By ASHNA BALROOP
Capital News Service
WASHINGTON — Texas. Ohio. Michigan. These are among the more than two dozen states U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., has traveled to in organizing for fellow Democrats in competitive races this fall.
Raskin told Capital News Service Wednesday that he’s on the campaign trail to help Democrats take the majority away from what he calls the Trump and MAGA-controlled House, Senate, White House and Supreme Court.
“We are mired in war, inflation, illegal tariffs and corruption wherever you turn,” Raskin said. “They have no program for America, and so, I want to come in as part of a robust bicameral majority.”
Such travel isn’t unusual. Candidates in safe congressional seats — like Raskin — often travel to other districts and states to stump for friends in more competitive races. Raskin, famous as the House member who led the impeachment of President Trump in 2021, is of special interest to other Democrats this cycle.
But Raskin has been especially prolific. He has been to Pennsylvania, Maine, Florida, North Carolina, Colorado and beyond, working not only to rally voters but also to make the case for Democratic policies more broadly. Since beginning his travels last year, he has been to 43 congressional districts in 26 states.
Justin Buchler, an associate professor of political science at Case Western Reserve University, said when members of Congress campaign for candidates in competitive races, it’s a combination of trying to pursue policy objectives and power.
“Power in the House of Representatives is based strongly on majority party status … Even if your goal is primarily policy, you can pursue those goals by pursuing majority-status for your party, which means to some extent trying to campaign for candidates in competitive districts,” Buchler said.
Last week, Raskin co-headlined a New Jersey campaign rally for Rebecca Bennett, a Democrat running for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. Raskin also visited New York to canvas in support of Cait Conley, the Democratic nominee for New York’s 17th Congressional District. These visits were shared publicly on his social media platforms.
Raskin said he’s not aware of any constituent expressing discontent with his out-of-state campaigning other than his Republican challenger, Cheryl Riley.
“She’s been saying that I shouldn’t be helping Democrats win, which strikes me as bizarre, especially since her campaign slogan seems to be America first, and she’s going to ‘Make America Great Again’ with Donald Trump,” Raskin said.
In a statement to CNS, Riley said that after Raskin’s 10 years in office, the congressional district still does not have a representative who “puts constituents or the needs of the district first on his schedule.”
“People here deserve someone who shows up for them, not a national surrogate who treats this district as a safe base to campaign from everywhere,” Riley wrote in an email. “When a representative is constantly on the road for other people’s campaigns, that time and attention is not being spent on the issues facing families here in Montgomery County and the rest of MD-8.”
Riley told CNS that “voters in MD-8 deserve a representative who is focused on them,” and that that distinguishes her from Raskin.
Raskin’s campaigning, which comes as Democrats are seeking to regain political power in Congress, have drawn pride from some constituents. They see his campaigning as a measure to seek change and fight the Trump administration’s power abuses.
“He wants a Democratic majority, and you don’t win a Democratic majority by sitting on your buttocks,” said Art Brodsky, 73, of Olney, and a member of the District 14 Democratic Club. “You get out there, you spread the word, and you raise money.”
David Fishback, 79, of Silver Spring, said that Raskin does great constituent service and is deeply involved in the community. Fishback, a former PTA president and community activist for inclusive schools and LGBTQ+ rights, feels most constituents would be thrilled about his campaigning and has given a voice to what they believe in.
“Montgomery County is filled with people who care about public service, which is one of the reasons Jamie is so popular, and we care about it not just for our own community, but for the entire nation,” Fishback said.
“And when we see Jamie, who’s in a position to campaign elsewhere,” he said. “We’re very proud of that and grateful for it.”
