The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), which supports House Republicans, believes they are well-positioned to keep control of the House as Election Day 2026 approaches. They contend that, while midterms generally favor the out-of-power party, this time might be different due to the Democrats’ significant unpopularity and a political atmosphere that, they argue, is more advantageous than what Republicans faced during President Donald Trump’s tenure. The NRCC released a 60-second video suggesting that Democrats will be labeled socialists, a narrative expected to dominate discussions leading up to November 2026.
In the video, the narrator claims that “unfree Democrats are trying to destroy America,” accusing them of endorsing socialism, defunding the police, and maintaining open borders. The assertion is that they plan to “stop them within a year.”
Even though Republicans have a slim majority in the House, Democrats may struggle to win it back given their slender edge in popular voting and low approval ratings. Polling indicates that voters lean slightly towards Democrats, with a 2-point preference over Republicans. A recent Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos survey, which sampled 2,725 people, revealed that Democrats had an 11-point lead over the GOP during the 2017-2018 electoral cycle.
In November 2018, Democrats gained 41 seats and recaptured the House majority. According to a RealClearPolitics poll, Democrats currently lead Republicans by 3.4 points in the generic congressional vote. Another Wall Street Journal poll highlighted that a concerning 63% of Americans view the Democratic Party unfavorably, a significant number, with only 33% holding a favorable opinion.
A Washington Post survey found that nearly 70% of Americans perceive Democrats as “out of touch,” a perception that is worse than what respondents think about the Republican Party or Trump. Voter sentiment towards the Democratic Party has remained relatively unchanged since April.
When voters were asked which party could handle critical issues better, the margin remained narrow, with Democrats favored by just 2 points according to a Gallup poll from October.
The NRCC’s video also underscores the Republican fundraising advantage leading into the midterms, revealing a trend where top Democratic donors seem to be holding back funds following a poor performance in 2024. The NRCC outspent the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) by approximately $720,000 from January to September, despite Democrats having around $9 million more in funds during the same period in 2017.
This year marks the first time since 2015 that the NRCC has outperformed the DCCC in fundraising during the initial three quarters of an election cycle. In light of recent electoral victories, the NRCC states, “House Republicans are outperforming Democrats at every turn,” with a spokesperson expressing confidence in building on this momentum.
Moreover, the NRCC’s campaign takes aim at Zoran Mamdani, a socialist who is running for mayor of New York, implying that he represents the Democratic Party as a whole. The video features him three times, suggesting that he could pose a threat to vulnerable House Democrats. Republicans are also keen to highlight recent wins in states like Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio, anticipating advantages from mid-decade redistricting.
