{"id":2499012,"date":"2025-10-15T06:25:02","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T10:25:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/schumer-lands-his-prized-senate-recruits-in-key-battlegrounds\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T06:26:58","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T10:26:58","slug":"schumer-lands-his-prized-senate-recruits-in-key-battlegrounds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/schumer-lands-his-prized-senate-recruits-in-key-battlegrounds\/","title":{"rendered":"Schumer lands his prized Senate recruits in key battlegrounds"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fschumer-lands-his-prized-senate-recruits-in-key-battlegrounds%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2499012&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has successfully recruited several prominent democratic candidates in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/huge-sidney-powell-witness-whom-ny-times-described-as-always-the-smartest-person-in-the-room-concludes-hundreds-of-thousands-of-votes-transferred-from-trump-to-biden-in-all-battleground-states\/\" title=\"HUGE! Sidney Powell Witness Whom NY Times Described as &quot;Always the Smartest Person in the Room&quot; Concludes Hundreds of Thousands of Votes Transferred from Trump to Biden IN ALL ...\">key battleground states<\/a> for <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >teh upcoming 2026 midterm elections<\/a>, raising hopes that Democrats could regain control of the Senate despite a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-democrats-plot-investigations-into-trump-with-eye-on-majority\/\" title=\"House ... plot investigations into Trump with eye on majority\">challenging electoral map<\/a>. Recent notable recruits include Maine Governor Janet Mills, who launched her Senate campaign against Republican susan Collins, former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, and former Ohio senator Sherrod Brown. Schumer is also courting former Alaska Congresswoman Mary Peltola for a run against senator Dan Sullivan.<\/p>\n<p>Despite these recruitments, Democrats face significant hurdles: flipping vulnerable Republican seats in ohio, Maine, and North Carolina, defending competitive Democratic seats, and navigating divisive primaries. additionally, Schumer&#8217;s choice of seasoned, older candidates aligned with the party establishment has drawn criticism from younger progressives who seek more vigorous opposition to Republicans under Trump&#8217;s renewed influence.<\/p>\n<p>Janet Mills&#8217;s candidacy exemplifies this generational divide within the Democratic Party, as younger Democrats challenge her in the primary. Mills would become the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/janet-mills-looming-maine-senate-run-causes-party-clash\/\" title=\"Janet ...\u2019 looming ... ... ... causes party clash\">oldest freshman senator<\/a> if elected and has pledged to serve only one term. While party leaders like Senate Minority Whip Dick durbin praise Mills&#8217;s capabilities, some challengers and activists criticize the party&#8217;s support for her campaign structure.<\/p>\n<p>Schumer&#8217;s recruitment efforts have bolstered Democratic prospects but also highlight internal party tensions and the substantial challenges the Democrats face in their bid to retake the senate.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Schumer lands his prized Senate recruits in key battlegrounds<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2372862\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Senate Minority Leader <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chuck-schumer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chuck Schumer<\/a> (D-NY) is on a winning streak after securing a trio of recruitment wins in battleground states, raising expectations among Democrats that the party can reclaim the majority despite a midterm map with long odds.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3818508\/janet-mills-senate-challenge-susan-collins-maine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Senate campaign launch<\/a> on Tuesday by Gov. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/janet-mills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Janet Mills<\/a> (D-ME) against Sen. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/susan-collins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Susan Collins<\/a> (R-ME) marked the latest seasoned political veteran Schumer has recruited in recent months, following the likes of former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and former Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown announcing Senate runs in their respective states.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3850182\/janet-mills-endorsement-challenger-dropped-out-senate-race\/\">Janet Mills gains endorsement from challenger who dropped out of Senate race<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3849612\/mike-johnson-volume-democrats-shutdown-bring-it\/\">Johnson turns up volume on Democrats in shutdown standoff, telling them to &lsquo;bring it&rsquo;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3849545\/david-hogg-endorses-janet-mills-challenger-maine-senate-race-age\/\">David Hogg endorses Janet Mills challenger in Maine Senate race, citing age<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;You got to give credit for some good recruiting on their side,&rdquo; Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), the chairman of the Senate GOP&rsquo;s campaign arm for the 2024 elections, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. &ldquo;And credit for some good recruiting on our side, as well.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Schumer, who&rsquo;s had a rocky relationship with the party&rsquo;s base since President Donald Trump moved back into the Oval Office, is looking to land what would be his fourth recruit for the 2026 midterm elections in Alaska with former congresswoman Mary Peltola to take on Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK).<\/p>\n<p>But even with the recruits, Democrats will need virtually everything to go their way to take back the upper chamber that Republicans control 53-47. There are also several divisive primaries on the horizon. Flipping Ohio, Maine, and North Carolina &mdash; the most vulnerable GOP-held seats &mdash; and successfully defending battleground blue seats in Michigan, Georgia, and New Hampshire would still leave a 50-50 Senate in Republican control with Vice President JD Vance as the tiebreaker.<\/p>\n<p>Schumer&rsquo;s recruits, all longtime politicians favored by the party&rsquo;s more establishment wing, face their own challenges in rallying Democratic voters who have prodded Schumer to show greater resistance to Republicans under Trump 2.0.<\/p>\n<p>The campaign by Mills, 77, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3848859\/janet-mills-maine-senate-run-generational-clash-democrats\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tees up a generational clash <\/a>in a crowded primary that includes three prominent challengers each decades younger. Brewery owner Dan Kleban is 48, former congressional chief of staff Jordan Wood is 35, and military veteran and oyster farmer Graham Platner, backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), is 41.<\/p>\n<p>Mills&rsquo;s candidacy also reaffirms a trend this cycle of national Democrats relying on an older string of candidates to carry the party&rsquo;s long-shot quest to retake the Senate.<\/p>\n<p>Mills would be 79 if she takes office, making her the oldest freshman senator in U.S. history. She&rsquo;s pledged to only serve one term. If elected and sworn in, Cooper will be 69, and Brown will be 74.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not sure it&rsquo;s the age that matters. I think what matters is they&rsquo;ve been around so long,&rdquo; said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s more that they&rsquo;re perceived by young progressives as part of a political establishment they don&rsquo;t like very much. That is a problem Mills is going to have to cope with.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), 80, is not seeking reelection next year and will retire at the end of a 30-year Senate career in early 2027. <span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">Durbin stopped short of endorsing Mills in a brief interview with the&nbsp;<em>Washington<\/em>&nbsp;<em>Examiner<\/em>&nbsp;on Tuesday, but heaped praise on whom he called a &ldquo;talented&rdquo; and &ldquo;gutsy&rdquo; politician.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I think that&rsquo;ll be a good way to start the campaign,&rdquo; Durbin said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s an interesting primary. I don&rsquo;t know how tough it is&hellip; But I would say that she is certainly a credible, thoughtful, and persuasive candidate.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) heads to a meeting with reporters on the eighth day of the government shutdown on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (Graeme Jennings\/Washington Examiner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>As for the party leadership&rsquo;s support of Mills, Platner took issue with Senate Democrats&rsquo; campaign arm, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, already teaming up with her to form a <a href=\"https:\/\/docquery.fec.gov\/cgi-bin\/forms\/C00923177\/1919061\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/more-electioneering-dirty-facebook-suspends-gop-ad-campaign-days-before-january-georgia-runoff-election\/\" title=\"More Electioneering: Dirty Facebook Suspends GOP Ad ... Days Before January Georgia ...off Election\">joint fundraising committee<\/a><\/a> that will allow the two to raise and spend money together, as well as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/3499260\/republicans-push-limits-revamp-campaign-finance-operations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">secure cheaper ad rates<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Chuck Schumer should be focused on fighting Donald Trump and protecting healthcare for millions of Americans, not meddling in a Maine primary,&rdquo; Platner posted. &ldquo;DC&rsquo;s choice has lost to Susan Collins five times in a row. We can&rsquo;t afford a sixth.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Democrats and Republicans have largely cleared the primary fields in North Carolina, with Democrats coalescing around Cooper and the GOP around former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley. Democrats are behind Brown in taking on Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) and Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) to replace retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). Republicans are squarely behind former Congressman Mike Rogers in Michigan to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI).<\/p>\n<p>Messy primaries await Democrats in Michigan and Maine, while Republicans face the same fate in Georgia to take on Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA).<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3848859\/janet-mills-maine-senate-run-generational-clash-democrats\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">JANET MILLS&rsquo; MAINE SENATE RUN SETS UP GENERATIONAL CLASH AMONG DEMOCRATS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In Maine, Schumer faces perhaps his longest, unsuccessful quest to stop one of the Republicans&rsquo; most centrist senators from securing a sixth consecutive term. Collins&rsquo;s narrowest margin of victory occurred in 1996, her first Senate election, against Democrat Joseph Brennan. She won by a little more than five points.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Democrats always put hope in the fact they can beat Susan, and they don&rsquo;t even get that close,&rdquo; Daines said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Schumer secures key Senate recruits in battleground states<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2499013,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WEX_SCHUMER-3-e1759943151248.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[37737,5894,10282,4411,3740],"class_list":["post-2499012","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-battlegrounds","tag-politics","tag-recruits","tag-schumer","tag-senate"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WEX_SCHUMER-3-e1759943151248.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2499012","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2499012"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2499012\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2499016,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2499012\/revisions\/2499016"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2499013"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2499012"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2499012"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2499012"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}