Wisconsin

Since 2001.

The problem becomes a matter of conscience. Running for office as a Dem in a red district is hell on earth. You and your family will be torn to shreds in your own community in front of friends and neighbors - maybe even with their help. We had a fabulous candidate for our very red even more gerrymandered district. He was someone everyone knew from the local radio station. He had great name recognition and awesome street cred with most of his district.

He and his family (2 elementary school kids) were harassed in school, in church, in public places and more, simply because he put his name on the ballot as a Dem.

And he didn't manage to move the needle more than a couple of points.

While those are all good lessons to learn (that the people you thought you knew were actually shit humans), I can't in good conscience recruit any more candidates to run that gauntlet in red areas while they get zero support from the state party. If someone signs up, I'm there. If they don't, then no one is on the ballot.