President Donald Trump’s approval ratings remain low, inflation is rising, the Iran war drags on and gas prices are rising again above $4 a gallon with no immediate relief in sight.
While some of this may be bad news for the country, the series of events leading up to the 2026 midterm elections could present an opportunity for Democrats as they hope to regain control of both houses of Congress. And with 100 days left until Election Day, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairwoman Susan DelBene (D-Wash.) says the party is making good progress.
“We have great candidates. We have momentum. We have a message,” Del Bene said in an interview with CNBC. “And I think what’s really important is that the American people are with us. They want people who will stand up for the issues they face and support them. And the Republicans don’t care. They’re Donald Trump’s rubber stamps.”
Democrats have focused on cost-of-living concerns this election cycle, and DelBene said they will continue to criticize President Trump and the Republican Party’s economic policies in an effort to win back the House, which Republicans have narrowly controlled for the past two years. Democrats are unlikely to win a Senate majority.
A recent Fox News poll showed Democrats holding a seven-point lead over Republicans in the popular vote, while an Emerson College poll showed Democrats with an 11-point lead. A National Economic Survey conducted by CNBC earlier this month found that voters marginally want Democrats to take control of Congress this November.
“The No. 1 issue across the country is definitely affordability. Families are struggling with housing, food, health care, childcare, utilities and gas prices,” DelBene said. “It’s hard to spend your days thinking about something else.”
The National Republican Campaign Committee did not make its chairman, Rep. Richard Hudson, RN.C., available for an interview. NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella rejected the Democrats’ midterm position.
“Republicans have more favorable maps, stronger candidates, a significant fundraising advantage, and a winning message that stands in stark contrast to the Democratic Party’s radical shift toward socialism and chaotic infighting,” Marinella said.
Democrats look slightly favored to win the House this year, but it’s not all good news for the DCCC these days.
The party’s campaign arm has come under fire from within the party over its choice to participate in contested primaries in some parts of the country, with DCCC-backed candidates losing in some cases to more liberal challengers.
Last week, Amish Shah, a doctor and former Arizona congressman, defeated DCCC-backed Marlene Galan-Wood in the Democratic primary for the state’s 1st Congressional District, one of the year’s most competitive seats and potentially key for both parties to win a majority.
In response, some Democrats are calling for the DCCC to either not participate in primaries or to change its internal process for endorsing candidates.
Mr. DelBene ignored the criticism.
Regarding the debate over the DCCC intervening within the party, DelBene said, “Some people think it should be done, and some people think it shouldn’t be done.” “I think the important thing is that the stakes in this election are incredibly high. Our job is to make sure we win in every corner of the country. And we’re going to win in these districts across the country.”
Democrats also must contend with a burgeoning progressive wing promoted by the Democratic Socialists of America. DSA-backed candidates have defeated incumbent Democrats in states like New York and California, but many have an anti-establishment mentality that could create headaches for party leaders if they regain the House majority.
But Del Bene said the ideological diversity of the party’s candidates is a strength.
“If you look at the candidates we’re running in battleground states across the country, I think they’re all unique candidates who are perfect for their districts. We have people who have been supported from Bernie[Sanders]to the Blue Dogs,” she said, referring to the moderate Democratic Congressional Caucus. “But it’s important to have candidates who are authentic, independent-minded and focused on the needs of the community.”
The Democratic Party also lags behind the NRCC in fundraising, and its approval ratings continue to decline. Until June, Democrats were viewed as unfavorably as their Republican colleagues, according to polling firm RealClearPolling.
And they will have to contend with newly drawn Congressional districts across the country where Republicans are hoping to win more than a few seats.
But with Trump’s confirmation in limbo and Republicans looking to maintain control amid economic anxiety among many voters, Democrats are bullish that some of the seats Republicans won in states like Florida and Texas actually offer more opportunities.
“They decided the only way to stay in power was to rig the system,” DelBene said of Republicans’ redistricting efforts in the middle of the decade.
“People hate it. It actually motivates a lot of voters in places like Texas and Florida and across the country because it has nothing to do with the challenges they face,” she said. “They understand that Republicans are trying to elect voters instead of letting voters elect their representatives.”
