What They’re Saying: New Dems Deliver the House Majority and Prepare to Lead

WASHINGTON, D.C. – New Dems are the House majority makers, with the path to Democrats’ sweeping midterm victory “paved overwhelmingly by moderates.” Projected to grow to at least 142 members, New Dems are “one of Jeffries’ most reliable power bases,” positioning the coalition to shape the new majority’s agenda and deliver on lowering costs. As New Democrat Coalition Chair Brad Schneider said, New Dems' “first, second, and third priority legislatively is making life easier for folks.”

Read What They’re Saying:

The New York Times: Moderate Democrats Increase Their Numbers, and Their Clout

By Robert Jimison and Olivia Diaz, November 4, 2026

• “the path to Democrats’ sweeping victory … was paved overwhelmingly by moderates”

• “For Mr. Jeffries, himself a centrist who has long balanced competing factions of his caucus, the arrival of more moderate Democrats could strengthen his hand in setting an agenda focused on economic relief and achievable legislative victories.”

• “It is clear that it is moderates in these swing districts who flipped the House, who put the gavel in the hand of every committee chair and the speaker,” Elaine Luria, one such Democrat who reclaimed a House seat in Virginia that she lost four years ago.

• The scale of moderate gains was reflected in the growing ranks of the centrist groups on Capitol Hill…other centrist groups including the New Democrats and Problem Solvers strengthened their numbers substantially.

The Washington Sun: The Election Wave Could Drown Out Progressives

By Oriana González, Kadia Goba, Stephen Neukam and Daniella Diaz, November 5, 2026

• “The dramatic increase is, in part, driven by moderate Democrats whose leaders now expect will be a pillar of the party in the next Congress.”

• “The centrist group New Democrat Coalition is on track to represent a majority of the House Democratic Caucus, a spokesperson for the group told The Sun. 

• “The group endorsed 50 candidates and as of Wednesday at 5 p.m., 30 of those candidates had won. The number could increase to over 40 new members, putting the New Dems — a reliable base for Jeffries — at over 140 members.”

• “Stanton said that Democrats’ wins, both in the House and in the Senate showed that voters want candidates ‘that appeal to the broad spectrum, not a small portion of the political spectrum.’”

Semafor: Democrats poised to claim a House majority bigger than they’d hoped

By Nicholas Wu, November 3, 2026

• “I am feeling really good. New Dems are showing how to lead,” said Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., who chairs the New Democrat Coalition. 

• “The majority of the DCCC’s “Red to Blue” candidates this cycle were backed by the centrist bloc, which put substantial resources behind its candidates, too.”

Axios: Hakeem Jeffries gets the majority of his dreams

By Andrew Solender, November 4, 2026

• New Dems are “one of Jeffries’ most reliable power bases.”

The Wall Street Journal: Moderates Take Capitol Hill

By Steve Israel, November 5, 2026

• “…The largest and fastest growing bloc within the House Democratic Caucus isn’t the hard left. It’s pragmatic, realistic Democrats with an agenda to improve life for the broadest coalition of Americans. It resides in a group you may know little about. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the New Democrat Coalition.”

• “For anyone trying to navigate the new Congress, my advice is this: The Democratic Caucus is a caucus of caucuses, a mix of coalitions, alliances and working groups. If you want to know where it’s headed, watch the members of the New Democrat Coalition. They’re already getting to work.”

POLITICO: Democrats prepare for something new in the House: Teamwork

By Riley Rogerson, November 4, 2026

• “The centrist New Democrat Coalition is projecting at least 140 members…”

• “Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado, a member of the New Dems, said there will be a broad imperative to accommodate Democrats’ ‘big tent’ and give some deference to the members who helped build the new House majority in swing districts.”

Associated Press: Democrat Hakeem Jeffries poised to make history as the first Black speaker of the House

By Lisa Mascaro, November 4, 2026

• “...the largest caucus in the House is expected to remain the more moderate New Democrat Coalition.”

The Washington Post: Democrats face a choice on Trump come January: Confrontation or compromise 

By Alexei Koseff, Anna Liss-Roy, Mariana Alfaro and Dan Merica, November 4, 2026

• “‘Members of the moderate-leaning New Democrats Coalition will work with anyone, even Republicans, to bring down the cost of living,’ said Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Illinois), who chairs the group.” 

• “Their ‘first, second, and third priority legislatively is making life easier for folks,’ he said, including by addressing housing prices, expanding health care access and undoing cuts to SNAP, the nation’s largest food assistance program.”

Roll Call: Progressives and moderates rejoice: 6 takeaways from the midterms

By Mary Ellen McIntire and Daniela Altimari, November 4, 2026

• “It doesn’t matter what you call your idea. If your idea is going to help us move the ball forward, join us at the table,” Schneider said.

• Army veteran Cait Conley…said Democrats across the political spectrum needed to prioritize “real solutions for the American people.”

iHeartRadio: Hakeem Jeffries Launches Bid For House Speaker Role

By staff, November 5, 2026

• “[Jeffries] has built a reputation as a measured leader with strong support from the Congressional Black Caucus and the New Democrat Coalition.”

CALLED RACES — (As of 2:30 PM ET) 

Flips: 32  |  Frontliners Re-elected: 22 of 22

Flipped Seats

• Denise Powell (NE-02) defeated Republican Brinker Harding, flipping the seat left open by Rep. Don Bacon.

• Army veteran Fred Wellman (MO-02) defeated Rep. Ann Wagner.

• Twenty-year Navy and Marine Corps veteran JoAnna Mendoza (AZ-06) defeated Rep. Juan Ciscomani.

• Pediatrician and former state Sen. Dr. Richard Pan (CA-06) defeated Rep. Kevin Kiley.

• San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert (CA-48) defeated Republican Jim Desmond, flipping the seat left open by Rep. Darrell Issa.

• Pastor and state Rep. Lindsay James (IA-02) defeated Republican Joe Mitchell, flipping the seat left open by Rep. Ashley Hinson.

• Air Force veteran and nurse practitioner Kristina Knickerbocker (OH-10) defeated Rep. Mike Turner.

• Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie (PA-01) defeated Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick.

• Retired three-star Navy Vice Admiral Nancy Lacore (SC-01) defeated Republican Jenny Costa Honeycutt, flipping the seat left open by Rep. Nancy Mace.

• Tejano music star Bobby Pulido (TX-15) defeated Rep. Monica De La Cruz in a district Republicans redrew to Trump +18.

• VA emergency room nurse Mitchell Berman (WI-01) defeated Rep. Bryan Steil.

• Small business owner Rebecca Cooke (WI-03) defeated Rep. Derrick Van Orden.

• State Sen. J.D. Ford (IN-05) defeated Rep. Victoria Spartz.

• Army officer and Bronze Star recipient Cait Conley (NY-17) defeated Rep. Mike Lawler.

• Law professor and former state Rep. Christina Bohannan (IA-01) defeated Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks.

• Pastor and state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott (IA-03) defeated Rep. Zach Nunn.

• Former Congresswoman and Navy Commander Elaine Luria (VA-02) defeated Rep. Jen Kiggans.

• Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor (VA-01) defeated Rep. Rob Wittman.

• Former news anchor Janelle Stelson (PA-10) defeated Rep. Scott Perry.

• Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti (PA-08) defeated Rep. Rob Bresnahan.

• State Rep. Manny Rutinel (CO-08) defeated Rep. Gabe Evans.

• Former federal prosecutor and Navy JAG officer Zach Dembo (KY-06) defeated Republican Ralph Alvarado, flipping the seat left open by Rep. Andy Barr.

• Educator Pia Dandiya (FL-22) defeated Republican Casey Askar in a heavily redrawn Trump +11 seat.

• Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett (NJ-07) defeated Rep. Tom Kean Jr.

• Fourth-generation farmer Jamie Ager (NC-11) defeated Republican Jennifer Balkcom, flipping the seat left open by Rep. Chuck Edwards.

• ER doctor and former state Rep. Amish Shah (AZ-01) defeated Republican Jay Feely, flipping the seat left open by Rep. David Schweikert.

• Bexar County sheriff's deputy Johnny Garcia (TX-35) defeated Republican Carlos De La Cruz in a district Republicans redrew to target.

• Rochester math teacher Jake Johnson (MN-01) defeated Rep. Brad Finstad.

• State Sen. Sean McCann (MI-04) defeated Rep. Bill Huizenga.

• Former Special Victims Unit prosecutor Christina Hines (MI-10) defeated Republican Michael Bouchard Jr., flipping the seat left open by Rep. John James.

• Former Nevada Assembly Majority Leader Teresa Benitez-Thompson (NV-02) defeated Republican David Flippo, flipping the seat left open by Rep. Mark Amodei.

• Army veteran Jessica Killin (CO-05) defeated Rep. Jeff Crank.

More New Dem Wins

• Former Congressman Ben McAdams (UT-01) defeated Republican Riley Owen, winning Utah's new Salt Lake County seat.

• Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (CA-26) defeated Republican Sam Gallucci to succeed Rep. Julia Brownley.

• Former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin (CT-01) defeated Republican Amy Chai.

• State Del. Adrian Boafo (MD-05) defeated Republican Chris Chaffee to succeed Rep. Steny Hoyer.

• Former Congresswoman Melissa Bean (IL-08) defeated Republican Jennifer Davis.

• Former Portsmouth City Councilor and health care advocate Stefany Shaheen (NH-01) defeated Republican Anthony DiLorenzo.

• State Sen. Jeremy Moss (MI-11) defeated Republican Ethan Baker.

• Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller (IL-02) defeated Republican Mike Noack.

New Dems’ Contributions This Cycle:

• Majority Makers: 22 of the DCCC's 26 Frontline Members are New Dems, and the NewDem Action Fund has endorsed 36 of the DCCC's 46 Red to Blue candidates, and 50 candidates total.

• Record fundraising: This cycle, the NewDem Action Fund has bundled and raised more than $14 million for Members and candidates, including over $3 million for the DCCC.

• Out-raising Republicans: New Dem Red to Blue challengers out-raised sitting Republican incumbents in 30 of 36 races in Q3, up from 19 in Q1. New Dem Frontline Members hold a cash-on-hand lead in 21 of 22 races.

• Polling the battlefield: $600,000 invested in research and polling to help guide our members.

• Hands-on support: Beyond fundraising, the Action Fund has deployed staff, given candidates staff training, messaging and communications coaching, and direct polling investments.

• Winning primaries: 92% of New Dem-endorsed candidates won their primaries.

ICYMI — Stories on New Dems This Cycle:

• Politico Playbook - A moderate proposal

• Punchbowl News - Greg Stanton’s forecast: Jeffries will be speaker

• Roll Call – New Dems look to boost ranks and build clout

• Politico – New Democrats back candidates in deep-red districts

• Puck - Revenge of the Centrists

• Punchbowl News – Stanton’s bold predictions for November

• Washington Sun – Moderate Democratic Group Backs New Candidates in Key Congressional Races

• Washington Times – Swing Democrats warn against far-left candidates in purple areas

• Semafor – Centrist Democrats back more candidates

• Washington Sun – Moderate Democrats Vow Anti-Corruption Agenda if They Win House in Midterms

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