In state fairs, festivals, parks, and town halls across the country this summer, the Democratic Party will try to invigorate voters to join their organizing efforts, even as polling shows lackluster excitement.
The Democratic National Committee announced its “Organizing Summer” programming during Congress’s August recess, hoping to revitalize the party’s supporters, volunteers, organizers, and candidates.
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The programming will include events targeting the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s 35 “offensive districts-in-play” and will activate more than 1,000 volunteers to help with phone banks, canvassing, townhalls, and protests.
Democrats say the events are necessary to “hold Republicans accountable” for Trump’s budget bill. The party will also launch a national training program “to prepare the next generation of leaders to become campaign staff, organizers, and candidates.”
“Republicans are running away from Donald Trump’s tax scam because they know it’s one of the least popular bills to pass Congress in the past 40 years,” DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement.
“As Democrats, our job is to ensure that every American across the country understands the devastating impacts of this bill,” he added.
Democrats have been wrestling with whether to outright combat President Donald Trump and Republicans, or to compromise and work with them. A Democratic senator told The Hill that constituents want to see Democrats wear Republicans out on votes and nominees, potentially debating for hours.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), who delivered the longest Senate speech ever in response to Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency’s efforts, thinks Democrats need to press harder as well.
“What I am tired of is when the president of the United States of America violates the Constitution, trashes our norms and traditions, and what does the Democratic Party do? Comply? Allow him? Beg for scraps? No, I demand justice,” Booker said earlier this week.
“It’s time for Democrats to have a backbone. It’s time for us to fight. It’s time for us to draw lines,” he added.
The Democratic Party is still trying to find its rhythm regardless of Trump’s declining popularity. A Wall Street Journal poll released last Friday showed that 63% of voters have an unfavorable view of the Democratic Party, compared to 33% who hold a favorable view.
Greater outreach and recruitment could help flip their favorability numbers. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg believes the party is having trouble letting go of the status quo.
“I think that Democrats have been slow to understand the changes in how people get their information, slow to understand some of the cultural changes that have been happening, and maybe most problematic of all, to attach to a status quo that has been failing us for a long time,” Buttigieg said.
As for “organizing summer,” President of the Association of State Democratic Committees Jane Kleeb added that they’re holding “events in key House and Senate targets.”
Notable events will start with an August 1st “Welcome Home” event in Alaska, where organizers will remind “Republican Senator Dan Sullivan that he could have stopped” the “Big, Beautiful Bill” from passing.
They’ll also send mobile billboard trucks to town fairs in PA-08, MI-07, and NJ-07 to call out their Republican incumbents, which include Reps. Tom Kean (R-NJ), Tom Barrett (R-MI), and Rob Bresnahan (R-PA). One of the billboards, shared with the Washington Examiner, says: “MAGA REP. TOM BARRETT SOLD YOU OUT.”
The billboards could cheer on resistance efforts ongoing at Republican town-halls, where GOP incumbents are still having issues handling rowdy crowds. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) withstood boos and jeers on Thursday night as some revolted against Trump’s budget bill. The National Republican Congressional Committee has discouraged incumbents from holding in-person town halls due to potential unrest.
Events will be held in states like Michigan, Iowa, Colorado, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
One of the other events on the DNC’s schedule is local: They’re holding a “Capital Cookout” at Fort Dupont Park on August 9 “for a day of food, community, and connection.”
“Whether you’re hoping to meet Democratic leaders, grab a bite to eat, meet your neighbors, or just enjoy a summer evening in the city, you’re invited,” the event description says.
DEMOCRATS SUIT FOR TEXAS REDISTRICTING FIGHT WITH $20 MILLION SUPER PAC FUND
The programming comes as Republicans look to redistrict across the country, potentially severely damaging Democrats’ hopes of retaking the House in 2026. If their effort continues, Democrats are spending millions to stop it.
The House Majority PAC is creating a new fund with $20 million for voter registration initiatives, advertising, and targeted investment with Hispanic voters in hopes they can beat Texas’s House Republicans.