Democrats aim to flip the House in 2026, facing GOP confidence, low poll numbers, and internal primary threats.

DelBene: “We Are On Offense”

With the 2026 midterm elections already taking shape, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Chair Suzan DelBene says her party is aggressively pursuing control of the House, targeting 35 Republican-held seats across the country. “We are on offense,” DelBene said, arguing that President Donald Trump and Republican leadership are doing “incredible damage to working families and to our country.”

Democrats need to flip just three seats to reclaim the House majority. DelBene emphasized growing public frustration as a key driver behind the party’s momentum. “People are outraged,” she said. “They want someone who is going to fight for their communities and not just be blindly loyal to a president.”

Despite Republicans’ narrow majority, the GOP remains confident. National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chair Rep. Richard Hudson noted that the electoral map leans in their favor. “There are 14 Democrats who won seats also carried by Donald Trump,” Hudson explained. “That tells me we’re going to be on offense.” He added that the GOP holds only three seats in districts won by former Vice President Kamala Harris, indicating minimal vulnerability.

Internal Divisions and Voter Sentiment Complicate Strategy

Democrats also face growing internal tension. Newly elected Democratic National Committee (DNC) Vice Chair David Hogg has pledged to fund primary challenges against long-serving House Democrats in safe blue districts, describing them as “asleep at the wheel.” Hogg’s move has sparked controversy within the party, as it may divert resources away from competitive general election races.

DelBene downplayed concerns about the internal conflict. “Democrats across the country are united in taking back the House,” she said. When asked whether the DCCC would be forced to shift resources to defend incumbents from primary challengers, she responded, “I think everyone knows how important it is that we take back the House.”

Still, Republicans are capitalizing on the division. “No Democrat is safe,” said NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella. “A political earthquake is underway, and the old guard is scrambling.”

Polls present further challenges for Democrats. Recent national surveys show the party with historically low favorability ratings. While the Democratic Party held a 49% advantage in generic congressional preference, its overall favorability fell to 41%—lower than the GOP’s 44%—marking the first time in a decade that Republicans polled higher in that metric.

DelBene remains optimistic, citing gains made during the 2024 elections as evidence of momentum. “Those are the types of candidates that won in our districts last cycle,” she said. “It’s absolutely the reason why we’re going to take back the majority in 2026.”

With 2026 still on the horizon, the battle lines are clearly drawn. While Democrats work to unify and sharpen their message, Republicans are focused on preserving their slim majority with support from President Trump and favorable district trends.