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131
Democrats hope for off-year House upset in Tennessee MAGA stronghold (www.theguardian.com)
submitted 3 days ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/politics@lemmy.world
23 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Even a close second could be a bellwether of Republican loss of control of House of Representatives in midterms

Fresh off a wave of successes in November’s off-year elections, Democrats are angling for an audacious victory in a Republican-heavy Tennessee congressional district where an upset win could amount to a major blow against Donald Trump’s legislative agenda.

Voters on Tuesday will cast ballots in a special election to replace Mark Green, a Republican representing a middle Tennessee district who resigned from Congress in July. Drawn by the state’s Republican leaders to ensure its voters favored their party, the district last year backed Trump and Green by 22-point margins.

In normal times, the GOP nominee, Matt Van Epps, would be considered a shoo-in. But after Democrats stormed to victory in Virginia, New Jersey and elsewhere earlier this month – bringing with it evidence that voters who had backed the president were changing their minds – the party and its allies have poured money into the campaign of state representative Aftyn Behn, hoping to pull off what would amount to a coup.

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[–] givesomefucks@lemmy.world 35 points 3 days ago (3 children)

In normal times, the GOP nominee, Matt Van Epps, would be considered a shoo-in. But after Democrats stormed to victory in Virginia, New Jersey and elsewhere earlier this month – bringing with it evidence that voters who had backed the president were changing their minds – the party and its allies have poured money into the campaign of state representative Aftyn Behn, hoping to pull off what would amount to a coup.

A big reason we're making these gains, is the DNC spent a decade stealing donations from state parties via the "victory fund" and as soon as Martin took DNC chair, he started the biggest redistribution of funds from the DNC to state parties.

Neoliberals were just not fighting in a lot of places, which is the only reason Republicans have the House.

Not trying to downplay the gains we've made, just saying there's a fundamental reason why, and it's logical to keep expecting it to pay off not just here but in midterms too. Pretty much every state has been operating at campaign levels for 9 months now. We're putting in a shit ton of groundwork already, while Republicans are gonna keep doing the 3-5 month mad dash before elections.

[–] danc4498@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Is there any sources on this? Sounds like the DNC chair is actually doing a good thing for once?

[–] Tolookah@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 2 days ago (2 children)
[–] danc4498@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

in an effort to build state-level infrastructure and operations, the DNC announced Thursday.

Republican-controlled states will get an additional $5,000 a month, bringing their monthly total to $22,500. The GOP-controlled states will get that additional investment through the DNC’s Red State Fund.

That is amazing. I love that we’re no longer giving up on the red states. Democrats have pushed policies that have benefited red states while Republicans have been harming them. And they are still winning simply cause Dems weren’t trying.

[–] goferking0@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 2 days ago

Anything more recent though? I thought that was just what he campaigned on?

[–] jhymesba@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

Add another voice asking for sources, but if true, this is great. IMO, we need a strong 50 state strategy ala Howard Dean's strategy from the mid to late 2000s. Abandoning that to focus on swing districts is a huge part of why we're where we are at right now, and why so many Americans think Democrats don't work for them.

We need to be doing this more. Obviously, we need to prioritise our spending, but if there's a chance, like somebody's only 2 points down next to an incumbent Trumper, throw some money their way and let's see what sticks? Lots of people getting frustrated with the Shitgibbon and his merry band of miscreants. Maybe we can get some wins and put the screws to those shitheads.

[–] Habahnow@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 days ago

I'm not familiar with any of this, where did you learn about this?

[–] 7U5K3N@lemmy.dbzer0.com 25 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

I'm in Tennessee but not in her district.

She put out a video yesterday where she responded to Trump. she said:

shes been living rent free in the presidents head and that "sir youre the leader of the free world... why are you beefing with a 5 foot 4 blonde with a hot girls hit curbs bumper sticker on her car?"

Lmfao hilarious. Hope she wins.

[–] Nick@mander.xyz 15 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Establishment dems should be terrified of what it means if a progressive woman wins in a deep red district. One more nail in the coffin for status quo bullshit centrism.

[–] goferking0@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Except they'll take the wrong things away from her winning.

oh we just need to run another woman, this time Liz Cheney will work!

[–] Nick@mander.xyz 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Unfortunately, it looks like she's not going to pull this one out, so we're going with the tried and true "If only we ran a moderate who stands for nothing, surely we would have won!" The margin is impressive though, and I hope she in public service because she's a voice that'll be necessary to chip away at these red strongholds.

[–] goferking0@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 2 days ago

Which is why they're probably rushing to get Marge green on the dem side

[–] BeMoreCareful@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago

All I want for Christmas is for maga to be like: you know what, maybe there is a better way.

Maga rank and file that they is. I have a different wish for their leadership.

[–] RalphFurley@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago

So she lost by 9 points it looking like. This is a deeply red district that Trump won by 22 points not even a year ago.

This marks a 13 point shift to the Dems in a deeply red district. All those battleground districts could swing even more. This type of swing would put the Senate in play.

This is alarm bell territory for the Republicans. I'm going to remain cautiously optimistic because the Democrats have formidable skills at screwing things up.

[–] ButtermilkBiscuit@feddit.nl 1 points 3 days ago

Seems like wishful thinking, similar to the "we could take Texas" bullshit. I won't hold my breath for a win in TN.

[–] CircaV@lemmy.ca -2 points 2 days ago

Pathetic the Democrats couldn’t win this.