Portsmouth, New Hampshire — With President Donald Trump back in office, Democrats are rallying around what they see as “positive momentum” heading into this year’s midterm elections, aiming to reclaim both chambers of Congress.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin shared his thoughts in an interview, expressing confidence: “We had a winning record last year across the country. We’ve consistently secured victories in polls, major statewide elections, and smaller local races.”
There’s a palpable energy among Democrats, who are hoping for a repeat of the 2018 blue wave that saw them take back the House from Republicans. Yet, some Republicans question whether special elections can truly indicate what might happen in the midterms.
“Special elections are a bit odd because they often have lower voter turnout,” House Speaker Mike Johnson remarked last year.
Just a couple of weeks ago, the Republican Party suffered a surprising loss in a deeply red special Senate race in Texas, prompting some within the party to view it as a critical wake-up call.
Democrats attribute their recent successes in Texas and elsewhere to ongoing worries about rising prices and a backlash against the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies, as polls reveal that Trump remains unpopular.
Focusing on affordability amidst persistent inflation, Democrats managed to win decisively in the 2025 elections, performing well in both off-year and special elections since Trump’s second term began.
“We do have positive momentum. We feel like we’re winning consistently, and that trend is continuing into this year,” Martin stated.
The DNC chairman, speaking in Portsmouth while traveling to Maine to help local Democrats prepare for an upcoming legislative election this weekend, doesn’t feel complacent. He remains cautious despite national polls indicating a slight Democratic lead over Republicans.
“We’re not going to rest on our laurels. We can’t just rely on the polls. Our focus is on organizing and connecting with voters,” he emphasized.
Traditionally, midterm elections result in seat losses for the party in power, which creates inherent challenges for Republicans. However, Democrats also encounter hurdles, especially with the party’s brand appearing to remain unpopular.
Martin reflected on last summer, acknowledging that the party had “hit rock bottom” but remained hopeful: “There’s only one direction to go, and that’s up. That’s the direction we’re headed.”
Despite the Republican National Committee’s financial advantages, Martin believes that the Democratic electoral victories are boosting their fundraising efforts.
“Our fundraising has been quite active this year. People are realizing that Democrats have a plan and are winning again,” he noted.
He added, “We don’t have to outsmart the Republicans; we just need to raise enough resources to compete and make our case.”
While economic issues heavily influence the discourse, recent positive reports on unemployment and inflation provide Republicans something to celebrate.
“The inflation report is encouraging. Costs are down significantly. We inherited a difficult situation, but we’re making progress. We’re seeing historical highs now,” Trump said during a speech in North Carolina.
Nonetheless, Martin argued that Trump still has a long way to go in addressing economic challenges. “There have been some positive reports, but it’s far from ideal right now. A lot more needs to be done to truly benefit working people,” he asserted.
