The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is diligently planning for the 2022 elections and has planned to invest $23 million across the country in “Democratic state parties and grassroots infrastructure.”
Among its priorities is helping emerging purple-blue states like Arizona.
In this investment, the DNC will fund:
- $15.5 million in a State Partnership Program to fund party infrastructure which represents a 25 percent increase from prior years.
- $5.5 million in State Party Innovation Grants which would go to approved applicants who would create grassroots turnout operations and teams for the November Midterm elections in 2022.
- “Reestablishing the Democratic Grassroots Victory Fund.”
Commenting on the DNC cash infusion for the 2022 midterms, Arizona Democratic Party (ADP) Chair Raquel Teran relayed:
“If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that the state of Arizona is incredibly important to the national political arena. This historic agreement with the Democratic National Committee will allow us to build upon our wins from the last cycle, strengthen our grassroots infrastructure, and continue the work of electing Democrats up and down the ticket in 2022 and beyond.”
Former ADP spokesperson and now Vice President/Director of Public Affairs for Matters of State Strategies Matt Grodsky commented:
“Lack of investment was a huge contributor to Democratic losses in the 2010 and 2014 midterms. Being the outside party in 2018 helped us rebound but now we are on defense again and we’ll need a smart financial strategy. Seeing a historic agreement such as this is encouraging and is exactly what Democrats will need to have a successful 2022. The five million for approved parties is especially promising since it gives state parties the flexibility to expand their infrastructure and compete throughout their entire state.”
Asked if the amount from the DNC is really large enough to help in 2022, Mr. Grodsky said:
“I think large is relative depending on the state. For Arizona, I would call it significant for sure. Battlegrounds need every dollar they can get (as 2020 and 2018 showed) and furthermore if the money is allowed to “trickle-down” to county party operations then you have the potential for it to give a substantial boost to the field, communications, and GOTV efforts across the state.”
Representatives from the ADP did not respond to the follow-up question.
The investments in ground operations by the DNC to generate high turnout by Democratic-leaning voters in the 2022 Midterms is a necessary and sound strategy because it is becoming apparent that this election, with Republicans, firmly devolved into the party of Know-Nothings and Pro Authoritarian sentiments, will be a battle for the soul of the country and the American Ideal.
That said, the DNC will need to put in more than $23 million between now and November 8, 2022, to win the contest.
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