Here’s some fantastic news from Politico:
Kamala Harris’ campaign and the Democratic National Committee said Tuesday they are sending nearly $25 million to support down-ballot Democrats — an earlier investment and far more money than the top of the ticket has sent in past election years…
The newly announced funds come from both the Harris campaign and the DNC, with a total of $10 million each going to committees supporting Democratic candidates for House and Senate, along with $2.5 million to a national Democratic group supporting state legislative candidates and $1 million each for groups backing Democratic gubernatorial and attorney general candidates.
This directly contradicts what some fool, me, told you a mere four days ago:
Some imagine a trickle-down effect from the money sent to the top of the ticket. And, yes, an exceptional presidential campaign can lift most boats. But Harris/Walz isn't going to take that extra cash and start spreading it out. First of all, there's no such thing as extra cash. Campaigns should spend every dime to ensure the candidates win, and that's why donors send checks to a particular campaign.
Without the money in the bank, the campaign and the candidate cannot plan; they can't invest in ads, swag, or staff. And the time when they can do that is quickly fading.
The part in italics is just wrong. I blew it. Drown me in Pinocchios.
But I stand by the rest entirely! And I think the time is nigh to send everything you can give downballot for numerous reasons, starting with the obvious as explained by Aaron Kleinman, the States Project’s Director of Research.
You can skip the middle people and make sure the candidates know they have the cash now so they can accurately plan for November. Also, you get to pick where the money goes instead of putting your faith in the trickle-down effect. Also, Harris-Walz’s donations will never have the downballot reach of Run for Something, which backs young progressives for local offices in all 50 states.
As Amanda Litman of Run for Something wrote about the Harris/Walz investment, “That’s amazing. It’s also not enough (and of those, only the DLCC overlaps with the level of office Run for Something works with.) We’re the closest the Democratic Party has to a committee for local elections. Take your cues from them and send money locally!”
On Threads, she explained why this investment matters, yet it isn't nearly enough.
Aaron suggests you give to the States Project’s Give Smart slate, which is targeted toward key state legislative races that happen to be in swing states because that’s where races tend to swing.
It’s a great suggestion and tops our Downballot for Democracy roster. If you have just one donation to make this year, there’s probably no better one in terms of efficiency and the effect it could have on democracy.
I’d also like to pump up the newest addition to Downballot for Democracy—The Good Fight NC.
It’s self-evident that there’s a real opportunity in North Carolina, given the freak at the top of the ticket—and I don’t mean Donald Trump and JD Vance.
In conclusion, I couldn’t be happier to be wrong. Well, maybe if it were a $100 million investment. Going Downballot for Democracy is still the obvious answer to the question, “How can I do the most good in 2024?”
Kamala Harris and Tim Walz get that. So should you.
I'm glad to see this proactive, forward-thinking investment from the top of the Democratic ticket.
Seeing the downballot investment, I want more, that’s only $500k, but it’s something good, a very good start . . . it sounds like it will go to governors and AGs, they need it, but we need to spread it out.
Reading Jess Piper and Michele Hornish and Jessica Craven, $5000 downballot can make the difference. And it’s not just about winning that race this year.
And while reading them, this slow old noggin also realized that therefore, downballot candidates and their volunteers and supporters are . . .
. . . the cheapest, most enthusiastic, most relentless, and most reliable campaign staff that the top state and federal candidates could possibly want.
The DNC ought to raise a fund specifically for that, if they are worried about redirecting funds ( they are not ) . . .
thoughts? best luck to US — b.rad