by Jerry Cornfield, Washington State Standard
December 6, 2024
Democratic U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington will continue to helm her caucus’ political operation as it maneuvers to recapture control of the House in 2026.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, on Friday said he had reappointed DelBene as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He cited her leadership returning most of the party’s targeted incumbents to office and engineering the pick-up of two House seats. Even so, Republicans secured a historically narrow majority of 220-215 in the next Congress.
One of the key wins was Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s reelection in the 3rd Congressional District in southwest Washington. Her match-up with Republican Joe Kent was a battleground contest and attracted millions of dollars in outside spending by both parties.
“As we build upon the foundation that we laid and continue our work to take back the House majority in 2026, there is no person better to lead our efforts than Congresswoman Suzan DelBene,” he said in a statement, adding that she is “whip smart, incredibly substantive and very strategic.”
DelBene, who hails from Medina, a city just east of Seattle, said she was honored “to receive the opportunity to finish the job that we started: retaking the House Majority.”
The 1st Congressional District, which DelBene represents, spans part of King County and much of central and southern Snohomish County. Kirkland, Redmond, Mill Creek, Marysville, Bothell and Lake Stevens are among the cities in the district.
She entered office in November 2012, completing the unexpired term of Jay Inslee who stepped down to run for governor. Last month, she won reelection with 63% of the vote.
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