The Democratic National Committee announced the launch of an “organizing summer” effort on Monday, aimed at energizing the grassroots and registering new voters by leveraging what it called “organic opposition” to President Trump’s agenda.
The DNC has been seeking to gain some footing in the aftermath of a disastrous election cycle that left the party without a leader and relegated it to minority status on Capitol Hill.
Ken Martin, the head of the national party, said Mr. Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” has provided Democrats with an opportunity to expand their coalition by reconnecting with disillusioned Democrats, as well as Trump voters suffering from buyer’s remorse.
“This is the most unpopular bill ever, and this gives us an opportunity, if we are willing to take advantage of it,” Mr. Martin said in a conference call with reporters. “That’s why we were launching organizing summer programs to make sure that throughout the country, we’re harnessing the energy of all of these volunteers and all of our 57 state parties to get out there and organize people face to face, neighbor to neighbor, door to door, listening to people about their concerns, about what’s happening in this country right now, helping to amplify those concerns and bringing people into the conversation.”
The DNC is partnering with the Democrats’ coalition of state parties and the campaign arms for House, Senate and gubernatorial contests. They envision engaging with voters at book clubs, sporting events and in rural areas.
“We’ve always wanted to engage in partisan voter registration, and we simply didn’t have the leadership at the DNC to support those efforts, and now we do,” said Jane Kleeb, who is leading the Association of State Democratic Committees.
According to a new Priorities USA survey, Democrats may be overstating the blowback against Mr. Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.”
The survey found that less than half of Americans have heard anything about the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” and 8% name Medicaid cuts as something they have heard about the plan. The proposal will also extend income-tax cuts that are due to expire at the end of this year.
Mr. Martin, nonetheless, remains optimistic that the bill will haunt the GOP at the ballot box.
“Nothing changes until someone is made to feel uncomfortable, and that’s the whole plan right now, is to make sure that we actually help amplify the stories throughout this country of people whose lives are going to be completely uprooted and and the pain and the anguish of the American people through not just his budget bill, but frankly, a lot of the devastating policies that Trump has already put in place,” he said.
Democrats have touted their success at the ballot box this year, with 33 wins in 35 races, as proof that the political tide is shifting.
They also believe their odds of picking up seats in Congress next year improved following the recent announcements that Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska will forgo reelection.
Democrats are also targeting Republican Sen. Susan Collins in Maine.
The first big test will come this fall when voters in New Jersey and Virginia head to the polls to elect their next governor and vote in state legislative races.
Mr. Martin said the DNC is making “seven-figure investments” in Virginia, where state party officials say they are emphasizing the expansion of their footprint in red districts and rural areas.
“This year’s elections will not only define Virginia for a full four years, it will also be the catalyst for the blue wave that is coming for Republicans in 2026,” said Lamont Bagby, chairman of the Virginia Democrats. “What happens in Virginia sets the stage for elections nationwide.”
“That’s why it’s more critical than ever that we are meaningfully engaged with communities early and often, making clear that Trump and the Republicans have made everyday families worse off,” he said. “Organizing summer allows us to do just that.”
