The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has announced a $15 million investment targeting eight swing House districts and several Senate battleground states ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The LGBTQ rights group aims to increase the number of pro-equality lawmakers in Congress and oppose ballot initiatives that scale back LGBTQ rights.
The eight House districts central to the effort include those of Republicans Rob Bresnahan in Pennsylvania and Mike Lawler in New York, both named as top targets by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. An HRC official noted that these districts were decided by just 157,000 votes in 2024, while nearly 1.5 million Equality Voters reside there.
Democrats see potential for a wave year, with Republicans holding only a four-seat House majority following the resignation of Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. Recent polls show President Donald Trump's approval rating dropping to 37 per cent and Democrats gaining ground on the generic ballot question.
HRC's investment also covers the Ohio Senate seat held by Republican Jon Husted, where former Senator Sherrod Brown is a strong Democratic contender. Funds will support Senator Jon Ossoff in Georgia and defend seats vacated by retiring Democrats in three states. HRC President Kelley Robinson said: 'November is coming, and voters are ready to get free from hate, free from discrimination, free from the chaos holding this country back.'
The announcement comes amid Trump's second term, marked by attacks on transgender Americans. Republicans, including Representative Nancy Mace, have targeted the only transgender member of Congress, Sarah McBride. Trump questioned a delivery driver about transgender sports participation during a staged White House event.
