Path 2

Monday, Apr 24 2017

Senate GOP Recruitment Stalls in Trump's First 100 Days

Apr 24, 2017

“Potential GOP candidates…are afraid of walking into a buzz saw.” – Politico

Four months into the 2018 campaign for U.S. Senate, Senate Republicans have almost no recruitment successes and plenty of failures. Politico reports that potential candidates “are afraid of walking into a buzz saw” as Donald Trump’s popularity sinks to historic lows.

“The Senate GOP is failing to recruit quality candidates — or almost any candidates — and Republicans only have themselves to blame,” said American Bridge spokesperson Joshua Karp. “From stripping 26 million Americans of health care to gutting environmental protections, the GOP agenda would hurt working families, especially those who Trump and Republicans claim they want to help. Small wonder Republican’s best candidates are taking a dive, rather than face the voters in 2018.”

Take a look at the headlines Senate Republicans are earning as they fail to find candidates willing hitch their wagon to Washington Republicans in 2018…

Politico: Republicans sound alarm on Trump’s troubles ahead of 2018

RCP: Slow Pace of 2018 Senate Bids a Growing GOP Concern

The Hill: Picking 2018 candidates pits McConnell vs. GOP groups

Washington Post: Do Senate Republicans have a Trump recruiting problem?

New York Times: Suburban G.O.P. Voters Sour on Party, Raising Republican Fears for 2018

Politico: Senate Republicans’ early recruiting problem 

National Journal: “Trump’s tu­mul­tu­ous start could cause some Re­pub­lic­ans to pro­ceed more slowly in what is still a highly un­cer­tain 2018 en­vir­on­ment. “

Politico: Dems show surprising strength at start of brutal 2018 midterm

Meanwhile, the headlines in the states look even worse for Senate Republicans…

Pennsylvania: Spokesman: Meehan won’t challenge Casey for Senate in 2018 

Wisconsin: Wisconsin’s Sean Duffy Will Forgo Senate Bid

Michigan: Schuette Won’t Run for Senate 

Connecticut: Source: GOP trying to draft ex-Fox host Gretchen Carlson for Senate 

Missouri: Top Republicans push Hawley to seek U.S. Senate over Wagner

North Dakota: Nervous about GOP congressman, Republicans woo new North Dakota Senate candidate

…and behind the scenes, Trump World is fighting with the NRSC for control over GOP recruitment:

Steve Bannon: “The days of [Senate Majority Leader Mitch] McConnell picking Republican nominees in Senate races are over.” — BuzzFeed

BuzzFeed: Trump World — Including Steve Bannon — Is Already Looking At The 2018 Midterms

Washington Examiner: “Republicans considering a 2018 Senate bid are being advised to meet with President-elect Trump to ensure they have his seal of approval.”


Published: Apr 24, 2017

Jump to Content