The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Must Keep Winning

By Roger Caldwell

      The Democrats are having a hot streak with the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) with a win from Florida Democrat candidate Tom Keen. This secured the first state legislative flip of the year and beat the odds that we could win. The Democrats are excited with this win on a local/state level, and this is the mission of the DLCC.

“In the 2022 midterm elections, the DLCC won four new state legislatives majorities while not losing a single previously-held chamber. In 2023 special elections leading up to Election Day, DLCC candidates over-performed 2020 margins in their districts by an average of over seven points. And in the 2023 November elections, the DLCC won every race we competed in,” says Communications Director Abhi Rahman.

The mission of this committee is to elect local Democrats to statehouses across America, and help rebuild the Democratic Party. The DLCC gives our candidates resources, field support, and the data they need to run smart, winning campaigns.

The DLCC is classified by the IRS as a 527 political organization, and files IRS forms 8871 and 8872, and does not file with the Federal Election Commission. It was founded in 1994, and the DLCC oversees campaigns in all 50 states with the aim of helping to elect Democrats to legislative offices. It is overseen by a board, which is composed of Democratic state legislators.

The new DLCC President Heather Williams says, “The DLCC is taking advantage of every opportunity this year to protect and defend Democratic power in the states. On the heels of winning in Florida, the upcoming special election in Pennsylvania in the battleground Bucks County will decide a chamber majority in a critical state. If Republicans win back the speaker’s gavel next month, they’ll move forward with their plans to ban abortion and institute their MAGA agenda.”

This year 2024 is the President election and there is extremely a lot of work to do, and there must be resources directed to the Black community. Registering and educating Black people to get engaged in the election campaign now is essential for Biden and Harris to win.

Every vote is a special vote, and can determine the balance of power, and who wins in the state. In January 2020 DLCC spent $50 million and this year Biden has already amassed $200 million and the campaign is just starting.

The stakes couldn’t be higher, because the Pennsylvania House is tied at 101-101, and the race cannot be overstated. The balance of power will determine which party wins the election. If Republicans win this election on February 13^th, they will gain control of the House, and they will immediately legislate Pennsylvania backward and undermine fundamental freedoms.

“State legislatures are the building blocks of our Democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country,” says Abhi Rahman.

The DLCC is taking advantage of every opportunity this year to protect and defend Democratic power in the states. The races all over the country will be close, and the Blacks and communities of color will make the difference when the Democrats win.