Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene is projecting confidence as the party enters the final stretch before November’s midterm elections, citing favorable polling and economic dissatisfaction as tailwinds for her party’s efforts to retake the House.
“We have great candidates. We have the momentum. We have the message,” DelBene told CNBC in an interview. “And I think the thing that’s been really critical too is that the American people are with us.”
Democrats are positioning themselves to capitalize on economic frustration among voters, with gas prices climbing back above $4 per gallon and inflation remaining elevated. President Donald Trump’s approval ratings remain low, creating what DelBene sees as an opportunity for her party to flip the narrowly Republican-controlled House after two years in the minority.
Economic Message Takes Center Stage
The Washington Democrat emphasized that cost-of-living concerns will remain central to her party’s campaign strategy. “Absolutely the number one issue across the country is affordability,” DelBene said. “Families are struggling with housing, food, healthcare, childcare, energy costs, gas prices.”
Recent polling appears to support Democratic optimism. A Fox News poll showed Democrats leading by seven percentage points on a generic ballot, while Emerson College Polling found an 11-percentage-point advantage. CNBC’s All America Economic Survey from earlier this month indicated voters would slightly prefer Democrats to win control of Congress.
The National Republican Campaign Committee pushed back on Democratic narratives. NRCC spokesperson Mike Marinella said Republicans maintain “a more favorable map, stronger candidates, a deep fundraising advantage, and a winning message that serves as a stark contrast to Democrats’ radical turn to socialism and messy infighting.”
Internal Party Tensions
Despite the bullish outlook, the DCCC has faced criticism from within Democratic ranks over its involvement in contested primaries. Last week, Amish Shah defeated DCCC-backed candidate Marlene GalΓ‘n-Wood in Arizona’s 1st congressional district primary, one of the year’s most competitive races.
The loss has reignited debate over whether the campaign committee should intervene in primaries. DelBene defended the approach, saying “the stakes are incredibly high this election, and our job is to make sure we win all across the country.”
The party must also navigate its growing progressive wing, with Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates unseating incumbent Democrats in states including New York and California. DelBene framed the ideological diversity as an asset rather than a liability.
“I think if you look across the candidates that we have running in these swing districts across the country, they are all unique fits for their districts,” she said, noting the range spans from Bernie Sanders supporters to moderate Blue Dog Democrats.
Fundraising and Redistricting Challenges
Democrats face headwinds beyond internal divisions. The party trails the NRCC in fundraising and contends with approval ratings that mirror Republicans’ unfavorable numbers. According to RealClearPolling, both parties were viewed equally negatively through June.
Newly drawn congressional districts following Republican-led redistricting efforts present additional obstacles. However, DelBene suggested some GOP-drawn maps in states like Florida and Texas could backfire and create pickup opportunities for Democrats.
“They’ve decided that the only way they’re going to stay in power is to rig the system,” DelBene said of Republican redistricting. “People hate it. It’s actually motivating a lot of voters in places like Texas and Florida.”
While Democrats appear to have a clearer path to winning the House, their chances of capturing a Senate majority remain more challenging. The party will look to sustain its polling advantages through November as economic conditions and Trump’s standing continue to shape the electoral landscape.
Source: www.cnbc.com β https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/26/election-midterms-dccc-chair-delbene-democrats.html
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