Senate Democrats pumping $25M into effort to expand voter outreach in 10 states

The campaign arm for Senate Democrats is investing $25 million into direct voter outreach programs in 10 main battleground states with races that will determine control of the chamber next year. 

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) said in a Monday release that the investment includes funding for on-the-ground organizers to knock on voters’ doors and meet them in their communities, reach voters by phone and online and programs focusing on specific constituencies like young voters and people of color. 

The DSCC is making the investment in Arizona, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin. 

Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), the chair of the DSCC, said in the release the effort will help Democratic Senate campaigns increase their ability to organize and communicate with voters on the need to participate in the election. He said it will help ensure Democrats are reaching the voters they need to win. 

“A formidable ground game makes all the difference in close races — which is why the DSCC has been working all cycle long to build the organizing infrastructure that will lead to Senate Democrats’ victory,” Peters said. 

Democrats are seeking to hold on to their narrow 51-49 majority in the Senate. They face a difficult map, in which several Democrats are running for reelection in states where former President Trump is expected to win in the presidential race, or in states where the race is expected to be very close.

Two states where the DSCC is making the investment, Montana and Ohio, are particularly uphill battles for the two Democratic incumbents. Trump is a big favorite in both states.

Maryland is a solidly blue state but has gained more attention in the Senate contest with a popular moderate former governor, Larry Hogan, running for the seat as a Republican. Some polling has shown the race closer than would be typical for a Senate race in the state. 

Florida and Texas both have Republican incumbents seeking reelection, but Democrats have expressed some hopes of possibly ousting them as their best chances of expanding the map in November. A few polls have also shown these races somewhat close. 

The DSCC has previously rolled out massive funding for the Senate contest. It announced a $79 million plan for television, radio and digital advertising in the spring.

The organization has also made multimillion dollar investments for organizing staff and offices in certain key battlegrounds and provided funding for staff to go on offense against Republicans in all 10 states.