DelBene cites cost of living as key to flipping House

Washington’s 1st District Rep. Suzan DelBene says high consumer costs are the primary factor that could return Democrats to a majority in the U.S. House.

The race in her own district pits her against Republican challenger Mary Silva. The 1st District includes portions of King and Snohomish counties. DelBene is also serving as the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. In that role, she oversees the party's efforts to win seats nationwide. She spoke with KNKX host Emil Moffatt about the current state of the midterm elections.

The timeline for these elections has moved quickly toward the November deadline. Voting remains open until 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. DelBene stated that Democrats are currently in offensive positions in 66 districts across the country. Her committee needs to net three additional seats to secure control of the House. She noted that the map of competitive races has shifted over the past six to eight months as new contests emerged.

DelBene described the candidates running in these districts as her party's main asset. She listed backgrounds that include firefighters, mayors, veterans, small business owners, and ministers. She also mentioned a Grammy award-winning musician among the candidates. She said these individuals are focused on serving their local communities and enacting change.

When assessing race competitiveness, the committee relies heavily on direct voter contact rather than polls alone. DelBene said knocking on doors and making phone calls provides the most reliable data. She reported that voters are citing the cost of living as their number one concern. She claimed that prices have skyrocketed and that residents are struggling without a clear plan from Republicans to address the issue.

Healthcare is the second major topic in those conversations. DelBene pointed to cuts made by Republicans at the start of the current Congress. She specifically cited reductions in Medicaid funding and the elimination of tax credits for people purchasing insurance on the exchange. She said families are feeling the financial strain of these policy changes directly.

DelBene addressed voters who feel uncertain about choosing between the two major parties. She argued that residents are frustrated because they are struggling and want to know that their elected officials understand their situation. She said voters are looking for a focus on solving specific problems. She added that people want to see governance work to address the issues they face daily.

The committee aims to build coalitions to move legislation forward. DelBene said this approach is necessary because of how the government is structured. She stated that leading and bringing different groups together is part of the role for a majority party. The next major milestone is the general election on Nov. 3, when voters will cast their ballots for federal and state offices.