The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is responsible for raising money and recruiting candidates to run for House seats, an essential function in an election cycle when Democrats must flip five seats to achieve victory.
New DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene and Executive Director Julie Merz are striving to make their organization smart, strategic, and accountable. Here are five fundamental questions all interested parties should pose to them about DCCC.
1. Boosting Voter Turnout
The DCCC raises funds and organizes congressional races expected to produce politically significant or close outcomes, recruiting candidates and offering advice and campaign advice to House Democrats.
On Election Night 2022, national Democratic leaders celebrated a number of welcome surprises that came their way: House Democrats far outperformed expectations in districts all across the nation; one less welcome surprise was Sean Maloney’s defeat in his bid for another term as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
As small-dollar donor armies have relieved Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of fundraising responsibilities and enabled progressive interest groups to fund primary challenges like Marie Newman’s against pro-life incumbent Dan Lipinski, investing in increasing turnout is essential to winning back control of Congress.
2. Stopping Extremism
The DCCC has made clear its intention to continue relying on small-dollar donor armies like those who supported Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and progressive interest groups like Marie Newman’s bid against pro-abortion Rep. Dan Lipinski; these donors represent only part of a much bigger picture.
Democrats can win back the House with smart and strategic use of their massive war chest, so it is critical that Hakeem Jeffries appoint Suzan DelBene as chairwoman and Julie Merz as executive director.
An inclusive team, equipped with a generous war chest, can do everything from supporting minority candidates against dangerous primary opponents to making sure the Democratic message resonates with voters of color – but this requires an extraordinary effort on behalf of everyone leading the committee.
3. Defending Reproductive Rights
Right wing populism and authoritarianism has dramatically restricted gender equality and reproductive rights across backsliding democracies. The DCCC will ensure Democrats are prepared to retake Congress, protecting women’s health and rights guaranteed under our Constitution.
The Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade has denied millions of Americans their fundamental human right to determine when and if they wish to have children, with devastating effects even more apparent in states where access to abortion services is restricted or even barred altogether.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee will support Democratic governors and attorneys general running in key state races that could determine state abortion bans or access to critical reproductive healthcare services. They will also coordinate federal efforts against attempts by Republican state legislators to undermine constitutional protections or impose criminal or civil liability for providers who provide lawful abortion care services.
4. Increasing the Middle Class
The DCCC is supporting candidates that focus on economic issues like job growth, affordable housing and education – including San Francisco’s Democratic congressional nominees who “understand our city’s challenges and are ready to take steps forward”.
DCCC ads criticize Paul Ryan over his tweet defending Republican’s $1.5 trillion tax plan, depicting an account of an Pennsylvania woman whose paycheck has decreased since her representative passed the GOP plan. DCCC contends the new law only benefits wealthy Americans while harming middle-class families.
This week, the DCCC also unveiled their Frontline program to aid incumbents in competitive districts. Representatives Mary Peltola, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Matt Cartwright from Alaska as well as Brian Fitzpatrick and Scott Perry from Pennsylvania were the inaugural members to make it onto this list.
5. Investing in the Future
Fundraising for midterm congressional campaigns is of critical importance for Democratic success, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has already outdone its counterpart, National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee, in this year’s election cycle.
The Democratic Hill Committee recruits candidates, raises funds, and organizes races in districts expected to produce high-stakes or close elections, working both to retain incumbents and win open seats.
Progressive donors are increasing their donations to the DCCC in an attempt to flip House seats for Democrats, but there may be limitations in its effectiveness.
As the DCCC seeks to win vulnerable Republican seats, they run the risk of alienating progressive donors with policies that don’t correspond with their views. Local groups such as SF Democrats for Change have advocated that DCCC shift its attention towards issues important to San Francisco voters like police reform and expanding economic development initiatives in their city.
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