Republicans in populous state can't find candidates to run in midterms

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Raw Story

December 12, 2025 10:10PM ET


The New York and New Jersey-based outlet Gothamist reports Democratic candidates in the Garden State are clamoring to run in what both parties see as competitive races in next year’s midterm elections. But the same cannot be said for the GOP.

“In a cycle when both parties have their eyes on the House majority, up to a dozen candidates are lining up to run on the Democratic side in key New Jersey congressional races, compared to just one or two from the GOP,” Gothamist reports, as Republicans anticipate “a wave election, and not in their favor.”

“When you have a party that has lots of really good candidates jumping out of the gate and chomping at the bit, that's usually an indication that they think the party has good chances,” said Micah Rasmussen, director of Rider University's Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics. “When you don't see people coming out of the woodwork, that's an indication that the candidates believe that the party is not going to have as good a shot.”

While there’s still time to file for the midterm elections, political experts say that any serious candidate from both parties should have at least hinted at running by now, but the sound is muted over on the GOP team.

Read more: https://www.rawstory.com/alternet-posts/trump-republican-party-midterms-2674396600/

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Link to Gothamist article - https://gothamist.com/news/in-nj-midterms-republicans-have-a-recruitment-problem

[mopinko]

1. well, that's the best news i've heard in a long time.

i just hope the opposite is not true in red states.

[mwooldri]

6. This time around....

... It's more likely that Democrats will be able to at least put up a paper candidate in the least competitive seats. Historically speaking around NC (what I think of as a "purple" state) the Democrats have no problems in getting qualified candidates in urban areas but in rural areas - especially western NC - it's a different story. Many NC House races go uncontested. You can't win a majority easily if you're not running in all seats.

[mopinko]

11. the dnc shd have a special fund for 'sacrificial lambs'.

i’ve worked a couple campaigns where we knew we wd lose, but hoped to grow the party. the dnc hung us out to dry.

[mwooldri]

12. Absolutely!

Despite being in the USA for 26+ years I still have Westminster politics ingrained in me... And the Liberal Democrat philosophy.... That is to be a national party you have to compete in as many races as you can. Even in constituencies where you're fighting for fourth place with the Official Monster Raving Loony Party and going to lose your deposit anyway.

If I recall correctly a certain Dr. Howard Dean had a 50 state strategy. In 2025 and onwards IMO each state and county Democratic Party needs a "No Seat Left Behind" strategy.

You can't win a race you don't take part in.

[mopinko]

13. love howard.

i’ve met him a couple times.
1 of those races was a ‘dean dozen’. didnt win but caused an old asshole to retire. always knew it wd take 2 tries. but we didnt raise enough money for the dnc, so we got zip the 2nd run.

[FredGarvin]

2. Money buys elections

The Republican billionaires who buy these elections know full well where the Electoral College can be impacted the most

[Martin68]

3. MAGA rotted from the inside out.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

4. QUALITY and QUANITY of Democrats is a good problem to have.

That shows that the Democrats are willing to sling muddy barbs at Republicans. The messages are finally getting out that Republican candidates for office have NOTHING to offer voters.

[maliaSmith]

5. GOP in New York

I hope enough people vote for NY's current Democratic governor instead of the disgusting Stefanik. She would be horrible as a governor.

[Auggie]

7. They'll find DINOs

[popsdenver]

8. As a blue wave takes shape

I fully expect that at some point, the Republicans will enact the Insurrection Act, declare Martial Law and impose a freeze on ALL ELECTIONS.....I am sure the RepubliCONs see that as their ace in the whole.

AND PLEASE, no one tell me they can't do that..........if we each had a dollar for every time since the 2016 election, we have said: "*They* can't do that" we would have as much money as any of the new generation of Republican Robber Barrons..........

Note that it is being reported that the Republicans are considering pulling all military out of NATO European countries, closing and leaving all military bases, bring the massive number of service members back to the United States for some reason?
Possibly to have a the mass numbers of Military needed to enact the Insurrection Act, and declare Martial Law????????

Just looking down the road, given the RepubliCONs track record.....Every thing they have done, and continue to do is merely a harbinger of things to come.........................................

[NNadir]

9. I hope Andrew Zwicker decides to run in the 12th NJ to replace Bonnie Watson Coleman. He hasn't announced...

...and the field is crowded, but one can hope.

A really great guy, a scientist and a liberal.

[LilElf70]

10. I'm guessing

No one is running because they want to avoid the total embarrassment of Trump being associated with them.