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The Dems’ War of Omission

The Democratic establishment has traditionally tried to clamp down on primaries for U.S. Senate races, to conserve money in what can turn into $50 million races. But early jockeying for open seats suggests that ambitious pols are in no mood to take orders from Chuck Schumer.

Mallory McMorrow
It’s Michigan that’s really capturing the attention of the Democratic political class. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow has announced she’s in for the Senate race after having built the strongest national profile for a state legislator since Wendy Davis. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Abby Livingston
April 14, 2025

Over the past 15 years, the Democratic Party has perfected a playbook for avoiding blue-on-blue violence, employing heavy-handed management of Senate primaries to guide the will of voters and preserve general election cash. Dating back to Chuck Schumer’s stewardship of the D.S.C.C. in 2006, the modus operandi was to identify a preferred candidate and implicitly or explicitly back them, which effectively cut off party-aligned funding for potential rivals. Emily’s List, the League of Conservation Voters, labor unions, etcetera would help convey these signals to donors, even without making formal endorsements.