Upstate Republicans and the vulnerable Long Island House are nervous about new Speaker Mike Johnson’s fundraising efforts as they brace for a Democratic cash onslaught to oust them from power.
Johnson was elected speaker last week after Rep. Kevin McCarthy was ousted in an internal GOP coup.
The Louisiana Republican has only been in office since 2017.
While McCarthy has been central to fundraising, drawing on decades of connections from a vast network of GOP donors, Johnson doesn’t have any comparable tools — a critical issue as the 2024 House race nears.
“This is one of the first concerns brought to my attention,” a top staffer told an embattled New York House Republican. “McCarthy is the LeBron James of fundraising and Mike Johnson really isn’t, so how do you reconcile this circle?”
Under McCarthy’s leadership, the Congressional Leadership Fund, a SuperPAC dedicated to electing House Republicans, spent millions to get members like Rep. Mike Lawler and Rep. Marc Mollinaro at the finish line in their top division race.
While former Speaker Kevin McCarthy has been a fundraising centerpiece, Mike Johnson has no comparable tools.AP
After the midterms, McCarthy made several pilgrimages to their district to personally appeal to powerful Jewish leaders and their voting bloc.
Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-Long Island) and Rep. Brandon Williams (R-Syracuse) is also vulnerable.
The party has eliminated Long Island representative George Santos — who has been indicted for fraud — and expects the seat to go back to Democrats.
Speaker Mike Johnson must raise millions of dollars to help bail out vulnerable Republicans in New York City. AP
“They’re very worried that they’re not going to fund this cycle very well,” another Top GOP Hill insider said of the Empire State Republicans.
Johnson’s team has tried to ease the jitters, assuring members and staff that he is working with Jeff Miller, a well-connected DC lobbyist and fundraiser known informally around DC as “Money Miller,” insiders said.
Republicans, including Rep. Marc Molinaro, is the primary target of House Democrats. AP
Miller did not respond to a request for comment from The Post.
The Democratic-led House Majority PAC has pledged to spend $45 million to reclaim seats lost in the 2022 midterm elections.
In August, GOP Conference Chairman House Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) pledged to spend $100 million to save members of the Empire State — a figure many now doubt is achievable.
NY Rep. Mark Lawler is one of the most vulnerable Republicans in the House of Representatives. AP
Democrats are also honing Johnson’s record, eager to cast him as a right-wing extremist in a harder way with McCarthy, a long-known quantity.
“Republican incumbents in swing districts will find Speaker Johnson just an albatross around their necks,” claimed Jay Jacobs, chairman of the state Democratic party.
Johnson has already taken action on past remarks condemning gay people.
His wife runs a Christian counseling service that compares homosexuality to animalism and incest.
“We’ve never had more donors come forward to support House Republicans. We are planning various fundraising changes together in New York, and we have millions of dollars pledged to support our House GOP members in New York. I am deeply grateful for Speaker Johnson’s leadership and strong commitment to New York Republicans. We look forward to welcoming Speaker Johnson to New York very soon!” Stefanik told The Post.
Speaker Johnson declined to comment.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
