Cárdenas Announces Candidacy for DCCC Chair
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) announced his candidacy for Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) in a letter to House Democrats.
The letter can be found here and below.
Dear Colleague:
The 117th Congress has been one of the most successful in our country’s history – proving that when Democrats deliver, America succeeds. Because of our hard work, families across the United States are seeing lower healthcare costs, millions of good-paying jobs, stronger infrastructure, safer communities, and so much more.
No matter the outcome of this election, we defied expectations. We beat conventional wisdom, outperformed in districts everywhere, and showed that our power is with the people. I want to thank Chairman Sean Patrick Maloney for his leadership and his team for their work over the past two years, which helped us prevent a “red wave.” In the coming weeks, we will make time to figure out how we can do better. But the work to win back the seats we lost and expand our Democratic Caucus begins today.
Like many of you, I want to stop Republicans from destroying our progress and hurting the people who elected us to serve them. Like many of you, I want to grow our caucus by charting a new course rooted in your strategic input, collective political experiences, and battle-tested campaign expertise. When I traveled across the country this election cycle – from Nevada to Pennsylvania and down to Florida – one thing was clear: no one knows how to empower your community and win for your district the way you do, especially when given the necessary resources. In that spirit and understanding of the grave challenges that lie ahead as we approach a Presidential election, I humbly ask for your support to be the next Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) to fortify and expand our historically diverse Democratic Caucus for the people who are counting on us to give them hope and power.
As the former Chairman of BOLD PAC, the campaign arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), we achieved significant triumphs for our Democratic Caucus. We raised record-breaking funds every cycle totaling more than $35 million in six years. We increased the number of CHC Members and helped capture the majority in 2018. In fact, for the first time in BOLD PAC’s history, we supported and helped non-Latino candidates and incumbents. We endorsed and contributed to more than 150 non-Latino Members and candidates – helping to win elections with the Progressive Caucus, Women’s Caucus, New Dems, Blue Dogs, Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Asian and Pacific American Caucus, Equality Caucus, and more.
Through tactical planning and a deliberate, inclusive approach, we transformed BOLD PAC into the political powerhouse that exists today. Our strategy was simple: invest early and strategically – and bring the same level of enthusiastic grit to every district and community.
Since my time at BOLD PAC, I have fought alongside you to help keep our majority. I spent the last few months traveling to many of your districts knocking on doors, turning out voters, and raising and contributing more than $800,000 to help our colleagues and Democratic candidates reach every community in their districts.
Looking ahead, as Chair of the DCCC, our team will work with you all and for you all to achieve success in the upcoming cycle by focusing on the following priorities:
- Creating Value for All Members: By working with you, we will create a robust Member Services operation so that you have access to the necessary resources needed to succeed.
- Hiring and Retaining the Best: We will build an effective and diverse team that is culturally competent and reflects our entire country. I will look to your leadership and perspectives to spearhead initiatives that embrace unity and empower communities across America.
- Building Success Through Innovation and Inclusivity: We will win big next cycle by investing efficiently and thoughtfully in the communities we need to mobilize, continuing to open the door to the most talented staff and vendors, strategically communicating a cohesive message that resonates with all voters, and organizing key constituencies that have been overlooked.
I understand the enormous responsibility that lies ahead. My proven track record of successfully tackling challenges head-on and working hard to secure victories has prepared me for this moment. If you elect me as the next Chair of the DCCC, I promise to fight alongside you to win in 2024 so that we can continue delivering for working families in the United States and adding to our great progress. We will build on the work of the DCCC and make sure our organization touches every corner of our nation – from the coasts to the heartland.
I wholeheartedly ask for your support so that we can continue to work day in and day out for the success of our party, and more importantly, the future of all Americans. Thank you for your unwavering leadership, friendship, and commitment to a brighter future.
Sincerely,
TONY CÁRDENAS
Member of Congress
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