From Roll Call:
Facing a tough political cycle, the DCCC is redoubling its efforts to enlist K Streeters to help its most vulnerable “Frontline” program Members with fundraising, messaging and campaign strategy.
The ask was formalized Wednesday evening at a dinner at Acqua Al 2, an Italian restaurant on Capitol Hill, organized by Jennifer Crider, political director for Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and deputy executive director at the DCCC.
Over dinner, DCCC Political Director Jennifer Pihlaja and Regional Candidate Services Director Lauren Dikis helped divvy up which lobbyists would work directly with the most vulnerable Members.
But the decision to formally assign lobbyists to lawmakers is unusual, according to several Democratic lobbyists.
“It was not just a fundraising ask,” according to a lobbyist in attendance. “It was also to help out with campaigns.”
“They said, ‘These people could use extra help, not only in terms of resources, but also advice in terms of setting up ground messaging,”’ the lobbyist added.
“They basically asked us to adopt a Member,” according to another lobbyist at the dinner, who declined to speak on the record.
Just sayin’
