"It's a serious clusterf*ck": Behind-the-scenes fury and panic roil key House primary
While Democrats across the country are pulling their hair out over Michigan's brutal Democratic Senate primary, a key House race in the state is also quietly giving party leaders heartburn.Why it matters: Infighting between establishment Democrats could create an opening for a progressive who many Democratic strategists and lawmakers are skeptical can win the seat in November.Moderate Democrats and party leaders' inability to coalesce behind a single candidate has become the source of considerable behind-the-scenes acrimony, Axios has learned."This has gotten really intense," said a senior House Democrat, who, like others quoted in this piece, spoke on the condition of anonymity to offer candid analysis on the race and the anger surrounding it."It's a serious clusterf*ck," a Michigan state legislator told Axios. "I am just sitting back eating popcorn because now it's so f*cked up it's just, 'Let's just enjoy this.'"State of play: Three Democrats are running in the primary to take on Rep.
Reported by 1 outlet — Axios. See all sources ↓
While Democrats across the country are pulling their hair out over Michigan's brutal Democratic Senate primary, a key House race in the state is also quietly giving party leaders heartburn.Why it matters: Infighting between establishment Democrats could create an opening for a progressive who many Democratic strategists and lawmakers are skeptical can win the seat in November.Moderate Democrats and party leaders' inability to coalesce behind a single candidate has become the source of considerable behind-the-scenes acrimony, Axios has learned."This has gotten really intense," said a senior House Democrat, who, like others quoted in this piece, spoke on the condition of anonymity to offer candid analysis on the race and the anger surrounding it."It's a serious clusterf*ck," a Michigan state legislator told Axios. "I am just sitting back eating popcorn because now it's so f*cked up it's just, 'Let's just enjoy this.'"State of play: Three Democrats are running in the primary to take on Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.) in Michigan's 7th district, which President Trump won by just over a single percentage point in 2024.Bridget Brink: A career foreign service officer who resigned as ambassador to Ukraine last year over Trump administration policy, backed by the Democratic Women's Caucus.William Lawrence: A co-founder of the progressive climate organization Sunrise Movement, endorsed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).Matt Maasdam: A retired Navy SEAL and military aide to former President Obama supported by Sen.
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- What's the story?
- While Democrats across the country are pulling their hair out over Michigan's brutal Democratic Senate primary, a key House race in the state is also quietly giving party leaders heartburn.Why it matters: Infighting between establishment Democrats could create an opening for a progressive who many Democratic strategists and lawmakers are skeptical can win the seat in November.Moderate Democrats and party leaders' inability to coalesce behind a single candidate has become the source of considerable behind-the-scenes acrimony, Axios has learned."This has gotten really intense," said a senior House Democrat, who, like others quoted in this piece, spoke on the condition of anonymity to offer candid analysis on the race and the anger surrounding it."It's a serious clusterf*ck," a Michigan state legislator told Axios. "I am just sitting back eating popcorn because now it's so f*cked up it's just, 'Let's just enjoy this.'"State of play: Three Democrats are running in the primary to take on Rep.
- How widely is it covered?
- 1 outlet, average source rating 7.0/10.
- When was it last updated?
- 17h ago.
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"It's a serious clusterf*ck": Behind-the-scenes fury and panic roil key House primary
Sources1TypeCoverageAxios