Democrats are expanding the number of Republican-held House seats they hope to flip in November as polling moves in their favor ahead of the midterm elections.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced Monday that it added six candidates to its “Red to Blue” program, bringing the total to 46. The program provides candidates with strategic guidance, staff resources, training, and fundraising support.
All six candidates are running in districts that President Donald Trump won by an average of at least 16 percentage points in 2024.
The candidates include physicist and former gubernatorial candidate Chris Jones in Arkansas, combat veteran and former Army officer Dwayne Romero in Colorado, former news anchor Eliott Rodriguez in Florida, former Nevada Assembly Majority Leader Teresa Benitez-Thompson, dairy farmer Blake Gendebien in New York, and Tennessee state Rep. Justin J. Pearson.
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“The candidates added to our Red to Blue program today are winning over voters with their message of lowering costs — from gas and groceries to health care and housing,” said DCCC Chairwoman Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA).
The expansion comes as Democrats, less than 30 days from the midterm elections, are becoming more optimistic about their chances of reclaiming the House.
The Cook Political Report is projecting Democrats will win control of the House in November, after 15 races shifted toward Democrats as new polling and campaign spending reshape battleground contests.
Democrats currently hold 215 House seats and need a net gain of three seats to secure the 218-seat majority. Cook estimates Democrats could gain between five and 15 seats, giving the party between 220 and 230 seats.
The newly added candidates are running in districts where Democrats see opportunities to capitalize on concerns over the economy and Republican incumbents.
Jones is challenging Republican Rep. French Hill (R-AR), while Romero is taking on Republican Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-CO). Rodriguez is running in Florida’s 27th Congressional District after 25 years as a local news anchor.
Benitez-Thompson, who served 12 years in the Nevada legislature, is running in Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District. Gendebien, a second-generation dairy farmer and small-business owner, is challenging Republican Rep. Anthony Constantino (R-NY). Pearson, a Memphis native and Tennessee state representative, is running in Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District, where he has focused on housing, healthcare, and environmental issues.
As Trump’s popularity plummets, House Democratic target emerges in red Indiana
The DCCC said candidates earn spots in the Red to Blue program by meeting benchmarks for grassroots engagement, local support, campaign organization, and fundraising.
With Election Day less than a month away, Democrats are betting that a favorable national environment can help them overcome the Republican advantage in several of the newly targeted districts.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
