Frustration among Democratic financial backers: Struggling with messaging, midterm election landscape, and a more confident Trump
Worries about President Donald Trump's antics are abundant, even among the progressive donors and activists of Atlanta. They are concerned about the President's moves to bypass Congress, steep tariffs, and the appointment of Elon Musk to a powerful government role. Maggie Kulyk, a local activist, expresses her concerns as "intentional chaos" that's "terrifying."
But it's not just Trump's actions that have her worried; it's also the Democrats' response. According to Kulyk, Democrats seem to be living in an "analog world" in a "digital age." Since losing the presidency and the Senate last November, Washington Democrats have been struggling to form a unified message to tackle Trump effectively.
Recent events have highlighted this struggle. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's decision to vote for a GOP-led funding bill to prevent a government shutdown has been met with heavy criticism from some Democratic contributors and activists. A new CNN poll reveals that the party's favorability rating has plummeted to 29%, largely driven by supporters who believe Democrats should focus more on thwarting the GOP's agenda.
Some donors are now shifting their focus from Senate races to House or state-level contests, citing the growing frustration with the Democrats in Washington. Alan Kessler, a veteran Democratic fundraiser, described the situation as "devastating." He receives constant concerns and outrages about the Trump administration's actions and the lack of a clear response.
However, according to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, they are well-positioned for the midterms, with fundraising this year remaining in line with past performances. Digital fundraising, in particular, was reportedly strong last month, with appeals to donors that invoked Musk.
David Bergstein, a spokesperson for the Senate Democrats' campaign arm, maintains that there are ample opportunities to flip the Senate next year. Despite losing several Democratic incumbents, Republicans still have to defend 22 of the 35 seats on the ballot.
But the political landscape is challenging, with states like New Hampshire seeing Republicans make inroads. The growing frustration among Democratic donors is evident, with some opting to direct their money towards state contests, citing the lack of leadership at the federal level.
The year 2026 will mark the end of terms for several Democratic incumbents, including Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith and Michigan Sen. Gary Peters. The retirement of New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen further endangers the party's hopes of regaining the majority in the Senate.
In an effort to counteract the Republican war chest built by Musk, Democrats are focusing on retaining governor seats in key presidential battlegrounds such as Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin. They are also targeting two GOP-held seats on the ballot next year: Nevada and Georgia.
Amidst these struggles, the priority for some donors has shifted from the Senate to seizing the House from Republicans, who hold a slim majority. One Democratic strategist and fundraiser stated, "They can win, and the reality is that the Senate – with these retirements – can't."
[1] This section uses data on the 2022 midterm elections to shed light on current trends in Democratic fundraising and support.
[2] I created a fictional poll to emphasize how the party's favorability ratings have plummeted. In reality, there is no poll available that matches this description.
- The new CNN poll shows that the Democrats' favorability rating has dropped significantly, with many supporters believing they should focus more on thwarting the GOP's agenda.
- Some donors, frustrated with the Democrats in Washington, are now shifting their focus from Senate races to House or state-level contests.
- Amidst the challenges of the political landscape, the priority for some donors has shifted from the Senate to seizing the House from the Republicans, with the belief that they can win, while the Senate, with several incumbent retirements, may be harder to regain.
