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MPC's avatar

Why are the Kochs throwing their weight behind the NC GOP's sacrificial lamb (Michael Whatley) when Roy Cooper is almost a shoo-in as the next U.S. Senator from NC?

Paleo's avatar

He’s not almost a shoo-in.

sacman701's avatar

I think it's Cooper's race to win if he runs a strong campaign, but he won't be able to win with no effort (example: all state-level Dems in California in 2022) which to me is the definition of a shoo-in race.

anonymouse's avatar

I agree with this. Probably Likely D, but you should never rest on laurels in any state, especially a swing state.

rayspace's avatar

I think the Left gets a lot of grief from the MSM for living in a bubble, but the Right is even more prone to it, since their $ shields them from facts and consequences. The Kochs probably feel like they can buy this one for Whatley, Trump, and the GOP in general. A Dem Senate is not good for them, and they think they can keep it from happening.

MPC's avatar

I'm looking at how dark money PACs like Americans for Prosperity can spend and spend -- but when GOP voters are angry at the GOP, they're either going to sit out the midterms entirely or vote against their own party.

hilltopper's avatar

Nine months before the election is a little too early to claim victory.

NC is a toss-up or even tilt-R state, particularly in federal elections. While we have a great candidate, this will be a tough race.

Guy Cohen's avatar

It was a tilt R state because Rs have been fortunate to run in good or neutral cycles for the party. Since 2008, NC senate races have come up in two Obama midterms, an election Trump won, an election Trump barely lost, and a Biden midterm.

MPC's avatar

2028 will be heavily competitive, esp since Ted Budd only won his seat by 3 points in 2022. Had we had competent party leadership back then, he probably would've lost outright.

Colby's avatar

Cooper is a stellar candidate with a history of wins but I don’t think we should presume any NC race is a slam dunk for the Dems…the right has seemingly bottomless cash reserves, they would be fools not to spend here.

James Newton's avatar

MD-05: Yesterday, Charles County Commissioner President Reuben Collins filed to run https://www.elections.maryland.gov/elections/2026/primary_candidates/gen_cand_lists_2026_4_5.html

Julius Zinn's avatar

Posted this last night but thanks for doing it again

alienalias's avatar

Can guarantee Allred is needing to go negative in his House race because his internals have gone down after his stupid Senate intervention. Hoping it's enough for him to lose.

PollJunkie's avatar

He can't stop whining and calling Talarico racist on podcasts. Johnson should also go negative on him for his votes for the Laken Riley Act etc.

Zero Cool's avatar

At this point, I’d rather support Julie Johnson in the race instead of Colin Allred. This accusation of racism crap is really pissing me off.

Julius Zinn's avatar

I don't know. This district seems like it'll have a crappy representative whoever it is, considering Johnson's situation mentioned in the Digest. I guess Zeeshan Hafeez is interesting but there's probably no way he'll even get 10%.

Zero Cool's avatar

Whoever represents TX-33 I am not going to be critical of as long as constituents vote their conscience.

Allred really ought to be ashamed of himself. If President Obama never did this, why should Allred do it? What is he looking to gain?

anonymouse's avatar

We can only hope

Julius Zinn's avatar

Here's hoping the amendment passes in April...if last year's statewide races are any indication, it will

brendan fka HoosierD42's avatar

Though they didn't stay the Tazewell County judge's order, this is a good sign.

Paleo's avatar

The Virginia supreme court just (1) agreed to take the case pertaining to Dems' gerrymander maneuver, (2) scheduled deadlines for briefs on April 13, (3) basically says the April 21 referendum can go forward in the meantime.

They still could strike down the map after the vote.

brendan fka HoosierD42's avatar

For sure, but I don't know why they would allow it to go forward if they plan to kill it. Usually this is a sign that the challenge will succeed.

PollJunkie's avatar

The Nation’s Most Democratic State Might Elect a Trump-Friendly Governor

California’s nonpartisan primary pits eight Democrats against two Republicans; only the top two finishers advance. Do the math.

https://prospect.org/2026/02/09/california-nations-most-democratic-state-might-elect-trump-friendly-governor/