House Democrats’ campaign arm adds Latino-heavy districts to 2026 ‘Frontline’ list – Washington Examiner
The democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is focusing its efforts on Latino-heavy districts as part of its strategy for the 2026 midterm elections, responding to a notable increase in support for Donald Trump among hispanic voters. The DCCC has released a list of 26 ”Frontline” House democrats, highlighting those who are seen as crucial for the upcoming elections, especially after the party’s loss in the 2024 cycle. Notable additions to this list include Representatives from Texas, New Jersey, and California, whose constituents shifted towards Trump during the last election.
The organization aims to reverse the republican advantage in competitive districts, notably those that have recently flipped to the GOP. Emphasizing a focus on pocketbook issues over partisan rhetoric, the DCCC Chairwoman expressed optimism about regaining control of the House. though, the situation also presents challenges, such as the potential vulnerability of some candidates, including Texas Democrat Henry Cuellar, who faces serious legal issues.
As demographic shifts and changes in voter sentiment emerge, the DCCC is positioning these lawmakers at the forefront of thier campaign strategy, recognizing the high stakes involved in the upcoming election cycle.
House Democrats’ campaign arm adds Latino-heavy districts to 2026 ‘Frontline’ list
House Democrats‘ campaign arm is prioritizing investments in Latino-heavy districts for the 2026 midterm cycle after President Donald Trump made significant inroads with Hispanic voters last year.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee released a list of 26 House Democrats who are part of the organization’s Frontline program for “battle-tested” members. The 2026 midterm elections will be high-stakes for House Democrats as they look to break up the GOP trifecta, with the lower chamber historically flipping to the party opposite that of the White House during midterm elections.
The 2026 Frontliners largely resemble the districts where Democrats were on defense in the 2024 cycle. But the DCCC added a handful of new lawmakers’ districts to their battleground map after Latino voters and other historically blue voting blocs turned toward Trump over the state of the economy and illegal immigration.
In 2020, only 35% of Latino voters supported Trump. But in 2024, Hispanic support for Trump rose to 43%.
Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Nellie Pou (D-NJ), George Whitesides (D-CA), Derek Tran (D-CA), Laura Gillen (D-NY), and Josh Riley (D-NY) are new additions to the list.
Cuellar and Gonzalez’s South Texas districts, heavily made up of Latino voters, shifted dramatically toward Trump last fall. Pou’s district, a deep-blue stronghold for years, went red for Trump in 2024. Whitesides, Tran, Gillen, and Riley all flipped Republican districts in 2024, with the GOP likely to target those seats in the midterm elections.
“The common thread among them was their laser focus on pocketbook issues and running disciplined campaigns with a message of delivering results, not hyperpartisan rhetoric,” DCCC Chairwoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA) said. “With the cost of living still top of mind for voters, and House Republicans actively pushing disastrous policies that further increase costs, it’s clear that House Democrats are poised to retake the majority in 2026.”
Reps. Angie Craig (D-MN), Eric Sorensen (D-IL), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), and Hillary Scholten (D-MI) were removed from the Frontline list after winning their reelection campaigns handily last year.
Gaining a spot in the Frontline program can often be a tug-of-war between Democratic lawmakers, as doing so makes a member a top recipient of party resources, fundraising, and attention.
Democrats will defend 39 competitive congressional seats to Republicans’ 29 seats. Among the most competitive seats for Democrats are the 13 districts won by Trump in November last year, including the seats of Reps. Jared Golden (D-ME), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH).
The appearance of Cuellar on the Frontline list is a sign that House Democrats are rallying around their colleague in the aftermath of his indictment. The Texas congressman has been accused of allegedly accepting nearly $600,000 in bribes from two foreign entities: the government of Azerbaijan and a bank based in Mexico City.
Cuellar has repeatedly denied the accusations and said he is innocent, with a trial set for September.
House Democrats deciding to pour resources into his race could hand Republicans an easy target. Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina, a former Democrat who switched to the Republican Party on national television, is weighing a bid to challenge Cuellar.
“The DCCC throwing cash at Henry Cuellar, an indicted congressman facing bribery and foreign agent charges, is certainly a choice,” National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Marinella said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “Do other Frontline Democrats stand by pumping resources into defending a corrupt and sleazy politician?”
DEMOCRATS ON DEFENSE: 2026 PROJECTIONS SHOW GOP AT ADVANTAGE WITH COMPETITIVE HOUSE SEATS
Cuellar’s 28th Congressional District, a Biden +7 area in 2020, experienced a 14-point shift in the 2024 election to become a Trump +7 district.
But the Texas Democrat has scraped by in elections before, narrowly winning a primary challenge in 2020 and winning reelection in 2024 by 5 points. He is the sole anti-abortion Democrat in his caucus, which is received well in his socially conservative district.
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