The seven Dems running against Marshall combined have raised under a quarter million. Political analysts estimate that whoever gets the nomination will need $32 million to even stand a chance. By the time the primary is over, having been campaigning against each other, those seven Dems will have exhausted what little they raised. 

The race against Estes will be no different. Analysts estimate that race will cost somewhere around $11 million.

Dem candidates seem oblivious to the urgency of fundraising, convinced that grassroots alone will carry them. It won’t.

According to the updated math out of Washington, in order to flip a Republican-held Congressional seat in Kansas, you need every Democrat, every Libertarian, every Independent – plus around 10-20% of the Republicans to vote for the non-incumbent, Democrat candidate.

The convention should have served as the primary like the Libertarians do. In Kansas, the Democrats are so few in numbers it’s the only logical way to ensure a candidate can gain momentum and stand a chance in the general. The time from August to November isn’t enough for the minority party to build up a serious campaign in a ruby red state. They’re at a serious disadvantage. That won’t change until the state party comes to grips with the realities of competing against a GOP super majority.

J. Basil Dannebohm is a former Barton County resident and served in the Kansas House of Representatives, 113th District. He is a writer, speaker and consultant who divides his time between Washington, DC and Kansas. His website is www.dannebohm.com. He is a registered Independent.