A central part of the Democratic Party fundraising apparatus, the Democratic Governors Association is a group devoted to the nation’s gubernatorial races. They pour in millions of dollars each year to turn the highest state offices around the country blue.
But if you’re a Texan, don’t expect much from them to help Wendy Davis get to the Governors’ Mansion. Apparently because Texas Democrats have gone so long without a major win, the big money group have little faith that she can pull an upset. Here’s the take from the Wall Street Journal…
Despite the hype surrounding Texas Democrat Wendy Davis’ run for governor, the chairman of the Democratic Governors Association didn’t include her state in a list of top targets in 2014.
Ms. Davis, a state senator, gained national acclaim for filibustering a bill last year that increased regulation of abortion clinics and banned abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Polls show Republican nominee Greg Abbott with a double-digit lead in the state, which hasn’t elected a Democrat since 1994.
“We’re hopeful in Texas but we all understand that Democrats haven’t won Texas in a long time,” DGA Chairman and Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin told reporters Tuesday at the Third Way think tank. He added, “We hope this will be our year.”
Mr. Shumlin singled out Paul LePage in Maine, Rick Scott in Florida and Tom Corbett in Pennsylvania as the most vulnerable Republican incumbents. In the second tier are a trio of Midwestern governors who also represent states won by President Barack Obama – Scott Walker in Wisconsin, John Kasich in Ohio and Rick Snyder in Michigan.
It’s worth noting that Governor Shumlin’s assessment seems like an initial one, and as the 2014 season heats up, this could certainly change. But if I were the Davis campaign, this should be a clarion call to help fund raise and further motivate Texas’ ‘sleeping giant’ Democratic base. You never know… an email titled “Even Washington’s against us” may play better with Lone Star Independents than had she earned firm DGA support. It seems like Davis has already figured this out. From the San Antonio Express News, here’s the response from Davis campaign manager Karin Johanson…
“The uninformed opinions of a Washington, DC desk jockey who’s never stepped foot in Texas couldn’t be less relevant to what’s actually happening on the ground.
I couldn’t agree more. This race isn’t going to be won because of something a Washington organization does anyway. In Texas, the only Washington that Davis needs to care about is Washington-On-The-Brazos. This state can only be won by re-making the Texas electorate, and getting people to come off from the sidelines to vote. This is Davis’ most important goal, and they should keep their eyes on the prize. In recent week’s she has done an excellent job of letting her independent spirit shine through, and that is what truly matters.