The Democratic Party’s largest super PAC plans to dump $100 million in a slew of battleground states this year ahead of the 2020 election, the organization announced Thursday.
Phase one of Priorities USA’s early voter engagement program will target Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, Priorities USA chairman Guy Cecil said during a briefing for reporters. The PAC will then widen its map to include what the group considers to be the party’s other “core” states of Nevada and New Hampshire, as well as “expansion” states Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina. The cash will be injected before the end of the year.
Polling conducted in late January, early February by Priorities USA indicates President Trump is vulnerable as he prepares to seek re-election, Cecil said. Democrats have the opportunity to increase turnout in 2020 than in 2016 by focusing on voters who weren’t enthused by Hillary Clinton and those disenchanted by the Trump administration, but who voted for the president to oppose Clinton, the research found.
Their strategy will be based on encouraging Democrats to talk about healthcare and stagnant wages amid the rising cost of living.
“Making Trump part of the problem, not part of the solution for people’s biggest economic concerns is priority number one, for us, and for all Democrats,” he said.
Cecil said there were no “seismic changes” in Priorities USA’s findings depending on which Democrat eventually becomes the party’s nominee.
Cecil shrugged off questions that Priorities USA will dwindle in influence during the next election cycle as 2020 contenders eschew the help of PACs, pointing to the organization’s work safeguarding voter access and building an effective digital infrastructure for Democrats.
“We’re not solely a presidential super PAC. That ended pretty much the day after 2016 election,” he said.
