The Democratic Congressional Marketing campaign Committee, the marketing campaign arm of Home Democrats, stated on Tuesday that it’s including 5 seats to its checklist of Republican-held districts that it’s focusing on to flip within the 2026 midterm elections.
The committee, which says it’s including districts gained by President Donald Trump in 2024 by 13% or much less, is arguing that current Democratic performances in special elections exhibits a “sustained, dramatically optimistic political setting” for Democrats.
“Democrats are on offense, and our map displays the truth that on a regular basis Individuals are uninterested in Republicans’ damaged guarantees and prepared for change in Congress,” DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene, of Washington, stated in an announcement.
A view of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 6, 2026.
Alex Wroblewski/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
The 5 districts added to the DCCC’s “Districts in Play” checklist — which now has 44 districts — embrace Colorado’s fifth congressional district, at present represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank; and Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District, at present held by Republican U.S. Rep. Brad Finstad.
The additions to the checklist additionally embrace Montana’s 1st Congressional District, at present held by Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke. Democrats have individually been highlighting smokejumper Sam Forstag’s entrance into the race as providing the occasion a notable outsider candidate. Forstag faces Ryan Busse, Montana’s 2024 Democratic candidate for governor, within the main.
Virginia’s fifth Congressional District, which has additionally been added to the checklist, is at present held by Republican U.S. Rep. John McGuire, however may very well be redrawn within the coming months by the state’s Democratic-controlled legislature to permit Democrats to flip it — though the mid-decade redistricting gambit nonetheless faces roadblocks and uncertainty.
The opposite new district added as a goal by the DCCC, South Carolina’s 1st congressional district, is opening up as incumbent GOP U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace is operating for governor.
The DCCC says it has launched “nominee funds” for the goal districts to help the eventual Democratic nominee in every one. The group not often endorses candidates throughout primaries.
A U.S. Capitol Police officer patrols on the East Entrance of the U.S. Capitol, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Washington.
Rahmat Gul/AP
Whereas current particular election outcomes and some polling, which have proven a lead for Democrats on a generic congressional poll, have given Democrats some room for optimism, they’re nonetheless set to face a problem in making an attempt to flip the 5 new goal seats, all of which the Cook dinner Political Report charges as leaning Republican or solidly Republican.
The Nationwide Republican Congressional Committee, the DCCC’s GOP counterpart, additionally has its own large target list of Democratic-held seats that Republicans are aiming to flip within the midterms.
Democrats might want to internet 3 seats within the U.S. Home to flip the chamber, if all the three current vacancies within the Home are stuffed by members who belong to the identical political occasion as the previous incumbents. Republicans, in the meantime, hope to increase their majority within the U.S. Home.
