The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC ) is facing behind-the-scenes fury and demands for a course-correction after spending $135,000 on what appears to be a failed effort to boost their favored candidate in a Democratic primary. Why it matters: Some lawmakers are threatening to withhold their dues to the House Democratic campaign arm if it doesn't change its ways. - "People think the DCCC doesn't care about them other than their dues," a senior House Democrat told Axios. "They have no say where they go, they don't help [safe-seat] incumbents." - Said Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.): "It frustrates me and it's just deeply disappointing that the DCCC tried to tip the scales in a very competitive Democratic primary." Driving…
House Democrats are looking to Tuesday's primaries in California as a major test of the anti-incumbency sentiment among their voters. Why it matters: This will be the first time in the 2026 election when multiple House Democrats in their 70s and 80s face off against primary insurgents who have hammered them for their lengthy tenures. - California Democratic Reps. Mike Thompson, Doris Matsui and Brad Sherman — all 70 or older — are among those facing tough primary fights with younger Democratic challengers. - Their Democratic colleagues are watching "all of them closely," one senior House Democrat said, as well as the LA mayor's race and the state's gubernatorial election. - "Just to see the anti-incumbent sentiment," another senior…
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC ) is employing an unusual tactic to blunt what they say is Republican meddling in their primaries: - They have teamed up with the candidates they see as the "strongest" in key battleground districts, launching joint ad buys to squeeze out their Democratic primary opponents. Why it matters: This practice has infuriated parts of the party, particularly the progressive wing. - "If DCCC were a good judge of electability, then we wouldn't be in the mess we're in," said Ravi Mangla, a spokesperson for the progressive Working Families Party, in a statement to Axios. - DCCC spokesperson Viet Shelton said in a statement that "the stakes are incredibly high for the midterms" and it is…
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee sparked a rare and heated bout of public infighting between House Democrats on Monday by endorsing multiple candidates who are still locked in contested primaries. Why it matters: The blowup is dredging up an intense, long-standing debate about whether Democratic leadership is acting un-democratically to boost the candidates they view as more electable. - "Voters, not the DCCC, should pick Democratic nominees," leaders of the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC said in a statement first reported by Axios. - Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.), chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' BOLD PAC, fumed about several Latino candidates being passed over for endorsements, saying: "Latino voters…