2018 Endorsement Scorecard

During the 2018 election cycle, Third Way tracked the endorsements of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), the moderate New Dem PAC, and the far-left groups—Our Revolution, Justice Democrats, and Brand New Congress.

DCCC

We tracked the DCCC Red to Blue endorsement list which is the list of non-incumbent endorsements in potential swing seats. Vulnerable Democratic incumbents go into the DCCC Frontline program, and safe open seats go in the True Blue program. Neither Frontline nor True Blue districts are included below.

Primaries: 95%

During the primary season, the DCCC endorsed 41 candidates, and 39 won. That gives them a primaries win record of 95%.

General: 47%

During the general election, the DCCC endorsed an additional 53 Democratic nominees (including the two that beat their endorsed candidates in the primaries). That made 92 total general election endorsements. Of these 43 have won and 49 have lost. That currently gives them a win record of 47%—enough to win a House majority. It should be noted that the DCCC is the only group on this tracker that does not endorse in safe districts. All of these were districts they considered swing districts.

Total Cycle: 46%

Throughout the entire cycle, the DCCC endorsed 94 individuals, and 43 are heading to Congress. That gives them a total cycle win rate of 46%.

New Dem PAC

We also tracked endorsements of non-incumbents by the New Dem PAC, the political arm of the moderate New Democrat coalition in the House.

Primaries: 86%

During the primary season, New Dem PAC endorsed 37 candidates, and 32 won. That gives them a primaries win record of 86%.

General: 59%

During the general election, New Dem PAC endorsed an additional 39 Democratic nominees (including one that beat their endorsed candidate in the primary). That made 71 total general election endorsements. 42 have won and 29 have lost. That currently gives them a win record of 59%. Of New Dem PAC’s 42 wins, 33 flipped a Republican district, four held a competitive open Democratic district, and five won in safe open Democratic districts.

Total Cycle: 55%

Throughout the entire cycle, New Dem PAC endorsed 77 individuals in 75 districts, and 42 are heading to Congress. That gives them a total cycle win rate of 55%.

Leftwing Groups

There were three major leftwing groups endorsing Bernie-style candidates this cycle: Brand New Congress, Justice Democrats, and Our Revolution.

Our Revolution

We tracked Our Revolution’s endorsements in House, Senate, and Governor’s races. Endorsements of incumbents are not included in the numbers below.

Primaries: 37%

During the primary season, Our Revolution endorsed 57 candidates, and 21 won. That gives them a primaries win record of 37%.

General: 14%

During the general election, Our Revolution endorsed an additional 14 candidates, which brought their total number of general election nominees to 35. However, only five Our Revolution candidates won. That gives them a general election win rate of 14%. It should be noted that all five wins came in House districts with an outgoing Democratic House member being replaced by an incoming Democratic House member.

Total Cycle: 7%

Throughout the entire cycle, Our Revolution endorsed 71 individuals, but five won. That gives them a total cycle win rate of 7%.  All of their wins were in safe Democratic House districts.

Justice Democrats

We tracked Justice Democrats’ endorsements in House, Senate, and Governor’s races. Endorsements of incumbents are not included in the numbers below.

Primaries: 31%

During the primary season, Justice Democrats endorsed 74 candidates, and 23 won. That gives them a primaries win record of 31%.

General: 17%

During the general election, Justice Democrats did not endorse any additional candidates, which kept their total number of general election nominees at 23. However, only four Justice Democrats candidates won. That gives them a general election win rate of 17%. It should be noted that all four wins came in House districts with an outgoing Democratic House member being replaced by an incoming Democratic House member.

Total Cycle: 5%

Throughout the 2018 cycle, Justice Democrats endorsed 74 candidates. Only four of these candidates won both their primaries, and their general elections for a total cycle record of 5%. All victories were in safe Democratic House districts.

Brand New Congress

We tracked Brand New Congress’ endorsements in House, Senate, and Governor’s races. This group also endorsed a candidate in a Republican primary, and that is not included in the numbers below.

Primaries: 30%

During the primary season, Brand New Congress endorsed 27 candidates, and eight won. That gives them a primaries win record of 30%.

General: 9%

During the general election, Brand New Congress endorsed an additional three candidates, including one independent, which brought their total number of general election nominees to 11. However, only one Brand New Congress candidate won. That gives them a general election win rate of 9%. It should be noted that its win came in a House district with an outgoing Democratic House member being replaced by an incoming Democratic House member.

Total Cycle: 3%

Throughout the 2018 cycle, Brand New Congress endorsed 30 candidates. Only one of these candidates won both their primary and their general election for a total cycle record of 3%. That victory occurred in a safe Democratic House district.