OK people. We got some very good news out of Michigan today and some not so good news.
The good news: The A+ rated New York Times/Siena poll shows a 10 point lead for Joe Biden against Trump.
The bad news: The same poll shows the Senate race between incumbent Democrat Gary Peters and his Republican opponent John James as a tossup. This is one of those races that has been flying under the radar and has been overshadowed by some higher profile races where we have a shot (Harrison in SC) and some where we don’t (McGrath in KY).
Both of those campaigns now have more money than they know what to do with at this point. It would be a waste of resources to keep giving to either one of them.
Where we do need to start giving is to Peter’s campaign, which has been heavily out-raised and outspent by James.
The Republicans have gone all in on this race, and James is a formidable opponent. We cannot take this race as a given.
If we expect to win and keep a Democratic majority in the Senate, keeping this seat is absolutely essential. Without a Democratic majority in the Senate, the Biden administration will be subject to endless obstruction by majority leader McConnell.
I hate to have to put this so bluntly, but right now, investing in this race will go much further in our efforts to keep McConnell out of power than giving more money to Amy McGrath’s quixotic campaign.
Because of the Senate Republicans continued reckless and irresponsible handling of Covid, Gary Peters is currently under quarantine after being in contact with his infected colleagues and is unable to campaign.
There have been good polls for Peters lately, so this could very well be an outlier, but there is a definite trend towards the race tightening in the past couple of weeks. I have no doubt we will win this race, but we all need to step up right now and donate, phone bank/call and canvas/lit drop (if you’re local in Michigan) for Peters to ensure we keep this seat.
Donate to reelect Gary Peters! Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight says Democrats can take back the Senate. But that won’t happen unless Gary Peters wins in Michigan – and recent polls show him in a dead heat with his opponent.