Latest news with #DemocraticSenatorialCampaignCommittee
Fox News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Senate Democrats are feverishly recruiting top candidates to win back majority in 2026 midterms
As they mount their uphill effort to win back the Senate majority in next year's midterm elections, Democrats feel that they're on a roll. Late last month, they landed their biggest recruit to date, when former two-term Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina declared his candidacy in the 2026 race to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. Democrats view the open Senate seat in the crucial southeastern battleground state as a top pick-up opportunity next year as they try to win back control of the Senate, which the Republicans currently hold with a 53-47 majority. "It's hard to overstate the importance of getting Gov. Cooper to run for the Senate in North Carolina, and already we are seeing a potential for a ripple effect," longtime Democratic strategist Chris Moyer told Fox News Digital. Moyer, a veteran campaign communicator, said that Cooper recruitment is "giving more faith to potential candidates who are questioning whether there's a chance for a Democratic majority in the Senate next year." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) Chair Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, after landing Cooper, said he "is a formidable candidate who will flip North Carolina's Senate seat." Top Democrats now have their eyes on former Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, who lost last year's re-election bid in a onetime top swing state that's become reliably red over the past decade. Schumer, the top Democrat in the Senate, trekked to Ohio this summer in hopes of convincing Brown to take on Republican Sen. Jon Husted, Fox News confirmed. Brown, who served over three decades in the House and later the Senate, is viewed by Democrats as the only candidate who could potentially topple Husted, who was named at the beginning of this year to fill the seat left vacant when then-Sen. JD Vance stepped down to become vice president. Democrats landed the candidate they were hoping for in swing state New Hampshire in the race to succeed retiring longtime Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Four-term Rep. Chris Pappas' announcement in early April that he would run to succeed Shaheen has cleared the Democratic primary field, as of now, of any potential rivals for the party's Senate nomination. Meanwhile, a Republican primary in the state – where the GOP hasn't won a Senate race in 15 years – is heating up between former Sen. Scott Brown and state Sen. Dan Innis, with the possibility of more candidates entering the race. In battleground Georgia, which President Donald Trump narrowly carried in last year's White House race, Republicans view first-term Sen. Jon Ossoff as the most vulnerable Democrat incumbent up for re-election next year. But Ossoff is off to a very hot fundraising start, and a GOP primary between Reps. Mike Collins and Buddy Carter, and former college and professional football coach Derek Dooley, is starting to turn combustible. Of potential concern for the Democrats is Michigan, where the dynamics appear to be the opposite of Georgia, in the race to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. Former Rep. Mike Rogers, the 2024 GOP Senate nominee who narrowly lost last year's race, appears to have cleared the Republican, thanks in great part to Trump's endorsement and likely arm twisting by the president's political team. Democrats, meanwhile, have a very competitive primary on their hands. The primary race includes three well-known Democrats: Rep. Haley Stevens, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, and former gubernatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who enjoys the backing of progressive champion Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. And popular Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running for the Senate as an independent, which could potentially hurt Democrats in the general election. While Texas has long been a reliable red state, and conservative firebrand Sen. Ted Cruz comfortably won re-election last year, Democrats are optimistic about their 2026 chances to potentially flip a red seat to blue. That's because longtime GOP Sen. John Cornyn is facing a serious primary challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a MAGA world rockstar. Paxton has long been surrounded by scandals, and is now dealing with a headline-grabbing divorce with his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxtom. And Democrats believe if Paxton topples Cornyn in next March's GOP primary, he'll be toxic in the general election. But Democrats could have a competitive primary in Texas as well. Former Rep. Colin Allred, who lost to Cruz last November, launched a second straight campaign earlier this year. Former Rep. Beto O'Rourke, who came close to ousting Cruz in the state's 20218 Senate election before unsuccessfully running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination and losing the 2022 Texas gubernatorial race to GOP Gov. Greg Abbott, is taking a hard look at a 2026 Senate run. State Rep. James Talarico, who grabbed national attention recently for his appearance with popular podcaster Joe Rogan, and Rep. Joaquin Castro, are also mulling bids. Democrats also feel they may have a shot in Iowa – a onetime swing state that's become firmly red in recent election cycles – if Republican Sen. Joni Ernst decides against seeking a third term in the Senate. But they'll likely have a much better chance of flipping a GOP-held seat in blue state Maine if longtime Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins decides against seeking re-election.
The Hill
29-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Roy Cooper entrance gives Democrats hope more Senate recruiting wins are on the way
Senate Democrats received a massive shot in the arm on Monday as former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) announced he is a go for the state's high-stakes Senate race, delivering the party its biggest recruiting victory of the cycle and the hope that it could lead to more in the coming months. Speculation surrounding a possible Cooper bid hit a fever pitch in recent weeks after Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) announced that he would not be running for reelection. Cooper made the news official on Monday morning, becoming the biggest recruiting win of the 2026 cycle to date for either side and marking an opening salvo for a party that has struggled throughout the year to respond to President Trump. 'It's big,' said Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), who ran the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) during the 2022 and 2024 cycles. 'It's a huge win. We're confident he's going to win. He is without question the strongest Democrat that could possibly run in that seat.' The two-term governor has held high favorable ratings in the Tar Heel State throughout his two terms and at the end of his tenure in Raleigh. He has also won all six of his statewide bids, which Democrats are quick to note. The race is shaping up to be Cooper versus Michael Whatley, the chairman of the Republican National Committee and former North Carolina GOP chair. Trump endorsed Whatley after his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, decided against a run. But Cooper's entrance also resonates outside North Carolina for Democrats, as they attempt to grab the steering wheel of a cycle that historically could move in their direction. Polls are already indicating that Democrats have the upper hand on messaging over the GOP's 'big, beautiful bill' — which Tillis notably voted against shortly after he announced his retirement. 'It's a real winnable seat for us, and I think it's the first of many really good signs in this electorate,' said Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) about Cooper's entrance. 'Democrats are seeing a lot of really good candidates starting to step in and I think there's a lot of possibility.' Cooper's announcement could also make mark on Democrats' recruitment efforts in other key states. With North Carolina settled, attention now shifts to New England as Democrats try to nudge Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) toward challenging Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). Mills has given few outward signs that she is itching to run against Collins, who is expected to seek a sixth term in office. But Democrats widely believe Cooper's decision to take the plunge only increases the chances that Mills will do the same. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) told The Hill that he is 'optimistic' that Mills will follow Cooper's lead. 'I'm hopeful,' said Kelly, who was once himself a top Democratic recruit. Democrats are also quick to note that the two are friends, stemming from their parallel gubernatorial tenures. 'I think it shows that he believes that it's going to be a good Democratic year. I know that helps,' Peters said. 'Candidates who have a desire to serve in the Senate — if you're a Democrat, this next year would be the time to run.' But while Democrats are riding a Cooper-induced high, ultimately winning back the Senate majority in 2026 remains a difficult row to hoe. To flip the upper chamber, Democrats need to win back four seats next year — and that involves a lot of things breaking in their way. Collins remains a major speed bump for any Democrats, especially after she handily dispatched with her general election opponent in 2020 despite trailing in polling throughout most of the cycle. But recent difficulties are raising hopes on the left that she may retire altogether. That would easily be the biggest recruiting loss for the GOP, which already saw Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) decide against a Senate bid in the Peach State earlier this year. On top of the North Carolina and Maine contests, the minority party also needs to flip two additional seats, with Texas, Ohio and Iowa — three solidly red states — fronting that list. Former Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas), who lost to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in 2024, is the leading Democratic candidate in the Lone Star State, where Democrats are praying that state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) can defeat Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) in an already-nasty primary. As for Ohio, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and other Democratic leaders are lobbying hard for former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), who was defeated in 2024 after three terms in the Senate, to run against Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio), who was appointed to replace Vice President Vance. Brown is debating whether to run for the upper chamber or seek the governor's mansion. Finally, questions are swirling around whether Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) will call it quits after two terms. Iowa state Sen. Zach Wahls (D) and state Rep. J.D. Scholten (D) have both launched campaigns on the Democratic side. Nabbing the requisite amount of seats is considered a significant reach at this point. 'I tell folks who've never worked on or run a campaign that there's just a constellation of factors that go into who wins and loses, and you're only in control … of a handful of those factors,' said John LaBombard, a former top aide to former Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and a Democratic strategist with ROKK Solutions. 'You kind of always need the stars to align to win a competitive race. 'Then you really need something more approaching a miracle to flip control of a chamber, and in our case … I think we might need something on par of two miracles to get us across the finish line,' LaBombard said. 'I am still pretty skeptical that that's possible.'
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Favorable views of Democratic Party lowest in decades: Polling
Favorable views of the Democratic Party are at their lowest in three decades, a new poll revealed, as the party seeks to regain enthusiasm and power in Congress following significant 2024 election losses. The CNN poll, released early Thursday, found Democrats garnering just 28 percent favorability — a slight decline from March's record low of 29 percent. On the other side, the unfavorability came in at 54 percent, with 3 percent saying they had 'never heard' of the party and another 16 percent who said they had 'no opinion.' Following the November elections in which the Republicans gained control of the House, Senate and White House, Democrats have struggled to redefine the party. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) earlier this year announced an event called 'Organizing Summer' which is aimed at building enthusiasm on the left, creating a network of volunteers and registering people to vote ahead of the midterms in 2026. The program, focused on states the party deems as top 'battlegrounds' for gubernatorial, House and Senate races, is a coordinated effort by the Democratic campaign arms of various bodies of government: the DNC, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Democratic Governors Association and the Association of State Democratic Committees. Democrats have leaned on immigration raid protests, cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs in the recently signed tax and spending bill and chaos around files in disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein's case as fodder for upcoming races. Still, polling averages across the spectrum show the party may be underwater. In some cases, voters and prominent activists within the party have called for a new generation of leaders. A recent Reuters/Ipsos survey featuring self-identified Democrats found that about 62 percent backed the idea that party leadership should be replaced. Democrats have also been grappling with how to up their game when it comes to social media in the wake of an election cycle where they acknowledged they were handily beaten by Republicans on multiple platforms. In the same CNN poll, the Republican Party garnered 33 percent favorability and 51 percent unfavorability, while 3 percent of respondents said they had 'never heard of' the party and 13 percent said they were aware of it but had 'no opinion.' The CNN poll was conducted from July 10-13 and featured 1,057 respondents. The margin of sampling error is 3.5 percentage points. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
01-07-2025
- Business
A former governor, a Trump and many others: Tillis retirement sets off NC Senate seat speculation
RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis' surprise retirement announcement over the weekend creates a sudden opening in next year's midterm elections, setting off a scramble of successor speculation that includes both a former Democratic governor and a Trump other than the one who ultimately nudged Tillis into leaving. Tillis' decision, revealed Sunday after President Donald Trump threatened to back a primary candidate against him as Tillis opposed Medicaid reductions in the president's tax break and spending cut package, is leading Republican politicians to size up whether they can lasso the electoral and financial support to compete for the seat. Anyone getting a Trump endorsement is likely to have the inside track for the GOP nomination next March. 'There's a tremendous amount of people who are looking at the position and trying to determine whether they have the fire in belly to run for it," state Rep. John Torbett said on Monday. The absence of an incumbent emboldens national and state Democrats in their bid to flip back the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 advantage. A Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesperson said Tillis' announcement was 'another blow to Republicans' chances as they face a midterm backlash that puts their majority at risk.' But it's still unclear whether their most high-profile potential candidate — former two-term Gov. Roy Cooper — is going to run. He hasn't publicly revealed his plans, even though former U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel launched his own bid almost three months ago. Cooper left office last December as a popular figure — mentioned briefly as a vice presidential choice for Kamala Harris — who has never lost an election for state office, dating to the mid-1980s. He was elected attorney general four times and is known for his fundraising prowess. Cooper spokesperson Morgan Jackson said Monday that Cooper 'continues to strongly consider a run for the Senate and will decide in the coming weeks.' Nickel's campaign didn't respond Monday to a message seeking comment, but Nickel said Sunday that 'no matter which MAGA loyalist Donald Trump handpicks to run in North Carolina, I'm the Democrat who's ready to take them on and win.' Veteran Democratic consultant Gary Pearce said Tillis' departure makes it imperative that Cooper get in the race: 'We can't let a Trump toady take that seat.' Still, Democrats haven't won a Senate seat in the ninth-largest state since 2008. That includes when Trump, as a former president, publicly endorsed then-U.S. Rep. Ted Budd for the GOP nomination nearly a year before the 2022 primary. Budd defeated former Gov. Pat McCrory in the primary by 34 percentage points. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said North Carolina voters would next year "elect a conservative leader committed to advancing an agenda of opportunity, prosperity, and security.' The list of potential Republican candidates floating on social media appears long, with two close Trump allies among those mentioned often — current Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley and former RNC co-chair Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law. Neither has publicly spoken about the seat. Both are originally from North Carolina, with Whatley a former chief of staff to then-U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole and later state GOP chair before he was elevated to the RNC post last year. Whatley is considered by national Republicans to be a potentially formidable candidate in the state, given his wide network of relationships, strong fundraising record and the fact that he doesn't have the baggage of past votes to explain. Whatley, according to a person familiar with his thinking, is honored to have the RNC position and is neither actively considering nor putting out feelers for the Senate race. He sees his primary job as helping the White House find the right candidate, but also would not reject being considered, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the record. Lara Trump now lives in Florida and anchors a weekly Fox News show. Having a Trump on the ballot in an off-year is seen as a potential boon for the party by national Republicans, though it remains unclear whether she will want to purse a run. She declined to run for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina in 2022 and in 2024 took herself out of the running to fill the term of Marco Rubio as he became secretary of state. Another candidate mentioned often is first-term U.S. Rep. Pat Harrigan, a West Point graduate and former Green Beret who served in Afghanistan and later became a defense-products manufacturer. A Harrigan political consultant is a former Tillis aide. Tillis told The Associated Press Monday that he would likely get involved in the race for his replacement and said, ideally, Senate Republicans and the White House will land on a candidate who can win. 'I know a lot about the state of North Carolina,' he said, 'and I got a pretty good idea of the profile you need to win." Tillis declined to name favorites but advised would-be candidates to hold off on declaring their candidacies until close to the December filing deadline when, he argued, the political dynamics will be clearer. Tillis' retirement announcement — he will serve out the last 18 months of his term — heartened far-right Republicans and strong Trump supporters who have been unhappy for years with his willingness to challenge Trump's actions and his Cabinet agency choices. Tillis sent Trump a text message on Saturday night, alerting him that he would not be running for reelection by telling the president: 'Start thinking about my replacement.' Trump responded in the text, a copy of which was seen by The Associated Press: 'I am! DJT.' Trump and his team have already targeted one Republican incumbent: Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, launching a new super PAC devoted to defeating him that has already released an ad lambasting him. While praised for pushing a conservative agenda as state House speaker, Tillis faced strong primary opponents in his first Senate bid in 2014 based on accusations that he was too moderate. But he avoided a significant challenge in the 2020 GOP primary and won two general elections by narrow margins over then-Sen. Kay Hagan and later challenger Cal Cunningham.
Winnipeg Free Press
30-06-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
A former governor, a Trump and many others: Tillis retirement sets off NC Senate seat speculation
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis' surprise retirement announcement over the weekend creates a sudden opening in next year's midterm elections, setting off a scramble of successor speculation that includes both a former Democratic governor and a Trump other than the one who ultimately nudged Tillis into leaving. Tillis' decision, revealed Sunday after President Donald Trump threatened to back a primary candidate against him as Tillis opposed Medicaid reductions in the president's tax break and spending cut package, is leading Republican politicians to size up whether they can lasso the electoral and financial support to compete for the seat. Anyone getting a Trump endorsement is likely to have the inside track for the GOP nomination next March. 'There's a tremendous amount of people who are looking at the position and trying to determine whether they have the fire in belly to run for it,' state Rep. John Torbett said on Monday. A Trump endorsement, Torbett added, 'will have a large effect on the electorate.' Democrats waiting on Cooper The absence of an incumbent emboldens national and state Democrats in their bid to flip back the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 advantage. A Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesperson said Tillis' announcement was 'another blow to Republicans' chances as they face a midterm backlash that puts their majority at risk.' But it's still unclear whether their most high-profile potential candidate — former two-term Gov. Roy Cooper — is going to run. He hasn't publicly revealed his plans, even though former U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel launched his own bid almost three months ago. Cooper left office last December as a popular figure — mentioned briefly as a vice presidential choice for Kamala Harris — who has never lost an election for state office, dating to the mid-1980s. He was elected attorney general four times and is known for his fundraising prowess. Cooper spokesperson Morgan Jackson said Monday that Cooper 'continues to strongly consider a run for the Senate and will decide in the coming weeks.' Nickel's campaign didn't respond Monday to a message seeking comment, but Nickel said Sunday that 'no matter which MAGA loyalist Donald Trump handpicks to run in North Carolina, I'm the Democrat who's ready to take them on and win.' Veteran Democratic consultant Gary Pearce said Tillis' departure makes it imperative that Cooper get in the race: 'We can't let a Trump toady take that seat.' Still, Democrats haven't won a Senate seat in the ninth-largest state since 2008. That includes when Trump, as a former president, publicly endorsed then-U.S. Rep. Ted Budd for the GOP nomination nearly a year before the 2022 primary. Budd defeated former Gov. Pat McCrory in the primary by 34 percentage points. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said North Carolina voters would next year 'elect a conservative leader committed to advancing an agenda of opportunity, prosperity, and security.' Whatley, Lara Trump, Harrigan garner GOP attention The list of potential Republican candidates floating on social media appears long, with two close Trump allies among those mentioned often — current Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley and former RNC co-chair Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law. Neither has publicly spoken about the seat. Both are originally from North Carolina, with Whatley a former chief of staff to then-U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole and later state GOP chair before getting elevated to the RNC post last year. Whatley, according to a person familiar with his thinking, is honored to have the RNC position and is neither actively considering nor putting out feelers for the Senate role. He sees his primary job as helping the White House find the right candidate, but also would not reject being considered, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the record. Lara Trump now lives in Florida. She declined to run for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina in 2022 and in 2024 took herself out of the running to fill the term of Marco Rubio as he became secretary of state. Another candidate mentioned often is first-term U.S. Rep. Pat Harrigan, a West Point graduate and former Green Beret who served in Afghanistan and later became a defense-products manufacturer. A Harrigan political consultant is a former Tillis aide. Tillis has history of far-right critiques, close elections Tillis' retirement announcement — he will serve out the last 18 months of his term — heartened far-right Republicans and strong Trump supporters who have been unhappy for years with his willingness at times to challenge Trump's actions and his Cabinet agency choices. Tillis sent Trump a text message on Saturday night, alerting him that he would not be running for reelection by telling the president: 'Start thinking about my replacement.' Trump responded in the text, a copy of which was seen by The Associated Press: 'I am! DJT.' The message was first reported by The Hill. Trump and his team have already targeted one Republican incumbent: Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, launching a new super PAC devoted to defeating him that has already released an ad lambasting him. While praised for pushing a conservative agenda as state House speaker, Tillis faced strong primary opponents in his first Senate bid in 2014 based on accusations that he was too moderate. But he avoided a significant challenge in the 2020 GOP primary and won two general elections by narrow margins over then-Sen. Kay Hagan and later challenger Cal Cunningham. ___ Colvin reported from New York. Associated Press writer Seung Min Kim in Washington contributed to this report.
