Democrats unveil their primary targets for flipping in 2026
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has identified 10 districts where President Donald Trump secured victories by margins of 10 percentage points or greater.
TroibNews 
Buoyed by recent successes in Florida and Wisconsin elections, Democrats are rolling out an ambitious plan to target nearly three dozen House seats held by Republicans for potential flips in the 2026 elections.
The districts identified by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) on Tuesday vary from longstanding battlegrounds to staunchly Republican areas, showcasing the party's growing confidence amidst rising dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s economic management and the disruptions caused by Elon Musk’s reductions in the federal workforce.
The DCCC indicates it will commence the midterms with a broader array of targets compared to the same time in the 2024 election cycle.
Included in the list are 10 seats that Trump won by a margin of 10 percentage points or more in 2024, with Democratic leaders optimistic that the political climate could allow them to succeed in these strongly GOP areas. Although some of these races are expected to be challenging for Democrats, the expansive list may also serve as a strategic display. Key targets include Representatives Andy Ogles from Tennessee, Andy Barr of Kentucky, and Monica De La Cruz from South Texas, all of whom represent districts that Trump won by margins between 15 and 18 points last year.
“House Republicans are running scared, and they should be. They’re tanking the economy, gutting Medicaid, abandoning our veterans, and making everything more expensive. In short, they’ve lost the trust of their constituents, and it’s going to cost them the majority,” stated DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene.
The targeted list features some vulnerable Republicans, such as Representatives Mike Lawler, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Don Bacon, who serve districts that Vice President Kamala Harris won in the last election. It also includes members from districts known to be competitive every two years, including Representatives Juan Ciscomani, David Valadao, Young Kim, Gabe Evans, Tom Kean Jr., Ryan Mackenzie, Rob Bresnahan, and Jen Kiggans.
The House battlefield has significantly contracted since the last redistricting, leaving only a limited number of truly competitive districts. This situation has resulted in the ruling party in Congress maintaining a slim majority for the past five years.
To gain a substantial advantage in the House, a party must venture into challenging territory, a move Democrats are asserting they can accomplish in the upcoming cycle.
Some of the other difficult districts that Democrats consider viable targets include those held by Representatives Eli Crane, Cory Mills, Anna Paulina Luna, Nick Begich, and Ashley Hinson.
However, some districts on the Democratic map may prove more winnable than they might initially appear. For example, the districts currently represented by Lawler and Barr could become open seats if they decide to run for statewide positions. Notably, Rep. John James, another target, announced plans to enter the gubernatorial race.
Ohio will be redrawing its congressional maps during this cycle, which could lead to a more favorable environment in the three districts that the DCCC has identified as targets. Additionally, Democrats are feeling increasingly encouraged about challenging Wisconsin Republicans Derrick Van Orden and Bryan Steil following their recent substantial victory in the state Supreme Court race. They also believe that Musk's Department of Government Efficiency will aid their efforts against Kiggans and Rep. Rob Wittman, both of whom represent districts with significant military populations impacted by Musk’s workforce reductions.
There is some historical precedent indicating that a favorable political climate can yield unexpected victories. Democrats successfully flipped several seats that Trump won by substantial margins during the 2018 wave in locations such as South Carolina and Oklahoma, although Republicans regained those seats in the subsequent election.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
The districts identified by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) on Tuesday vary from longstanding battlegrounds to staunchly Republican areas, showcasing the party's growing confidence amidst rising dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s economic management and the disruptions caused by Elon Musk’s reductions in the federal workforce.
The DCCC indicates it will commence the midterms with a broader array of targets compared to the same time in the 2024 election cycle.
Included in the list are 10 seats that Trump won by a margin of 10 percentage points or more in 2024, with Democratic leaders optimistic that the political climate could allow them to succeed in these strongly GOP areas. Although some of these races are expected to be challenging for Democrats, the expansive list may also serve as a strategic display. Key targets include Representatives Andy Ogles from Tennessee, Andy Barr of Kentucky, and Monica De La Cruz from South Texas, all of whom represent districts that Trump won by margins between 15 and 18 points last year.
“House Republicans are running scared, and they should be. They’re tanking the economy, gutting Medicaid, abandoning our veterans, and making everything more expensive. In short, they’ve lost the trust of their constituents, and it’s going to cost them the majority,” stated DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene.
The targeted list features some vulnerable Republicans, such as Representatives Mike Lawler, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Don Bacon, who serve districts that Vice President Kamala Harris won in the last election. It also includes members from districts known to be competitive every two years, including Representatives Juan Ciscomani, David Valadao, Young Kim, Gabe Evans, Tom Kean Jr., Ryan Mackenzie, Rob Bresnahan, and Jen Kiggans.
The House battlefield has significantly contracted since the last redistricting, leaving only a limited number of truly competitive districts. This situation has resulted in the ruling party in Congress maintaining a slim majority for the past five years.
To gain a substantial advantage in the House, a party must venture into challenging territory, a move Democrats are asserting they can accomplish in the upcoming cycle.
Some of the other difficult districts that Democrats consider viable targets include those held by Representatives Eli Crane, Cory Mills, Anna Paulina Luna, Nick Begich, and Ashley Hinson.
However, some districts on the Democratic map may prove more winnable than they might initially appear. For example, the districts currently represented by Lawler and Barr could become open seats if they decide to run for statewide positions. Notably, Rep. John James, another target, announced plans to enter the gubernatorial race.
Ohio will be redrawing its congressional maps during this cycle, which could lead to a more favorable environment in the three districts that the DCCC has identified as targets. Additionally, Democrats are feeling increasingly encouraged about challenging Wisconsin Republicans Derrick Van Orden and Bryan Steil following their recent substantial victory in the state Supreme Court race. They also believe that Musk's Department of Government Efficiency will aid their efforts against Kiggans and Rep. Rob Wittman, both of whom represent districts with significant military populations impacted by Musk’s workforce reductions.
There is some historical precedent indicating that a favorable political climate can yield unexpected victories. Democrats successfully flipped several seats that Trump won by substantial margins during the 2018 wave in locations such as South Carolina and Oklahoma, although Republicans regained those seats in the subsequent election.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
