PPP has four exciting polls out today that show the battleground expanding, and also do a great job of spotlighting the diverse backgrounds of candidates Democrats have put forward across the country this year. 

In North Carolina’s 11th district which voted for Trump by 10 points, Democrat Jamie Ager leads 47-44. He’s a farmer and so is Blake Gendebien who is running in New York’s 21st district. He trails 48-43 right now but that’s a great starting point in a Trump +21 district.

In Montana’s 1st district which voted for Trump by 12 points Democrat Sam Forstag leads 45-43. He’s a smoke jumper, someone who jumps out of airplanes to put out forest fires.

And in South Carolina’s 1st district, which voted for Trump by 13, Democrat Nancy Lacore is basically tied with her Republican opponent at 40-41. She’s a retired Navy veteran who ended her distinguished career as the chief of Navy Reserve.

These four candidates aren’t just benefiting from the political environment. In all four cases their favorability numbers show they’re clearly superior candidates to their Republican opponents. When people think Democrats they don’t usually think farmers or smoke jumpers or high ranking veterans. These folks are breaking the mold.

We were proud to partner on these polls with The Bench, which is doing a phenomenal job of promoting a new generation of Democratic leaders across the country.