The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) rolled out an internal polling memo on Wednesday showing the party in a strong position ahead of next year’s midterms.
According to the memo, which was first shared with members at the House Republican Conference meeting on Tuesday, Democrats lead the generic ballot by just one point. The findings suggest House Republicans are in a better position than they were at this point in 2017 during Trump’s first administration, when Democrats led the generic ballot by six points.
Additionally, the polling showed Republicans leading by two points in the 13 districts Trump won last year that are currently represented by Democrats.
“The House battleground environment presents a clear path to victory in the midterms for Republicans,” the memo reads. “Unlike 2017, this poll demonstrates that House Republicans are not just on offense and starting the cycle on a strong footing to grow our majority; Republicans are leading the charge and setting the terms of the fight.”
The memo comes as House and Senate Republicans work to pass Trump’s legislative agenda as Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) seeks to pass the bill by the end of May. Earlier this week, Johnson and NRCC Chair Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) met with Trump at the White House. Trump endorsed a handful of vulnerable House Republicans following the meeting, including Reps. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), Scott Perry (R-Pa.), Gabe Evans (R-Colo.), and Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.).
Historically, midterms are typically difficult for the sitting president’s party. Elections handicapper Sabato’s Crystal Ball predicted earlier this month that Democrats would win back control of the House.
In a separate memo released on Tuesday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) tied House Republicans to Trump’s first 100 days in office.
“Their trail of broken promises have helped to put House Democrats on offense with an expansive battleground map, including more initial districts in play than any cycle since 2018,” the DCC memo read. “The DCCC will continue to build upon this momentum on our way to taking back the House next year.”
