The campaign arm of the House Democrats has identified 29 members whose seats are most at risk during the upcoming election cycle.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee plans to exert extra effort to support incumbent Democrats in districts President Joe Biden lost in 2020.
Dubbing the 29 vulnerable officeholders its “Frontline Democrats,” the DCC said the identified members will receive “the resources to execute effective reelection campaigns” through its “battle-tested program.”
“House Democrats are well positioned to take back the House in 2024, thanks in large part to our tremendous slate of Democrat incumbents who tirelessly advocate for their communities and continue to put People over Politics,” said DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene in a March 10 press release.
“House Republicans have shown voters their caucus is more concerned with political investigations, empowering extremists, and seeking power for themselves, than working to improve the lives of everyday families – and that will stand in clear contrast to the formidable Democratic Frontliners,” DelBene said. “Democrats will have great offensive opportunities in 2024, and holding onto these seats is key to our path to reclaiming the majority.”
Frontline Democrats include Alaska Congresswoman Mary Peltotla, New Hampshire Congressman Chris Pappas, and California Congressman Mike Levin.
The Committee also identified two vulnerable seats in Washington, two vulnerable seats in Nevada, North Carolina, Michigan, and Illinois, as well as three seats in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
In January of 2022, the DCCC announced a 35-member list of incumbents expected to face serious challenges during mid-term elections. The Hill noted the party had “seen a deluge of retirements” during 2021 with Tennesee Congressman Jim Cooper becoming “the 29th House Democrat to opt out of seeking reelection to the House” when the DCCC list was released.
The Democratic Party is expected to face tougher challenges while defending the US Senate – where the party currently holds a majority – in 2024.
Long-time Democrat Dianne Feinstein, a California Senator, announced on Feb. 14 that she will not seek reelection in 2024. Another Senate Democrat, Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow, had already announced she will also not be seeking reelection.
Of the 34 senate seats on the ballot in 2024, 20 are currently held by Democrats and three are held by independents who caucus with the Democratic Party. Republicans, by comparison, have to defend 11 currently held seats.
“Of the 20 Democrat-held seats up for election, seven are in states won by former President Trump in either 2016 or 2020,” reports Fox News. “Republicans, however, will not be defending any seat in a state won by President Biden, unlike the 2022 midterms where the most competitive races were in states Biden won: Nevada, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Arizona.”
West Virginia Senator Joe Machin, Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, Montana Senator Jon Tester, Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen, Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey, and Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin are all currently considered to be vulnerable Senate Democrats, as is Arizona Senator Kysten Sinema.
