The official House Democratic campaign arm added eight new seats to its target list of battleground seats to flip and defend ahead of the midterm elections, marking the first such expansion of this cycle.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) updated its “Red to Blue” program Monday, adding new seats from coast to coast and candidates ranging from Grammy Award winners to sheriffs and firefighters.
“As the American people reject House Republicans’ disastrous, cost-spiking agenda, House Democrats have the momentum to take back the majority,” DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene said in a statement.
“These latest additions to our Red to Blue program represent the strength of our people-first message and the broad appeal of our top-tier candidates,” DelBene added. “These candidates will win because they are authentic, independent-minded leaders who are rooted in their communities.”
Democrats added to the “Red to Blue” program, which was first unveiled in February, include: Marlene Galan-Woods (Ariz.-1), Jasmeet Bains (Calif.-22), Jessica Killin (Col-5), Joe Baldacci (Maine-2), Bob Harvie (Pa.-1), Bob Brooks (Pa.-07), Bobby Pulido (Texas-15), and Johnny Garcia (Texas-35).
The move comes a week after the DCCC’s counterpart, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), rolled out an update to its “MAGA Majority” program.
Both programs include both defensible seats held by retiring reps as well as fliappable ones.
In the new “Red To Blue” program list, for example, Democrats have added Baldacci, who is running for a seat held by retiring Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine).
But that district went for President Trump over former Vice President Kamala Harris, 53.8% to 44.2%, illustrating how it typically leans red, despite Democrats currently holding its congressional seat.
Most of the newcomers to the list are vying for seats held by Republicans.
For example, the DCCC added Harvie, who is vying against centrist Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) for Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District.
Fitzpatrick is the GOP co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers’ Caucus and has been a voice of moderation within the House Republican Conference.
The expanded list brings the program’s roster from 12 to 20. Democrats included in the “Red to Blue” program will get critical resources from the DCCC, such as training, fundraising assistance, guidance, and more.
It marks a display of confidence from top party brass in the selected candidates who are running in competitive races.
To earn a spot on the list, the selected Democrats have to hit grassroots engagement and fundraising goals.
Democrats are generally favored to win the House in the November elections. Historically, the party in control of the White House has lost seats in all but two elections since 1938.
The Dems are besting Republicans on the generic congressional ballot by 5.7 percentage points, according to the latest RealClearPolitics polling aggregate.
