Amid an era of unchecked Republican power in Washington, the DLCC has a clear strategy to continue building Democratic power in the states to fight Project 2025 and the MAGA agenda
WASHINGTON — Today the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) released the 2025-2026 target map and the strategy to boost state power across the country. Guided by historical data and a deep analysis of the 2024 elections, the DLCC’s data-driven strategy charts a path from where we are mid-decade to where Democrats need to be by 2030. Building on the dozen majorities won back over the last decade, increasing power in the targets for this cycle will put Democrats in the strongest possible position for redistricting in 2030, which will shape the long-term trajectory for all levels of the ballot.
States are on the frontlines of responding to Washington’s dysfunction and providing the Democratic leadership needed to protect our communities. Our priorities this cycle and through the end of the decade are clear for where resources can secure the most power at this ballot level ahead of redistricting in 2030. The DLCC will continue to be the permanent, year-round presence and strategic hub to ensure state Democrats can build on the progress we’ve made and lead our country through uncertain times.
The DLCC’s target states for the 2025-2026 cycle include:
Battleground chambers we must win and defend before the end of this decade:
- Virginia House (2025)
- Minnesota House and Senate
- Michigan House and Senate
- Pennsylvania House
- Wisconsin Assembly and Senate
- Alaska House and Senate
Power building chambers to gain seats on the path to new majorities by 2030, or protect other benchmarks for power like the veto pens of Democratic governors:
- Arizona House and Senate
- Georgia House
- New Hampshire House
- North Carolina House and Senate
Watch list chambers to ensure Democratic control through the end of the decade.
- Maine House and Senate
You can read the DLCC’s target map strategy memo here.
The DLCC’s target map represents our role in crafting the long-term strategy for building Democratic power in the states. The DLCC will continue to be the permanent, year-round presence and strategic hub to ensure Democrats can build on the progress we’ve made and lead amid unchecked GOP power in Washington. State chamber control in many states this cycle will likely come down to just a few seats and possibly just a few hundred votes, so our efforts to bring attention and resources to this fight will make all the difference.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“Our nation is at a critical juncture amid this dangerous new era of Republican power in Washington. In our nation’s state legislatures, there continue to be real opportunities to advance Democratic priorities and combat the dysfunction of the Trump administration. This is the only level of government where Democrats hold majorities and can proactively move policy forward that improves lives. Not only that, but this ballot level will determine the redistricting process in 2030, and we must start laying that groundwork now.
“These high stakes, alongside the DLCC’s extensive data and experience, guide the approach to the 2025-2026 cycle. The DLCC sets the map and strategy to build Democratic power in the states each cycle, and it’s a responsibility we take seriously. Many chamber majorities across our battleground map rest on a razor’s edge, so chambers can be won by just a handful of seats and votes. It is mission-critical that statehouses are prioritized so we can compete in upcoming special elections and build power across the country. The future for millions of Americans is at stake on our target map amid this existential moment for our nation.”
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the official Democratic Party committee dedicated to winning America’s state legislatures and building state infrastructure. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. 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, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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