WASHINGTON — The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is expanding its group of targeted seats for next year, adding a handful of seats to its “Districts in Play” list.

They include Republican-held seats: California’s 48th District, held by Rep. Darrell Issa; Florida’s 15th, held by Rep. Laurel Lee; North Carolina’s 3rd, held by Rep. Greg Murphy; and North Carolina’s 11th, held by Rep. Chuck Edwards.

The House Democratic campaign arm is also adding two open seats to the list: Texas’ 35th District, a Democrat-held seat that was redrawn to favor Republicans; and Maine’s 2nd District, where Democratic Rep. Jared Golden isn’t seeking reelection.

“In election after election this year, voters have sent a simple message: they are ready for change,” DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., said in a statement. “The DCCC is confident we can win anywhere, and we are full speed ahead while Republicans are running scared.”

“House Democrats have the better message, stronger candidates, and as the data shows, the American people are on our side,” DelBene said.

State legislators in California, North Carolina and Texas have redrawn their congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms, and the Republican-led legislature in Florida could do so early next year. The efforts began after President Donald Trump urged GOP-led states to alter their congressional lines to help House Republicans pick up seats and defend their majority next year.

Facing a more competitive reelection race under California’s new Democrat-drawn map, Issa had reportedly been considering a move to Texas to run for a safe Republican open seat. But he ultimately decided to seek another term from his redrawn Southern California district, which now includes deep-blue Palm Springs. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales shifted its race rating last week from Toss-up to Tilt Democratic.

Several Democrats have lined up to run against Issa, including his 2020 opponent, Ammar Campa-Najjar, and San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, who have both received several endorsements.

In Florida, Lee represents a district in suburban Tampa that Trump carried by 11 points last year, according to calculations by Inside Elections. At least four Democrats, including Air Force veteran and flight surgeon Darren McAuley and former Hillsborough County Commissioner Kimberly Overman, have announced plans to run against Lee. Inside Elections rates the race Solid Republican.

In North Carolina, Murphy saw his 3rd District grow more Democratic under the state’s new GOP-drawn map, but it remains Republican-leaning as Trump carried it by 14 points in 2024. Murphy considered running in the redrawn 1st District but opted to stay put. He is so far the only candidate who has filed to run next year, although candidate filing in North Carolina doesn’t end until Dec. 19 at noon. In the state’s 11th District, three Democrats — farmer Jamie Ager, cancer researcher Paul Maddox and physician Richard Hudspeth — have filed to run against Edwards, who faces a primary challenge from Green Beret veteran Adam Smith. Both North Carolina races are rated Solid Republican.

In Maine, Democrats are hoping to hold on to a largely rural district that Golden has held since 2018 but that Trump carried by 9 points last year. State Auditor Matt Dunlap and former Capitol Hill staffer Jordan Wood, who was previously running for Senate, are both seeking the Democratic nomination, while former Gov. Paul LePage has so far cleared the Republican field. Inside Elections rates the race Likely Republican.

In Texas, the DCCC is signaling it will fight to retain the open 35th District. Democratic Rep. Greg Casar holds the current version of the seat but is running for reelection from the 37th District, an Austin-area seat where fellow Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett is retiring.

Democratic candidates who’ve filed to run for the 35th District include Bexar County sheriff’s deputy Johnny Garcia and Marine veteran John Lira, who unsuccessfully ran against GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales in 2022.

Republicans seeking the redrawn open seat include state Rep. John Lujan; former congressional staffer Josh Cotez; Navy veteran Jay Furman, who previously challenged Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar; and Air Force veteran Carlos De La Cruz, the brother of Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas.

Inside Elections rates the race Likely Republican.

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