Democratic Party Bench

[wawa]

The idea came up in the "soul-searching" thread that the democrats don't have a bench.  I think it's just that there aren't many people on the national stage at the moment, but there's options out there and it would feel good to see that in a concrete way.

I'd love to hear from particularly our swing state folks - who's in your state that you think should be thinking about running?  (Not SHOULD BE ANNOINTED AS THE CHOSEN ONE BY THE PARTY...we're looking for a robust primary ticket full of good options here)

stuffandthings mentioned Josh Kaul, Mandela Barnes & Kelda Roys (and said the WI gov is great, but too old).  

Who else you got?  MD has some options, but I am most interested in swing state folks, who 1 - can maybe deliver that state and 2 - have experience with coalition building.
(but everybody talks about Gov Moore, and I really like our current Housing Sec, former small city mayor Jake Day, not sure he's ready for primetime though)

[StrawberryBlondie]

I have no idea what her future plans are, but I feel like Peggy Flanagan (Lt. Governor of MN) could have some broad appeal.

[Beeps (WOT?*)]

Not a swing state but a generally ignored Washington state (despite Patty Murray,lol but then we also used to have a Speaker of the House who was voted out of office because voters are stupid and voted the Tea Party into power - yes that's how long it's been since we were even remotely relevant) but we just elected Bob Ferguson to Governor from Attorney General. I think he's someone I could easily see on a national stage.

(Our new AG, Nick Brown, is already in talks with him as to how to handle a second Trump administration. Bob Ferguson as AG sued the first Trump administration several times in his role and they're teaming to see that the pushback continues. And don't you love how our elected Dems go by Tim and Bob and Nick?)

This and the other post has me motivated to go to my OH friends and ask who they might know as up and coming in OH on the blue side.

[stuffandthings]

Maxwell Frost is a Zoomer and a House member from Florida! He's currently constitutionally barred from running for President because he's still only 27 but he's one to watch, for sure.

[stuffandthings]

Also, this is waaaay local, but Catherine Cercone Miller became the first female mayor of my hometown of Struthers, OH in 2020 and is kicking ASS as a progressive Democrat in a red, Trump-loving small town. She genuinely loves and cares about the town and has done so. many. great things to help people. Like, whenever there's a house fire or a violent crime she literally drives over to see if there's anything she can do to help. I think she should be seen as an up-and-coming star in Ohio!

[neverfstop]

I was thinking about this too. I think we need more young voices. We should pay attention to AOC. And those guys in the TN legislature that were censured.

Is Corey booker done? I thinking Pete has a lot of potential to have national appeal. We have to have somebody that is social media savvy, outspoken, willing to go on Fox news.

I've heard lots of good things about the Gov of KY - Andy Beshear.

[imimahoney]

Wes Moore from MD. Not a swing state but such broad appeal and can definitely connect with the "bros".

[penguingrrl]

Nov 11, 2024 11:50:20 GMT -5 neverfstop said:

I was thinking about this too. I think we need more young voices. We should pay attention to AOC. And those guys in the TN legislature that were censured.

Is Corey booker done? I thinking Pete has a lot of potential to have national appeal. We have to have somebody that is social media savvy, outspoken, willing to go on Fox news.

I've heard lots of good things about the Gov of KY - Andy Beshear.

Corey Booker is a very successful senator, not done at all! I’m in NJ and as of January I’ll have two senators to love and be proud of!

[dcn]

I’m hoping Andy Beshear runs for senate in 2026.

[Beeps (WOT?*)]

Nov 11, 2024 12:01:43 GMT -5 dcn said:

I’m hoping Andy Beshear runs for senate in 2026.

I'd like to see that if it swings the Senate back to Blue (what with losing Manchin and Sherrod Brown), and if there is a good Dem to fill spaces in state government roles in KY with his departure. If there isn't a bench to follow him in state, I'd like him to stay in the Governor's seat until he's termed out while they find and build a successorship.

(ETA: Not that I need to say this *here* lol, but unless there is a supermajority in the legislature it's also imperative to keep a Dem Governor in place to veto some of the shit and shenanigans they'll try to pass.)

[dcn]

Nov 11, 2024 12:04:25 GMT -5 Beeps (WOT?*) said:

Nov 11, 2024 12:01:43 GMT -5 dcn said:

I’m hoping Andy Beshear runs for senate in 2026.

I'd like to see that if it swings the Senate back to Blue, and if there is a good Dem to fill spaces in state government roles in KY with his departure. If there isn't a bench to follow him in state, I'd like him to stay in the Governor's seat until he's termed out while they find and build a successorship.

He terms out in 2026, ready or not!

[Beeps (WOT?*)]

dcn you answered as I was adding my ETA. lol.

Sorry to see him go. He is needed where he is. But great for him to be able to get on a more national stage.

[leahcar]

I'm another Andy Beshear fan. Would love to see him more involved on a state level.

Lina Hidalgo is the mayor of Harris County (where Houston is located). She's young and energetic; she gets a lot of pushback because TX. I think she has more to offer though.

Gloria Johnson in TN just lost to Marsha Blackburn. She was the white lady of the 3 that got censored in TN. I have worked with her in the past; she is so intelligent and truly cares. Because her chances for statewide office are so slim in TN- I'd hope she could do something for the DNC or a potential Democratic candidate.

[Saudade]

Nov 11, 2024 11:32:42 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

I have no idea what her future plans are, but I feel like Peggy Flanagan (Lt. Governor of MN) could have some broad appeal.

Agreed. I think Esther Agbaje could do some awesomeness too

[StrawberryBlondie]

Nov 11, 2024 12:53:23 GMT -5 Saudade said:

Nov 11, 2024 11:32:42 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

I have no idea what her future plans are, but I feel like Peggy Flanagan (Lt. Governor of MN) could have some broad appeal.

Agreed. I think Esther Agbaje could do some awesomeness too

I don't know much about her but what i do know sounds great!

[jeaniebueller]

Pete Buttigieg

Gretchen Whitmer

[lilac05]

I’m keeping an eye on Jeff Jackson from NC. The state went for Trump, but he was just elected AG (I think). He has a social media following and is a good communicator, especially at breaking things down so people understand.

[mrsslocombe]

I have to be honest...the people who think Pete Buttigieg...whut.

If the perception of the Democrats is Ivory Tower Elites who look down on the working class...the McKinsey guy who talks like a know-it all asshole from debate club? He might be "great" at going on Fox News and giving it back as much as he gets. But I have seen zero evidence that he has made any inroads wit the working class.

I don't even think him being gay is an electability problem. I think him sounding like a scolding professor is lethal. He's got the Elizabeth Warren problem-extremely intelligent, great policies, says the "right" things. And a significant chunk of people hate him for it. It's not fair, but it's the reality.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Nov 11, 2024 14:29:41 GMT -5 mrsslocombe said:

I have to be honest...the people who think Pete Buttigieg...whut.

If the perception of the Democrats is Ivory Tower Elites who look down on the working class...the McKinsey guy who talks like a know-it all asshole from debate club? He might be "great" at going on Fox News and giving it back as much as he gets. But I have seen zero evidence that he has made any inroads wit the working class.

I don't even think him being gay is an electability problem. I think him sounding like a scolding professor is lethal. He's got the Elizabeth Warren problem-extremely intelligent, great policies, says the "right" things. And a significant chunk of people hate him for it. It's not fair, but it's the reality.

Every single person I know that's over 55 absolutely loves him.

[wawa]

Nov 11, 2024 14:29:41 GMT -5 mrsslocombe said:

I have to be honest...the people who think Pete Buttigieg...whut.

If the perception of the Democrats is Ivory Tower Elites who look down on the working class...the McKinsey guy who talks like a know-it all asshole from debate club? He might be "great" at going on Fox News and giving it back as much as he gets. But I have seen zero evidence that he has made any inroads wit the working class.

I don't even think him being gay is an electability problem. I think him sounding like a scolding professor is lethal. He's got the Elizabeth Warren problem-extremely intelligent, great policies, says the "right" things. And a significant chunk of people hate him for it. It's not fair, but it's the reality.

YUP.  
I was just saying this to somebody IRL.  I LOVE SecPete.  I've been following him since he started making huge strides in the infrastructure of South Bend as Mayor Pete and I adore him.  If we need to appeal to people who feel talked down to by facts....HE AINT THE ONE.  He's an amazing asset to the party (and country) because by all evidence he really is an effective leader (USDOT and FHWA have been going gangbusters), and he's a fantastic spokesperson who is witty, and quick and plays so very well under pressure, but that exact thing is what makes him not it.

We don't have to go full folksy, but I don't see him working out for us.  

I still think he should maybe throw his hat in for the primary because, yeah, I mean....he is actually a great choice if we could get past the whole getting him elected in the general thing, and maybe we'll figure out the message between now and then.  

[Patsy Baloney]

😍😍 JB Pritzker 😍😍

If we’re not going to eat the rich, we can rally behind the gentle billionaire.

[wawa]

Nov 11, 2024 15:19:14 GMT -5 Patsy Baloney said:

😍😍 JB Pritzker 😍😍

If we’re not going to eat the rich, we can rally behind the gentle billionaire.

tell me more about him?  I know nothing.  

[jene]

Nov 11, 2024 11:32:42 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

I have no idea what her future plans are, but I feel like Peggy Flanagan (Lt. Governor of MN) could have some broad appeal.

I really love Peggy. I sort of wonder if Walz is going to step aside in 2026 and then she runs at the top of the ticket. From MN state level, I also love Erin Maye Quade.

I like Wes Moore and think he has broad appeal

Hoping AOC and Jasmine Crockett continue to get national attention

[dirtyred]

Nov 11, 2024 15:19:14 GMT -5 Patsy Baloney said:

😍😍 JB Pritzker 😍😍

If we’re not going to eat the rich, we can rally behind the gentle billionaire.

I love my governor. Don't know if thr rest of the country would.

[dirtyred]

Nov 11, 2024 15:55:32 GMT -5 wawa said:

Nov 11, 2024 15:19:14 GMT -5 Patsy Baloney said:

😍😍 JB Pritzker 😍😍

If we’re not going to eat the rich, we can rally behind the gentle billionaire.

tell me more about him?  I know nothing.  

Well, for one thing, he eliminated all of Republican governor Rauner's debt and restored the bond rating from one level above junk to A-. 

We also had a budget surplus and allresidents got a refund on their state taxes. 

[msmerymac]

I told my husband that I think the race in 2028 will be between Gretchen Witmer and Elise Stefanik. 😂

[Velar Fricative]

This country is rightfully sick of New Yorkers. We have the worst Republicans and the worst Democrats lol.

[idahome]

Not a swing state but would love to see Pete Buttigieg venture forth again.

Would love to see him as VP before he considers another presidential run, though.

[Patsy Baloney]

Nov 11, 2024 17:38:58 GMT -5 dirtyred said:

Nov 11, 2024 15:55:32 GMT -5 wawa said:

tell me more about him?  I know nothing.  

Well, for one thing, he eliminated all of Republican governor Rauner's debt and restored the bond rating from one level above junk to A-. 

We also had a budget surplus and allresidents got a refund on their state taxes. 

To add on - staunch supporter of reproductive rights, funds early childhood education, pushed through several tax relief measures during the worst of inflation, raised minimum wage, ended cash bail, it goes on and on.

This is an older article, but it captures some of the good stuff as well as his background: www.newyorker.com/news/persons-of-interest/j-b-pritzker-governor-illinois

[wawa]

She's not a "next round" person by any means, but I'm excited about my new congressional rep, so thought I'd share the excitement - Sarah Elfreth. She's only 36, she got a reputation as a total nerd and serious workhorse while in the state senate, and I think she's really pragmatic but also will push hard where needed. And like...she's 36. So much runway to grow into her role.
I just hope coming in as a freshman to THIS BULLSHIT doesn't burn her out.