(Daily Caller) New York Democrats are growing increasingly concerned that their historically deep blue state is now in play after recent polls put former President Donald Trump within single digits of President Joe Biden, according to Politico.
Two polls conducted in a swing New York House district in September and March found Trump leading Biden by one point, while other public polling conducted in recent months found Biden’s lead over the former president statewide shrunk to eight points, Politico reported. Biden won the state in the 2020 election by 23 points, but Democratic leaders are now reportedly urging his team to reallocate resources to boost both his campaign and the candidates running in swing districts.
“We’re still acting like this is a one-party state, which for pretty much 20, 25 years it has been,” Democratic Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine told Politico. “I truly believe we’re a battleground state now.”
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 07: U.S. President Joe Biden returns to the White House with first lady Jill Biden on July 7, 2024 in Washington, DC. Members of Congress return to Washington this week as pressure for Biden to withdraw as the Democratic nominee for the presidency continues to mount. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“It’s never been more important for a Democratic House member to focus on building their own local brand and to run on that,” a high-level New York Democrat told Politico anonymously. “Biden isn’t going to be handing out coattails no matter what. He’s only got anchors.”
Democratic New York Rep. Jerry Nadler and Rep. Joe Morelle backed the idea of replacing Biden during a Sunday conference call with other House Democrats.