Citing name recognition as the explanation for Amish Shah's victory doesn't really hold up. Marlene Galán-Woods had already run in 2024, finished a close third in the primary, and then benefited from roughly $4 million in outside spending from AIPAC-affiliated groups (in addition to her own strong fundraising I.e 2.2 million and 500k from the DCCC), according to reporting. After two campaigns and that level of financial backing, it's hard to argue she still suffered from a significant name-recognition deficit. There have to be more substantive reasons for the result.
I think AZ-01 voters made the wrong choice with Shah, and I'm typically very anti-establishment meddling and anti-moderate.
Galan-Woods strikes me as simply a much more prepared candidate. there are multiple things just missing from Shah's issues page. That's hardly damning but he's a former state legislator! you'd think he would have some kind of a record to go on.
In CA 22 Baines entered the race when the only other D candidate was Salas, who had previously lost twice. She seemed initially like the only viable candidate and then Villegas filed. For a bit there were three D candidates until Salas dropped out. The DCCC stuck with Baines.
Actually, the DCCC was reported to have recruited Bains for the older iteration of the district which was redder but they stuck with her after the redistricting which she voted against to pander to right wingers.
Citing name recognition as the explanation for Amish Shah's victory doesn't really hold up. Marlene Galán-Woods had already run in 2024, finished a close third in the primary, and then benefited from roughly $4 million in outside spending from AIPAC-affiliated groups (in addition to her own strong fundraising I.e 2.2 million and 500k from the DCCC), according to reporting. After two campaigns and that level of financial backing, it's hard to argue she still suffered from a significant name-recognition deficit. There have to be more substantive reasons for the result.
I think AZ-01 voters made the wrong choice with Shah, and I'm typically very anti-establishment meddling and anti-moderate.
Galan-Woods strikes me as simply a much more prepared candidate. there are multiple things just missing from Shah's issues page. That's hardly damning but he's a former state legislator! you'd think he would have some kind of a record to go on.
Issues page doesn't really matter. He has a record of passing bipartisan bills in the state legislature.
MI-Sen: Outgoing Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) endorses Abdul El-Sayed
In CA 22 Baines entered the race when the only other D candidate was Salas, who had previously lost twice. She seemed initially like the only viable candidate and then Villegas filed. For a bit there were three D candidates until Salas dropped out. The DCCC stuck with Baines.
Actually, the DCCC was reported to have recruited Bains for the older iteration of the district which was redder but they stuck with her after the redistricting which she voted against to pander to right wingers.
I hate to cite Alpha News (far right-wing outlet in MN) but there's a new poll in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District commissioned by the Republican nominee, Eric Pratt that he released exclusively to Alpha News. https://alphanews.org/exclusive-new-poll-shows-republican-eric-pratt-in-close-race-with-dfl-congressional-candidates/
Initial ballot:
Matt Little 45 - Eric Pratt 40
Matt Klein 43 - Eric Pratt 42
Kaela Berg 43 - Eric Pratt 43