Archive · 7 Aug 2026
House Democrats Add 12 Republican Seats to Their Midterm Target List
Every few years, Americans vote for members of Congress.
Right now, one big group called the Republicans has only a tiny bit more members than the other big group, the Democrats.
The Democrats want to win more seats so they can take charge.
They just added 12 new places to their list of districts they want to win, making the list 58 seats long.
These places are spread across states like Nevada, Arkansas, Indiana, and Tennessee.
The Democrats think voters are upset about a war in Iran and high prices for everyday things, and also about the President, Donald Trump.
They hope this will make people vote for them.
Many polls show the Democrats are ahead, especially with independent voters.
The Republicans still think they can win because of how voting districts are drawn.
If the Democrats win enough seats, they could stop the President's plans and ask him tough questions in hearings.
House Democrats added 12 Republican-held seats to their midterm target list, expanding it to 58 districts.
The new targets span swing states such as Nevada and Republican strongholds including Indiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee.
Democrats are counting on the unpopular war on Iran and its impact on household finances to turn voters away from President Donald Trump.
A Reuters/Ipsos survey found Democrats leading Republicans by five percentage points, and by 12 points among independent voters.
Republicans hold a two-seat Senate majority and a three-seat House majority, making control of Congress razor-thin.
- Who
- House Democrats and their campaign arm, led by Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene, alongside President Donald Trump and Republicans.
- What
- Democrats added 12 Republican-held House seats to their midterm target list, expanding it to 58 districts.
- When
- Ahead of the midterm elections.
- Where
- Districts in swing states such as Nevada and Republican strongholds including Indiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida, and New York.
- Why
- To capitalize on the cost-of-living crisis, the unpopular war on Iran, and Trump's low approval ratings to try to win control of Congress.
Democratic Electoral Strategy
Republican Electoral Confidence
The war on Iran and cost-of-living crisis as a campaign issue
Democratic Electoral Strategy
Democrats believe the unpopular war on Iran and its impact on household finances will turn voters, including disgruntled MAGA voters, away from Trump.
Republican Electoral Confidence
Republicans express confidence that redistricting in Republican-led states and federal interventions, such as curbing mail ballots and voter intimidation, will negate any Democratic edge.
- Seats added
- 12 Republican-held House seats
- Total target list
- 58 House districts
- House majority
- Republicans hold a three-seat majority
- Senate majority
- Republicans hold a two-seat majority
- Reuters/Ipsos poll
- Democrats lead Republicans by 5 percentage points overall
- Independent voters
- Democrats lead by 12 percentage points
- Key targeted areas
- Nevada, Indiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida, New York
- Notable races
- Arkansas' 2nd District (Chris Jones vs. French Hill); North Carolina's 9th District
- DCCC chair
- Suzan DelBene