October 2014

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In October 2014, major U.S. Democrats were heavily engaged in political activities, primarily focused on the midterm elections held on November 4, 2014, during President Barack Obama’s second term. The following highlights key political activities by Democrats, based on available information:
Midterm Election Campaigning: Democrats were campaigning intensely to retain control of the Senate and regain seats in the House of Representatives. The party faced a challenging electoral landscape, with a "six-year itch" midterm election typically unfavorable to the president's party. Key Democratic figures, such as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and prominent senators like Mary Landrieu (Louisiana), Mark Pryor (Arkansas), and Mark Udall (Colorado), were actively campaigning to hold their seats. Michelle Nunn in Georgia, daughter of former Senator Sam Nunn, was a notable Democratic candidate for the Senate, focusing on mobilizing voters.

Voter Mobilization and Issues: Democrats emphasized issues like income inequality, raising the minimum wage, and defending the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) to rally their base. They sought to appeal to key demographics, including African Americans, Hispanics, and younger voters. However, they faced criticism over the Obama administration’s handling of the Ebola crisis, which Republicans used to challenge Democratic competence, impacting campaign messaging.

Voter Contact Efforts: According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted from October 15-20, 2014, 47% of voters reported receiving phone calls about the election, a decline from 59% in 2010, indicating Democratic campaigns were adjusting outreach strategies. Automated phone calls with false voting instructions were reported in Chicago, suggesting challenges with misinformation targeting Democratic voters.

Key Senate Races: Democrats were defending 21 of the 36 Senate seats up for election. Notable races included:
Hawaii: Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz, appointed to fill the late Senator Daniel Inouye’s seat, faced a primary challenge from Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa but won narrowly (48.5% to 47.8%) and campaigned for the general election.

Illinois: Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin campaigned for re-election, leveraging his strong 2008 performance (68% of the vote).

Louisiana: Senator Mary Landrieu was in a tight race, which eventually went to a December 2014 runoff where she lost to Republican Bill Cassidy.

House of Representatives Efforts: Democrats aimed to minimize losses in the House, where Republicans held a majority. Notable retirements by Democrats like Bruce Braley (Iowa), Mike Michaud (Maine), and Gary Peters (Michigan, running for Senate) led to open seats, complicating Democratic efforts. Despite this, Democrats gained three seats, including Gwen Graham’s win in Florida’s 2nd district and Brad Ashford’s in Nebraska’s 2nd district, though they lost 16 seats to Republicans overall.

Response to Political Challenges: Democrats faced a polarized electorate, with 92% of voters who supported Democratic House candidates in June 2014 remaining committed in October, per Pew Research. However, anti-incumbent sentiment was high, with 68% of voters opposing re-election of most Congress members, posing a challenge for Democratic incumbents.

Controversies and Scandals: In California, State Senator Roderick Wright resigned in September 2014 after a perjury and voter fraud conviction but was still a notable Democratic figure in the news, as he had been on paid leave earlier in the year. This scandal likely influenced Democratic messaging on ethics and governance in the state.

Obama’s Limited Campaign Role: President Obama, facing low approval ratings, took a backseat in campaigning to avoid harming vulnerable Democratic candidates, particularly in red states. His administration delayed executive action on immigration until after the election to avoid alienating moderate voters, a decision that drew criticism from some Democratic activists.

Polarization and Party Dynamics: Democrats were grappling with growing political polarization, with 38% of politically engaged Democrats identified as consistent liberals, up from 8% in 1994, according to Pew Research. This shift influenced campaign strategies, with candidates like Bernie Sanders gaining traction among younger, more progressive voters, setting the stage for his 2016 presidential run.

These activities reflect the Democrats’ efforts to navigate a difficult midterm election cycle, marked by defensive strategies, key issue advocacy, and responses to national and international crises. The elections resulted in significant losses, with Republicans gaining control of the Senate and expanding their House majority, marking a low point for Democratic political activity in 2014.