online fundraiser with some of the your favorite creators, new media journalists, and notables for Angie Nixon (CLICK HERE TO DONATE) in partnership with her campaign called CLAWS OUT FOR ANGIE, culminating in a FREE livestream rally with the woman herself and some exciting friends on SUNDAY, Oct. 25 - click here to RSVP! You can find more info and links at our website CATLADIESFORAMERICA.COM CLAWS OUT! Ash Esposito Ashley "Ash" Esposito is the proud mother of a City Schools student and a Southwest Baltimore resident. Ash's primary focus is on children who fall through the cracks of the educational system, specifically those with high dropout rates or low graduation rates. Having had personal experience in the foster care system, learning disabilities, and a challenging education experience, Ash deeply understands the need for early intervention and addressing barriers to participation in the classroom. She is also very committed to civic engagement, vocational educational opportunities, pathways to tech, accessible arts education, and building community trust. Esposito holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Software Development and Security and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Professionally, Ash is a nonprofit leader and a multidisciplinary artist. She is a steering committee member for Local Progress, a member of the Education/Social Workforce Development Committee for the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs, a School Board Partner Fellow, and an Ashé Leaders Fellow with Big Picture Learning, advocating for equitable education systems. Follow Ash Esposito: Website | Facebook | Instagram Tim Hayes Tim Hayes has been serving the people of his native Bucks County, Pennsylvania, since he was a teenager, enlisting in the PA National Guard at 17. In 2019, at 21, he was elected to the Dublin Borough Council, the youngest elected official in the county at the time. The once solidly Republican board flipped to a Democratic majority, and in 2023, he was elected president of the council. Now, Tim is running to be the PA state representative for District 143, which covers the upper part of Bucks County. His work as state policy manager for an environmental advocacy group has given him experience in the way the state capitol works. His campaign is focusing on affordability, conservation, public safety, access to healthcare, and raising the minimum wage. Follow Tim Hayes: Website | Facebook | Instagram Claiborne Linvill The 3rd House District in South Carolina represents the area of the state that includes Clemson, and Claiborne Linvill has lived and worked in that area for more than 20 years. She is currently in the last year of a four-year term on the Pickens County Council; she was elected in 2022, the second woman ever elected to the council. Claiborne is a mom and communications and marketing professional who has focused her time on the county council on family issues like access to childcare, smart development planning, supporting libraries, expanding recreation funding, and more. In her run for state office, Claiborne is focusing on affordability, education, and fixing local infrastructure. Her political philosophy is simple: She went into elected office to make people’s lives better. She believes that culture wars distract and divide people and that elected officials should be productive in their activities, not performative. Follow Claiborne Linvill: Website | Facebook | Instagram
