| Today, the DCCC announced four new top-tier candidates to be added to its highly competitive ‘Red to Blue’ program for the 2026 cycle. This is the third round of candidates placed onto the program since February, when the program was first rolled out for the current cycle, bringing the total to 24 Red to Blue candidates. This latest group of candidates will receive strategic guidance, staff resources, training, and fundraising support to ensure they are in the best possible position to win in November.
“Rising costs on gas, groceries, housing, and health care have become a regular reminder of House Republicans’ broken promises,” said DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene. “Voters are eager for new leaders who will put them first, not DC party bosses. This latest class of Red to Blue candidates are proven fighters and trusted public servants who put country over party. They are running to lower costs, tackle corruption, deliver for hardworking families, and will be critical to helping House Democrats take back the majority in November.”
Red to Blue is a highly competitive and battle-tested DCCC program that arms top-tier candidates with organizational and fundraising support to help them continue building winning campaigns. Candidates earn a spot in the program by surpassing aggressive goals for grassroots engagement, local support, campaign organization, and fundraising.
About the DCCC’s four new Red to Blue candidates:
CA-48 – Marni von Wilpert
Marni von Wilpert is a public servant, former prosecutor, and San Diego City Councilmember who has spent her career taking on powerful interests and winning for working people. The daughter of a U.S. Army veteran, Marni served in the Peace Corps during the AIDS epidemic, went on to found a legal clinic to combat discrimination, and later helped write the PRO Act to strengthen workers’ rights. As a Deputy City Attorney and civil prosecutor, she took on opioid manufacturers and price-gouging corporations ripping off consumers. And after flipping one of San Diego’s most conservative council seats, Marni proved she can build the broad coalition needed to win tough races and deliver results on affordability and public safety. After Proposition 50, this newly competitive district is central to regaining the House majority. Marni is exactly the kind of fighter needed to beat MAGA extremist Jim Desmond, who has done nothing but dismiss rising costs and embrace the worst of Donald Trump and Republicans’ agenda that is increasingly out of step with CA-48 voters.
FL-07 – Bale Dalton
Bale Dalton has spent his life in service to Florida and the United States. Bale served 24 years in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve as a Naval Aviator, including 13 years on active duty, and commanded the Navy’s special operations support helicopter squadron. He previously advocated for Florida’s military families and bases as military legislative assistant to Bill Nelson in the U.S. Senate, and most recently served as Chief of Staff at NASA. Now, Bale is ready to lead in Congress to help Central Floridians get ahead. As Cory Mills’ record of lies, scandals, and corruption grows, Bale’s undeniable record of always putting service over self makes him the exact kind of candidate that can flip this seat from red to blue this November.
NE-02 – Denise Powell
Denise Powell is a mom, business leader, public school champion, and health care advocate who knows what it takes to deliver a real win in Nebraska. Denise built a clear track record protecting Nebraska’s public schools and the families they serve, as well as helping stop far-right extremists from passing abortion bans in the state. Denise has gone toe-to-toe with MAGA before and won. Now, Denise is running to beat MAGA again in NE-02, an open seat that Vice President Kamala Harris won by nearly 5 points in 2024, and one that is key to Democrats retaking the House majority. Denise would be the first Latina to represent Nebraska in Congress and the first woman to represent NE-02.
NJ-07 – Rebecca Bennett
A former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot and test pilot, officer in the Air National Guard, health care business leader, and mom of two, Rebecca Bennett has always put service first. Rebecca decided early on that she wanted to serve our country, earning an ROTC scholarship before going on to graduate flight school at the top of her class. She flew the MH-60 Seahawk, leading missions, people, and teams in some of the most challenging environments in the world. Rebecca used the GI Bill to get her MBA and went on to work in health care to increase access to care, improve patients’ outcomes, and decrease costs. Now she’s stepping up to serve once again by running for Congress to lower costs and take on the culture of corruption in Washington. While career politician Tom Kean Jr. betrays New Jersey and takes marching orders from his D.C. party bosses, Rebecca will put her community first and fight for middle-class families just as hard as she fights for her own. |
