Sen. Bernie Sanders is counting on proving the doubters wrong as he did in 2016 when his campaign exceeded all expectations. | Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesBernie Sanders keeps getting bad news.After Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren seized the spotlight in the first primary debate, the Vermont senator dropped to fourth place in in the first-in-the-nation caucus state of Iowa. In some national surveys, Sanders fared . And though he raised an impressive over the last three months, former Vice President Joe Biden and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg posted bigger hauls in the same period.Inside the...…Sen. Bernie Sanders is counting on proving the doubters wrong as he did in 2016 when his campaign exceeded all expectations. | Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesBernie Sanders keeps getting bad news.After Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren seized the spotlight in the first primary debate, the Vermont senator dropped to fourth place in in the first-in-the-nation caucus state of Iowa. In some national surveys, Sanders fared . And though he raised an impressive over the last three months, former Vice President Joe Biden and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg posted bigger hauls in the same period.Inside the...WW…

John Fetterman’s blue-collar progressivism has endeared him to Pennsylvania voters. Why are so many Democratic leaders opposing his Senate run?Photos by Caroline Gutman for Politico MagazineJohn Fetterman is one of the most photographed rising stars in the Democratic Party. As gargantuan as Lurch Addams, with a bald head, goatee and closet full of Dickies shirts—and tattoos running down his arm marking every date a life was taken while he was mayor of his hard-knock steel town—Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor is a cartoon image of a working guy from the Rust Belt. Which is catnip for...…John Fetterman’s blue-collar progressivism has endeared him to Pennsylvania voters. Why are so many Democratic leaders opposing his Senate run?Photos by Caroline Gutman for Politico MagazineJohn Fetterman is one of the most photographed rising stars in the Democratic Party. As gargantuan as Lurch Addams, with a bald head, goatee and closet full of Dickies shirts—and tattoos running down his arm marking every date a life was taken while he was mayor of his hard-knock steel town—Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor is a cartoon image of a working guy from the Rust Belt. Which is catnip for...WW…

House members who prosecuted the case against Trump are being eyed for higher office.Rep. Joe Neguse, who is an attorney and the youngest impeachment manager, won acclaim for his compelling and high-minded arguments. | congress.gov via Getty ImagesThe Democratic House members who prosecuted the case against former President Donald Trump last week say they’ve been laser-focused on his trial.But as their speeches were being piped into Americans’ homes 24-7, they also elevated their national profiles — in some cases, generating considerable buzz about their prospects for higher office.Rep....…House members who prosecuted the case against Trump are being eyed for higher office.Rep. Joe Neguse, who is an attorney and the youngest impeachment manager, won acclaim for his compelling and high-minded arguments. | congress.gov via Getty ImagesThe Democratic House members who prosecuted the case against former President Donald Trump last week say they’ve been laser-focused on his trial.But as their speeches were being piped into Americans’ homes 24-7, they also elevated their national profiles — in some cases, generating considerable buzz about their prospects for higher office.Rep....WW…

The party, uncomfortable with the overwhelmingly white state's sway, is thinking about blowing up its presidential primary calendar.AP Photo/Gerald HerbertDemocratic Party leaders are considering overhauling the 2024 presidential primary calendar, a transformation that would include ousting Iowa and New Hampshire from their cherished perches as the first states to vote.Senior party leaders and Democratic National Committee members are privately exploring the idea of pushing South Carolina and Nevada to the front of the primary election schedule, as well as the possibility of multiple states...…The party, uncomfortable with the overwhelmingly white state's sway, is thinking about blowing up its presidential primary calendar.AP Photo/Gerald HerbertDemocratic Party leaders are considering overhauling the 2024 presidential primary calendar, a transformation that would include ousting Iowa and New Hampshire from their cherished perches as the first states to vote.Senior party leaders and Democratic National Committee members are privately exploring the idea of pushing South Carolina and Nevada to the front of the primary election schedule, as well as the possibility of multiple states...WW…

The Voter Protection Project expects to spend $10 million in total on midterm House and Senate races.The list, which the organization dubs the “Treason Caucus,” includes lawmakers like Sens. Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley. | Andrew Harnik/AP PhotoA liberal voting rights group is pledging to spend at least $1 million to oust 20-plus Republican members of Congress who voted to contest the presidential election results.The Voter Protection Project, which shared its plans first with POLITICO, is releasing its target list on Friday. Each of the House members and senators in the PAC’s crosshairs has...…The Voter Protection Project expects to spend $10 million in total on midterm House and Senate races.The list, which the organization dubs the “Treason Caucus,” includes lawmakers like Sens. Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley. | Andrew Harnik/AP PhotoA liberal voting rights group is pledging to spend at least $1 million to oust 20-plus Republican members of Congress who voted to contest the presidential election results.The Voter Protection Project, which shared its plans first with POLITICO, is releasing its target list on Friday. Each of the House members and senators in the PAC’s crosshairs has...WW…

“Any candidate who wants to win in Pennsylvania in 2022 must be full Trump MAGA,” said Steve Bannon.Then-Pennsylvania Rep. Ryan Costello speaks during a news conference at the Capitol March 21, 2018 in Washington, D.C. | Alex Wong/Getty ImagesPHILADELPHIA — Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Pat Toomey isn’t running for reelection in 2022. But his vote to convict former President Donald Trump is already rocking the race to succeed him.County parties have censured Toomey, prompting backlash from centrists and even some Trump supporters who think the efforts will hurt the GOP in upcoming elections....…“Any candidate who wants to win in Pennsylvania in 2022 must be full Trump MAGA,” said Steve Bannon.Then-Pennsylvania Rep. Ryan Costello speaks during a news conference at the Capitol March 21, 2018 in Washington, D.C. | Alex Wong/Getty ImagesPHILADELPHIA — Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Pat Toomey isn’t running for reelection in 2022. But his vote to convict former President Donald Trump is already rocking the race to succeed him.County parties have censured Toomey, prompting backlash from centrists and even some Trump supporters who think the efforts will hurt the GOP in upcoming elections....WW…

An uptick in murders across the country is testing their resolve — and their electability.Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner blames larger societal forces for the spike in homicides — which are up 29 percent compared with this time in 2020. | AP Photo/Matt RourkePHILADELPHIA — Larry Krasner’s election in 2017 was a triumph for progressives nationwide: The man who had sued cops 75 times, represented Black Lives Matter, promised to end cash bail — and was widely seen as the most liberal district attorney candidate in the country — won.Four years later, Philadelphia’s top prosecutor...…An uptick in murders across the country is testing their resolve — and their electability.Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner blames larger societal forces for the spike in homicides — which are up 29 percent compared with this time in 2020. | AP Photo/Matt RourkePHILADELPHIA — Larry Krasner’s election in 2017 was a triumph for progressives nationwide: The man who had sued cops 75 times, represented Black Lives Matter, promised to end cash bail — and was widely seen as the most liberal district attorney candidate in the country — won.Four years later, Philadelphia’s top prosecutor...WW…

It’s a reflection of the Vermont senator’s elevation to a powerful new position, but also an acknowledgment that his presidential ambitions are over.Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., questions former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, D-Mich., as she testifies during a hearing Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. | Jim Watson/Pool via APBernie Sanders is shaking up his staff as he steps into a powerful new role in the Senate, three people familiar with the moves told POLITICO.The Vermont senator’s chief of staff, legislative director and top communications staffer are on their way out or have changed roles, according...…It’s a reflection of the Vermont senator’s elevation to a powerful new position, but also an acknowledgment that his presidential ambitions are over.Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., questions former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, D-Mich., as she testifies during a hearing Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. | Jim Watson/Pool via APBernie Sanders is shaking up his staff as he steps into a powerful new role in the Senate, three people familiar with the moves told POLITICO.The Vermont senator’s chief of staff, legislative director and top communications staffer are on their way out or have changed roles, according...WW…

Once a producer of centrist Republicans like Arlen Specter and Tom Ridge, the state GOP now bears the MAGA stamp.Pennsylvania state Sen. Doug Mastriano, center, speaks to supporters of President Donald Trump as they demonstrate outside the Pennsylvania State Capitol, in Harrisburg, Pa., on Nov. 7, 2020. | Julio Cortez/AP PhotoPHILADELPHIA — Pennsylvania once stocked D.C. with a steady stream of establishment Republicans. Now, in the wake of Donald Trump’s reelection defeat, it’s better known for its GOP hard-liners — among them, Scott Perry, the congressman who recently made headlines for...…Once a producer of centrist Republicans like Arlen Specter and Tom Ridge, the state GOP now bears the MAGA stamp.Pennsylvania state Sen. Doug Mastriano, center, speaks to supporters of President Donald Trump as they demonstrate outside the Pennsylvania State Capitol, in Harrisburg, Pa., on Nov. 7, 2020. | Julio Cortez/AP PhotoPHILADELPHIA — Pennsylvania once stocked D.C. with a steady stream of establishment Republicans. Now, in the wake of Donald Trump’s reelection defeat, it’s better known for its GOP hard-liners — among them, Scott Perry, the congressman who recently made headlines for...WW…

Losing unions’ support ahead of 2022 could be devastating to Democrats, who are looking to maintain — and, ideally, build on — their razor-thin majorities in the House and Senate in the upcoming midterm elections.One lawmaker, in particular, became the center of attention, two sources said: Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), one of only three senators in the majority who have yet to sign onto the PRO Act and who is expected to face a tough reelection battle next year. | Michael Reynolds/Pool via APUnion leaders told the Senate Democrats’ campaign arm in a private call Wednesday not to expect them...…Losing unions’ support ahead of 2022 could be devastating to Democrats, who are looking to maintain — and, ideally, build on — their razor-thin majorities in the House and Senate in the upcoming midterm elections.One lawmaker, in particular, became the center of attention, two sources said: Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), one of only three senators in the majority who have yet to sign onto the PRO Act and who is expected to face a tough reelection battle next year. | Michael Reynolds/Pool via APUnion leaders told the Senate Democrats’ campaign arm in a private call Wednesday not to expect them...WW…