Democrats’ novel red-state strategy: From the Politics Desk

Welcome to From the Politics Desk, a daily newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team’s latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.

In today’s edition, Sahil Kapur explores how Democrats are trying to boost their odds of defeating Senate Republicans in deep-red states. Plus, Adam Edelman and Natasha Korecki report on the latest shake-up in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor.

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— Adam Wollner

Democrats pursue a new Senate strategy in rural states: Dropping out

By Sahil Kapur

Facing slim prospects in rural red states, Democrats are embarking on a new tactic to expand the Senate map: encouraging doomed nominees to drop out of races to empower independent candidates to take on Republicans one-on-one.

Nebraska: Independent candidate Dan Osborn’s campaign against GOP Sen. Pete Ricketts received a jolt this month when Democratic nominee Cindy Burbank dropped out and removed her name from the ballot. Two years ago, Osborn turned heads by coming within 7 points of defeating Republican Sen. Deb Fischer as Donald Trump carried the state by 21 points.

Idaho: Democratic nominee David Roth dropped out Tuesday, giving independent Todd Achilles a one-on-one contest against Republican Sen. Jim Risch, who is running for a fourth term.

Montana: Democrats are calling on Alani Bankhead to exit to clear the way for independent Seth Bodnar in the race against Republican nominee Kurt Alme. But Bankhead has resisted those calls, and even if she were to quit, said a spokesperson Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, Democrats would be required under state law to find another candidate rather than leave the ballot blank.

South Dakota: Similarly, Democrats are pushing for Julian Beaudion to end her campaign and give independent Brian Bengs a boost against GOP Sen. Mike Rounds.

Bottom line: Democrats see it as a win-win situation, arguing that even if the independent candidates lose, the one-on-one matchups could spook Republicans into steering money away from competitive races to hold on to deep-red states.

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💰 Meanwhile: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., stopped by a fundraiser in Washington yesterday for Mississippi Democratic Senate candidate Scott Colom, two sources with knowledge of the event told NBC News.

Democrat Mandela Barnes exits Wisconsin governor’s race

By Adam Edelman and Natasha Korecki

Former Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes announced this afternoon that he is dropping out of the Democratic race for governor less than two weeks out from the primary.

“We’re incredibly proud of all the things that we’ve accomplished and all the resources that we have raised to spread our message,” Barnes said in a video on social media. “But it’s become very clear who our nominee is going to be.”

That statement is a clear nod to state Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist who has expanded her polling lead ahead of the Aug. 11 primary.

Barnes’ decision to exit the race is just the latest major development to rock what has been a volatile Democratic primary to replace outgoing Gov. Tony Evers in the key battleground state.

Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, whom more moderate Democrats saw as a leading contender, dropped out of the contest this month, prompting Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley to re-enter the race with Evers’ endorsement days after he had ended his campaign.

While Hong has established herself as the front-runner, Barnes’ move could give Crowley a boost among Democrats who fear she’s too far left to win the general election against the likely Republican nominee, Rep. Tom Tiffany. A Crowley supporter with knowledge of the team’s strategy said a blitz with Evers was on the way, including ads and campaign events. Crowley wrote on X, “To everyone who backed Mandela: there’s a place for you in what we’re building.”

Asked in an interview with “Meet the Press NOW” whether she was seeking Barnes’ endorsement, Hong replied, “At this time, I am undecided.”

She added that her campaign’s focus is “welcoming everyone to our movement” and that “we are certain that many of the former lieutenant governor’s supporters share our values.”

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That’s all From the Politics Desk for now. Today’s newsletter was compiled by Adam Wollner.

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