For the D Challenges

The Democratic Party is having some challenges. The Hill interviewed more than a dozen lawmakers, fundraisers, strategists and DNC members who say Chair Tom Pérez hasn’t done enough to improve fundraising or build enthusiasm for the party since taking the helm in February. In July, the RNC outraised the Dem party by nearly $7 million during the DNC’s worst fundraising month since 2007. Critics also bring up Perez’s decision to return to his alma mater of Brown University to teach as a Senior Fellow. Congressman Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL) said, “There’s a lot of room for improvement.” DNC Press Secretary Michael Tyler pushed back saying, “We’re successfully harnessing this moment into a movement for electoral success at the ballot box because of the smart investments we’re able to make due to the generous contributions of donors including the thousands giving $22 at a time online,” Tyler said. He also noted that the party has been successful in flipping some state legislature seats. The big test will be 2018 midterms. More here.