Instead of U.S. midterms, Sanders focuses on smaller races

[babylonsister]

Instead of U.S. midterms, Sanders focuses on smaller races

By Reuters on Wed, Oct 18th, 2017 at 9:57 am

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders will focus on getting liberal candidates elected to state and local offices ahead of next year's midterm elections rather than on higher-profile U.S. congressional races, to help build a national progressive movement from the ground up.
By Amanda Becker and Richard Cowan


WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders will focus on getting liberal candidates elected to state and local offices ahead of next year’s midterm elections rather than on higher-profile U.S. congressional races, to help build a national progressive movement from the ground up.

Sanders said he hoped his emphasis on school boards, city councils and statehouses will help support the next generation of activist progressive candidates and dovetail with the mission of Our Revolution, a nonprofit political group run by former staffers and volunteers for his 2016 presidential campaign.

“I look at politics a little bit differently than some of my colleagues in the sense that I believe that we need to build a national grassroots movement,” Sanders told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday.

“So I think my emphasis is going to be more on grassroots politics,” he added.

Sanders, an independent in the U.S. Senate, galvanized the Democratic Party’s progressive wing last year with his primary challenge against eventual nominee Hillary Clinton.

more...

http://www.politicususa.com/2017/10/18/u-s-midterms-sanders-focuses-smaller-races.html

[LuvLoogie]

1. I'm curious to know the parties of the candidates he will be supporting.

[crazycatlady]

4. many downticket races are nonpartisan

Well in an official capacity (the candidates don't run with the major party anywhere near their name). In my town, the Board of Education, Boro Council, and Mayor are nonpartisan.

THese elections used to be held in April and May, but have since been moved to November (in order to save $$).

[Bettie]

2. We need statehouses

as much as we need national wins.

[Fullduplexxx]

3. We shouldnt be refering to these as midterms

They are congressional elections

[WhiskeyGrinder]

5. "I believe that we need to build a national grassroots movement, Sanders said.

Yes -- those grassroots movements, which have been cultivated and growing for years, are the ones winning campaigns. Not those attached to big national names. They're doing pretty good on their own, senator. They don't necessarily need you.

[phleshdef]

6. Someone needs to, Perez is asleep at the wheel.

[msongs]

7. "U.S. midterms" means campaigning for DEMOCRATS.