The Democratic campaign committee backs candidates in competitive seats
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee expanded its “Red to Blue” program by adding five new candidates competing in challenging districts. These districts, which voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump in 2024, present tough races for Democrats. The candidates include Leela Gray in Florida’s 13th District, Zach Dembo in Kentucky’s 6th District, Matt Dunlap in Maine’s 2nd District, Nancy Lacore in South Carolina’s 1st District, and Tom Perriello in Virginia’s 5th District. The committee is targeting four districts labeled as “likely Republican” and one as “solid Republican,” with several races featuring notable contenders such as Perriello facing a Republican incumbent in a Trump-favored district, and Dembo and Gray vying for seats with potential Democratic opportunities due to candidate retirements or political shifts. The races involve districts with strong partisan leanings, but Democrats see openings in some areas, especially where Republican incumbents are retiring or facing strong challengers.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added five candidates to its “Red to Blue” program Thursday, expanding its ambitious roster of candidates in unfavorable political terrain.
President Donald Trump won every district in the 2024 election included in this batch.
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The DCCC is backing Leela Gray in Florida’s 13th District, Zach Dembo in Kentucky’s 6th District, Matt Dunlap in Maine’s 2nd District, Nancy Lacore in South Carolina’s 1st District, and Tom Perriello in Virginia’s 5th District.
The committee added four seats labeled “likely Republican” by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, and one labeled “solid Republican.”
One of the most uphill races will be against Rep. John McGuire (R-VA). Perriello, a former House member, will face the Navy SEAL in a seat that voted for Trump by over 12 points in a sprawling district encompassing Charlottesville and Lynchburg.
Democrats see an opening in the Lexington-area district with Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) likely to become Kentucky’s next senator. Trump won this seat by 15 points in 2024, and Barr carried by 27 points, but with Barr not running, Democrats see a slim opening for Dembo. The Kentucky Democrat is a veteran, served as Gov. Andy Beshear’s policy adviser, and was a federal prosecutor for the Justice Department. Dembo will face former state Sen. Ralph Alvarado.
Gray will face Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) in a Tampa Bay-area seat. The district did not change substantially during Florida’s redistricting session earlier this year, and Trump carried it by 13 points in 2024. He won the seat by 7 points in 2020, meaning the seat could be competitive in a favorable environment for Democrats.
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Dunlap is fighting to keep retiring Rep. Jared Golden’s (D-ME) seat in Democrats’ hands, but the seat is more favorable to Republicans. Dunlap will face former Gov. Paul LePage in November for a seat Trump won by about 9 points, despite Golden narrowly holding on to the northern Maine district. LePage won the sprawling Maine district during his three runs for governor.
Rep. Nancy Mace’s (R-SC) seat was added to the mix after she made a failed run to be the Republican gubernatorial nominee, as Democrats see an opening for Lacore, a Navy veteran. This district voted for Trump by around 13 points in 2024. Lacore will face Charleston County Councilwoman Jenny Honeycutt.
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