Jeffries says Democrats are targeting Trump-held districts to reclaim House

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries says Democrats are positioned to regain control of the House by contesting Republican-held districts, including areas carried by President Donald Trump. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Jeffries compared the party’s strategy with its 2018 campaign, when Democrats won the House during Trump’s first term. He said most of the seats Democrats captured then were in districts Trump had won in 2016, and argued that a similar map could work in 2026.

“House Democrats are poised to take back the majority,” Jeffries said. He is in line to become speaker if Democrats win control of the chamber. The House is narrowly divided, meaning that only a small number of races could determine which party holds the speakership.

Early voting has begun, with the election scheduled for November 3. Democrats are expanding their list of competitive Republican-held districts. Their campaign arm recently added eight seats in states including Kansas, Oklahoma, Virginia and Washington to its list of contests in play.

Jeffries said a Republican redistricting effort associated with Trump had not produced the expected results in Texas, Florida and other states. He also criticized Republicans over economic pressures, including high fuel prices that he linked to the war with Iran. Republicans nevertheless hold a substantial financial advantage.

Speaker Mike Johnson has been campaigning across the country and is expected to visit more than 40 districts in about 20 states before November. Jeffries said Democrats would also intensify travel but cautioned that “anything and everything” remained possible and urged his party not to take victory for granted.