Democrats Spending Big in GOP Primaries to Handpick Winners

Cara DingJuly 28, 2022

A tactical move by the party to try to stem a potential Red Wave in the upcoming midterms

Democrats are pouring millions of dollars to meddle in Republican primaries in a tough election year. Experts say they do so to prop up Republican candidates who they think are easiest to beat in the general election.

In some races, their wishes have come true.

In the July 19 Maryland Republican gubernatorial primary, Trump endorsee Dan Cox captured the nomination, defeating incumbent-backed Kelly Schulz by a 10-point margin. Schulz had outraised Cox by five to one.

In the weeks leading up to the primary, the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) spent $2.14 million—almost 11 times the total amount Cox raised this year—on TV and online ads broadcasting Cox’s platform, according to the campaign finance disclosures filed with the state (pdf.)

Nevada Republican gubernatorial candidate and current Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo arrives on stage prior to former president Donald Trump giving remarks at Treasure Island hotel and casino on July 8, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Bridget Bennett/Getty Images)

Democrats played the same tactic in Illinois, Nevada, and Pennsylvania Republican gubernatorial primaries, which all nominated the candidates favored by the opposition party. It was also used in Colorado but to no avail.

In California, the tactic was used in two congressional races, yet the candidates favored by the Democrats lost too.

According to campaign finance disclosures filed with the above states, the governors association is the top financier of the Democratic money flowing into these Republican primaries.

DGA is a Washington-based 527 organization with a singular mission to elect and reelect Democratic governors across the nation.

The Epoch Times reached out to DGA for comments.

According to University of Buffalo associate professor in political science Jacob Neiheisel, Democrats are doing all they can