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Chris Murphy's poor endorsement record stress tests 2028 ambitions
“I do not think it matters one iota, and here’s why: Chris Murphy’s value proposition is as a young next generation energetic fighter who is sharp, persuasive, and on message, knows how to use social media, knows how to cut through the clutter and knows how to brush aside the business as usual stilted go along to get along bullshit of Washington that voters of all stripes despise,” Democratic strategist Jon Reinish told the Washington Examiner.
“He’s been really good at that, and that’s how he’s caught the public’s imagination,” Reinish continued. “It has nothing to do with an individual endorsement.”
While these misses may or may not prove consequential for the Connecticut Democrat, endorsements carry significant political weight. On the Democratic side, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) have been among the most influential and coveted endorsements this cycle, especially among the Left. President Donald Trump’s support remains the most important in Republican politics.
Moreover, endorsements can be used as a way to curry favor with the candidate for certain situations down the line, such as a bid for higher office.
For example, McMorrow backed Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s (D-MA) presidential campaign in 2020. Warren returned the favor by backing McMorrow’s campaign this year. She dropped out of the competitive Michigan Senate race before the primary that Abdul el Sayed went on to win against Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI).
Kelly earned Murphy’s backing because of their partnership on gun safety legislation, but finished a distant third in the primary.
Still, strategists insist the moves will be a nonfactor in two years.
“That is not going to weigh on any voter’s head whatsoever,” Reinish concluded. “Nor is any voter going to say, so and so is better at candidate recruitment.”
DEMOCRATIC REP. JOHN LARSON LOSES PRIMARY AS DEMOCRATS CONTINUE TO FACE GENERATIONAL RECKONING
One of Murphy’s endorsements came through Tuesday when Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan beat out Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) in the bruising Senate primary.