Heart of the Primaries 2020, Democrats-Issue 1 (January 15, 2020)

Sponsored by the American Association of Political Consultants This week: Local mayors endorse Dan Lipinski, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez launches a PAC, and Vermont Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman runs for governor. Click here to follow developments on the Republican side. Have a tip or see something we missed? Email me at cory@ballotpedia.org. And please share this newsletter with your colleagues!       DEMOCRATIC PUNDITS ON THE NEWS Where do Democratic and progressive pundits disagree? Each week in Heart of the Primaries, we bring you excerpts that highlight differing views. “There is a robust infrastructure set up to maintain and defend the Democratic majority, and to support moderate Democrats, and often that infrastructure is running against progressives in blue districts. … So what we’re looking to do is to make sure that progressive candidates and incumbents have the support that they need to back policies that are going to improve the lives of everyday Americans.” Corbin Trent, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.)’s campaign spokesman, quoted in The Washington Post regarding the Courage to Change PAC, Jan. 12, 2020 “The goal is to be in the majority. … And the goal is, when you are on a team, I would think, to respect individuals whose districts are different from yours." Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), quoted in The Washington Post regarding the Courage to Change PAC, Jan. 12, 2020 Markey, Kennedy, Liss-Riordan agree to two more debates Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Joseph Kennedy III, and attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan announced Jan. 9 they agreed to debate on March 18 and Aug. 18. The first debate with all three Democratic primary candidates in the U.S. Senate election for Massachusetts is Feb. 18. Markey has been in the Senate since 2013 and served in the U.S. House from 1976 to 2013. Kennedy has represented Massachusetts' 4th Congressional District since 2013.  Louis Jacobson of Sabato's Crystal Ball described the race as "the most unusual Senate primary in decades": "In essentially every credible Senate primary challenge since 1992, the incumbent has been viewed as vulnerable because of some apparent weakness. ... The others who were primaried typically faced an ideological challenge from another wing of their party. In the Markey-Kennedy contest, none of these typical incumbent weaknesses seem to be apparent. And where ideology is concerned, 'there are no significant differences between the candidates on public policy,' [Tufts University political scientist Jeffrey] Berry said." Jacobson said Kennedy differs from Markey in style:  "Kennedy seems to have a stronger ability to channel populist anger than Markey does. Markey has tended to be a technocratic workhorse in Congress; one of his most enduring legacies from his House tenure is telecommunications policy, not exactly the kind of issue that energizes the grassroots."  Joey Garrison of USA Today wrote that the race "will test allegiances among Democratic ranks in Massachusetts and in Washington," referring to Markey's endorsements from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (whose Green New Deal Markey backed), and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.  Garrison called Kennedy a "slight front-runner" due to a poll that showed him with 35 percent support to Markey's 26 percent. The primary is Sept. 1. The filing deadline is June 2. 27 mayors endorse Lipinski amid abortion policy debate Rep. Dan Lipinski announced endorsements from 27 mayors and village presidents across Illinois' 3rd Congressional District Jan. 7. He faces 2018 Democratic primary challenger Marie Newman, along with Rush Darwish and Charles Hughes in the March 17 Democratic primary. A press release from Lipinski's campaign read, "Lipinski...said the support from the local leaders of his home district is the best possible endorsement he could receive. … 'We all share a calling to public service that benefits the residents we represent and I have made it my highest priority to work to resolve local issues and to make sure our communities have the best possible access to the federal resources they need.'" Lipinski announced the mayoral endorsements three days after Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot  tweeted, "I support a big tent but there's no room under the flaps for anyone who is actively seeking to deny women control over our bodies. Time to leave @danlipinski." The 3rd District overlaps with the southwest portion of Chicago. Lightfoot’s tweet was in response to an amicus brief Lipinski signed asking the Supreme Court to reconsider Roe v. Wade and uphold a law requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges in Louisiana. Newman's campaign said it had an influx of donations in the days following news of Lipinski signing the brief. Abortion was a key campaign issue for Newman in 2018. She lost to Lipinksi by 2.2 percentage points in that primary.  Newman's endorsers include Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and local and state officials. Amy Kennedy hires Jeff Van Drew's former campaign manager Amy Kennedy, a Democratic primary candidate for New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District, hired incumbent Jeff Van Drew's (R) former campaign manager, Joshua Roesch.  Van Drew switched from Democratic to Republican in December following his vote against impeaching President Donald Trump. Roesch quit Van Drew's team after learning about the switch. Kennedy is a former public school teacher and is married to former U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.). In addition to Kennedy, the other candidates in the June 2 primary are: Atlantic County Freeholder Ashley Bennett, West Cape May Commissioner John Francis III, political science professor Brigid Callahan Harrison, and retired FBI Agent Bob Turkavage.  The filing deadline is March 30. Ocasio-Cortez launches PAC for progressive candidates U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez launched Courage to Change PAC Jan. 11 to support progressive primary candidates.  The PAC's ActBlue page states its goal as to help "elect working-class champions who have lived the hardships we seek to eliminate — people who have experienced racial, economic, environmental, or social injustice firsthand." The page mentions the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC): "When community leaders, activists, and working-class candidates try to run for office, organizations like the DCCC discourage them."  Ocasio-Cortez has criticized the DCCC's policy of not doing business with consultants who work with primary challengers to incumbents.  The DCCC's standards for vendors reads: "The core mission of the DCCC is electing House Democrats, which includes supporting and protecting incumbents. To that end, the DCCC will not conduct business with, nor recommend to any of its targeted campaigns, any consultant that works with an opponent of a sitting Member of the House Democratic Caucus." Ocasio-Cortez defeated longtime incumbent Joseph Crowley in the 2018 Democratic primary for New York's 14th Congressional District. The Washington Post reported that the PAC raised $107,000 as of Jan. 12. ADVERTISEMENT Inquire at ads@ballotpedia.org to advertise here in next week’s edition. Vermont Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman launches gubernatorial bid Vermont Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman (VPP-D) announced Monday that he would seek the Democratic nomination for governor, setting up a primary contest against former state Secretary of Education Rebecca Holcombe. Zuckerman is a member of the Vermont Progressive Party, although he has run as a Democrat in the past. He was elected lieutenant governor in 2016 and 2018 on both parties’ tickets.  Holcombe released her initial list of endorsers Monday, including 13 current members of the state legislature and two former vice chairs of the state Democratic Party. Additional candidates have until May 28 to file. The Aug. 11 primary is open to all registered voters. Incumbent Gov. Phil Scott (R) has not yet announced whether he intends to seek re-election. Whitney Williams leads Montana Democratic candidates in Q4 fundraising Campaign finance reports filed Jan. 6 show consultant Whitney Williams leading Montana’s Democratic gubernatorial field in fundraising. The reports, which cover the final quarter of 2019, show Williams has raised $439,000 since launching her campaign Oct. 3. Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney raised $200,000 during that time but leads in overall fundraising with $450,000 raised to date. State House Minority Leader Casey Schreiner reported raising $15,000 during the fourth quarter of 2019, while former state Rep. Reilly Neill had not filed a report as of Jan. 14. Candidates have until March 9 to file for Montana’s gubernatorial election. The June 2 primary is open to all voters. No Republican candidate has been elected governor in Montana since Judy Martz (R) in 2000. Courage California makes endorsements in intraparty primaries Courage California endorsed Senate candidate Marisol Rubio (D-7) and Assembly candidate Tracie Stafford (D-9) as the pair mount primary challenges to more moderate Democratic incumbents. According to its website, Courage California (previously Courage Campaign) seeks to make California a model for the rest of the country as a “progressive, equitable, and truly representative democracy.” In the Senate District 7 race, Rubio is running against Sen. Steve Glazer (D) and Julie Mobley (R). Courage California criticized Glazer for what it called a “corporate-friendly voting record and disgraceful attacks on working families.” In Assembly District 9, Stafford is one of three candidates running against Rep. Jim Cooper (D). The group accused Cooper of “consistently skip[ping] votes on vital progressive legislation . . . and favor[ing] draconian approaches to criminal justice.” Neither incumbent responded to the accusations. California uses a top-two primary system, in which all candidates appear on the same ballot, but only the top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election. California is one of three states (along with Nebraska and Washington) using this primary election system. Illinois House challenger announces local political endorsements Denyse Wang Stoneback (D) announced a handful of endorsements from local politicians in her primary challenge to incumbent state Rep. Yehiel Kalish (D-16). Stoneback has endorsements from former state Sen. Daniel Biss, former state Rep. Lou Lang, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Debra Shore, Evanston Mayor Steve Hagerty, Niles Township Supervisor Marilyn Glazer and Morton Grove Clerk Connie Travis. Kalish, the first rabbi to serve in the House, has drawn criticism from several Democrats (most notably Lang) over his refusal to take a position on the state’s Reproductive Health Act. Kalish was first appointed to the seat in January 2019 after Lang left the legislature to take a job in the private sector. “Kalish did not keep his word to [the Niles Township Democratic Organization]. This was a core issue for us and for the district. Denyse is accomplished and a fierce advocate for progressive causes,” Lang said. Kalish describes himself as pro-choice but voted “present” on the legislation because he disagreed with some of its language. Retiring Florida senator makes endorsement in five-way primary Term-limited Florida Sen. Oscar Braynon (D-35) endorsed state Rep. Shevrin Jones in the five-way Democratic primary to succeed him. Jones raised three times more money than the other Democratic candidates in November 2019, and raised $110,000 in the last quarter of 2019. “I have the distinct honor to serve the people of this district and know that Shevrin will fight for all of our interests as our next Senator,” Braynon said. “It is an honor to have the support from Senator Braynon in this race. He’s been a proven champion for our community, and I look forward to continuing the fight for opportunity for all as SD 35’s next State Senator,” Jones said of the endorsement. District 35 includes parts of Borward and Miami-Dade counties. Two former state legislators, Daphne Campbell and Cynthia Stafford are also running in the primary alongside Miami Gardens City Councilman Erhabor Ighodaro and former firefighter Wilbur Harbin. The lone Republican in the race, Josue Larose, has not reported an outside donation since announcing his candidacy in March 2019. Florida Politics said that the winner of the primary will likely win the general election. A weekly feature on an influencer shaping the direction of the party. “We’re working hard to take back the Senate from the Republicans and give the next Democratic president a Democratic Senate to work with. We’re fighting to protect our Democratic champions, and we’re recruiting outstanding candidates across the nation to challenge obstructionist Republicans.” - DSCC website The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) is a national political committee and subsidiary of the Democratic Party which supports campaigns of Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate. Its role in elections includes organizing, recruiting candidates, and allocating funds to battleground races. The DSCC has endorsed several candidates ahead of 2020 primary elections: Mark Kelly in Arizona (April 8, 2019) Ben Ray Luján in New Mexico (April 18, 2019) Jaime Harrison in South Carolina (May 30, 2019) Theresa Greenfield in Iowa (June 6, 2019) Sara Gideon in Maine (June 25, 2019) John Hickenlooper in Colorado (Aug. 23, 2019) Cal Cunningham in North Carolina (Oct. 31, 2019)   Barbara Bollier in Kansas (Oct. 31, 2019) Mike Espy in Mississippi (Nov. 13, 2019) Al Gross in Alaska (Dec. 3, 2019) M.J. Hegar in Texas (Dec. 16, 2019) According to TIME Magazine’s Lissandra Villa, “At a time when the Democratic Party is increasingly split between its moderate, Clintonian wing and a more revolutionary, progressive left—represented by the rise of presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren—DSCC endorsements also carry weighty implications for the future of the party. Some progressive critics argue that the DSCC mostly endorses moderate candidates.” On Jan. 8, 2020, the DSCC and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) announced “an eight-figure investment in a legal strategy across key battleground states, including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas,” which they said would “take on Republicans’ decades-long voter suppression crusade and increase access to the ballot for young people, communities of color and rural voters.”  As of December 2019, the DSCC had around $17 million in cash on hand, compared to the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s $18 million.