The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) announced on Oct. 5 that it added six new candidates to its "Red to Blue" program, bringing the total to 46 candidates nationwide. The program provides financial support, strategic guidance, staffing, and training to Democratic candidates running in Republican-favored districts ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
The DCCC cited lowering costs for gas, groceries, health care, and housing as central campaign themes for the newly added candidates. Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), chair of the DCCC, stated in the announcement that voters are seeking representatives who will address economic struggles. “At a time when so many families are struggling to pay the bills, Americans deserve representatives who will actually fight to make their lives better,” DelBene said. “Voters are ready to turn the page on House Republicans’ broken promises and elect Democrats to the House Majority.”
Three of the six new candidates are challenging incumbent Republicans in districts where they currently serve:
- Chris Jones, a physicist and ordained minister who ran for Arkansas governor in 2022, is running against Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.) in Arkansas’s 2nd District.
- Dwayne Romero, an Army veteran who led economic development under former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, is challenging Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.) in Colorado’s 3rd District.
- Eliott Rodriguez, a CBS Miami news anchor of 25 years, is opposing Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) in Florida’s 27th District.
The remaining three candidates are running in districts where the incumbent is not seeking re-election, including Nevada’s 3rd District.
Republican Response
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) criticized the DCCC’s expansion, with spokesman Mike Marinella stating, “The DCCC is stretching its map a mile wide and an inch deep, pretending every district in America is suddenly a battleground.” Marinella added, “Democrats can put as many names on a list as they want, but they’re still begging for resources just to match Republicans’ air superiority while bailing out their radical socialist nominees.”
Program Details and Scope
The "Red to Blue" program, launched by the DCCC, aims to flip Republican-held House seats by providing targeted resources to competitive races. The DCCC’s list includes candidates in districts where polling and fundraising metrics suggest potential Democratic gains. The committee did not specify financial allocations for the newly added candidates but emphasized the program’s role in equipping campaigns with operational support.
Election Context
The announcement follows shifts in polling that have favored Democrats in several key races. The DCCC’s move reflects an intensified effort to capitalize on perceived vulnerabilities among Republican incumbents and open-seat contests. The midterm elections, scheduled for Nov. 3, will determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives, with all 435 seats up for election.