The House Republican campaign committee is gearing up to defend the GOP's slim majority in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. Despite holding onto control of the House in the last elections, the GOP faces a delicate 220-215 majority, with historical trends suggesting the party in power typically loses seats in midterms.
However, with President-elect Trump's victory and strong performance in key battleground states, National Republican Congressional Committee chair Rep. Richard Hudson sees a favorable landscape for Republicans. Hudson points out that there are 14 Democrats holding seats won by Trump, compared to only three Republicans in districts carried by Kamala Harris, indicating a potential offensive strategy for the GOP.
Unlike the 2018 midterms when Democrats flipped the House majority by targeting Republicans in districts Trump lost, the tables have turned in 2026. Republicans will defend seats in districts won by the president-elect, giving them a home-field advantage according to Hudson.
Hudson emphasizes that battle-tested Republicans, who have weathered previous challenges, are the party's strongest candidates. Despite Trump not being on the ballot in 2026, Hudson believes that delivering on key promises and campaigning on critical issues can mobilize voters to support GOP candidates.
On the Democratic side, Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington State, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, aims to build on past successes to regain the House majority lost in 2022. DelBene highlights the importance of independent-minded candidates focused on community needs and ensuring they have the necessary resources to communicate effectively with voters.
DelBene stresses the accountability of Republicans in governance and their impact on working families, signaling a focus on bipartisan cooperation in the upcoming election cycle. Democrats plan to reach voters nationwide with accurate information about their candidates' positions to secure electoral victories in 2026.
