What two under-the-radar DNC moves say about the party’s direction: From the Politics Desk
In today’s edition, Natasha Korecki files a dispatch from the recent Democratic National Committee meeting in Austin. Plus, we preview the key primaries to keep an eye on before polls close tonight.
Welcome toFrom the Politics Desk, a daily newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team’s latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail. In today’s edition, Natasha Korecki files a dispatch from the recent Democratic National Committee meeting in Austin. Plus, we preview the key primaries to keep an eye on before polls close tonight. Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here. — Adam WollnerWhat two under-the-radar DNC moves say about the party’s directionAnalysis by Natasha KoreckiAUSTIN — The big news coming out of the Democratic National Committee’s summer meeting over the weekend was that the party set its2028 presidential primary calendar. But some Democrats say they see significance in a pair of resolutions the DNC advanced that didn’t get as much attention. The committee greenlit a measure supporting the abolishment of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. It also passed a resolution supporting the Leahy Laws, which call for the U. S. not to fund nations that commit human rights violations. It’s important to note the DNC doesn’t set party policy and its resolutions do not dictate the formal party platform. But these measures can serve as an indication of where the party is leaning. For the ICE-related resolution, the DNC endorsed what not long ago was considered a fringe position. As recently as this spring, DNC members were unable to advance any measure calling for ICE to be abolished, instead settling on pushing for reforms. DNC memberMichele Johnsonof Louisiana, who sponsored both the ICE and Leahy Laws resolutions, said she had changed her view on ICE as she watched incidents in Minneapolis and other cities play out between residents and immigration officers. “Over the course of last year I began moving away from reform to abolition,” Johnson said in an interview. “This is a rogue agency, they are killing people, they are killing U. S. citizens, they have to be held accountable. ”The Leahy Law resolution didn’t have the word “Israel” in it — another issue that has divided the party — and Johnson said the intent was to address the issue in a broader sense. “I left it without mentioning any country specifically because we shouldn’t be funding any countries that are committing human rights violations,” Johnson said. “There’s many countries that this applies to. ”“We need to make sure that when we are spending money, we are spending it on things that are morally right and morally just,” she continued. ButSam Rosenthal, the political director at the grassroots advocacy group Roots Action, said he saw the Leahy Laws resolution passage as a step toward re-evaluating the relationship between the U. S. and Israel. “It is an attempt to go back to basics. Can the DNC commit to holding up U. S. law? Given that, what does that mean?” Rosenthal said. He added that he hopes this is the first in a “series of steps to rebuild consensus around the DNC’s stance on what the Israel-U. S. relationship should look like. ”Rosenthal said he was heartened by the debate over abolishing ICE, saying it gave “the most hope for a progressive turn in the party. ” While the DNC in a separate resolution also called only for reforms to the agency, Rosenthal chalked that up to some Democrats wanting political cover ahead of the midterms. “The fact that DNC members wanted to go on the record with the vote is the recognition that the base is shifting. They want to meet the base where they are,” he said. “It’s the sort of resolution that I don’t think we would have made it through the DNC just — even a few months ago. ”WhileDNC ChairKen Martinemphasized resolutions are not binding, he noted that Democrats had a lot to say about immigration enforcement under theTrumpadministration. “Our official party positions are determined at the convention every four years in our platform. However, clearly, the one thing that unites Democrats, regardless of their position on reform versus abolish or whatever other ways to change what’s happening, is people believe that what ICE is doing right now — and CBP and the federal government — should stop,” Martin said in a statement. “There has to be a better way. ”What to watch in tonight’s primariesBy Bridget Bowman, Ben Kamisar, Adam Edelman and Matt DixonIf it’s Tuesday, it’s another multistate primary day. Voters are heading to the polls inAlaska,FloridaandWyoming, whileCalifornia’s 14th Districtwill pick a replacement for former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell, who resigned earlier this year. Here are a few key races to keep an eye on. Alaska Senate:A crowded field of candidates is competing to take on GOP Sen. Dan Sullivanin November. Alaska has an all-party primary system, with the top four vote-getters advancing to a general election decided by ranked-choice voting. The primary ballot features 16 candidates, including seven Republicans and four Democrats, with Democratic leaders touting former Rep. Mary Peltolaas a strong recruit. Peltola lost re-election in 2024 by 3 points as PresidentDonald Trumpcarried Alaska by 13 points. Sullivan has been endorsed by Trump, but he faces a unique obstacle — a Republican candidate namedDan J. Sullivanis also on the primary ballot. His run sparked a legal battle over his placement on the ballot andan investigation involving state and federal prosecutors. Florida governor:The top Republican contender to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantisis Rep. Byron Donalds, who is endorsed by Trump and hasattracted millionsin donations from wealthy megadonors. The field also includes Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former House SpeakerPaul RennerandJames Fishback, an investment firm CEO whoseopenly racist commentshave attracted attention in the race. DeSantis has not endorsed in the primary, but he haspraised Renner. The Democratic field is led byDavid Jolly, a former Republican congressman and prominent Trump critic who left the GOP in 2018. Florida’s 19th District:The primary to replace Donalds has attracted a large group of Republican transplants. Two previously served in Congress in other state delegations, but both left Washington under a shroud of scandal: former North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthornand former Rep. Chris Collins. Trump is backing a different candidate:Catalina Lauf, a former Illinois congressional candidate who also has the support of a handful of members of Congress. Other candidates in the race include former Illinois state Sen. Jim Oberweis, who is self-funding his bid and once defeated Lauf in an Illinois congressional primary;Ola Hawatmeh, a former congressional aide who previously ran for Congress in New York; andJim Schwartzel, a conservative talk radio station owner who has loaned his campaign $1 million and is a Florida native. Read more →📩 The Data Dive:Don’t missSteve Kornacki’s new weekly newsletter forNBC News subscribersabout the numbers and trends shaping the biggest stories heading into the midterms. In the latest edition, he explores the impact of the GOP’s redistricting push in Florida on today’s primaries. 🎥 Tune in to theKornacki Cam at 6:45 p. m. ETto watch Steve break down tonight’s results. 🗳️ Related:Trumpvoted by mailin the Florida primary, despite having repeatedly called the practice “cheating” and “corrupt. ”🗞️ Today's other top stories🗣️ Mixed messages:Trump has appeared to publicly contradict some of his top advisers on at least three aspects of the war with Iran in recent days, as the conflict continues to impact world oil markets with no clear end in sight. Read more →🔀 Crossing the aisle:Texas DemocratJames Talaricohas made an unusual hire for his Senate campaign: a former top aide to GOP Sen. John Cornyn. Read more →🗳️ Vote watch:North Carolina State AuditorDave Boliekrecently met with conservative activists who have spent years perpetuating unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud or tried to overturn election results. Read more →🛣️ On the trail:Vice PresidentJD Vancewill return to his hometown Friday for a speech in Cleveland to kick off what is expected to be a packed travel schedule for him ahead of the midterms. Read more →🇮🇱On the trail abroad:Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahuis using New York City MayorZohran Mamdanias a villain in his re-election campaign. Read more →