WASHINGTON — Democratic leaders are adopting a strategy in red states for the midterm elections: backing independent candidates instead of their own nominees. This approach involves encouraging or promoting independents, particularly in states where the Democratic Party brand faces challenges.
The Democratic National Committee and allied organizations in Washington are quietly supporting this shift. Independent candidates involved in the strategy are communicating in a group text to coordinate their approach, aiming to challenge partisan gridlock in Congress.
In Nebraska, state Democrats nominated Cindy Burbank for the U.S. Senate, despite her stated priority to ensure no Democrat would be on the fall ballot. This move aims to prevent vote-splitting from independent Dan Osborn. State Democratic chair Jane Kleeb confirmed Burbank's plan to withdraw in the coming weeks during a private conversation with a party official.
Democrats believe Osborn, an independent, has the strongest opportunity to unseat Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts. Osborn previously came within seven percentage points of winning a Senate seat in 2022.
Jane Kleeb, who also serves as a vice chair to the Democratic National Committee, described the strategy as a long-term plan for states like Nebraska, where Democrats constitute 32 percent of the electorate. Kleeb said her state party supports independents in at least four state legislative races in addition to the U.S. Senate contest.
"We have to build a coalition with independents in order to win elections so we can do good work for the people. Period," Kleeb said, outlining the necessity of this approach.
Elements of the national Democratic political machine are participating in the strategy. ActBlue, the party's primary fundraising platform, serves some independent candidates. Popular Democratic-allied website builders also support these campaigns. Party campaign committees in Washington provide logistical support in certain cases, while avoiding public criticism of independent candidates, even in races where a Democratic nominee exists.
Democratic strategist Josh Schwerin commented on the party's current standing. "The Democratic Party’s brand is awful right now," Schwerin said. He added that the combination of this brand problem and what he called "the existential nature of the threat that our country is facing" necessitates a broader approach.
This strategy extends to high-profile Senate, House and statehouse contests in other states, including Alaska, Idaho, South Dakota and Montana. While Democratic leadership has not fully endorsed independents in Idaho, South Dakota or Montana, many view these candidates as the party's best chance to challenge Republicans in the fall.
House Republicans spokesperson Mike Marinella criticized the Democratic strategy, calling it "chasing political mirages" in red areas. Marinella said national Democrats were "bleeding cash defending a long list of highly vulnerable, Trump-won seats held by their most radical members."
Many of these longer-shot candidates are campaigning as a distinct type of Democrat, seeking to distance themselves from a national party brand perceived as damaged. This includes candidates with diverse backgrounds, such as a Tejano recording star, a smokejumper and a fourth-generation farmer, according to reporting.
