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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsEarly crowd of candidates pack Democratic Senate primaries
Multiple candidates are already running in top targets in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
By JAMES ARKIN
02/25/2021 04:30 AM EST
Democratic candidates are already leaping into the top Senate races that will be on the ballot next year, heralding a year of expensive, competitive primaries about the future direction of the party.
Less than two months after Democrats took control of the Senate, a half-dozen candidates in top battleground states have already started campaigns to grow the majority. Two candidates are officially running in each of the partys top targets of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, and plenty of others are seriously considering bids or actively gearing up to run.
The early dynamic driven by the belief that the old D.C. model of who runs for Senate has changed means Democrats will not be wanting for candidates in next years most important states. But it also demonstrates there are not runaway Democratic frontrunners in those 2022 states, the way there were in many recent Senate battlegrounds. And it means theres a strong likelihood the party will face competitive nomination fights next year.
So far, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has indicated it will adopt a wait-and-see approach to primaries at this early stage, according to four consultants and operatives familiar with the dynamics, all of spoke on the condition of anonymity to detail conversations with candidates and party leaders. DSCC leaders have not outright promised not to endorse or back candidates, according to these people, and there is no blanket strategy when it comes to engaging in primaries which the DSCC has done freely in recent elections.
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https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/25/2022-democratic-senate-primary-elections-471547
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)... that's where we benefit the most. Challenging and replacing Republicans is far more beneficial than primarying (and bloody-ing; or weakening; or draining the election resources of) incumbent Democrats.
I'll never understand why groups like "Our Revolution" and "Justice Democrats" do not make it THEIR PRIORITY to replace Republicans rather than replacing Democrats.
ms liberty
(8,478 posts)Instead it is about the number of Democratic candidates getting in races where Republicans hold the office and will run for reelection or are retiring. Go Dems!
And go Jeff Jackson (NC) - he will make a great Senator!
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)I hope it stays that way. But with the two groups I mentioned in an earlier post... they seem to place very little value in securing control of the reins before pursuing "purity". It's a very myopic way of trying to affect change, and something that actually causes more harm than good.