The Daily Kos Elections Morning Digest is compiled by David Nir, Jeff Singer, Stephen Wolf, Carolyn Fiddler, and Matt Booker, with additional contributions from David Jarman, Steve Singiser, Daniel Donner, James Lambert, David Beard, and Arjun Jaikumar.
Leading Off
●MA-06: Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton, who's best known for leading a failed revolt against Nancy Pelosi late last year, announced on Monday that he's joining the comically crowded Democratic primary for president. That's relevant to our interests here at the Digest only insofar as it might affect Moulton's re-election plans—and according to his campaign, it won't.
Campaign Action"He has no intention of giving up his seat in the House should he not become the Democratic nominee for president," said a spokesperson, so we should expect to see Moulton on the ballot next year. That by no means guarantees he'll wind up serving a fourth term in Congress, though. Progressive anger over Moulton's vain rebellion could net him a primary challenge: Women's health advocate Jamie Zahlaway Belsito recently filed paperwork to create a campaign committee, while former state Sen. Barbara L'Italien has said she's considering a bid—and has been very critical of Moulton.
As we've noted in regard to Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard's longshot quest for the presidency, when a sitting member of Congress is jetting off to Iowa and New Hampshire on the regular, ambitious pols back home can devote all their time to raising money and campaigning with would-be constituents. That, for instance, is exactly what state Sen. Kai Kahele, who raised a strong $250,000 in the first quarter of the year, has been busy doing while Gabbard's attention has been focused elsewhere. For the right person in the Bay State, the opportunity is there for the taking.