EDIT: Patrick Murphy (yes, that one) has apparently endorsed Welder, which seems very un-Murphy-like. So have Jason Kander, Jamie Raskin, Mark Pocan, Bruce Braley and former KS Dems chair Lee Kinch. Weird establishment/progressive insurgent crossover support here.
It's almost as if the narrative of fight-to-the-death conflict between the Establishment and the Progressive wing is (and has been) massively overblown.
For the record, as someone who isn't particularly fond of candidates who willingly identify themselves as Berniecrats, I have no problem with AOC and Sanders stumping nationwide for Progressive candidates. I'm skeptical it will pay off in this district but it's in their strategic interest and I applaud them for it.
Welder also has an awful lot of labor support. I wouldn't say he's the favorite, but he's definitely got a very good chance.
I think Sharice David is the favorite
I don't know if she's the clear-cut favorite. Each candidate in the big three has a strength. Niermann is probably strongest in Johnson County, especially among moderate suburbanites and education voters. His ground operation is impressive from what I've heard.
Welder does have lots of union support and national attention. I think the labor backing helps him bigtime in Wyandotte County, but I really can't see him doing well in Johnson County.
Davids has a lot of interesting factors going for her. Tons of volunteers and a very energetic campaign. She's not that liberal though, which is good for the general. I think she does well in both major counties in the district, especially among female voters.
Any of these three can realistically win, and with so many Democrats, we can't totally rule out a Jay Sidie name-recognition surprise, which would doom Democratic prospects here.
Also, The reason Patrick Murphy endorsed Brent Welder is because Welder used to work for him in DC.
