The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is sharpening its focus on affordability as it targets a return to power in the House during the upcoming midterm elections. Chair Suzan DelBene believes Democrats only need to flip three Republican-held seats to regain control for the first time in four years. “We’re going to hold Republicans accountable for their policies that are hurting American families,” she stated in an interview.
Recent history shows that affordability issues resonated strongly with voters. High prices contributed to significant Republican gains in the 2024 elections, resulting in a Republican-controlled White House and Senate. However, the political landscape can shift quickly. Following the 2025 elections, Democrats appeared rejuvenated, achieving considerable victories in key states like New Jersey and Virginia. “It was clear that when folks are talking about the biggest issues affecting their communities, affordability was at the forefront,” DelBene noted.
A Fox News poll recently highlighted widespread voter dissatisfaction with the economy, revealing that three-quarters of respondents viewed economic conditions negatively. Many voters from both parties reported rising costs in essentials like groceries and housing. Notably, when asked about economic responsibility, nearly twice as many respondents blamed Trump over Biden. This sentiment could sway the midterm results in favor of Democrats.
DelBene pointed to the persistent challenge of affordability, linking it directly to Republican policies. She remarked, “Affordability is still the number one issue for families. Housing, food, health care, child care, energy costs all going up directly as a result of policies put in place by Republicans in Congress and Donald Trump.” Her emphasis on broken promises from the previous administration highlights a critical gap that Democrats will likely exploit in their campaign messaging.
On the other side, GOP Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina offered a counter-narrative during the same interview. He attributed economic challenges to the Biden administration, claiming, “Biden broke it, and House Republicans, working with President Trump, are going to fix it.” His focus on issues like neighborhood security and border safety suggests that Republicans are working to reconnect with voters’ immediate concerns. As he put it, “We are very focused on the issues that matter to them.”
The DCCC has sought to tie vulnerable Republicans to Trump, arguing that their combined policies have negatively impacted ordinary Americans. DelBene criticized tariff policies from Trump’s administration for driving up costs and emphasized that the current Republican agenda mostly favors the wealthy. “People are feeling that, and we’re going to continue to call that out,” she said.
Meanwhile, the NRCC is attempting to paint Democrats as too far left by linking them to incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Hudson claimed, “The entire Democrat Party has shifted to the left,” suggesting that all House Democrats need to answer for this alleged radical shift.
DelBene dismissed this approach, suggesting that voters in states like Iowa and Arizona are concerned about local representation and practical issues rather than political figures from New York City. Her insistence on focusing on the needs of everyday Americans emphasizes a crucial point of differentiation between the parties.
As the 2026 midterms loom closer, DelBene remains cautiously optimistic. “We take nothing for granted,” she stated, but she signaled confidence that Democrats will reclaim the House. Her goal is straightforward: “Our number one goal is making sure that we take back those gavels.”
In this charged political environment, with just a few seats necessary for a majority, affordability ranked as a decisive factor in shaping voters’ perceptions and potentially determining electoral outcomes. The strategies from both parties will likely evolve, but the focus on economic issues is expected to remain central in the months to come.
"*" indicates required fields
