The Democrat’s dreams of retaking the Senate in 2020 are going up in a ball of smoke.
Two massive scandals that are unfolding have all but destroyed their hopes.
It’s like watching God himself step in and say “not today, demons.”
MORE NEWS: The Revenge of the Calloused Hands
The first scandal is a real doozy. It’s unfolding in Nebraska where Republican Ben Sasse is fighting to keep his seat.
That fight just got a heck of a lot easier thanks to his challenger’s “text message” scandal that is so bad, the local Nebraska Dem party has withdrawn all financial support.
Chris Janicek, the Democratic nominee running against Nebraska Republican Sen. Ben Sasse, is involved in a text message scandal that has resulted in calls from state Democrats for him to withdraw from the race.
“Do you think the campaign should spend some money on getting her laid?” Janicek reportedly wrote in a group text, which referred to one of his campaign staffers. “It will probably take three guys.”
A story from the New York Times quotes part of the woman’s response to Janicek’s comments. To date, she has chosen to remain anonymous.
“As a woman who stands up and beside other women, I can’t just pretend this didn’t happen,” she said. “I cannot support your campaign after what you said. I have integrity, morals and values but, most of all I have self respect for myself and fellow women.”
The Nebraska Democratic Party announced that it has withdrawn its support for Janicek’s campaign.
The next Democrat nightmare is unfolding in Colorado where Republican Cory Gardner is fighting to keep his Senate seat.
Failed 2020 candidate John Hickenlooper is trying to unseat the very vulnerable Cory Gardner, but he just ran into a massive snag that will likely knock him out of his primary race – and even if it doesn’t, it will surely take him out in head-to-head with Gardner.
Hickenlooper is getting his butt kicked after the Colorado Ethics Commission revealed that Hickenlooper accepted “free travel” when he was governor of the state, and violated ethics laws and then refused to comply with a subpoena.
He was found. guilty of two. violations.
Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper is also caught up in a scandal leading up to the June 30 primary to decide who will face Colorado Republican Sen. Cory Gardner.
Republicans now have a 53-45 Senate majority, with the two other senators Independents who caucus with the Democrats.
The Democratic Party would have to gain at least three seats in November to take control of the upper chamber. So every potential win is critical, particularly Colorado, where Democrats had targeted a vulnerable Gardner for defeat.
Democrats will have a more difficult time stopping Sasse from winning a second term. Despite him occasionally being critical of President Trump, the president has already endorsed Sasse — a bona fide conservative whose race the Cook Political Report rates “Solid Republican.”
According to the Colorado Ethics Commission, Hickenlooper accepted free travel while he served as governor, which violated the state’s ethics laws. He testified before the commission after the free travel was discovered. Prior to that, he did not comply with a subpoena.
The commission ultimately found him guilty of two violations.
The Dems need every single seat they can get if they hope to overtake Republicans, so the likelihood of losing these two seats that they thought they could win is a devastating blow to their plans.
The climb was uphill for Dems before these two scandals came out – now, it’s like trying to run in quicksand.
This piece was written by Missy Crane on June 21, 2020. It originally appeared in WayneDupree.com and is used by permission.
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Steve Gruber.
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.