DCCC Chair DelBene: Affordability Will Remain Democrats’ Top Message as They Target House Majority

Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington, who is serving a second consecutive cycle as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), said in an exclusive interview that Democrats will keep affordability at the center of their message as they try to reclaim the House majority in the 2026 midterms.

DelBene pointed out that Democrats need to flip just three Republican-held seats to regain control of the chamber and argued the party will hold Republicans accountable for policies it says have raised costs for American families.

Electoral backdrop

High prices and the rising cost of living were major issues in the 2024 elections, which returned the White House to a Republican president and left control of Congress divided. DelBene said the political environment has shifted since then, citing strong Democratic performances in recent 2025 statewide and local contests as evidence that affordability resonates with voters.

She highlighted decisive Democratic wins in traditionally competitive states and gains in major cities, arguing those results show voters are focused on the everyday costs of housing, groceries, healthcare, child care and energy.

Polling and public sentiment

A recent national poll found widespread economic unease: roughly three-quarters of respondents viewed the economy negatively, many reported higher costs for essentials, and a plurality blamed the current president more than the previous administration for economic conditions. The poll also showed low approval for how the president is handling the economy.

"Affordability is still the number one issue for families," DelBene said. "They promised to lower costs on day one. It has been a big broken promise, and people are feeling that. People want folks who will stand up for them, not be blindly loyal to the president."

Partisan responses

Republicans dismissed the criticism and said economic problems were rooted in the previous administration. Rep. Richard Hudson, chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said House Republicans — working with the current president — will fix the economy and pointed to policies that he says will boost take-home pay for families.

The DCCC’s strategy has linked vulnerable House Republicans to the president and to policies such as tariffs and proposed rollbacks to health care protections, which Democrats say disproportionately benefit wealthy and well-connected interests while harming working families. The NRCC, in turn, has attempted to nationalize Democratic vulnerability by tying House Democrats to high-profile progressive figures and labeling the party as shifted to the left.

DelBene rejected those attacks, saying many voters are focused on concrete local concerns rather than national cultural flashpoints, and warned her party will not be complacent: "We take nothing for granted." She expressed confidence Democrats can reclaim the House in 2026 and install a majority that will act as a check on the current administration.