Democrats Target Rust Belt State Legislatures in 2026 Strategy

The DLCC outlines key battleground chambers to defend narrow Democratic majorities and challenge Republican control in pivotal statehouses.

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) has identified Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Alaska as its primary targets for the 2025-2026 election cycles.
Democrats aim to defend narrow one-seat majorities in Pennsylvania and Virginia while seeking to flip Republican-controlled chambers in Michigan and Wisconsin.
The DLCC emphasizes the competitiveness of these battleground chambers, with several decided by razor-thin margins in the last election cycle.
The party's strategy also includes preparing for the next redistricting cycle in 2030, which will shape future legislative and congressional maps.
Democratic leaders acknowledge challenges in retaining blue-collar voters in the Rust Belt, as working-class discontent has fueled Republican gains in key states.