Democrats Use New Strategy in Rural Senate Races
The Democratic Party, facing daunting challenges in rural red states, is implementing a fresh tactic to expand their presence in the Senate. They are urging Democratic nominees with slim prospects to withdraw, allowing independent candidates to challenge Republicans directly.
Nebraska
Independent candidate Dan Osborn gained momentum against GOP Senator Pete Ricketts when Democratic nominee Cindy Burbank withdrew from the race and removed her name from the ballot. Osborn previously made waves by coming within seven points of defeating Republican Senator Deb Fischer, despite Donald Trump winning the state by 21 points.
Idaho
Democratic nominee David Roth stepped down, paving the way for independent Todd Achilles to face Republican Senator Jim Risch one-on-one, as the latter seeks a fourth term.
Montana
Democrats requested Alani Bankhead exit the race to allow independent Seth Bodnar to compete against Republican nominee Kurt Alme. However, Bankhead has resisted these calls. A spokesperson for Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen pointed out that state law would require Democrats to find a replacement candidate if Bankhead leaves.
South Dakota
Similarly, Democrats are encouraging Julian Beaudion to withdraw to boost independent Brian Bengs against GOP Senator Mike Rounds.
Overall, Democrats view this strategy as beneficial. They argue that even if independent candidates do not win, such direct contests might provoke Republicans into diverting funds from competitive races to secure deep-red states.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., attended a fundraiser for Mississippi Democratic Senate candidate Scott Colom in Washington, indicating continued financial support for Democratic candidates.
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Mandela Barnes Withdraws from Wisconsin Governor’s Race
Reported by Adam Edelman and Natasha Korecki, former Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes announced his withdrawal from the Democratic governor’s race just two weeks before the primary. In a social media video, Barnes expressed pride in the campaign’s accomplishments but acknowledged the emerging nominee.
Barnes’ statement points to state Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, who has gained a polling lead ahead of the August 11 primary.
This decision follows Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez’s withdrawal, prompting Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley to re-enter the race with endorsement from outgoing Gov. Tony Evers.
Though Hong leads, Barnes’ departure may bolster Crowley’s position among Democrats concerned that Hong’s stance is too left-leaning to secure victory against the likely Republican nominee, Rep. Tom Tiffany.
Crowley plans a campaign blitz with Evers, including advertisements and public appearances. He invited Barnes’ supporters to join his movement, emphasizing unity among Democratic factions.
Asked about seeking Barnes’ endorsement, Hong remained undecided but highlighted her campaign’s inclusivity and shared values with his supporters.
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Additional News
- Iran Conflict: Iran pledged to ‘punish’ the U.S. after American forces executed strikes in retaliation for Tehran’s aggression in the Middle East. Read more →
- Minnesota Cyberattack: A cyber intrusion on 30 municipal water systems in Minnesota shows similarities with Iran-backed cyber activity, according to a senior law enforcement official. Read more →
- Defense Audit Push: Bernie Sanders and Chuck Grassley propose financial penalties for the Defense Department if it fails to conduct a required audit. Read more →
- Attorney General Nomination: Trump threatened to withdraw Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general pending the departure of two Republican holdouts in January. Read more →
- Voter Roll Claims: State officials dispute Department of Homeland Security’s reports of tens of thousands of noncitizens on voter rolls. Read more →
The newsletter is compiled by Adam Wollner. Your feedback is appreciated at [email protected]. Share with others who may be interested. Sign up here.