A Super PAC Is Encroaching on the DCCC’s Territory

House Majority PAC is actively recruiting candidates, vetting their backgrounds and even potentially running ads on their behalf in competitive primaries.

Hakeem Jeffries
J. Scott Applewhite/AP

A super PAC with close ties to House Democratic leadership is taking a more active role with House candidates ahead of next year’s elections, expanding its political operation into the realm traditionally occupied by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

While many Democratic strategists and elected officials welcome the new hands-on approach from House Majority PAC, some question whether it excessively overlaps with the DCCC, reducing the committee’s role and ceding some responsibility for candidate management to the outside group.

Mike Smith, the president of House Majority PAC and the DCCC, said the two organizations are working together closely. But after some narrow losses last cycle, Smith said the PAC leaders felt they needed to get more involved.