Key facts
- Democratic candidates in nine battleground states are actively using email strategies for fundraising.
- A new Google policy allows registered political groups to bypass Gmail's spam filter.
- Endorsements from elected officials and celebrities are a common tactic in fundraising emails.
- James Carville was a frequent guest writer for several Democratic campaigns.
Democratic candidates in battleground states are intensifying their email fundraising strategies, leveraging endorsements and a new Google policy that allows political groups to bypass Gmail's spam filter. POLITICO's analysis of emails collected during a two-week period focused exclusively on Democratic campaigns, noting that while both parties consider the ethics of aggressive fundraising, it remains a core component of their efforts.
Notable strategies include featuring endorsements from elected officials and celebrities. New Hampshire Rep. Chris Pappas notably used allies for 27 percent of his emails, including appeals from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and filmmaker Ken Burns. Alaska Rep. Mary Peltola even secured endorsements from actors Martin Sheen and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, known for their roles in political dramas.
James Carville, a prominent Democratic pundit, emerged as the most prolific guest writer, contributing six emails for campaigns including Pappas, Ossoff, former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, and Stevens. Audrey Glaser, an email director at progressive consulting firm Middle Seat, stated that such alternate authors can be effective in reaching specific donor segments.