GOP struggles to find candidates for competitive local races.

Top GOP Recruits Slow to Announce Candidacy for Competitive Down-Ballot Races

Despite the urgency of top Republicans to recruit high-quality candidates for the 2024 election cycle, many top-tier recruits have been slow to announce their candidacy for competitive down-ballot GOP contests. However, it is still early in the election cycle, and there are some notable targets that the party has its sights set on.

Notable Targets

• Businessman David McCormick, who some strategists believe poses the best shot of winning in Pennsylvania, has made moves to signal a run, such as publishing a book and keeping a high profile around the Keystone State.
• State Sen. Doug Mastriano has teased he will make his 2024 Senate decision known soon in Pennsylvania, a state that was the only major flip in the Senate in 2022 and is top on the GOP’s list of states to reclaim.
• Businessman Joe O’Dea has been eyed for a congressional seat in Colorado but has not committed to jumping into the fray.
• Navy SEAL and businessman Tim Sheehy is being considered for Montana’s Senate race, while Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT) is also flirting with a run.
• Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) has been recruited to challenge Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), who is widely believed to be the most vulnerable Democrat on the Senate side.
• Police veteran and unsuccessful lieutenant governor contender Alison Esposito is being considered in the race to dispatch Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY) on the East Coast.

While some of these key down-ballot recruits have been slow to announce their candidacy, the battle for the 2024 GOP nod is growing increasingly crowded with a melange of aspirants on the sidelines trickling into the arena. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) are among those expected to enter the race soon.

However, the national brawl to be the GOP standard-bearer could have some downstream ripple effects on the recruitment process. Former Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) has advised some potential candidates to wait and run after former President Trump washes out, as he is widely expected to be the nominee.

Despite the challenges, Republicans have an advantageous Senate map heading into 2024, only having to defend 11 seats compared to the Democrats’ 23, including three held by Democratic-aligned independent senators. On the House side, multiple leftover redistricting court battles appear to be trending their way in places such as North Carolina.