All Gas, No Brakes: Red to Blue Candidates Will Lead Democrats to the House Majority

DCCC Spokesperson Liam Buckley: 
“Democrats have the momentum to win this November because of strong candidates who know what it takes to win. These latest Red to Blue candidates are laser-focused on the issues that matter to their communities — they have what it takes to take back the House majority and deliver for the American people.”

Read more about our all-star recruits and our expansive map below:

NOTUS: Exclusive: House Democrats’ Campaign Arm Expands ‘Red to Blue’ Program

By: Daniella Diaz | May 4, 2026

• House Democrats’ campaign arm has expanded its flagship candidate program for the 2026 midterm cycle with eight new candidates, including veterans, sheriffs, doctors, a firefighter, a journalist and a Grammy Award-winning musician.
• The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s announcement on the latest “Red to Blue” candidates, obtained by NOTUS, marks the first expansion of the program since its initial round of selections in February. This new list signals Democrats’ growing confidence that they see a blue wave on the November horizon.

Roll Call: Optimistic Democrats add 8 more House seats to ‘Red to Blue’ program

By: Daniela Altimari | May 4, 2026

• The [DCCC] released its initial list of a dozen challengers in February. The additions reflect Democrats’ rising optimism of flipping the House, emboldened by a political climate that appears increasingly inhospitable to Republicans, who are defending a razor-thin majority in the chamber.
• The additions to this year’s program include former television journalist Marlene Galán-Woods, who’s making her second bid in Arizona’s open 1st District; physician and state Assembly Member Jasmeet Bains in California’s 22nd; and state Sen. Joe Baldacci in Maine’s 2nd. Each faces at least one Democratic primary opponent. Two Pennsylvania Democrats were also added to the program: firefighter and union leader Bob Brooks, who is part of a crowded field of Democrats competing in the 7th District, and Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie in the 1st District.

New York Times: Democrats Add 8 Candidates to House Battlefield Program for Midterms

By: Tim Balk and Shane Goldmacher | May 4, 2026

• The additions by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to its “Red to Blue” program bring the number of candidates on the list to 20. The initiative primarily focuses on seats that party leaders believe they can flip. The designation typically offers candidates a significant fund-raising lift from donors.

And even more…

National: 

• New York Post: House Democrats add eight new battleground targets to their ‘Red to Blue’ seats program ahead of 2026 midterm elections
• The Guardian: Democrats boost eight more ‘top-tier candidates’ in bid to win back House

AZ-01:

• Arizona Mirror: DCCC backs Marlene Galán-Woods in crowded Democratic primary to flip Schweikert’s seat
• KJZZ: Galán-Woods gets national Democratic endorsement over Shah in Arizona’s CD1

CA-22:

• Bakersfield Californian: In close primary, DCCC backs Bains

CO-05:

• Colorado Public Radio: Democrats’ congressional campaign arm throws support to Killin in 5th CD race
• Colorado Politics: Crank challenger Jessica Killin named to House Democrats’ ‘Red to Blue’ program in Colorado’s 5th CD

ME-02:

• Bangor Daily News: National Democrats back Joe Baldacci in crowded Maine 2nd District primary
• Maine Public: Joe Baldacci wins backing of national Democratic committee in 2nd District primary
• WMTW: Maine’s 2nd Congressional District Candidate Joe Baldacci picks up national endorsement
• Portland Press Herald: National Democrats back Joe Baldacci in 2nd Congressional District
• Spectrum: Baldacci picks up support from national Democratic group in 2nd Congressional District race

PA-01 & PA-07:

• Philadelphia Inquirer: National Democrats officially get behind Bob Harvie and Bob Brooks ahead of competitive Pennsylvania primaries
• Morning Call: Democrats’ campaign arm officially backs Bob Brooks’ bid in competitive primary to challenge Rep. Ryan Mackenzie
• Politics PA: DCCC Adds Harvie, Brooks to ‘Red to Blue’ Program
• Bucks County Courier Times: Bob Harvie gets backing from key Democratic org ahead of the primary
• The Center Square: Pennsylvania has the most Democrats in ‘Red to Blue’ campaign
• Bucks County Beacon: DCCC Adds Bob Harvie’s Campaign to Unseat PA-01 Republican Brian Fitzpatrick to Its ‘Red to Blue’ Program
• Lehigh Valley News: 2 weeks ahead of the Democratic primary, DCCC throws its support to Bob Brooks in crowded PA-7 field

TX-15:

• The Texan: Democrats Home In on South Texas as Bobby Pulido Added to National ‘Red to Blue’ Program
• Border Report: Democrats add Pulido’s South Texas race to ‘Red to Blue’ list

TX-35:

• San Antonio Report: How Johnny Garcia rose from sheriff’s deputy to a high-profile congressional candidate
• San Antonio Express-News: National Democrats backing Johnny Garcia in TX-35 runoff in rare move

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