The Bench is a new Democratic political organization founded by campaign veterans including Lis Smith and Andrew Mamo to recruit and support a new generation of candidates as the party faces record-low favorability. The group highlights three Senate hopefuls—Mallory McMorrow, James Talarico, and Josh Turek—and roughly a dozen House contenders across competitive districts. The slate spans progressives to centrists and aims to provide strategy, training, and resources to field winnable campaigns. GOP critics dismiss the effort as an attempt to patch a damaged Democratic brand.
Democrats Launch 'The Bench' To Rebuild Party With New Slate As Favorability Hits Historic Lows
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., speaks as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., looks on during a news conference by the top two Democrats in Congress, at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 8, 2026 in Washington, D.C.(Getty Images)
Democrats have launched The Bench, a new political organization aimed at recruiting and supporting a fresh generation of Senate and House candidates as the party contends with record-low favorability ratings.
What Is The Bench?
Formally unveiled earlier this month by veteran campaign operatives including strategist Lis Smith and communications specialist Andrew Mamo, The Bench says its mission is to concentrate resources on developing a deeper roster of contenders it calls "the future of the Democratic Party." Organizers say the group will provide strategy, training, and support to help candidates run competitive, solutions-focused campaigns.
Why Now?
The group's debut comes as Democrats try to reclaim House and Senate majorities in this year’s midterm elections while grappling with historically weak approval and favorability scores in national polls. Political conditions already favor Republicans in many districts, but party leaders and operatives see an opportunity to invest in candidates who can compete in places Democrats have previously written off.
Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, a Democratic Senate candidate, is being backed by a new Democrat-aligned group titled "The Bench."
Who Is on the Slate?
The Bench says it has spent months recruiting and preparing a slate that includes three highlighted Senate hopefuls and roughly a dozen House contenders.
Senate slate: Michigan State Senate Majority Whip Mallory McMorrow; Texas state lawmaker and Presbyterian seminarian James Talarico; and Iowa State Representative Josh Turek, a Paralympian wheelchair basketball player.
House contenders include: Jamie Ager (NC-11); Shannon Bird (CO-8); Bob Brooks (PA-7); Cait Conley (NY-17); Mike Cortese (TN-5); Sam Forstag (MT-1); Sarah Trone Garriott (IA-3); Matt Maasdam (MI-7); Darren McAuley (FL-15); Denise Blaya Powell (NE-2); and Bobby Pulido (TX-15).
Texas State Rep. James Talarico, a Democratic Senate candidate, is being supported by a new Democrat-aligned group titled ‘The Bench.’
This week The Bench also added Nancy Lacore in South Carolina’s 1st District. Lacore is a 35-year military veteran who served as a Navy helicopter pilot and later led the Navy Reserve; she was removed from that post last August.
Strategy And Ideology
The Bench emphasizes that its roster spans ideological lines. "These candidates aren’t united by ideology, but by a willingness to break from Democratic defaults, speak honestly to their communities, and compete seriously in places the party has too often written off," the organization said in a statement. Organizers say the focus is on fielding candidates best positioned to win general-election races and hold seats.
"The Democrat Party is a broken brand, and they're stitching it together with deeply radical candidates. They’re too woke for the working class, too weak to get anything done, and too lost to get out of the wilderness," said Mike Marinella, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee.
The Bench plans to continue recruiting and supporting candidates across competitive districts, aiming to give campaign-ready newcomers the tools and guidance needed to mount serious challenges this election cycle.
Help us improve.
