Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Abbreviation | DCCC |
---|---|
Founded | 1866 |
Purpose | To elect Democrats to the US House of Representatives |
Headquarters | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
Chair | Sean Patrick Maloney |
Formerly called | Democratic National Congressional Committee |
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC)[a] is the Democratic Hill committee for the United States House of Representatives, working to elect Democrats to that body.[1] The DCCC recruits candidates, raises funds, and organizes races in districts that are expected to yield politically notable or close elections. The structure of the committee consists, essentially, of the Chairperson (who according to current Democratic Caucus rules is a fellow member of the caucus appointed by the party leader in the House), their staff, and other Democratic members of Congress that serve in roles supporting the functions of the committee.
The Chairperson of the DCCC is the sixth-ranking position among House Democrats, after the Speaker, the Majority Leader, the Majority Whip, the House Assistant Democratic Leader, and the Democratic Caucus Chairperson. The current chair is Sean Patrick Maloney of New York, who assumed the position in 2021.[2]
History
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The DCCC originated in 1866 as the Democratic National Congressional Committee.
Due to the reform of campaign finance legislation that took effect in the 2004 election cycle, the DCCC splits into two organizations a few months before each Election Day:
- One organization (the "Coordinated" campaign) can continue to stay in contact with the individual congressional campaigns, offering advice and suggestions to candidates and their staffs in each race.
- The other organization (the "Independent Expenditure" campaign), which makes independent expenditures in congressional districts on behalf of the campaigns, is not allowed to coordinate activities with the campaigns.
In recent elections, the DCCC has played an expansive role in supporting Democratic candidates with independently produced television ads and mail pieces.
Rahm Emanuel assumed the position of DCCC committee chair after the death of the previous chair, Bob Matsui, at the end of the 2004 election cycle. Emanuel led the Democratic Party's successful effort to capture the majority in the House of Representatives in the 2006 elections. After Emanuel's election as chair of the Democratic Caucus, Chris Van Hollen became committee chair for the 110th Congress and the 2008 elections. He continued through the 2010 elections. For the 2014 election cycle, Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi appointed congressman Ben Ray Luján to serve as the committee's chair.
In 2022, workers at the DCCC announced they were forming a union affiliated with the Teamsters.[3]
Controversy
Consultant blacklist
After Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won her upset congressional victory over Joe Crowley, the DCCC implemented a policy blacklisting consultants who worked for primary opponents of Democratic Party incumbents. Highly unpopular among progressives, the organization rolled back the policy in 2021.[4]
Primary preferences
In the 2018 election cycle, the DCCC released negative information about candidate Laura Moser, who ran for US Congress in Texas' 7th congressional district.[5] The move backfired, as Moser gained donations and support en route to making the runoff before falling short against Lizzie Fletcher.[6][7] A month after the attack on Moser, the DCCC showed preference in another Texas primary, supporting Collin Allred.[8] The decisions were two among many similar choices made by the organization throughout its history.[9][10] Similar criticism carried into the next election cycle, prompting Progressive Caucus member Ro Khanna to say:
This unprecedented grab of power is a slap in the face of Democratic voters across the nation. It’s something even Rahm Emanuel would not have done and is totally tone-deaf to the grassroots activists across our nation. Voters are sick of the status quo holding on to power and stifling new voices. They are sick of D.C. politicians who care more about holding on to power than a true competition of ideas."[11]
Russian hacking
In July 2016, the DCCC said it was hacked.[12][13][14][15][16] Subsequently, a person described as a hacker and known as "Guccifer 2.0" (Russian Main Intelligence Directorate persona) reportedly released documents and information that were obtained from the cyberattack on the DCCC.[17]
Supporting election deniers
In the 2022 primary cycle, the DCCC assisted Republican candidates that supported the claim that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump. In Pennsylvania, they helped Doug Mastriano win the primary for governor. In Michigan, they helped John Gibbs defeat incumbent Peter Meijer, who voted to impeach Donald Trump in the second impeachment. [18] [19]
List of chairs
See also
- Democratic National Committee
- Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
- National Republican Congressional Committee
- National Republican Senatorial Committee
Notes
- ^ Pronounced /diː ˈtrɪpəl siː/ DEE TRIH-pəl SEE; sometimes abbreviated as /diː trɪp/ DEE TRIP.
References
- ^ Bowden, John (March 30, 2019). "Progressives hammer DCCC over blacklist targeting primary challenges". The Hill.
- ^ Marans, Daniel (December 3, 2020). "Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney Elected To Run House Democrats' Campaign Arm". www.huffpost.com. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- ^ Munroe, Galen (January 28, 2022). "Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Staff to Form Party's Largest Collective Bargaining Unit". International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
- ^ Birenbaum, Gabby (March 10, 2021). "In a victory for progressives, the DCCC ends its consultant blacklist". Vox.
- ^ Nilsen, Ella (March 7, 2018). "The DCCC's scorched-earth campaign against Texas Democrat Laura Moser backfired". Vox.
- ^ Hardy, Michael (February 27, 2018). "Laura Moser Shakes Off the DCCC". Texas Monthly.
- ^ Weigel, David (February 23, 2018). "Progressives rage at DCCC after it attacks Texas candidate for 'begrudgingly' moving to Houston". Washington Post.
- ^ Livingston, Abby (March 22, 2018). "1 month after attacking Laura Moser, DCCC spars with another Texas Democrat". Texas Tribune.
- ^ Marcetic, Branko (April 6, 2018). "The DCCC's Long, Ugly History of Sabotaging Progressives". In These Times.
- ^ Weigel, David (March 2, 2018). "Democratic group faces backlash after intervening in crowded House primaries". Washington Post.
- ^ Grim, Ryan (March 27, 2019). "PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS SLAMS DCCC HEAD CHERI BUSTOS FOR HER ASSAULT ON PRIMARY CHALLENGERS". The Intercept.
- ^ Neidig, Harper (July 29, 2016). "House Dem campaign arm says it was hacked". The Hill. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
- ^ "Exclusive: FBI probes hacking of Democratic congressional group - sources". Reuters. July 29, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
- ^ "Fundraising Nonprofit Says It Wasn't Compromised In DCCC Hack". Talking Points Memo. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
- ^ "Democratic Party's congressional fundraising committee was also hacked". Ars Technica. July 29, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
- ^ King, Bob; Starks, Tim (July 28, 2016). "Hackers suspected in new attack on Democrats". Politico.Com. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
- ^ Diaz, Daniella (August 13, 2016). "Hacker releases cell phone numbers, personal emails of House Democrats". CNN. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
- ^ Ferris, Sarah. "House Dems berate campaign arm over 'very dangerous' GOP primary scheme". Politico. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
- ^ Levine, Sam. "Democrats split by bid to boost election denier in Michigan Republican primary". The Guardian. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
External links
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