The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) chair, Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, sees the party’s national nominating convention as a powerful tool in the battle for Senate control. He believes the convention will generate enthusiasm and turn out voters, benefiting Democrats in down-ballot races.
However, Sen. Peters acknowledges that some Democratic incumbents facing particularly difficult re-elections are choosing to skip the convention and focus on campaigning in their home states. He respects these individual decisions, stating that each candidate knows their own needs best.
Among those skipping the convention are Democratic Sens. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Jon Tester of Montana, and Jacky Rosen of Nevada, all facing tough re-election races in crucial battleground states. Peters emphasizes their experience as incumbents, trusting their judgment in prioritizing what they believe is best for their campaigns.
Republicans, on the other hand, are aiming to flip seats in West Virginia, Ohio, and Montana. The GOP has high hopes for West Virginia, where moderate Democrat-turned-Independent Sen. Joe Manchin is not seeking re-election, making the seat a likely gain for Republicans.
The DSCC’s rival, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), argues that Brown, Rosen, and Tester cannot simply avoid their Senate races by not attending the convention. NRSC communications director Mike Berg contends that all three senators have consistently aligned with Vice President Kamala Harris on tie-breaking votes, highlighting their voting record as a key factor.
The Democratic convention comes on the heels of President Biden’s decision to forgo a 2024 re-election bid and endorse Vice President Harris as his successor. Since then, Harris and the Democrats have experienced a surge in both polling and fundraising.
Sen. Peters believes that the momentum at the top of the ticket will positively impact the Senate races. He highlights the strong performance of Democratic candidates in battleground states, attributing it to their superior quality compared to Republican opponents.
Peters expresses confidence in the Democrats’ ability to hold onto the Senate majority, citing positive polling numbers and a strong ground game. He believes the enthusiasm generated by the convention, combined with their organized efforts, will propel them to victory in November.
Peters, who successfully steered the DSCC in the previous election cycle, is not expected to serve a third term as chair due to his own re-election race in 2026. He believes it would be unprecedented for a DSCC chair to also be on the ballot, given the demands of the role and the need to support all Democratic candidates nationwide.
