Associated Press: Dems reach new fundraising deal, with boost for GOP states
Agreement includes over $23 million in direct investments to state parties and grassroots infrastructure during 2022 election cycle
INDIANAPOLIS — Today, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and state parties, including the Indiana Democratic Party, announced a historic four-year agreement that will guarantee more investment into Democratic state parties and grassroots infrastructure than ever before. At a minimum, this investment will provide $23 million to state parties as part of Democrats’ 2022 midterm strategy, and creates a first-of-its-kind program to focus additional investments in historically red states to build on Democrats’ 57 states and territories strategy.
“Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, Indiana Democrats have been energized to get to work to build a better future for Indiana and its families. We’ve started to do this by celebrating accomplishments like the American Rescue Plan and holding the Indiana Republican Party accountable for subscribing to an extreme agenda that’s only held our state back,” said Mike Schmuhl, Chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party. “The DNC’s investment will help Hoosier Democrats reach the next level, and we are thrilled Chairman Jaime Harrison has put faith in states like Indiana to do the work and elect hard-working Democrats up-and-down the ballot in future elections.”
The agreement will establish a brand-new, seven-figure “Red State Fund” to put Republicans on defense and build tailored programs for traditionally Republican states. The Red State Fund includes $2 million in direct investments and grants for states that meet two of the following criteria: no Democratic senator or governor, less than 25% of the Congressional delegation are Democrats, and a supermajority of Republicans in their state legislature.
The contract also includes a data sharing agreement that increases investment in down-ballot races, solidifies another four years of historic investment in Democratic data, and anchors the DNC and state parties as the central hub of the Democratic data ecosystem. Additional investments in the agreement include:
$15.5 Million for State Partnership Program (SPP): The new agreement increases monthly SPP funding for 50 state parties and DC by 25% to fund critical party infrastructure including staff, tools, and programming in the states.
$5.5 Million for State Party Innovation Fund Grants: These grants will ensure innovation and early organizing by putting more boots on the ground throughout the country to help elect Democrats up and down the ticket in 2022. The program includes $5 million in funding for all 50 state parties plus the District of Columbia, along with an additional $500,000 for Dems Abroad and the territories. These competitive grants will primarily be used to hire staff in state to develop and implement innovative programs tailored for each state.
Reestablishes the Democratic Grassroots Victory Fund: The agreement is contingent on the Democratic state parties rejoining the joint fundraising agreement that propelled the DNC to record-breaking major donor fundraising over the last four years, and allows the DNC to collect up to $875,000 per individual per year.
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