Concerns arise among Democrats over potential impact of Pennsylvania state party’s recent setbacks on 2024 races.
Democrats Concerned About Pennsylvania Democratic Party’s Setbacks
Liberal leaders in Pennsylvania are growing increasingly worried about the state Democratic Party’s lack of organization and financial support. These setbacks could have a significant impact on the party’s chances of success in the upcoming 2024 elections.
Key Battleground State at Stake
Pennsylvania, being a key battleground state, holds immense importance in the presidential race, Senate race, and state Supreme Court contest. The state Democratic Party’s unpreparedness for the road ahead is raising concerns among Democratic strategists and candidates.
“It’s concerning that the state party is laying people off as we’re heading into a really important Supreme Court race, which then leads into the presidential year,” said Mike Mikus, a Pittsburgh-based Democratic consultant. “They’re going to have to figure out a path forward to build their own fundraising operation, and it sounds like there’s a lot of building to be done right now.”
According to Politico, the party has been displaying signs of “amateur hour,” with reports of layoffs and a lack of funds. The state Democratic Party laid off many employees in July, and one of its political action committees had a meager $7,500 in the bank as of early June.
The party has also faced difficulties with national Democratic committees, causing frustration among national officials. Contracts needed to coordinate fundraising took longer than anticipated to complete, causing delays and hindrances.
In September, the party plans to hold the Independence Dinner, a major fundraising event. However, the initial invitation’s QR code to purchase tickets was broken, causing further concerns about the party’s organizational capabilities.
Recent incidents, such as the printing of thousands of cards with the incorrect election date, have raised questions about the competency of state leaders. Such disorganization could impact the party’s ability to appeal to voters, especially in an election cycle where Republicans are targeting vulnerable Democrats.
Despite these concerns, State party Chairman Sharif Street remains confident in the party’s stability. He highlighted a $700,000 grant from democracyFIRST, which allowed the hiring of 20 organizers, and the Pennsylvania Democrats’ federal PAC, which has almost $200,000 cash on hand.
However, some Democrats remain skeptical of Street’s leadership. Layoffs, including the co-director for the campaign for the judicial election and a political aide, have raised doubts about the party’s ability to sway voters in Pennsylvania’s high court race.
Joe Corrigan, a Pennsylvania Democratic strategist, expressed doubts about the party’s ability to handle the upcoming elections, particularly in terms of staff and fundraising.
“I don’t see anyone that can handle the level of speed and complexity and attention to detail needed to ensure that paid communications are put in front of voters in a timely way,” Corrigan said.
With a lack of staff, fundraising opportunities have also been affected. Some officials have noticed a decrease in fundraising emails since the party split from SB Digital, a digital fundraising firm.
Despite the concerns, Street remains confident in his strategy and points to the party’s successes in the 2022 midterms. However, some within the party are not convinced and believe that changes need to be made to ensure future success.
Politics, like sports, is a game of wins and losses. While Street believes in his record, the concerns raised by Democrats cannot be ignored. The Pennsylvania Democratic Party must address these setbacks to secure a strong position in the upcoming elections.
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The Washington Examiner reached out to Pennsylvania Democrats’ Communications Director Jack Doyle for comment.
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