Schumer Picks Senate Primary Favorites, Irking Progressives
- National Democrats favor centrists in bid to retake Senate
- GOP hopes divisions will help keep McConnell in charge
Chuck Schumer
Photographer: Win McNamee/Getty Images
This article is for subscribers only.
Chuck Schumer’s effort to unite Democrats behind well-funded, centrist Senate candidates has sparked a backlash from progressives who warn that the Democratic leader risks turning off voters they’ll need to take back the chamber.
Consolidating the party apparatus behind strong candidates early can help raise their profile -- and bring in millions of dollars in fundraising. But the strategy is angering local activists and competing primary hopefuls.