Dems Panic as Republicans Target 26 More Seats to Flip in 2026 [WATCH]

House Republicans are focusing on 26 Democrat-held congressional districts as they seek to protect and expand their narrow majority in the 2026 midterm elections.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) released its list of target districts on Monday, emphasizing a strategy of playing “offense” as they prepare for the next election cycle.

Historically, midterm elections tend to favor the party not occupying the White House, a trend that has resulted in the House changing hands multiple times over the last several administrations.

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In the past five presidencies, including President Donald Trump’s first term, each administration started with full control of Congress but saw power shift after two years.

Despite these historical trends, House Republicans remain optimistic that they can maintain control throughout Trump’s second term.

“House Republicans are in the majority and on offense,” NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson said in a statement.

“Meanwhile, vulnerable House Democrats have been hard at work demonstrating they are painfully out of touch with hardworking Americans. Republicans are taking the fight straight to these House Democrats in their districts, and we will unseat them next fall.”

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Among the 26 targeted districts, 13 were carried by Trump in the 2024 election.

These include seats held by Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Jared Golden (D-ME), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA).

Several districts in Texas and New Jersey are also on the GOP’s radar, as Trump made significant gains with Hispanic voters in those areas.

The NRCC has listed Texas’s 28th and 34th Districts, currently represented by Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez, as well as New Jersey’s 9th District, represented by Nellie Pou, as top targets.

Additionally, the committee is focusing on recently flipped Democratic seats, including those held by Reps. George Whitesides (D-CA), Derek Tran (D-CA), Laura Gillen (D-NY), and Josh Riley (D-NY).

Ohio is expected to undergo redistricting before the 2026 elections, which could affect some races in the state.

While Rep. Greg Landsman’s (D-OH) district is expected to lean slightly more Republican, it is still considered a relatively safe Democratic seat.

#BREAKING: Chairman @RepHudsonNC joined @FoxAndFriends this AM to reveal the NRCC’s first 26 Democrat targets. Thanks to President Trump and House Republicans’ efforts, these out-of-touch House Democrats’ days in Congress are numbered. pic.twitter.com/kKUR8SSp2g

— NRCC (@NRCC) March 17, 2025

However, the redistricting process could put Kaptur and Emilia Sykes (D-OH) in more competitive races.

Early projections indicate that while Democrats need only a net gain of three seats to reclaim the majority, they are defending more vulnerable districts than Republicans.

Inside Elections, a political analysis group, notes that while some Republican seats are rated as “toss-ups,” Democrats will have a tougher path to securing control of the House.

Despite losing the Senate and the White House in 2024, Democrats’ centrist faction performed well in the House elections.

The New Democrat Coalition, which focuses on economic and moderate policies, defended 85 of its 87 seats and expanded its membership to 114.

Brad Schneider (D-IL), the coalition’s chairman, attributed their success to a focus on “pocketbook issues” rather than partisan battles.

In response to the NRCC’s latest move, Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) spokesperson Viet Shelton criticized the GOP’s campaign strategy.

“House Democrats overperformed across the country in 2024, powered by our battle-tested candidates who won despite the NRCC’s false bravado, and these Frontliners will win again in the midterms,” Shelton said in a statement to the Washington Examiner.

“The truth is House Republicans are running scared and refusing to hold town halls because they don’t want to get yelled at for their failure to lower prices, bungling the economy, and cutting Medicaid in order to pay for tax breaks for billionaires like Elon Musk.”

With both parties already setting their sights on 2026, the battle for control of the House is shaping up to be highly competitive.

Republicans are counting on Trump’s coattails to help them expand their majority, while Democrats aim to capitalize on voter concerns about economic issues and healthcare.

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