The 27 congressional districts targeted by Obama's group
Former President Barack Obama's Organizing For Action group is getting involved in the midterms. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
The Democratic group Organizing For Action (OFA), which grew out of Barack Obama's campaign, is intervening in 27 congressional races this cycle, Politico's Edward Isaac-Dovere reports.
Why it matters: OFA has not gotten involved in House races before. Their involvement, with the help of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, is another way Democrats are trying to engineer a blue wave.
The targeted districts don't include every GOP-held seat in a Hillary Clinton-won district, but many areas were won by Donald Trump in 2016 that Democrats want to take back.
- AZ-02, CA-04, CA-10, CA-21, CA-25, CA-39, CA-45, CA-48, CA-49, CO-06, IA-01, IL-06, KS-03, MN-02, MN-03, MO-02, NC-09, NC-13, NJ-11, NY-11, PA-01, PA-06, PA-07, TX-07, TX-23, TX-32, WI-01.
- OFA will deploy volunteers on the ground in these districts to help campaign for their preferred candidates.
Be smart: OFA's involvement signals a robust effort to boost progressive candidates around the country, even in districts President Trump won. OFA spokesman Jesse Lehrich tweeted that their volunteer's "battle-tested organizing & training skills will be a huge value-add for progressives in critical races this November."
- Yes, but: That could create intra-party conflict if other groups like the DCCC get involved for different candidates in the same races.