About

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee

Over the past decade, the DLCC and our allies have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain nearly a dozen new legislative chamber majorities. The stakes have never been higher in the states and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level to give Democrats a clear path to fight back against the MAGA agenda. 

State legislatures are the frontlines of democracy, where policies affecting Americans’ day-to-day lives become reality. Democratic-led chambers have the power to improve lives and grow the middle class and form a critical firewall protecting millions of Americans from Republican extremism by ensuring our fundamental freedoms like abortion and voting rights are protected.

Taking back power at the state level.

The DLCC is the only organization responsible for the full, national landscape of state legislatures, crafting the long-term strategy to elect Democrats across the country. We are a permanent, year-round presence, overseeing work in all 50 states – fighting hardest in our battleground chambers while also laying the groundwork to build future Democratic infrastructure and majorities in red states. Our direct connections to legislative leaders and their caucuses and campaigns provide us with the full picture of opportunities and allow us to maximize our impact, making us the most strategic hub for investments to build Democratic power in the states.

Our Mission

We’re fighting to kick right-wing extremists out of office and elect local Democrats who are committed to advancing policies that improve the lives of the people they serve. 

By winning majorities and building Democratic power in the states, we don’t just halt the GOP’s attacks on personal freedom – we move the party’s agenda of progress forward and shape the future of this country.

Our Strategy

Our democracy can no longer afford for state legislative politics to take a backseat in America’s political consciousness. In 2030, redistricting – decided by many state legislatures – will shape the next decade of American life. We have a bold, evidence-based plan to win majorities and put Democrats in the strongest possible position by 2030.

We don’t take any of our majorities for granted and will continue working to defend them while simultaneously mounting aggressive challenges in vulnerable Republican-controlled chambers. 

We are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to this ballot level. Help us build the power to protect our communities from extremist MAGA assaults by making a donation or signing up to take action today.

2025-2026

DLCC Target Map

Learn More

Board of Directors

The DLCC is governed by a board of distinguished Democratic state legislative leaders who represent the interests of our statehouse candidates nationally. Our chair, New York Senate President Pro Tempore and Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, works with the board to oversee our efforts and ensure that state legislative leaders and partner organizations are engaged with DLCC’s work in chambers across the country.

DLCC Board Chair

Andrea Stewart-Cousins

Senate President Pro Tempore and Majority Leader, New York

Read Bio

Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins isn’t just leading in New York– she’s rewriting the rules of what state leadership looks like. A former journalist and school teacher who grew up in public housing, she brings lived experience to every fight. She now serves as the longest-serving Democratic leader in one of the largest and most powerful blue states in the nation. When DC waffled, she delivered: nation-leading climate action, life-saving gun safety laws, and real tax relief for working families. Her record during Trump’s first term wasn’t just resistance–it was a masterclass in governing while chaos reigns in Washington.

DLCC Board Vice-Chair

Joe Fitzgibbon

House Majority Leader, Washington

Read Bio

Leader Joe Fitzgibbon isn’t waiting for leaders in Washington, D.C., to address the climate crisis; he’s tackling it head-on in Washington state. When he was first elected at 24, he was the youngest member of the legislature and continues to provide a necessary voice for the next generation. Leader Fitzgibbon has prioritized protecting the environment for generations to come and passed the nation’s most ambitious climate initiatives. A decade ago, Washington Democrats held a narrow one-seat majority but have made cycles of gains under Leader Fitzgibbon.

DLCC Board Treasurer

Ron Kouchi

Senate President, Hawai’i

Read Bio

Senate President Ron Kouchi’s deep commitment to his community and steady leadership have made him a driving force in Hawai’i. He knows affordable housing is at the foundation of healthy, resilient communities and robust workforces, and has spent his tenure championing legislation to make it easier to afford a home. As one of the longest-serving legislative leaders in Hawai’i history, Kouchi is trusted by voters with a record of delivering on promises to help Hawai’ian families succeed.

DLCC Board Finance Chair

Javier Martínez

Speaker of the House, New Mexico

Read Bio

Speaker Javier Martinez broke barriers long before he joined the legislature, becoming the first in his family to graduate from college. He fulfilled his immigrant family’s American Dream, attaining a law degree, organizing in his community, and eventually fighting for New Mexico’s vulnerable families in the legislature. His upbringing and firsthand understanding of the challenges immigrant families face continue to drive his commitment to expanding opportunities for New Mexicans. Without Speaker Martinez, New Mexico may not have one of the most generous and inclusive tax credits for working families. As the states protect against the worst of the Trump administration, he is quickly becoming a leader to watch.

In Memoriam

Melissa Hortman

DLCC Board Secretary and House Speaker Emerita, Minnesota

Read More

Honoring Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman

On Saturday, June 14, 2025 we lost a giant in state politics and a beloved DLCC Board member. Speaker Melissa Hortman was the kind of leader everyone deserves – a selfless fighter who never lost sight of what public service was about. It was an honor of a lifetime to know her, learn from her, and call her a friend. 

Melissa mentored and shaped so many leaders, empowered more people in her community to get involved, and inspired the rest of us to stay in the fight no matter how tough things got. She shared the challenges and sugar-coated nothing. She never lost sight of why this all mattered and worked tirelessly to ensure no one else did either.

The wins she delivered for Minnesota families – from paid family medical leave, to protecting reproductive health care, to free school lunches for kids – were hard-fought, and they were done with a humor, humility, and grace that will be irreplaceable in the House chamber.

She was a trusted neighbor, a valued friend, and a deeply respected colleague. She was an incredible mother alongside her husband, Mark Hortman. There are no words to express how much our community will miss her leadership and her relentless optimism for everything that her state and our country could be.

– DLCC President Heather Williams, June 2025

Complete Board of Directors