State Democratic group unveils targeted races

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) in a memo obtained by The Hill on Monday detailed its top races 50 days out from Election Day.

In the memo, the DLCC warned that Republicans could take control of four state legislatures if the GOP is able to flip eight state legislative seats across the country.

“Our Spotlight candidates are running in razor-tight districts to make or break majorities; districts that will decide the fate of abortion access in their state; and districts featuring MAGA extremists intent on upending democracy,” DLCC President Heather Williams wrote in the memo. “In other districts, our Spotlight candidates are young leaders stepping up to run for office for the first time. Our candidates are closely connected with their communities, and they’re real changemakers.”

The DLCC is targeting races in a number of races in presidential battleground states, zeroing in on issues like reproductive health care and defending democracy. The group also noted 20 percent of its spotlight candidates are younger than 40 years.

The committee highlighted targets in Michigan and Georgia’s state Senates, where it’s targeting 13 and five districts, respectively.

In Arizona, the DLCC said it was targeting seven races in the state House and five candidates in the state Senate. In Pennsylvania, 15 state House and four state Senate candidates are being targeted, while in North Carolina nine state House and five state Senate candidates are being targeted. And in Wisconsin, the group said it was highlighting nine state Assembly races and five state Senate races.

Meanwhile, in the red-leaning state of Kansas, the group said it’s targeting six candidates in the state House and four in the state Senate. In Minnesota, it’s highlighting 13 candidates in the House and one candidate and the state Senate.

The memo comes after the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) announced details surrounding its early investments in races. The GOP group has invested $34 million into state-level races this cycle. According to the RSLC, their notable investments are in states including Arizona, New Hampshire, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Republicans currently control 27 state Houses and 29 state Senates. Democrats control 21 state Houses and 20 state Senates.

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