Strengthen democracy in the states
Strengthening our democracy and winning the fight for voting rights, abortion access, and so much more, begins in the states. Our target selection in 2024 prioritizes states where winning competitive governorships has the greatest potential to help protect democratic outcomes beyond this election year, and states where Democrats have a clear chance to flip legislative chambers and make durable state-level gains.
Our strategy for building Democratic power in the states centers around three goals:
- Win Democratic governorships in key swing states that hold important federal elections to help protect our democracy;
- Build Democratic power in key state legislatures to win majorities and expand access to the ballot;
- Ultimately, win majority control over the partisan redistricting process in 2030.
Gubernatorial targets
New Hampshire
Departing New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu (R) enjoys massive statewide popularity—outperforming Democrats by double digits in each of his gubernatorial bids. With Sununu's departure, Democrats have a crucial opportunity to break the state GOP trifecta by flipping this now-open seat.
North Carolina
With Democratic Governor Roy Cooper term limited, we're awaiting nominees to emerge from crowded primaries in both parties. Democrats have a strong opportunity to re-secure the critical gubernatorial veto by flipping one or more seats in the state legislature and electing a Democratic governor.
State legislative targets
At the state legislative level, Democrats are up against gerrymandering and a Republican electoral machine that has dominated at the state level for more than a decade. Our aim is to help Democrats win in 2024, and build and sustain Democratic legislative delegations over the coming decade.
Arizona
Targets: State House / State Senate
Despite having an “independent” redistricting committee, the current maps are gerrymandered to favor the Arizona GOP (the "independent" member is a former Republican). Both state legislative chambers are one flip away from ties, and two flips away from Democratic majorities.
Michigan
Target: State House
Democrats unexpectedly flipped both state legislative chambers in 2022 after the state's new independent redistricting committee undid Michigan's Republican gerrymander.
Margins in both chambers are extremely narrow, so Democrats will need to work to defend this trifecta and allow Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Democrats to continue to pass and sign progressive legislation.
New Hampshire
Target: State House
Democrats gained ground in the New Hampshire State House in 2022—managing to secure a tie in the chamber in 2023 due to a series of special elections. The state Senate is still a challenge, but Democrats are looking to gain additional ground in 2024.
Pennsylvania
Targets: State House / State Senate
Democrats narrowly flipped the Pennsylvania State House in 2022, and have faced an uphill battle to maintain that majority through the 2023 special election cycle. The current margin is still +/- one seat.
In 2024, half of the state Senate will be up for election, with multiple vulnerable GOP incumbents facing tough reelection fights.
Candidate reevaluation timeline and additional criteria
We will be evaluating all targets on a rolling basis. We will also be incorporating additional data, including polling, electoral modeling, and campaign finance reports to effectively prioritize among our targets as new data becomes available.
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