IN THE STATES: DNC Launches Largest-Ever National Training Program, Another Wave of Democratic Victories Sends Republicans into Panic Arrow

Yesterday, the DNC launched the NextWave Regional Bootcamp training program, our largest-ever in-person campaign training to ensure we're deploying the best talent available ahead of the midterms. The program features a three-day bootcamp for aspiring and current campaign staff in target states to learn the skills they'll need to help Democrats win in November. With this program, the DNC is ensuring Democrats are in the best position possible to win elections up and down the ballot in 2026 and beyond.

• Nationwide: Spectrum News: DNC launches volunteer bootcamp ahead of 2026 midterms
• Nationwide: The Hill: Democrats launch 7-figure program to train campaign staffers ahead of November
• Nationwide: Newsweek: Democrats Launch Major Push in Key Swing States Ahead of Midterms

Democrats continue to win special elections across the country - and this week was no different. In Louisiana, Chasity Verret Martinez beat her opponent by 24 points in a Trump +13 district. In Virginia, Elizabeth Bennett-Parker clinched victory in the Virginia Senate District 39 special election, maintaining Democrats' Senate majority. With these wins, Democratic candidates have won or overperformed in 247 out of 277 key elections, yet another sign that Democrats have the momentum heading into November.

• Nationwide: USA Today: 'This is how a wave starts': Democrats win another special election
• In Louisiana: CBS News: Democrat Chasity Verret Martinez wins Louisiana state House special seat in district Trump won
• In Louisiana: Washington Examiner: Democrats continue upset streak in Trump districts with Louisiana special election blowout
• In Louisiana: The Mirror US: Democrat wins Louisiana state election in district won by Donald Trump
• In Louisiana: NOLA: This Democrat won in a Louisiana district that went heavily for Trump. Here's how she did it.
• In Virginia: ALX Now: JUST IN: Elizabeth Bennett-Parker wins decisive victory in special election for State Senate
• In Virginia: Virginia Mercury: Bennett-Parker wins Va. Senate District 39 special election
• In Virginia: WUSA 9: Democrats win 2 Northern Virginia special elections

Over the past weekend, DNC Chairman Ken Martin traveled to Kansas and Missouri as part of the DNC's strategy to engage voters and rebuild Democratic power in red states. During his trip, Chair Martin met with local students, farmers, and leaders to mobilize voters ahead of high-stakes elections this year.

• In Kansas: Politico: Weekly Agriculture: India deal lifts spirits
• In Kansas: Topeka Capital-Journal: DNC chair calls Roger Marshall vulnerable but will Sharice Davids run?
• In Kansas: Topeka Capital-Journal: Why DNC chair thinks Kansas Dems will break GOP supermajority in 2026
• In Kansas: Salina Journal: DNC chair calls Roger Marshall vulnerable but will Sharice Davids run?
• In Missouri: Kansas City Roo News: The national Democratic Party chair visits UMKC, prompts youth to 'take the torch' and lead

DNC Chair Ken Martin recently penned an op-ed underscoring Democrats' momentum and strategy to win in 2026 and beyond. Chair Martin emphasized that while Republicans push a toxic, out-of-touch agenda that betrays working families - and costs them elections - Democrats are overperforming and winning elections across the country with a strong message of affordability, protecting health care, and fighting for working families.

• Nationwide: The Hill: Democrats' gains shake up Republicans

A new Challenger report found that 108,435 Americans lost their jobs in January, the largest number of January layoffs since the Great Recession in 2009. Thanks to Donald Trump and Republicans, working Americans are far worse off as they struggle to make ends meet amid skyrocketing costs, a bleeding job market, and a failing economy.

• In Michigan: Detroit Free Press: Michigan loses more jobs than all but one other state, report says
• In New Jersey: Patch: NJ Job Cuts Quintuple As National Layoffs Mirror The Great Recession
• In Oregon: Oregon Live: Oregon's unemployed outnumber job openings by 2 to 1
• In Washington: The Olympian: WA was third in the US for layoffs in January. What industries were hit?

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