This year, state Democrats have won 6 majority-deciding elections, flipped 3 deep red Trump districts, and are overperforming in special elections by over 10 points on average
WASHINGTON — DLCC President Heather Williams joined the PoliticsGirl podcast to discuss state legislative Democrats’ strength in special elections this year. State Democrats continue to step up for their communities while Republicans break promises made to working families, raise prices, and gut health care.
To listen to the podcast, click here.
Check out some key excerpts from Heather Williams below:
- On state Democrats’ special election success: Democrats have been overperforming by more than 10% or so across all […] types of communities. We have already protected five legislative majorities. We have flipped three double-digit Trump seats, and we broke the Republican supermajority in Iowa, which means Democrats now have more voice in matters related to things like appointments and who’s going to sit on the [state] Supreme Court.
- On Virginia 2025 elections: As we speak, we have elections going on in Virginia. Their state offices are on the ballot in November of 2025, and we currently have a one-seat majority in the state House. And so we have live data on the ground from an electoral environment, from all of these candidates in all of these communities in Virginia, who are talking to real voters about how they feel. And what’s interesting is Virginia, as you can imagine, is a microcosm of everything that is happening and the approach that Republicans are taking, both in the big, beautiful bill, but also just in general, right, the DOGE cuts hit there, it’s a huge federal workforce impacting large communities.
- On what voters are saying on the ground: And I think what is notable about what is being heard on the ground, there are two things. One, folks are still looking for […] someone to fight for them. […] And we know that Republicans are unwilling to break rank, despite the fact that they know that what is happening is harming their neighbors and their community. […] The other part is […] people are starting to realize the impact. […] The amount of pressure that [these cuts and tariffs are putting] on people who are already feeling so burnt out is enormous, and we are seeing that everywhere as these candidates are talking to people.
- On the importance of state legislatures: The Democratic Party, a political party, is made up of people. We have the power as individuals to be a part of its future and the future direction of this country. We can take it back, if we don’t like the direction it’s going into, we can lead it to the place we want it to go, but we have to get involved. […] [This] ballot level is such an important place for that, because not only can you get involved and make your voice heard and help claim that future, but this ballot level also is the future in terms of who’s running for office. Barack Obama was a state legislator. Gretchen Whitmer was a state legislator. […] We are building the bench. You want a future? Elect someone great in your community to run for office, give them the tools and resources and support they need to be successful and watch them grow and flourish.
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the campaign arm of Democratic state legislatures and leads the national strategy for building power and winning new majorities. Over the last three decades, we have strategized cycle over cycle to win majorities and lead the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level, winning nearly a dozen new chamber majorities over the last decade. Our work has ensured that nearly half of Americans are represented by at least one Democratic majority in their statehouse. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class and advancing opportunity, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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