Everyone talks about the "downballot" Trump effect but typically only in terms of whether an R or a D will end up winning the seat. However, there's another category of downballot Trump Effect, and it's WITHIN the Democratic party.
On June 28th, NY holds its primary elections for Congressional and state office candidates. In my county there are two Democrats vying for the same slot in District #1, a spot now held by an incumbent Republican. There are two people sparring for the Dem nomination: Dave Calone (D/IP) and Anna Throne-Holst (D/WEP). Calone is running an attack ad, part of which mentions that Throne-Holst made donations to the Conservative Party 3 times in the past (which is true; she was formerly registered as an independent) and that "The Conservative Party supports Donald Trump."
Throne-Holst responded with an ad of her own, which begins by her saying "Dave Calone falsely claims that I support Donald Trump" and goes on to enumerate all the ways that she disagrees with Trump.
Actually both candidates are using the Trump connection falsely.
As for Calone's statement, many Conservatives do support Trump (although actual parties themselves only support their own candidates, and AFAIK, Trump is not running for POTUS on a combined Repub/Conservative ticket) but many do not. So to say that "the Conservative Party supports Trump" is incorrect.
However, Throne-Holst is also incorrect when she says "Calone said I support Donald Trump", because his ad does not say that. It says that she previously supported, with donations, a party which is connected with Donald Trump's party.
I wonder how many other Democrats are using Trump to attack other Democrats in these Congressional and local primary races. Any such activities going on in your own local races?
