Watch CBS News

Trump Ramping Up National Team to Expand Battleground States

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Donald Trump is moving quickly to install political operatives in more than a dozen states.

The Republican is targeting Maine and Minnesota among other states that traditionally favor Democrats as he lays the groundwork for an expanded electoral battlefield.

The staffing expansion was confirmed by campaign strategists not authorized to speak publicly about internal strategy.

The Trump campaign has identified roughly 15 states where it plans to add state directors by June 1. They include traditional battlegrounds like Ohio and Florida and more challenging terrain like Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin and Maine which haven't favored a Republican presidential contender in decades.

The plan will be subsidized, at least in part, by a "building fund" to be included in a fundraising agreement with the RNC that can accept $100,000 from individual donors.

(Copyright 2016 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.