A year out from Election Day, [DSCC Chair Sen. Gary] Peters is relying heavily on a “robust” ground campaign in battleground states… he says Democrats can play in reach states, including Texas and Florida.
Peters spoke with POLITICO about how he’s planning to maintain Democrats’ slim majority in the upper chamber next year.
PETERS: I think every one of our Senate candidates is going into the race knowing that they have to win or lose based on their individual record. … That’s really what we saw last cycle — we had our candidates running on their strengths and contrasting their strengths to the significant weaknesses and faults of their Republican opponents.
PETERS: Clearly the Republican candidates last cycle were flawed in many ways, oftentimes significant ways. We believe the same dynamic will occur this cycle as well.
POLITICO: We’ve seen that elections are becoming more and more nationalized. How do you think that these Democratic Senate candidates should approach messaging — should they be emphasizing those local issues or leaning into these national themes?
PETERS: When you take national issues, but localize those issues and the impact that they have on people in their state, that can be very successful. … Jon Tester is in a state that votes very heavily Republican, votes for a Republican candidate for president. And yet he’s able to differentiate himself as someone who cares about Montana first and foremost. … I’ve always said that it’s a good strategy when you’re running — regardless of what you’re running for — if you’re running for congressional office, you should be thinking not like a congressman or a senator. But [you should be] thinking that you’re running for mayor. When you take national issues, but localize those issues and the impact that they have on people in their state, that can be very successful.
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ICYMI: DSCC Chair Sen. Gary Peters Discusses How Senate Democrats Will Win Again and The Stakes of The 2024 Election
