DCCC Endorses Candidates; Progressive, Hispanic Caucuses Criticize

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) announced endorsements for eight candidates in its Red to Blue program on Monday, aiming to bolster efforts to flip Republican-held House seats in the upcoming midterms. The selections included picks in competitive primaries, prompting public rebukes from the House Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' political arm, BOLD PAC.

PAC expressed disappointment over the DCCC's choices in California and Pennsylvania, stating that Democrats must work to earn Latino voters' trust. The group pledged continued support for Randy Villegas in California and Carol Obando-Derstine in Pennsylvania, who were not selected.

Rep. Linda Sánchez, chair of BOLD PAC, emphasized that Latino voters and candidates are central to the fight for the House majority. " — Rep. , May 4, 2026 (Semafor). In California, the DCCC endorsed assemblywoman Jasmeet Bains, while in Pennsylvania, it backed Bob Brooks, who also received support from Gov.

Josh Shapiro and other delegation members. Villegas described the decision as undemocratic, accusing DC elites of interfering in the race.

Broader Context and Precedents DCCC Chair Rep.

Suzan DelBene highlighted the candidates' representation of the party's people-first message and broad appeal. The committee also endorsed Johnny Garcia in Texas' 35th Congressional District, aligning with BOLD PAC in that case. Democrats have debated intervening in primaries to avoid costly internal fights that could weaken general election prospects.

The DCCC has previously involved itself in California primaries, such as in 2024 to prevent a top-two lockout. Sources noted that the endorsements did not strictly follow demographic or factional lines. In Pennsylvania, Brooks clarified a misstatement about Gov.

Shapiro's actions in a separate race.

This came amid the caucus releasing its affordability agenda last week, building on recent Democratic focus on the issue following Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York mayoral race last year. The agenda addresses topics like seed patents as part of broader economic discussions. Multiple sources indicated growing emphasis on affordability across Democratic ideologies.

The endorsements reflect faster-heating intraparty intrigue in House races compared to the Senate side. Democrats aim to promote contenders against at-risk Republicans while navigating competitive primaries. One source reported that a progressive group criticized the California endorsement, accusing the establishment of favoring candidates aligned with party leadership.

However, the DCCC's involvement follows precedents and has not ruled out further primary interventions this cycle.