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What are the Democrats doing? More than someone might think..... [1]

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Date: 2025-03-27

What are the Democrats doing? Hopefully I can provide some answers for that.

When Ken Martin rose to the podium to accept the role of DNC Chair in a second Trump administration he promised two things. Well more like three things. 1. A permanent year around campaign. Not start talking to voters in September for a November election.2. A fifty state strategy. Not just winning a handful of swing states 3. The gloves will start coming off. How are we doing so far? While many Democrats are upset over the CR vote that Senator Chuck Schumer took and understandably so. It is still too early to write off Ken Martin as the leader of the Democratic party.

Wisconsin

The first test will come April 1st as we have three special elections that the DNC has been involved in. The first being a State Supreme Court race in the state of Wisconsin where former Republican AG Brad Schimel is in a tight race vs Dane County Circuit court Judge Susan Crawford. DNC Vice Chair David Hogg has held many phone banking sessions for this race. The DNC has invested with the state party for volunteers and other voter mobilization programs. This is the first major investment I have seen in a swing state in an off election year.

The other two are two congressional races in Florida. Florida is becoming less of a swing state cycle after cycle. Florida U.S. Senator Rick Scott cruised to re-election after winning 56% of the vote. Ron Desantis cruised to re-election in 22 with similar margins. So let's take a look at the special elections.

Florida 1

This special election was announced when Matt Gaetz was nominated to be Attorney General. Although Gaetz withdrew his nomination. He still resigned from congress. Gaetz never had a problem holding on to his seat. He had a mega war chest of the tune of 5 Million dollars compared to Gay Valimont's $1.6 Million ( Remember this number) during the 2024 cycle. Add to the fact that this seat is a 66% Republican seat.

During the special election cycle Gay Vailmont raised $6.4 Million. That is staggering for a candidate in a seat that is more than an uphill climb against Florida's Chief Financial officer.

Florida 6

This seat was being vacated by Mike Waltz who was confirmed to be National Security Advisor. Like Gaetz, Mike Waltz never had a problem with another 66% Republican seat.

But much like Valimont. Joseph Weil has raised almost $10 Million compared to the Republican state Senator 900K and some change.

Josh Weil the candidate who is running for the seat told the Meidas Touch Podcast that this seat is more competitive then the 30 point advantage that it has been. He went on too say that the seat has been neglected by state and national parties over the last few cycles.

So What is the DNC doing?

Ahead of the April 1 Florida congressional special elections in District 1 and District 6, the Democratic National Committee announced a new investment into the Florida Democratic coordinated campaign to boost organizing (1). This is a big investment into districts that they have almost zero chance of winning. But what does a victory look like? What would make me as a Democrat feel better? Ken Martin will campaign himself with Weil in St. Augustine and Daytona Beach. Both cities are located within Florida 6th. He will also take part in a roundtable conversation in Orlando. It is not in Florida 6th but it is part of his campaign everywhere tour. (1)

Right now 66% is a big mountain to climb. It will take a lot of resources and dollars to win this seat but if the DNC can prove it can raise billions and blow it in blue state primaries. It can invest it into gerrymandered seats to un-gerrymander them. So in a special election if you can get it down to 59% that will set you up really good for the 2026 gubernatorial election. You will have the infrastructure to build on. Speaking of infrastructure.

The DNC has partnered with the DCCC to hold town halls in red/purple districts. For example Eric Swallwell was in Anna Paulina Luna’s district holding a town hall with former Republican Congressman David Jolly. Tim Walz was in Eau Claire a month before the supreme court election.

To sum it all up is to say a fifty state strategy means a fifty state strategy. Not this is a Safe R district with an entrenched Republican so what's the point. We as Dems need to compete everywhere. With the exception of Chuck Schumers vote I really like what Ken Martin has done so far. Ken Martin is running the Democratic Party like Camp Wellstone. Grassroots organizing and running candidates that are teachers and athletic trainers instead of career politicians. Ken Martin has seen Minnesota elect a professional wrestler and a comedian get elected to public office.

(1)

thehill.com/...

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[1] Url: https://dailykos.com/stories/2025/3/27/2312950/-What-are-the-Democrats-doing-More-than-someone-might-think?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web

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