WELCOMEPAC ENDORSES REP. MARY PELTOLA
WelcomePAC, which works to elect moderate Democrats in conservative-leaning congressional districts, announced its endorsement of Rep. Mary Peltola in Alaska’s At-Large congressional district. WelcomePAC invested more than $2 million in the 2022 election cycle supporting Will Rollins (CA-41) and Adam Frisch (CO-03).
“Rep. Peltola is the epitome of a Welcome candidate in how she builds such a strong, vibrant coalition of voters in Alaska,” said Lauren Harper Pope, co-founder of WelcomePAC. “As one of the House’s biggest Democratic overperformers, Rep. Peltola is an example of how to win the middle. We’re grateful for the leadership she’s brought to Congress since 2022 and look forward to her continuing to represent the people of Alaska in the years to come.”
Rep. Mary Peltola said, "Thank you to WelcomePAC for this endorsement! Over the past two years, I have built a successful coalition of union members, pro-choice voters, Alaska Natives, independents, and moderate Alaskans. We are building Alaska's future that stays true to Alaska's independent spirit. I am proud to have this endorsement, and we can win this election together by focusing on our common goals and what is best for Alaska.”
Welcome’s full write-up on the endorsement can be found on its Substack, WelcomeStack.
ABOUT WELCOMEPAC:
WelcomePAC launched in November 2021 to build a “Justice Democrats for the Center" by recruiting and backing brand-differentiated Democratic challengers with the capacity to defeat democracy-undermining GOP incumbents on their home turf. Operating in three geographies (CO-03, CA-41, Ohio), WelcomePAC identified districts where voters were not given an alternative - where Democrats were "Conceding Democracy" by not supporting credibly funded challengers. By elevating candidates and messengers who appeal to swing voters in center-right districts, WelcomePAC supported two of the most over-performing challengers and is now partnering with the team of the third challenger.
These were districts where Nate Silver gave Democrats just a 2% to 5% chance of winning.
California-41: boosted the bipartisan credentials and Republican endorsements of former Gov. Schwarzenegger aide Will Rollins. Ranked 3rd most over-performing Democratic campaign in any GOP district. Silver rated this race as "Solid Republican" with a 5% chance of flipping.
Colorado-03: conducted polling, primary election voter engagement, and party-switching voter identification for independent-turned-Democratic Adam Frisch. Vote went to recount and was rated 2nd most over-performing Democratic campaign in any GOP district. Silver rated this race as "Solid Republican" with a 3% chance of flipping.
Analysis and perspective can be found in The Bulwark (continued electoral importance of Never Trumper voters), The New York Times (missed opportunities in the 2022 cycle), and The Washington Post (split ticket voters). Weekly reflections on the broader context of our work can be found on our Substack.
In 2022, WelcomePAC invested more than $2 million in three targeted geographies in its inaugural cycle informed by our perspective on the inefficiency of the Democratic marketplace and the ballooning value of each Congressional seat.