How One Vulnerable Senate Dem Plans To Survive 2024: It's A Real Gamble

Posted • October 11, 2024: Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) is a dead man walking. Endless polls have him trailing Republican Tim Sheehy by a good margin, between six and eight points. Given how late it is in the race, one would conclude it’s time for Tester to start updating his resume. He’s not going down without a fight, but in a decidedly red state, Mr. Tester is leaning on his personal appeal and the hope that there will be enough voters splitting tickets to survive. NBC News had a lengthy article about Tester’s plan. It’s hard to gauge since split-ticket voting is something of an oddity as we’ve become more polarized. Again, he’s hoping his ties to voters will earn him the trust he needs to hit the crease with an electorate that screams ‘death’ in Democratic politics. Tester has done a circuit of union town halls, where he’s touted his work in Washington in obtaining the necessary appropriations to give union workers much work in the state.

It’s not a myth—these union voters like Tester. And yes, most are likely to vote for Trump next month. Tester knows this, but some folks will pull the lever for the embattled Montana Democrat. Tester is also hoping the abortion referendum can get him some votes to save his political career. We’ll see, but the more significant issue is what happens if Tester goes down. The Republican takeover of the Senate is virtually a lock should that happen, but down-ticket—Tester’s demise could be the start of a long wilderness for local Democrats. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) says Tester is the last Democrat standing in the state; he’s the face. A Tester loss would also mean a generational drought in a state that’s become redder with time. (…)

• More at: Townhall - How One Vulnerable Senate Dem Plans to Survive 2024. It's a Real Gamble.
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2024/10/11/jon-tester-the-last-of-the-montana-democrats-n2646082
NBC News: Jon Tester pushes for ticket-splitters in a Montana Senate race that appears to be slipping away
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/jon-tester-montana-senate-ticket-splitters-slipping-rcna174379