Where We Stand After The 2024 Election
Our operating environment changed in 2024 with the resurgence of the dangerous MAGA movement at every level of government. And Democrats’ losses at the national level were enormously dispiriting. After massive fundraising and record-shattering campaign expenditures up and down the ballot, many Democratic donors are frustrated, upset, and/or exhausted by seemingly never-ending donation requests that beg or try to shame them or into donations. DPNM has to overcome these obstacles to raise money in 2025-2026. I believe that DPNM must use every tool in the fundraising toolbox – and test new ones – all while providing specific information to donors about how their investments in the Party are being spent for the singular purpose of electing quality Democratic candidates.
While NM Dems kept control in both the state House and Senate, the GOP halved Democrats’ margin of victory in the 2024 presidential race compared to 2016. By 2026, Democrats will have had 100% control over statewide elected offices for 8 years. The GOP will invest heavily to throw our Party out at every level, promising to solve complicated problems like crime, health care access, public education quality, affordable housing, etc. In order not to be swept aside, we must find and enact solutions to these challenges where we can. We also must be extremely focused, well-organized, muscular, and fully equipped going into the next election cycle.
Like It Or Not, DPNM’s Necessary Work Costs Money!
DPNM is the skeletal framework on which candidates and elected officials depend. We must be a constant, beneficial presence all year, every year. Democrats should rightly be proud of the DPNM and its work. Of course, DPNM must be financially stable and secure. DPNM must have an effective presence in every county. DPNM must work to activate young people, and recruit quality candidates. We must listen to voters and turn their input and energy into grassroots for issue advocacy and elections. We must have a strong, appealing Democratic Party “brand” – one that strongly defends and promotes the good works of elected Dems.
It would be terrific if big money could be excised from politics, but Democrats cannot afford to unilaterally disarm as the GOP continues to spend huge sums in opposition to our efforts. Current DPNM leaders and staff have implemented strong, necessary financial management policies and procedures, and they built much-needed cash reserves. I believe we can continue building on this strong base by identifying new reliable/recurring revenue streams to support additional, much-needed DPNM work in 2025 and beyond. We also must continue to closely manage expenses as we work to increase DPNM funding.