With a Democratic wave apparently rolling over the country, it’s worth it to ask now about the state of the local Democratic Party. For many years, the Democrats were MIA when it came to mayoral races. The Democratic machine doesn’t just doesn’t work here like the Republican one does.
Take the phenomenon known as “membership communication.” Big donors have learned that they can give big money to the Republican Party and the party can turn around and spend it communicating with its members. A person can only give $300 to their preferred candidate in a city of San Diego election.
But they can give hundreds of thousands to the Republican Party and the party can send mailings or communicate to its members.
So why don’t the Democrats do it too – start building a similar machine?
I just got a great answer to that question from Andy Berg, the director of government relations from the National Electrical Contractors Association.
“There are quite a few wealthy Democrats in town, many of whom will gladly give money to the national party but none of them will give to the local Democratic Party,”
Berg said.
I asked why.
“Because of the candidates it supports,” he said.
What about them?
“They never have a chance. We end up wasting a lot of time on them,” Berg said.