NewDem Action Fund Endorses House Candidates

WASHINGTON – Determined to build on the Democratic Party’s success in flipping the House in 2018, the New Democrat Coalition Action Fund is endorsing six candidates to challenge Republican incumbents this election cycle.

These challengers are part of the Frontier program, an early effort to expand the Democratic majority in the House by supporting strong Democratic candidates running in competitive districts across the country.

Through this program, the New Democrat Coalition Action Fund became the first ideological caucus to support 2020 challengers.

“The NewDem Action Fund spent the past several months building upon historic successes in 2018 by investing in strong challengers across the country,” said Rep. Ami Bera, chair of the NewDem Action Fund.

“NewDems flipped 31 seats to deliver the Democratic majority last cycle because we know what it takes to win in Republican districts. Our 2018 experience and our strategic investments this cycle put us in a strong position to defend and expand the majority in November,” he said.

The Frontier program supports candidates at two stages. The first level of support is a “Candidate Watch List” for promising candidates the Action Fund has not previously endorsed. The second level is full endorsement.

The NewDem Action Fund supported its first round of candidates in July of 2019, even as many races were still emerging and well-before candidates were added to the DCCC “Red to Blue” program.

The Action Fund is moving six Watch List challengers up to a full endorsement. They are: 

• Hiral Tipirneni (AZ-06)

• Margaret Good (FL-16)

• Christina Hale (IN-05)

• Eugene DePasquale (PA-10)

• Wendy Davis (TX-21)

• Gina Ortiz Jones (TX-23) 

Previously endorsed candidates in the Frontier program include Betsy Dirksen Londrigan (IL-13), Dan Feehan (MN-01), and Carolyn Long (WA-03). 

The Action Fund also announced the addition of three new candidates to the Watch List, including Christy Smith (CA-25), Jackie Gordon (NY-02), and Shannon Hutcheson (TX-10).

The NewDem Action Fund will continue to work closely with these Democratic campaigns by offering mentorship and messaging guidance in addition to institutional and financial support.

“Our role in the work of protecting the majority is two-fold, first by putting strong contenders in the spotlight, then by helping them get over the finish-line,” Bera said. “Beginning early means we can help shape the field and provide the longest possible runway for success. With such a strong crop of candidates, we are well-positioned for NewDem success in November.” 

The New Democrat Coalition is made up of 103 House Democrats, NewDems advocate within the Democratic Party and Congress for new ideas and new approaches to move America forward. The New Democrat Coalition is the largest ideological caucus in the House and represents more than 40% of House Democrats.