Marshall Cohen is the Political Director of the Democratic Governors Association. Over 7 years at the DGA, he's been involved in 50+ races - and before that was an accomplished operative who - in 2016 - managed (and won) the most expensive congressional primary in history. In this conversation, Marshall talks his path to working in politics, his best practices for running and winning races and goes deep on this cycle's top governor's races...how Democrats pulled off upsets in several states, the messaging and strategic decisions that mattered, and lessons learned heading into the 2024 cycle.
IN THIS EPISODE
Marshall’s path to working in politics…
How his New Jersey roots inform his political outlook…
Marshall manages the winner in a 2016 House primary that was the most expensive congressional race in history at the time…
Marshall breaks down the four factors it takes to be an effective campaign manager…
How Marshall starts at the DGA & his theories of what makes governors’ races different…
Marshall talks how he and the DGA have been successful winning in “red” states…
Marshall talks the Virginia ’21 Governors race…how Youngkin won and why that didn’t signal a trend for ’22…
Marshall rebuts the suggestion the DGA “meddled” in GOP primaries to elevate election-deniers…
Marshall & Zac talk the 2022 Nevada Governor’s race…
The “biggest surprise” for Marshall from the 2022 cycle…
Marshall goes deep on several 2022 races, including Arizon, Kansas, and Wisconsin...
Marshall talks Democratic difficulties breaking through in FL, GA, and TX…
Marshall on lessons learned in 2022 that can be applied to the 2024 cycle…
The media spending strategies that worked for the DGA in 2022…
Marshall on the various “it factors” held by governors…
AND American University, Lou Barletta, Andy Beshear, Matt Bevin, Sam Brownback, James Carville, Liz Cheney, Chris Christie, Roy Cooper, core competencies, Dan Cox, Shelbi Dantic, dead ducks, Ron DeSantis, the Dobbs decision, Doug Ducey, John Bel Edwards, Tony Evers, footsie, GW, Maura Healey, Katie Hobbs, Larry Hogan, Bobby Jindal, Doug Jones, Laura Kelly, Tina Kotek, Kari Lake, Joe Lombardo, Doug Mastriano, Kathleen Matthews, Pat McCrory, Tim Michels, Janet Mills, Wes Moore, Phil Murphy, north stars, Beto O’Rourke, Panasonic, Corey Platt, political fiefdoms, Jamie Raskin, Derek Schmitt, self-realizations, Steve Sisolak, train conductors, David Trone, Donald Trump, Scott Walker, Tim Walz, The West Wing, Gretchen Whitmer, wine tasting, the Yuma County GOP & more!