Campaign

DNC gathers opposition research on over 20 potential GOP presidential candidates

by Tal Axelrod - 05/04/21 8:26 PM ET

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is compiling opposition research on more than 20 potential Republican presidential contenders as the party looks to get an early start on the 2024 cycle.

The DNC is digging up dirt on several prominent and unconventional possible GOP contenders, ranging from former President Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley to Fox News host Tucker Carlson and Mike Lindell, the founder of MyPillow and a staunch Trump ally.

The DNC effort, which was first reported by Politico and confirmed to The Hill by two sources familiar with the matter, was started weeks after the inauguration and is being headed up by Nick Bauer, the group’s research director. Bauer is being aided by Caroline Graham and Austin Dieter, two of his deputies.

The DNC also has a team in place to beef up its fundraising and organizing operations for both the 2022 midterms and the 2024 cycle. Among the members of that group are Roger Lau, who managed Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s (D-Mass.) presidential bid; the DNC’s political director, Alana Mounce; and Pete Kavanaugh, a former deputy campaign manager for President Biden.

Jen O’Malley Dillon, who managed Biden’s campaign and now works as the White House deputy chief of staff, is overseeing the entire operation.

The DNC’s opposition research program comes amid anticipation that Republicans could field a historically large primary crowd in 2024.

Other GOP figures such as Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas), Josh Hawley (Mo.) and Rick Scott (Fla.), former Vice President Mike Pence, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are also considered potential 2024 contenders.

However, that field is expected to narrow considerably should Trump make a third White House bid.

Polling is scarce on how a potential 2024 GOP primary would shake out, but a survey released in March by Trump pollster Tony Fabrizio showed that Pence and DeSantis would lead a field that does not include the former president.