Democrats’ new Senate campaign committee chair reveals keys to winning back majority

As the new chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is gearing up to win back the Senate majority for the Democrats in the 2026 midterm elections. In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Gillibrand emphasized the importance of early engagement with voters and addressing their concerns in order to build a strong relationship with constituents.

Gillibrand, who was re-elected as the senator from New York in November, was appointed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to lead the Democrats’ campaign efforts in the upcoming cycle. Schumer highlighted Gillibrand’s hard work, tenacity, and discipline as qualities that make her the right person to lead the campaign to victory in 2026.

In her new role, Gillibrand has pledged to support Democratic incumbents, recruit strong candidates, and provide resources for winning campaigns. She expressed confidence in protecting Democratic seats, challenging Republican incumbents in battleground races, and potentially expanding efforts into unexpected states.

Drawing lessons from the 2024 elections, Gillibrand stressed the importance of engaging with voters on issues such as crime, immigration, fentanyl, gun trafficking, the economy, and the cost of living. She cited her own re-election campaign and efforts to help House Democrats flip Republican-controlled seats as examples of successful outreach and engagement strategies.

Looking ahead to the 2026 elections, Gillibrand highlighted the need for Democrats to learn from President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in the previous cycle. She acknowledged Trump’s ability to win over voters in various states and emphasized the importance of understanding the lessons from past elections.

While Senate Democrats face a challenging map in 2026, Gillibrand sees opportunities to win back seats in states like North Carolina and Maine. She mentioned potential candidates like former Gov. Roy Cooper in North Carolina and expressed optimism about competitive races in these battleground states.

On the Republican side, there are opportunities to flip Democrat-controlled seats in states like New Hampshire, Michigan, and Georgia. Gillibrand praised incumbents like Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Sen. Gary Peters, and Sen. Jon Ossoff for their bipartisan approach and commitment to their constituents.

As Gillibrand prepares to lead the Democrats’ campaign efforts in 2026, she remains focused on engaging with voters, addressing their concerns, and building strong relationships to secure victories in key battleground states. With a strategic approach and a commitment to grassroots engagement, Gillibrand aims to win back the Senate majority for the Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections.