DCCC’s DelBene says Dems have momentum

President Donald Trump’s approval ratings remain low, inflation rises, and Iran war continues, gas prices rise again $4 per gallon There is no immediate relief in sight.

Some of this may be bad news for the country, but for Democrats eager to regain majorities in the House and Senate, the series of events leading up to the 2026 midterm elections could create opportunities. And according to Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairwoman Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., the party appears to be primed with 100 days until Election Day.

“We have great candidates. We have momentum. We have message,” DelBene said in an interview with CNBC. “And I think what’s really critical is that the American people are with us. They want people who will stand up for the issues they face and support them. And Republicans don’t care. They’re a stamp of approval for Donald Trump.”

Democrats have focused on cost-of-living concerns this election cycle, and DelBene said they will continue to push Trump and Republicans on how to manage the economy to win back the House of Representatives, which Republicans have narrowly controlled for the past two years. Democrats’ chances of winning the Senate majority are slimmer.

recently Fox News poll found that Democrats had a seven percentage point lead over Republicans in a general vote. Emerson College Poll giving them an 11 percentage point lead. CNBC’s All-America Economic Survey conducted earlier this month found that voters would moderately prefer Democrats to take control of Congress this November.

“Affordability is definitely the number one issue across the country. Families are struggling with housing, food, healthcare, child care, energy costs, gas prices,” DelBene said. he said. “It’s hard when you’re trying to spend every day trying to think about something else.”

It did not make the chairman of the National Republican Campaign Committee a Representative. Richard HudsonRN.C., we are ready for interview. NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella pushed back on Democrats’ midterm rhetoric.

“Republicans have a more favorable map, stronger candidates, a deep fundraising advantage and a winning message that stands in stark contrast to the Democrats’ radical turn to socialism and complex infighting,” Marinella said. he said.

Although the Democrats seem to have an idea slight advantage Winning the House of Representatives this year hasn’t been good news for the DCCC lately.

The party has a campaign arm caught fire from their own ranks in favor of contesting primaries in parts of the country where, in some cases, DCCC-backed candidates have lost to more liberal rivals.

Last week, Amish Shah, The physician and former Arizona state representative bested DCCC-backed Marlene Galán-Wood in the Democratic primary in the state’s 1st congressional district; This is one of the most competitive seats this year and a potential key for either side to win a majority.

In response, some Democrats called on the DCCC. stay away from primariesor changing their internal processes for approving candidates.

DelBene shrugged off the criticism.

“We have folks who think we should, folks who think we shouldn’t,” DelBene said of the debate around the DCCC’s intraparty interventions. “I think the stakes are incredibly high in this election, and it’s our job to make sure we win across the country. And we’re going to win in these districts across the country.”

Democrats must also contend with the emerging progressive wing supported by the Democratic Socialists of America. DSA-backed candidates have unseated incumbent Democrats in states like New York and California, and many of them have an anti-establishment ethos that could cause headaches for party leaders if they win back the House majority.

But DelBene said the ideological diversity of party candidates is a strength.

“I think if you look at the candidates we’re running in these swing districts across the country, they’re all unique candidates for their districts. “We have people who are supported by Bernie. [Sanders]“To the Blue Dogs,” he said, referring to a congressional group of moderate Democrats. “But the important thing is to have a candidate who is original, independent-minded and focused on the needs of the community.”

Democrats too lag behind NRCC in fundraising and they struggle with consistently low approval ratings. By survey aggregator Real Clear Polling, Until June of this year, Democrats were viewed equally negatively as their Republican counterparts.

And they have to deal with new congressional districts across the country where Republicans want to hold more than a handful of seats.

But with Trump confirmed and Republicans trying to maintain control amid economic uncertainty for many voters, Democrats are optimistic that some GOP-held seats in states like Florida and Texas actually provide more winning opportunities.

“They decided the only way to stay in power was to rig the system,” DelBene said of Republicans’ mid-decade redistricting efforts.

“People hate it. It actually motivates a lot of voters in places like Texas, Florida and across the country because it has nothing to do with the challenges they face,” he said. “They see Republicans trying to elect their voters instead of letting the voters elect their representatives.”