IN THE STATES: Dems Lead Charge Against Trump-Musk’s Failing Agenda, Take Victory Lap After Special Election Victories and Overperformances Arrow

This week, the DNC, DSCC, DCCC, DGA, and Democratic Senate and House leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries filed a lawsuit to block Trump's illegal executive order on election administration that attempts to undermine our electoral process. The lawsuit argues that Trump's executive order is nothing more than an attempt to suppress voters and infringe on their constitutional rights, upend our voter registration systems to give DOGE access to sensitive information, stop states from counting eligible mail ballots, and withhold federal election funding from dozens of states in the process.

• Nationwide: New York Times: Democrats Sue Trump Over Executive Order on Elections
• Nationwide: Associated Press: Nonprofit groups and Democrats sue Trump administration over election executive order
• Nationwide: Politico: Democrats sue Trump over his proposed sweeping overhaul of US elections
• Nationwide: Washington Post: Democrats sue Trump administration over elections executive order
• Nationwide: Reuters: Democrats sue Trump administration over election executive order
• Nationwide: Newsweek: Donald Trump's Executive Orders Suffer Double Legal Blow
• Nationwide: Axios: Read: Trump admin sued by Democrats, nonprofits over elections order
• Nationwide: Democracy Docket: Democrats Sue to Block Trump Bid to Control Elections
• Nationwide: The Hill: Democrats sue over Trump election overhaul order

In Wisconsin, Democrats' overperformance in special elections was on full display as Susan Crawford beat Elon Musk-backed Brad Schimel in a bellwether race that showed Wisconsin voters squarely rejecting the influence of Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and billionaire special interests. Crawford's victory not only demonstrates voters' clear disapproval of the Trump-Musk agenda that is making their lives harder but highlights how voters trust Democrats to improve their lives and build progress.

• In Wisconsin: Roll Call: Liberal candidate wins Wisconsin Supreme Court election in boost for Democrats
• In Wisconsin: The Guardian: Wisconsin supreme court race: liberal Susan Crawford beats Musk-backed candidate
• In Wisconsin: Reuters: Liberal wins Wisconsin Supreme Court election in setback for Trump, Musk
• In Wisconsin: Fox 6 Milwaukee: 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court race; Susan Crawford defeats Brad Schimel
• In Wisconsin: Wisconsin Examiner: Wisconsin voters elect Susan Crawford in rebuke of Trump, Musk
• In Wisconsin: WPR: Susan Crawford wins Wisconsin Supreme Court race as Democrats take stand against Donald Trump, Elon Musk

In Florida, the DNC touted Democrat Gay Valimont's stunning performance in the deeply red 1st Congressional District special election, where she overperformed in a Trump +37 district - the best performance by a Democratic candidate in that district this century. The DNC also congratulated Democrat Josh Weil for a strong performance in Florida's 6th Congressional District special election. In 2025, Democrats have overperformed in 17 out of 18 special elections, narrowing margins and making inroads in Republican-held districts. These elections are further proof that when Democrats organize everywhere, we can turn out voters and overperform in elections.

• In Florida: Newsweek: Democrat Flips Florida County That Donald Trump Won by 19 Points
• In Florida: First Coast News: Democrats lost both Florida special elections. But one Trump stronghold flipped blue
• In Florida: WEAR: Escambia County turns blue for first time in decades as Democrats cut GOP margins
• In Florida: Associated Press: Republicans win Florida special elections in Trump strongholds by narrower margins than in 2024
• In Florida: Politico: Republicans win - but underperform - in both Florida special elections

Following the April 1 special elections, DNC Chair Ken Martin, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler, and Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried hosted a press call touting Democrats' massive overperformances in special elections, despite Trump and Elon Musk's failed attempts to meddle in our election process. The call also highlighted how Democrats are building at the local level and capitalizing off this momentum so that we will be in a strong position to win races, flip seats, and get Democrats elected up and down the ballot in the upcoming 2025 elections and 2026 midterms.

• In Florida and Wisconsin: The Hill: Breaking down the Wisconsin, Florida special elections
• In Florida and Wisconsin: Florida Politics: Nikki Fried says Special Election overperformance lays groundwork for future Dem success
• In Florida and Wisconsin: Florida Phoenix: Democrats try to make the most out of Tuesday night's election results in Florida
• In Florida and Wisconsin: Business Insider: Democrats want Elon Musk to keep hitting the campaign trail
• In Florida and Wisconsin: The Independent: Trump just watched a referendum on Elon Musk and DOGE. He should be worried
• In Florida and Wisconsin: Associated Press: Democrats demoralized by Trump get a boost from Wisconsin voters and Cory Booker's speech
• In Florida and Wisconsin: Fox 35 Orlando: Florida Democrats view special congressional election results as encouraging, despite loss
• In Florida and Wisconsin: Associated Press: Democrats take hope in flipping a county in a ruby red corner of the Florida Panhandle
• In Florida and Wisconsin: USA Today: Democrats stopped being dupes for Trump and Musk. Wisconsin made sure of that. | Opinion

As Trump marked so-called "Liberation Day," DNC Chair Ken Martin released a memo blasting Trump and Elon Musk for wrecking our economy and leaving Americans in a worse place than they were before they entered office two months ago. In the memo, Chair Martin highlighted how, as Trump continues to fall out of favor with the American public, Democrats are overperforming and winning races across blue, purple, and red states across the country.

• Nationwide: Rolling Stone: 'Our Message Is Resonating': Dems Take Victory Lap After Smoking Musk in Wisconsin

Last weekend, DNC Chair Ken Martin traveled to Florida to be on the ground and mobilize voters behind candidates Josh Weil (FL-06) and Gay Valimont (FL-01) ahead of Florida's special elections, because working Florida families deserve leaders who will fight on their behalf.

• In Florida: News 4 Jax: Candidates gunning for Florida's Congressional District 6 seat make final push ahead of Tuesday's special election
• In Florida: WFSU: DNC Chair Ken Martin says national Democrats will spend more money, time in Florida
• In Florida: Politico: 'This race is about Donald Trump and Elon Musk': DNC chair visits Florida amid tight special election
• In Florida: The Hill: DNC chair will campaign in Florida district ahead of special election
• In Florida: Florida Politics: Democratic leader descends on Florida in races for 2 members of Congress in Special Elections Tuesday
• In Florida: West Orlando News: DNC Chair Joins FDP Chair to Campaign in Florida ahead of Special Election
• In Florida: WUSF: DNC Chair Ken Martin says national Democrats will spend more money and time in Florida
• In Florida: USA Today: Florida special elections: Trump and GOP scramble to save two critical House vacancies

Meanwhile, the "People's Town Halls" series continues as Democrats host town hall events nationwide to engage with local community members left behind by their Republican congressional representatives. At each People's Town Hall, voters are voicing their anger toward Trump, Elon Musk, and MAGA Republicans for their extreme agenda to slash Americans' health care in order to fund tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy.

• In Kentucky: WUKY: 'I think he's scared': Lexington Democrats hold town hall with an eye on Barr's congressional seat
• In Kentucky: WEKU: About 350 turn out for Democratic 'town hall' in Lexington
• In Kentucky: Spectrum News: Democratic town hall criticized Rep. Andy Barr and Trump agenda
• In Michigan: Raw Story: 'Turn the tables on them': Dems troll GOP lawmaker after filling his 'void' at town hall
• In Michigan: The 'Gander: Republican congressman from Michigan won't meet with voters-so Dems are doing it for him
• In North Dakota: North Dakota Monitor: People's town hall draws overflow crowd in Fargo

Ahead of the April 1 special election, the DNC blanketed seven Wisconsin newspapers in its first paid ad campaign calling out Elon Musk. The ad exposed Musk for spending millions in the race to further his own corporate interests. With this ad, the DNC sent a clear message to Wisconsin voters that Trump and Musk's only priority is to enrich billionaires, not hardworking Wisconsinites.

• In Wisconsin: USA Today: Wisconsin Supreme Court race heats up as Democrats take aim at Elon Musk's involvement
• In Wisconsin: Washington Post: The Democrat trying to save the party with workers
• In Wisconsin: Fox News: Elon Musk becomes DNC's target in high-stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court showdown
• In Wisconsin: NOTUS: The DNC Goes After Musk
• In Wisconsin: Rolling Stone: Ahead of Supreme Court Race, DNC Shows Wisconsin Musk's Salute
• In Wisconsin: The Hill: DNC ad: Musk trying to buy seat on Wisconsin Supreme Court

In Pennsylvania, the DNC celebrated Democrat James Malone for his historic special election victory in Senate District 36 - a district Trump won by 15 in 2024 and had a 23-point Republican voter registration advantage - highlighting a loud and clear rebuke of Trump and MAGA Republicans' extreme agenda by Pennsylvania voters. The DNC also celebrated Democrat Dan Goughnour for clinching a victory in Pennsylvania's 35th House District and retaining the Democratic majority in Pennsylvania's state House so that Democrats can continue to deliver for Pennsylvania families.

• In Pennsylvania: WESA: Goughnour wins special election in Mon Valley, cementing Democratic control of state House
• In Pennsylvania: PoliticsPA: Stunner in Lancaster As Malone Defeats Parsons For 36th Senate Seat
• In Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Democrats hold narrow lead in GOP-favored Senate district, claim House majority in special elections
• In Pennsylvania: The Keystone: Democrats keep control of Pennsylvania House with election win
• In Pennsylvania: Politico: Democrats build on their down-ballot winning streak in Pennsylvania