In the next election, the outcome of just a handful of races will determine who controls the United States Senate -- and quite possibly if the Republicans can gain full control of Congress in 2014.
There are two Democratic senate seats up for every one Republican seat, so we will need a strong showing to keep control of the Senate. That is why Green Mountain PAC is mobilizing to support our strongest candidates -- Democrats who will stand up for our shared values in the U.S. Senate.
The ultra right made a commitment after President Obama was elected in 2008: Obstruct his agenda at all costs. And while they had some success, President Obama and the Democratic Congress were still able to bring our country back from the brink of financial collapse, re-introduce America to the world, and pass landmark health care legislation.
The response of the far right, emboldened by the Tea Party movement, was to field even more extreme candidates in 2012. And thanks to the Citizens United decision, those candidates had unlimited funds.
Right-wing candidates benefited from millions of dollars spent by outside groups and corporations. Karl Rove’s groups alone spent nearly $300 million in support of Mitt Romney and Republican senate candidates.
But thanks to our efforts, Democrats did not just maintain control of the Senate -- we actually expanded our Senate majority. Now, we have to do the same in 2014.
It won’t be easy. There are open Democratic seats in Iowa, West Virginia, and New Jersey. Then there are Democratic incumbents who will face tough battles in red states, like Mary Landrieu in Louisiana, Kay Hagan in North Carolina, Mark Pryor in Arkansas, and Mark Begich in Alaska, just to name a few.
That is why I am working hard to ensure Green Mountain PAC can help our most talented candidates build strong, winning campaigns -- and maintain control of the Senate in 2014.
Thank you for joining this important fight.
Sincerely,
Patrick Leahy
U.S. Senator
