March 26, 2018, 9:39 a.m.
“The NRCC leased 10,000 square feet of office space in Irvine, Calif. — the heart of Orange County. … The committee is deploying permanent staff to Irvine this spring, with expertise in field organizing, political strategy, and fundraising. The plan is to bolster Republicans in targeted campaigns, from the Central Valley to San Diego, in a bid to withstand an expected Democratic wave.” (Washington Examiner) The DCCC announced its plan to open an office in Irvine nearly a year ago.
CHECK YOUR WALLET. American Action Network launched a $1 million TV and digital ad campaign Monday to promote the tax code overhaul in 26 Republican-held districts. “The district-specific ads highlight the middle-class tax cuts by the numbers: three million Americans receiving bonuses, fastest wage growth in eight years, and working families receiving a tax cut of $2,000.” (release)
ON WATCH. “The political arm of the moderate New Democrat Coalition is adding 16 more candidates to its watch list Monday. … NewDemPac plans to add more candidates to its watch list over the course of the cycle and make additional endorsements.” (Roll Call)
SPECIAL ELECTIONS. “Democrats’ triumph in a House special election in Pennsylvania gives them hope for big gains in November’s midterm elections. But the party still faces a tough path toward winning two other House special elections set for later this year. … Democrats have already performed better in a variety of red districts than they did in 2016. Recent results give the minority party optimism it can flip GOP-held districts that voted for Clinton, and even some that supported Trump, as it tries to take 24 Republican seats and a House majority in November. For the Arizona and Ohio elections, it remains to be seen how far recent Democratic strength can carry the party.” (CNBC)
A FEW MORE STEPS. “Student activists in Wisconsin are building on momentum from this weekend’s March for Our Lives by embarking on a four-day, 50-mile march to House Speaker Paul Ryan’s hometown to call for stricter gun control laws.” (CNN)
A BLUE WAVE. Democrats are newly energized in three Illinois counties that saw more Democratic ballots pulled than Republican ballots in last week’s primary race.
Lake County Democratic Party Chairman Terry Link: “If it keeps up like this, there’s going to be a big message sent in November.” (Arlington Heights Daily Herald)