08/21/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/21/2024 14:47
DCCC Chair DelBene discusses how House Democrats are well-positioned to reclaim the majority at the DNC
At the DNC this week, DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene is showing how House Democrats are harnessing historic energy and momentum for Frontline and Red to Blue candidates in battleground districts to ensure we are well-positioned to reclaim the House majority in November.
See a few of Chair DelBene's conversations below:
CBS News: Interview at the DNC with DCCC Chair DelBene
Watch the full conversation HERE.
"Making sure that we have an economy that is working for everyone in our country is a huge priority for Democrats… That's what matters to people, right? We're talking about the kitchen table issues, retirement security, Social Security, Medicare… Those are things we're fighting for. If you look at Project 2025, it's tax cuts for the wealthy and well connected, cutting Social Security and Medicare, and there's no support for families or workers. This is really about taking care of Donald Trump and Donald Trump's friends."
Axios: Axios House at the Democratic National Convention: Rep. Suzan DelBene & Niala Boodhoo
Watch the full conversation HERE.
"We have independent, results oriented candidates and incumbents running for reelection all across the country, as opposed to Republicans that we're running against, who really have gotten to a point where if you have any differing point of view, you're kicked out of the party, and it's all about blind loyalty to Donald Trump. And so I do think that's one of the huge things that is an advantage for us is our ability to make sure we have folks who are going to really run and fight for their districts, who are listening and whose focus is on the needs of their communities, and they're willing to speak up, even if it may be different than what other folks they hear across the country are talking about."
Wall Street Journal: Key Democrat: Harris Will Help Party Take Back House
Watch the full conversation HERE.
"This election is about contrast, big contrast between the chaos and dysfunction and extremism we've seen on the Republican side and Democrats who want to govern, who came to Congress to govern. The beginning of this Congress was Speaker election after Speaker election, threats of shutdowns, of default, of shutdowns again, changing of Speaker. Every place I go across the country, people want to see governance work, and Republicans have shown they're incapable of governing… We delivered important results last Congress, and we will again, under the leadership of Speaker Hakeem Jeffries."
New York Times: In Chicago, Democrats Are Newly Hopeful They Can Win the Fight for Congress
Catie Edmondson and Carl Hulse | August 20, 2024
Representative Suzan DelBene, the Washington Democrat who is the chairwoman of her party's House campaign arm, told reporters that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee saw its best day of online fund-raising in the 24 hours after Ms. Harris announced her candidacy along with a more than 50 percent jump in volunteers. Democrats have consistently out-raised their Republican opponents.
"This week, I think you are going to continue to see how energized and united Democrats are," she said. "The momentum you see here in Chicago reflects the energy that we're seeing across the country with our candidates and with Kamala Harris and Tim Walz at the top of the ticket."
Though she said House Democratic candidates in battleground races were well positioned even before the presidential candidate swap, the enthusiasm has been reflected in increased demand for convention credentials and hotel rooms in Chicago for some who might have been earlier inclined to stay home. And it does not hurt House candidates, she said, that Mr. Walz was a member of the chamber himself.
"We're always excited to have a person who served in the House running," she said.
Punchbowl: DelBene: Harris can lead Dems to House majority
By Mica Soellner and John Bresnahan | 8/19/2024
Speaking to reporters at the Democratic National Convention, DelBene said Democrats have significant fundraising advantages and new pickup opportunities with Harris as the nominee. DelBene said the DCCC saw a 58% increase in volunteers and a 196% increase in doors knocked since Biden stepped aside less than a month ago.
"The bottom line is we have the money, we have the message, we have the momentum to win in November," DelBene declared.
DelBene detailed impressive fundraising figures from the party's Frontliners as well as Democratic candidates challenging vulnerable Republicans.
According to the chair, 97% of Frontliners outraised their Republican opponents last quarter with Democratic members having, on average, five times more cash on hand. On average, Red-to-Blue candidates have raised more than $400,000 over GOP incumbents, DelBene said.
The map: DelBene said that Democrats are seeking to flip some districts won by former President Donald Trump in 2020, seeing potential pick-up opportunities in Louisiana and Iowa. This is typical chest-thumping, but it's important to pay attention to these markers from someone like DelBene.