A revolt against party leadership is reshaping Democratic primaries, with outsiders scoring upset victories over establishment-backed candidates. The first blow came in California's 22nd district, where moderate Assembly Member Jasmeet Bains lost to progressive Randy Villegas despite DCCC support.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), House Democrats' campaign arm, has drawn party infighting by adding favored candidates to its "Red to Blue" program. The list is designed to provide resources for swing-district battles, but it has angered factions who see it as top-down meddling in local races.
On Thursday, Sen. Joe Baldacci fell to progressive state auditor Matt Dunlap in Maine's 2nd district — the second DCCC endorsee to lose this month. The DCCC also backed Bob Brooks in Pennsylvania, sheriff's deputy Johnny Garcia in Texas, and Marlene Galán-Woods in other hotly contested primaries.
The trend mirrors the GOP's Tea Party wave, with anti-establishment energy fueling primary victories. It suggests that party insiders may be out of step with the grassroots, potentially reshaping the party's roster ahead of the general election.
The DCCC's strategy risks alienating the very voters it will need in November. Some progressives argue that party resources should not be used to pick favorites, but the campaign arm maintains that its choices are based on electability.