The Republican establishment is planning to take a more proactive role in the selection of candidates for the competitive Senate primaries in 2024, aiming to regain control of the Senate. This decision comes after the party’s failure to win back the Senate in the previous midterms, which many attribute to the endorsement of controversial candidates by former President Trump in key states. The current head of the party’s campaign arm, Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), has expressed plans to be more involved in candidate recruitment and selective in providing support from the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).
The GOP’s new strategy involves backing candidates who can appeal to a broader spectrum of voters and win in general elections. For instance, Daines is supporting Gov. Jim Justice (R) in the West Virginia Senate primary against fellow Republican Rep. Alex Mooney. However, some critics argue that the party’s involvement in primaries could lead to division within the party and provide ammunition for Democrats. Despite the risks, the GOP is optimistic about gaining three or more seats in the upcoming election cycle, given the favorable Senate map.
