Congressional campaign stars
It's August, which means lawmakers are fanning out across the country to campaign for themselves and their colleagues. Why it matters: A friendly senator or House member can help on the stump. But only a handful can juice fundraising , draw a real crowd or make a mark with an endorsement. And Democrats have more of them. Zoom in: Axios asked strategists in both parties which lawmakers have enough…
As August rolls in, lawmakers across the nation embark on campaign tours. A friendly representative can provide valuable support, but only a select few possess the ability to attract substantial fundraising, generate significant crowds, or deliver a compelling endorsement. According to Axios, only a handful of Democrats boast such star power.
Strategists point to former President Obama as the top Democrat, but within the ranks of lawmakers, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has emerged as a formidable force, particularly among progressive and democratic socialist voters. Sanders has been featured in several closing primary ads, including one for Rep. Rebecca Cooke in Wisconsin.
Progressive Democrats see Sanders as a valuable asset not just in the primary but also in the general election. He is also an opponent of polarizing ideas like defunding the police, which tend to alienate swing voters. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is another Democratic star, renowned for her grassroots influence. Together, Sanders and AOC have drawn large crowds nationwide, even when they are not campaigning directly. Both are considered potential contenders for the 2028 presidential race.
Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) is another popular Democratic figure, bolstered by his unique background as an astronaut. Both Kelly and AOC are viewed as potential 2028 presidential candidates. Among Republicans, the list of lawmakers with significant star power is shorter. Former President Trump and key members of his Cabinet remain the most influential, but within the House, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) has gained a reputation for his engaging personality and viral clips.
Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) is polarizing but known for drawing crowds and raising substantial Texas funds. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), as a founder of the House Freedom Caucus, can significantly impact candidates.
While power within the Capitol correlates with influence among donors, it does not always translate to sway with the average voter. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) are among the top fundraisers, despite a sizable portion of voters expressing unfamiliarity and dissatisfaction with both.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and his leadership team, including Reps. Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), also frequently engage in cross-country campaigning for Republican candidates.
Written by urgent.news from Axios's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
