The Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) chair, Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), made an effort last week to distance vulnerable Democrats from Vice President Kamala Harris. This move comes as House Republicans announced their latest efforts to defend and expand their majority.
DelBene was unwilling to use Harris’s name when CNN’s chief congressional correspondent, Manu Raju, asked her if it is “a good idea for those vulnerable Democrats to align themselves with Kamala Harris” on Thursday. She deflected the question by arguing that the races would be driven by local issues.
When pressed further by Raju, DelBene maintained that the focus of the races would be on individual candidates and their strengths in representing their communities. The DCCC is working to emphasize the importance of these local factors in determining the outcomes of congressional elections.
Raju also spoke with National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC) chair Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) on Thursday. Hudson stated that Republicans would “tie” House Democrats to the policies they voted for when questioned about whether the GOP would work to tie their opponents to Harris.
In addition, the NRCC and House Republicans are taking an offensive stance. On Monday, the NRCC announced that it was adding 26 candidates to its “Young Guns” program as the Republicans look to build on their majority. The program supports Republican candidates across the country and helps provide them with the necessary resources to win elections.
This initial round of additions includes Nancy Dahlstrom (AK-AL), Caroleene Dobson (AL-02), Kevin Lincoln (CA-09), Scott Baugh (CA-47), Matt Gunderson (CA-49), Jeff Hurd (CO-03), Gabe Evans (CO-08), George Logan (CT-05), Joe McGraw (IL-17), Randy Niemeyer (IN-01), Prasanth Reddy (KS-03), Austin Theriault (ME-02), Tom Barrett (MI-07), Joe Teirab (MN-02), Laurie Buckhout (NC-01), Yvette Herrell (NM-02), John Lee (NV-04), Alison Esposito (NY-18), Derek Merrin (OH-09), Kevin Coughlin (OH-13), Monique DeSpain (OR-04), Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), Rob Mercuri (PA-17), Mayra Flores (TX-34), and Derrick Anderson (VA-07.
Hudson expressed confidence in the program’s ability to grow the House majority in November by stating, “Extreme House Democrats’ border, crime, and cost of living crises wrecked Americans’ safety and security. Fortunately, these Republican candidates are already well on their way to running winning campaigns that will grow our House majority in November.
As both parties continue to strategize for the upcoming elections, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact the balance of power in Congress.