The one thing being overlooked in all of this
Kamala Harris has the kind of momentum that most candidates only dream about, and the story that’s playing out is the kind most script writers only wish they could come up with. So many things are going right, it’s almost surreal. If we keep going with the enthusiasm and work effort that we’ve been putting behind Harris thus far, she’s going to win. But here’s the thing.
We’re seeing a historic level of enthusiasm, effort, donations, and volunteer signups for the Kamala Harris campaign. We’re also seeing a spike in enthusiasm downticket, but not to the same degree. It’s true that a rising tide floats all boats. But it’s never quite that simple.
For instance, in order to give President Kamala Harris a Senate majority, we have to boost the vote total in the seven specific states where the Senate races are the most competitive. And in order to give President Kamala Harris a House majority, we have to boost the vote total in the twenty-two specific districts where the races are the most competitive.
Winning the House and Senate majority is not done with a national approach. Nor is it accomplished with a swing state approach. For instance, while five of the seven most competitive Senate races are in presidential swing states, two other equally competitive competitive Senate races (Ohio and Montana) are in states where the presidential election isn’t even in play. And when it comes to the most competitive House races, seven of them are in suburban districts New York and California – two states that are never in play on the presidential level.
The enthusiasm and work effort for Kamala Harris is off the charts. It’s historic. I think the majority of you reading this are now actively working to help get her more votes – and you’re going to spend the rest of your life being glad that you did. But if you want President Harris to be able to pass legislation, confirm federal judges, and replace any Supreme Court members who retire or pass away, she’s going to need a congressional majority.
So even as you work hard to ensure that Kamala Harris becomes President Harris, I urge you to take a piece of that enthusiasm and work effort and apply it to the competitive House and Senate races. Adopt a Democratic candidate in one or more of those races, do promotion, do fundraisers, do social media posts, and put that candidate over the top. Here are the 22 most competitive House races and the seven most competitive Senate races. Now let’s go win it all.
Bill Palmer is the publisher of the political news outlet Palmer Report