The campaign to stop more GOP troublemakers from joining Congress: From the Politics Desk

Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team’s latest reporting and analysis from the campaign trail, the White House and Capitol Hill.

In today’s edition, national political reporter Bridget Bowman and CNBC political finance reporter Brian Schwartz report on why prominent GOP megadonors are targeting Super Tuesday primaries in deep-red House districts. Plus, senior political editor Mark Murray breaks down how Joe Biden is in worse shape than his recent predecessors at the same point in their re-election bids.

The Super Tuesday battles that could have big consequences for the House GOP

By Bridget Bowman and Brian Schwartz, CNBC

The political world’s attention is on the presidential election heading into Super Tuesday, when more delegates are up for grabs than any other day in the 2024 nominating fight.

But it’s also the first major congressional primary day of the year — a date GOP megadonors who are concerned with the direction of the conflict-ridden House Republican conference circled long ago on their calendars.

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Two super PACs financed by a small group of prominent donors quietly spent over $6 million against five Republicans running for deep-red House seats in Super Tuesday primaries, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Their apparent goal? Limit the influence of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus.

The super PACs, Conservatives for American Excellence and America Leads Action, have targeted candidates who are either endorsed by the political arm of the House Freedom Caucus or would align with the caucus if elected. The groups have also targeted one candidate endorsed by former President