ROUNDUP: DLCC’s Spotlight Program in Action in Top State Races Across the Country

WASHINGTON — The DLCC’s Spotlight program has officially launched in every corner across the country, highlighting target races to build Democratic power in battleground, blue, and red states alike. In total, the DLCC has designated over 180 candidates as “Spotlight races” across 29 states. The stakes couldn’t be higher as Democratic power in the states is the strongest path to combat Donald Trump and his allies from enacting their MAGA agenda, and these 180+ races are among the best opportunities to build infrastructure and power in the states. 

Check out coverage of the DLCC’s Spotlight candidates throughout the cycle:

Arizona

• The Arizona Republic: National Dems to pour $223K into battleground districts to flip Arizona Legislature
•  CNN: Democrats are also investing in key congressional races in Arizona, committee announces
• Pluribus News: Dems make a play for Arizona
• AZ Family: National Democrats put new emphasis on flipping Arizona’s legislature
• KGUN: AZ Dems Get Big Investment 
• KPHO/KTVK: Plan to Flip the Arizona Legislature Blue 

Colorado

• Durango Herald: In Colorado Senate District 6, national party steps in to boost Democratic challenger
• Alamosa Citizen: Simpson and Smotherman roll out endorsements

Florida

• Florida Politics: DLCC to offer support to Democratic candidates in 7 competitive legislative races

Georgia

• Georgia Recorder: National Democratic party unveils plan to loosen the GOP’s strong grip on the Georgia Legislature
• Southeast Politics: Democrats Add 7 Spotlight Candidates in Key Georgia Legislative Races
• Georgia Today: The National Democratic Party plans to target four Republican-held seats in the General Assembly
• Atlanta Journal Constitution: DLCC Spotlights 7 State Legislative Candidates
• National Journal: DLCC Names New Legislative Candidates to Spotlight Program
• Gwinnett Daily Post: Gwinnett Races In Democratic Group’s Spotlight

Idaho

• Idaho Statesman: National Democrats are backing this Idaho House candidate. Can they flip a Republican seat?  

Iowa

• Des Moines Register: National Democratic group boosts 7 ‘spotlight’ candidates in Iowa House and Senate races
• Cedar Rapids Gazette: Campaign Almanac: National Democratic campaign spotlights Iowa legislative candidates 
• Iowa Capital Dispatch: National Democrats spotlight seven Iowa legislative candidates
• The Daily Nonpareil: National Democratic group spotlights Council Bluffs 

state representative

• Bleeding Heartland: Meet the seven Iowa Democrats in national group’s spotlight
• KWQC: Election 2024: How Iowa Democrats plan to win more statehouse seats
• KHQA: DLCC Announces Spotlight Candidates to Combat Republican Power in Iowa
• KCCI: Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Spotlighting Iowa Races

Kansas

• Topeka Capital-Journal: These 10 Races are how Democrats Plan to Break GOP Supermajorites in Kansas
•  State Affairs Kansas: National Dems highlight 10 races to break up GOP supermajority 

Maine

• Portland Press Herald: National Democrats target two Republican seats in Maine Senate

Michigan

• WZMQ: Michigan Democrats receive $500,000 from the National Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee
• Michigan Public Radio: Democratic org announces $500K investment in Michigan House races

Minnesota

• MPR: With majority-making state Senate race, Minnesota’s priciest legislative campaign could be afoot
• MinnPost: Minnesota Senate race crucial to DFL’s trifecta set; Davids and Kresha hold off GOP challengers
• KTTC: The battle for the Minnesota House could come down to just a few key districts
•  Pioneer Press: DFL control of Minnesota government hinges on state House elections. A handful of districts will be key.
• Fox 9: Democrats identify 13 priority Minnesota legislative races to keep or flip
• WCCO: National Democrats put money into Minnesota state legislative races

Nebraska:

• Lincoln Journal Star: National Democrats eye 2 Nebraska legislative races in bid to curb ‘MAGA agenda’

Nevada:

• Nevada Current: National Democrats announce support for 7 Nevada legislative candidates
• The Nevada Independent: National group backs seven Dem legislative candidates
• The Nevada Globe: National Democrats Endorse Seven Nevada Legislative Candidates

New Hampshire

• New Hampshire Union Leader: National Dems hit $1M mark in bid to flip Legislature from red to blue
• InDepthNH: National Democratic Effort Pushing To Flip Both Chambers in NH with $1M Investment

New York

• City & State New York: National Democratic group spotlights state Senate campaigns

North Carolina

• The News & Observer: Democrats say which NC lawmakers’ races they’ll prioritize. Here’s who’s targeted

• The Charlotte Observer: National Democrats jump into NC race: Why Rep. Tricia Cotham’s opponent will 
• Southeast Politics: Democrats’ National Legislative Political Arm Seeks To Reestablish Veto Power for Democratic Governor
• The Enterprise: Democratic group names Wilkins a ‘Spotlight’ candidate
• WNCT: Top targets in battle for NC legislature in 2024

Ohio

• Cleveland.com: The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee announced its 2024 Spotlight candidates in Ohio
• SiriusXM Progress: Sue Durichko and Rep. Willis Blackshear Jr

Oklahoma

• The Oklahoman: National Democratic group focusing on two Oklahoma legislative races this fall

Oregon

• Oregon Capital Chronicle: National Democratic group spotlights three Oregon legislative races

Pennsylvania

• Erie Times News: Upset watch: Dems think these PA. state house seats are up for grabs in Nov.
• Bucks County Beacon: DLCC Releases List of Pennsylvania Spotlight Candidates For November’s General Election
• City and State PA: National Democratic group spotlights its “must-win” PA races in 2024
• Pennsylvania Capital-Star: DLCC names its spotlight candidates for the Pennsylvania General Assembly
• Politics PA: DLCC Names Its Spotlight Candidates for the Pennsylvania General Assembly
• Lower Bucks Times: Legislative Roundup

South Carolina

• The State: National Democratic Support For State House Members

Tennessee

• Tennessee Lookout: National Democratic organization targets races
• The Tennessean: National Democrats target 3 Tennessee legislative races to ‘chip away’ at GOP supermajority

Texas

• The Texan: DLCC Announces Spotlight Seats
• Rio Grande Guardian: DLCC is getting behind LaMantia’s re-election campaign
• San Antonio Current: Democrats pump resources into Texas House races, including South San Antonio district

Utah

• Utah News Dispatch: National Democrats think they can flip two legislative districts in Utah
  
  

Wisconsin

• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: National Democrats and Republicans both targeting resources on Wisconsin legislative races
•  Wisconsin Examiner: DLCC spotlights 14 Democratic candidates for the Wisconsin State Legislature
• Wisconsin Public Radio: Democrats, Republicans ramp up legislative campaigns under Wisconsin’s new maps