House GOP campaign chair Richard Hudson dismisses Democrats’ expanded target map for the midterm elections, asserting that Republicans are well-positioned to maintain their majority in the House.
As the midterm elections approach, congressional Democrats are expanding their battleground map to include 44 House districts, aiming to reclaim the majority they lost four years ago. However, Richard Hudson, the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), is skeptical of this strategy.
“I mean, I’ve read fiction my whole life, and I recognize it when I see it,” Hudson remarked in an exclusive interview with Fox News. Currently, Republicans hold a narrow majority in the House, with 218 seats to the Democrats’ 214, alongside two right-leaning districts and one left-leaning seat that remains vacant. To regain control, Democrats need to secure a net gain of just three seats in the upcoming elections.
This week, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) added five more districts to its list of offensive targets, which now totals 44. The new districts include those in Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, South Carolina, and Virginia, all of which were won by Donald Trump in the 2024 elections by margins of 13 points or fewer.
DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene emphasized that “Democrats are on offense,” asserting that the expanded target list reflects a growing dissatisfaction among voters with Republicans’ “broken promises.” DCCC spokesperson Viet Shelton echoed this sentiment, stating, “In a political environment where Democrats are overperforming by more than 17 points in congressional special elections, it’s pretty clear we’re poised to re-take the majority. Momentum and the American people are on our side while Republicans are running scared.”
In response to the DCCC’s strategy, Hudson dismissed the notion that the Democrats’ expanded target list is realistic. “They’ve got to have a list they can present to their donors,” he said, pointing to the DCCC’s efforts. “But it’s not realistic. If you look at the map, there are very few seats up for grabs, and the majority of those seats are held by Democrats. They’re seats that Donald Trump has carried or came very close to carrying.” Hudson maintained that the districts Republicans will be competing for this fall favor their party.
The DCCC’s move comes amid a surge of energy among Democrats, despite ongoing challenges in polling. The party has focused on affordability issues, which have resonated with voters amid persistent inflation. In recent elections, Democrats have achieved significant victories, outperforming expectations in various scheduled and special ballot contests since Trump returned to the White House over a year ago.
On the Republican side, the party faces traditional midterm headwinds, as the party in power typically experiences setbacks during these elections. Additionally, Trump’s approval ratings remain low, complicating the GOP’s position. Recent national surveys, including a Fox News poll, indicate that Democrats currently lead Republicans by mid-single digits in the generic ballot question, which asks voters whether they would support a Democratic or GOP candidate in their congressional district without naming specific candidates.
When asked about the polls, Hudson noted, “We almost never lead in the generic ballot. But a single-digit generic ballot, we do very well.” He expressed optimism about the GOP’s chances, stating he remains “very bullish.” While concerns about the cost of living helped propel Trump and Republicans to significant victories in 2024, affordability and economic issues may pose challenges for the party this year.
Despite the GOP’s slight advantage over Democrats in handling economic matters, many Americans feel that their financial situation has worsened over the past year. A recent AP/NORC national poll indicated that while the GOP has a slight edge on economic issues, public sentiment remains largely pessimistic.
However, Hudson pointed to recent government data showing that inflation eased in January, suggesting that the economy could still be a winning issue for Republicans. He highlighted the tax cuts resulting from the GOP’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by Trump last summer, as beneficial for American families. “We put policies in place that are going to bring prosperity to the American people, and they’re starting to feel it,” he asserted.
As the GOP prepares for the midterms, Hudson acknowledged the challenge of mobilizing their voter base, particularly among MAGA supporters who may not turn out when Trump is not on the ballot. “Our voters tend to be more working-class voters, and you have to put in extra effort to get them to the polls,” he explained. He emphasized that Trump is committed to helping the party engage these voters.
Looking ahead, Hudson mentioned the NRCC’s annual fundraising gala, which Trump will headline, as a pivotal event for the party’s fundraising efforts. “We raised a whole lot of money with President Trump last year. We plan to raise a lot of money in March with President Trump, and then he’s going to get out on the campaign trail and help us turn out those voters and make that case,” he said.
While Hudson refrained from providing specific predictions for the midterm elections, he expressed confidence in the GOP’s ability to maintain its majority. “Not going to give you a number, but we’re going to hold the majority,” he stated. “President Trump was elected with a very specific agenda. We delivered almost his entire domestic agenda, and we’re going to go back to the voters and say promises made, promises kept, and they’re going to keep this House majority,” he concluded.
According to Fox News, the upcoming midterm elections will be a critical test for both parties as they navigate a complex political landscape.