Welcome to the AR/Intel Race Rundown, our weekly recap of the most important news happening in campaigns across the country. Sign up to get the Race Rundown delivered to your inbox every Friday morning here.
NATIONAL
The Washington Post: “Trump And The RNC Raised Almost Half A Billion Dollars Last Year — And Still Had Nearly $200 Million Heading Into 2020” (The Washington Post, 1/3/20)
President Trump’s re-election campaign announced it raised $46 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, a major haul that was boosted by a surge of donations in the wake of the Democrats’ impeachment bid. (Reuters, 1/2/20)
The Wall Street Journal: “Impeachment Battle Lines Drawn For 2020 Campaign” (The Wall Street Journal, 12/20/19)
Roll Call: “2020 Senate And House Outlook Looks A Lot Like It Did At The Start Of 2019” (Roll Call, 12/23/19)
PRESIDENTIAL
CNN: “Democrats Draw Clear Battle Lines Ahead Of Final Sprint To Iowa And New Hampshire” (CNN, 12/21/19)
Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign announced that he raised more than $34.5 million in the final three months of last year. (The Associated Press, 1/2/20)
- Pete Buttigieg raised more than $24.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, his presidential campaign announced. (The New York Times, 1/1/20)
- Joe Biden’s campaign announced that he raised $22.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, a significant improvement from the $15.7 million he had raised during the third quarter. It was his largest quarterly haul so far, exceeding the $22 million he brought in during the second quarter. (The New York Times, 1/2/20)
Returning to the campaign trail after Christmas, former Vice President Joe Biden said he would not comply with a subpoena to testify at President Trump’s impeachment trial in the Senate. A day later, Biden backtracked and declared that he would abide by “any subpoena that was sent to me.” (The New York Times, 12/27/19; The New York Times, 12/29/19)
The Washington Post: “Warren Embraced The High-Dollar Fundraiser Circuit For Years — Until Just Before Her Presidential Campaign” (The Washington Post, 12/25/19)
POLL: This week’s national Morning Consult poll of Democratic primary voters found former Vice President Joe Biden (D-DE) leading the field for president with support from 32% of those polled. He is followed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) (21%), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) (14%), Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN) (8%), and Michael Bloomberg (D-NY) (6%). (Morning Consult, 12/31/19)
POLL: A new poll of nationwide Democratic voters from The Economist/YouGov shows Biden leading the field with support from 29% of those polled followed by Sanders (19%), Warren (18%), Buttigieg (8%), and Klobuchar (4%). (YouGov, 1/1/20)
SENATE NATIONAL
Politico: “Impeachment Trial Will Supercharge Battle For Senate” (Politico, 12/28/19)
- New York Magazine: “Democratic Money Mobilizing To Win Senate” (New York Magazine, 12/23/19)
Then NRSC raised $6.2 million in November and spent $3.2 million, ending the month with $18 million in the bank. The DSCC, meanwhile, raised $5.75 million and spent $5.77 million, ending the month with $17.3 million in cash on hand. (Politico, 12/20/19)
SENATE ALABAMA
A new poll of likely voters in Alabama shows Sen. Doug Jones’ (D-AL) in a difficult position as he prepares for reelection this year. According to the poll, only 34% of respondents support Jones’ reelection, while 48% opposed and 18% were undecided. Looking at hypothetical general election matchups between Jones and his major GOP challengers, former Auburn University head football coach Tommy Tuberville fared best, although former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Congressman Bradley Byrne (AL-01) were also up against Jones within the margin of error of Tuberville’s lead. (Yellow Hammer, 12/22/19)
SENATE COLORADO
According to recently released filings, U.S. Senate candidate John Hickenlooper (D-CO) is worth between $7.8 million and $23.6 million. (Colorado Sun, 12/20/19)
SENATE KENTUCKY
Democrat Jimmy Ausbrooks, a mental health counselor, filed paperwork to run for the Democratic nomination to challenge Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in November. (CBS-Franklin, 1/2/20)
SENATE MICHIGAN
The Detroit News: “Cash, Claims Of Illegality Already Flying In Michigan’s Senate Race” (The Detroit News, 1/1/20)
SENATE NEW HAMPSHIRE
President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, announced he will not run for Senate in New Hampshire next year. (Politico, 12/31/19)
HOUSE NATIONAL
The Associated Press: “Impeachment Vote Becomes The Top Issue In 2020 Congressional Races” (The Associated Press, 12/21/19)
- The Hill: “House GOP Vows To Use Impeachment To Cut Into Democratic Majority” (The Hill, 12/28/19)
New totals released by the U.S. Census Bureau show changes to state populations for the year ended July 1. Because they come less than a year before the next census, they are a close approximation for which states may gain and lose congressional seats and electoral votes. Based on the figures, Texas is poised to gain two congressional seats, and Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina and Oregon are expected to gain one. Eight states are expected to lose one seat: California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia. (The Wall Street Journal, 12/30/19)
- Politico: “Epic Redistricting Battles Loom With States Poised To Gain, Lose House Seats” (Politico, 12/31/19)
Roll Call: “House Retirements Already Outpace Average For Past Election Cycles” (Roll Call, 1/2/20)
The DCCC raised $9 million in November, spent $5.1 million, and ended the month with $47.6 million in the bank. The NRCC, meanwhile, raised $6.7 million, spent $5.6 million, and ended November with $29.4 million in the bank. (Politico, 12/20/19)
HOUSE GEORGIA
GA-05: Rep. John Lewis, the civil rights icon and Democratic congressman, disclosed that he has advanced pancreatic cancer but vowed to continue in office while he fights the disease. (The Wall Street Journal, 12/29/19)
HOUSE NEW JERSEY
NJ-02: Ashley Bennett (D-NJ), an Atlantic County freeholder, officially joined the race to run for Congress in New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District. (News 12, 12/20/19)
NJ-02: President Trump called on his supporters to donate to Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), reiterating his endorsement of the newly-minted Republican congressman. (The Hill, 12/20/19)
NJ-02: The Committee to Defend the President, a pro-Trump political action committee, announced plans to air $200,000 worth of television ads in Van Drew’s 2nd Congressional District, plus another $50,000 in digital ads. (NJ.com, 12/20/19)
HOUSE NORTH CAROLINA
NC-11: The Associated Press: “NC Candidates Rush For Legislature, Meadows’ Seat” (The Associated Press, 12/20/19)
NC-11: Politico: “Meadows Accused Of Timing Retirement To Help Elect Wife’s Friend” (Politico, 12/30/19)
HOUSE OKLAHOMA
OK-05: A recent poll conducted by the firm Amber Integrated shows 47% of the registered voters surveyed in Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District agree with Rep. Kendra Horn’s (D-OK) impeachment votes, with 40% of those strongly agreeing. By contrast, 49% disagree with Horn’s votes, with 43% strongly disagreeing. The rest were undecided. (The Oklahoman, 12/24/19)
HOUSE PENNSYLVANIA
PA-08: Following Rep. Matt Cartwright’s (D-PA) vote to impeach President Trump, The Cook Political Report changed the rating of his reelection race from “lean Democrat” to “toss up.” (The Cook Political Report, 12/20/19)
HOUSE WISCONSIN
WI-07: Former Rep. Sean Duffy endorsed state Sen. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) to replace him as the representative of Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District. (Wausau Daily Herald, 12/20/19)