A lot of ‘crazies’ are running…….
The Senate map is much more GOP-friendly this cycle — with Democrats defending more than a dozen incumbents, many of them in states that are either purple or full-on red — yet Republicans appear to be in a familiar bind.
Far-right candidates are mulling runs and gaining traction amid clear signs they will fail miserably in the general election, putting GOP hopes of reclaiming the chamber at risk. And it’s not just Mastriano.
- Wisconsin: A rep for DAVID CLARKE, the controversial former sheriff and Fox News pundit, told The Daily Beast he would “never take anything off the table” regarding a possible run against Sen. TAMMY BALDWIN.
- Arizona: Both KARI LAKE and BLAKE MASTERS, who lost gubernatorial and Senate races in 2022, respectively, are looking at running for the seat now held by Sen. KYRSTEN SINEMA.
- Montana: Hard-right Rep. MATT ROSENDALE is exploring a rematch against Sen. JON TESTER, who beat him in 2018 by more than 3 points.
- And back in Pennsylvania: KATHY BARNETTE, who drew support from a quarter of Keystone State Republicans in the 2022 Senate primary, recently told WPHT-AM that she was still considering a run against Casey.
“Candidate quality” was the top reason fingered by Senate Minority Leader MITCH McCONNELL and many other GOP bigwigs after the party’s lackluster 2022 showing, and while it’s still awfully early, they’re beginning to worry again.
One thing, however, will be different this time: As NRSC chairman last cycle, Sen. RICK SCOTT’ (R-Fla.) adopted a hands-off approach to primary season that is now being completely discarded by Sen. STEVE DAINES, the new NRSC chair.
“Chairman Daines has been clear he’s willing to do whatever it takes to nominate candidates who can win both a primary and a general election,” NRSC spokesperson MIKE BERG told Playbook last night…..