WASHINGTON — The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee is investing $16 million to win state legislative campaigns in an election where the next decade of democracy hangs in the balance. This investment brings the committee’s total political spending for the cycle to a record-breaking $35 million. The resources will go to 17 battleground states including the committee’s top targets in Arizona, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
This historic sum is the most any Democratic organization has ever invested in down-ballot races.
“Everything is on the line in this election and we’re committing more resources than ever before to state legislative races,” said Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Jessica Post. “Dynamics over the last few months have presented new opportunities for Democrats across the map. We’re on complete offense this year thanks to unprecedented fundraising and tanking GOP poll numbers. For years, we worked with state partners to build strong infrastructure on the ground that will be the key to our success in November.”
Powered by support from President Barack Obama, down ballot races are receiving more attention and resources than ever. This comes at the most critical time for Democrats to win legislative majorities with redistricting on the horizon and the possibility of a solidly conservative Supreme Court. The DLCC invests in all 50 states, laying the groundwork for Democratic success in 2020 and for years to come. Earlier this year, the DLCC added 10 staff members dedicated to direct campaign services, which led to record-breaking fundraising for state legislative candidates across the country. By offering specialized expertise to smaller races, the DLCC is giving its campaigns the tools to be competitive everywhere from rural Minnesota to suburban Pennsylvania.
“The next decade of American democracy is on the line in state legislative elections this November,” added Post. “The legislators we elect in 2020 will help draw the maps we’ll be running on for the next ten years, and they’ll make a blue wall against GOP attempts to roll back health care, reproductive rights, and LGBTQ protections.”
###
