DLCC launches historic 2026 strategy to compete in a whopping 42 chambers to permanently shift the balance of power in state legislatures
WASHINGTON — This week, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) launched the most expansive target map and strategy to date to transform the landscape of power in state legislatures in 2026. The DLCC’s data shows that a whopping 650 seats and eight new majorities are in play in 2026, alongside opportunities to break GOP supermajorities, flip seats, and build Democratic supermajorities.
To capitalize on this once-in-a-generation opportunity, the DLCC has expanded the target map to 42 chambers in 27 states, and announced a $50 million investment for 2026 – the largest single-year investment to date.
Check out more from the New York Times below:
NYT: Democrats Make a Fresh Push to Win State Legislatures
- The Democratic Party is planning an unusually aggressive push to win seats in state legislatures next year, targeting more than 650 seats and aiming to make gains in 42 chambers, according to a strategy memo reviewed by The New York Times.
- The effort is the latest sign that Democrats are growing more optimistic about the political environment ahead of the midterm elections. President Trump’s lagging approval ratings and Democratic electoral victories this year, most recently on Tuesday in the Miami mayor’s race, point to those shifting winds.
- With Washington in gridlock, state lawmakers have become increasingly influential in steering policies that affect millions of Americans. And with the outbreak of this year’s extraordinary redistricting war, control of state legislatures has become even more consequential.
- “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fundamentally transform legislative power,” said Heather Williams, the president of the D.L.C.C. She pointed to Democrats’ stronger-than-expected performance in state legislative races in New Jersey and Virginia last month.
- “There has not been a climate, I would argue, since 2010 where opportunities like this existed in the states,” Ms. Williams said in an interview.
More national headlines from the week:
- Mother Jones: Downballot Democrats Are Gearing Up for “2010 in Reverse”
- Washington Examiner: Democrats set expanded targets after surprise victories in Florida and Georgia
- Raw Story: Expert flags ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’ for Dems to take power
- Newsweek: New Map Reveals Democrats’ Targets to Win Power in 2026 Midterms
- The Hill: Democrats expand target map for statehouses, citing 2025 wins
Local headlines popping up across the country:
- Arizona – AZ Mirror: Democrats aim to flip control of the AZ legislature in 2026 as Trump approval hits record lows
- Texas – Texas Tribune: National Democrats put Texas House on list of legislative targets for 2026
- Nevada – KOLO: Democrats targeting Nevada as part of 2026 strategy
- Kansas – Sunflower State Journal: National Democrats target Kansas House races
- Florida – Florida Politics: DLCC adds Florida to its ‘Target Map of 2026’ after Rob Long’s victory in HD 90
- New Hampshire – InDepthNH: DLCC Adds New Hampshire to Battleground Target Map
- Iowa – The Gazette: Campaign Almanac: National Democrats add Iowa House, Senate to 2026 target map
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the campaign arm of Democratic state legislatures and leads the national strategy for building power and winning new majorities. Over the last three decades, we have strategized cycle over cycle to win majorities and lead the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level, winning nearly a dozen new chamber majorities over the last decade. Our work has ensured that nearly half of Americans are represented by at least one Democratic majority in their statehouse. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class and advancing opportunity, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
###
