All Our Candidate Recommendations, Explained
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Editor's Note: This list is dynamic and was last updated on September 15, 2022. For the most up-to-date Blue Tent recommendations, see our candidates page.
We have argued often at Blue Tent that it is better to give to grassroots organizing and voter mobilization efforts than to give to candidates. Get the full rap here, if you’re new to Blue Tent.
Still, the fact remains that many of us want to give to candidates, which can feel like the most tangible way to affect an election. It’s also true that our small donor dollars can have an impact when we prioritize down-ballot or neglected races. Blue Tent has never said, “don’t give to candidates.” We’ve said this shouldn’t be your top priority and that when you do give, be smart about it. Avoid the uber-expensive federal races that are being targeted by party committees and super PACs. Instead, think of yourself as a bargain hunter, looking to stretch your money as far as it can go.
Below is Blue Tent’s cheat sheet for high-priority candidate giving. This list is not meant to be definitive and we may still add more names. Donors can also find a broader menu of options at Swing Left and Sister District Project, two groups we strongly recommend as conduits for candidate giving.
Attorneys General and Secretaries of State
We’ve said it a dozen times, but I’ll say it again: these statewide offices have become incredibly important given the threat to our democracy and the attack on abortion access, as we explain here and here. Fortunately, a lot of donors, including some big ones, have now gotten this message and it may be that Democratic AG and secretary of state candidates will have all the money they need to compete without your donation. But for now, we’re still recommending you give to the following candidates in must-win races:
State Legislators
Since a lot of money does seem to now be flowing to the candidates above, you may be better off prioritizing state legislative races. Here too, though, our research is finding that many Democratic candidates are doing well with their fundraising. We’re combing through finance reports to find that sweet spot of state legislative candidates in tough races who urgently need more money. Here’s who we have so far, on a very small list that’s likely to evolve in the coming weeks:
U.S. Congress
We’ve tried really hard to find Democratic candidates in competitive House or Senate races who aren’t already raking in plenty of money. They are few and far between. We offer just two names below, although we're looking to possibly add more in the near-future, so this part of the list may change.
Now, I’m sure readers are wondering about any number of other House and Senate candidates in tight races. Don’t they need money, too? Yes, they do. But not your money. The big donors, party committees, and PACs are already on the case. That said, on our candidates page, we do offer some lower priority recommendations for you to look at — including Mandela Barnes who’s running for Senate in Wisconsin, and a handful of House candidates, such as Brittany Petterson in Colorado. Giving to Barnes is especially tempting, because who doesn’t want to see Ron Johnson taken out by a rising progressive star who’s Black and just 35 years old? But it’s precisely because Barnes’s candidacy is so exciting that he’ll likely be able to tap both a mountain of cash and PAC help as the race unfolds.
As for other key Democratic Senate candidates, here’s our take: John Fetterman, Mark Kelly, and Raphael Warnock are all awash in cash, Val Demings is unlikely to win, Cheri Beasley, who has a slim chance, is outraising her opponent, Catherine Cortez Masto is already the focus of a deep-pocketed rescue mission, and Maggie Hassan looks like she’ll be fine after all. We don’t recommend giving to any of these candidates. The same goes for Democratic gubernatorial candidates, although I won’t run through those races here.
Overall, the vast majority of Democratic candidates in competitive federal and state races are now on track to have all the money they need. Which is one more reason why you should give instead to grassroots groups in key states that can both help win elections this year and build power for the future.
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Editor's note: If you want to make a case for a candidate that should be on our high-priority list, please email me at davidcallahan@bluetent.us. Just remember our criteria: important election, competitive race, and needs money. Also: please forward this post by email and share on social media. Our friends need help making smart donation choices during this incredibly important election season.
