Growing Reckoning in the Democratic Party: Spending Money in Republican Primaries to Nominate Extreme Candidates

The Democratic Party is facing a growing reckoning over a risky and controversial strategy: spending money in Republican primaries to nominate more extreme and potentially beatable candidates. This tactic has caused a stir within the party, with some House Democrats expressing concern about the message it sends.

One recent example of this strategy in action is the investment of over $400,000 to support the primary challenger of Rep. Peter Meijer (R-Mich.), John Gibbs. Gibbs has promoted conspiracy theories and baselessly denied the 2020 election results, making him a controversial candidate. Meijer, who voted to impeach President Trump, is seen as a more moderate Republican.

This approach has also been seen in other states, such as Illinois, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, where Democrats have supported further-right candidates in governor’s races. The goal is to attract conservative Republican base voters to these candidates, potentially making them more competitive in the general election.

However, this strategy is not without its risks. Critics argue that by supporting extreme candidates, Democrats could unintentionally help them win office and undermine democracy. Some lawmakers, both Democrat and Republican, have spoken out against this tactic, calling it dishonorable and dangerous.

While this strategy has been successful in the past, the increasing polarization of the country and the rise of candidates like Mastriano and Gibbs make the outcome uncertain. As the midterm elections approach, the Democratic Party will have to weigh the potential benefits against the potential consequences of their primary meddling.