The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) announced Thursday it added five new candidates to its "Red to Blue" program, a designation aimed at supporting Democratic contenders in competitive House districts.
The newly selected candidates are Leela Gray (Florida’s 13th District), Zach Dembo (Kentucky’s 6th District), Matt Dunlap (Maine’s 2nd District), Nancy Lacore (South Carolina’s 1st District), and Tom Perriello (Virginia’s 5th District). The additions bring the program’s total designated races to 37, as the DCCC seeks to expand its footprint in Republican-leaning districts.
Program Support and Rationale
The DCCC stated the five candidates will receive strategic guidance, staff resources, training, and fundraising support to bolster their campaigns ahead of the November elections. In a press release, DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) described the candidates as "proven fighters" who are engaging with voters across ideological lines to build coalitions.
Candidate Backgrounds
All five candidates have prior public or military service records. Leela Gray, a Democratic nominee in Florida’s 13th District, highlighted her 30-year Army career, including service as a brigadier general. Nancy Lacore, running in South Carolina’s 1st District, is a former three-star Navy admiral. Zach Dembo, a candidate in Kentucky’s 6th District, previously served as a Navy JAG officer and DOJ prosecutor.
Political Context
The DCCC’s announcement follows a series of primary victories by progressive candidates in key House races, which have drawn both support and criticism within the Democratic Party. The program’s expansion signals the party’s increased investment in districts it believes are winnable, as Republicans currently hold a slim majority in the House.
The DCCC did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the criteria used to select these candidates or the broader strategy behind the program’s expansion.