With Democrats racking up wins in gubernatorial races across the nation, the back-to-back wins in Louisiana and Kentucky last month highlighted a shift in the deep-red states that Donald Trump won overwhelmingly in the 2016 presidential election. Trump’s rallies and endorsements in these Republican strongholds were no match for Democrats’ consistent message on kitchen table issues like health care, education, and jobs which mobilized waves of voters across all geographies.
In fact, these election results prompted the questions: Should the narrative of unreachable Trump voters be retired? And what lessons can 2020 Democrats take from this success playbook?
Please join the Center for American Progress Action Fund and the Democratic Governors Association for a discussion about the impact of Democrats’ recent electoral successes in Kentucky and Louisiana, the shifts we’re seeing in conservative states, and lessons on messaging and voter targeting that could have an impact in races up and down the ticket in 2020.
Welcoming remarks:
Neera Tanden, President and CEO, Center for American Progress Action Fund
Remarks:
Marshall Cohen, Political Director, Democratic Governors Association
Distinguished guests:
Richard Carbo, Campaign Manager, John Bel Edwards for Governor
Eric Hyers, Campaign Manager, Andy Beshear for Governor
Luis Navarro, Electoral Strategist, National Education Association
Wendi Wallace, Deputy Executive Director, Democratic Governors Association
Additional speakers to be announced
Moderator:
Navin Nayak, Executive Director, Center for American Progress Action Fund