House Democrats’ campaign arm has expanded its flagship candidate program for the 2026 midterm cycle with eight new candidates, including veterans, sheriffs, doctors, a firefighter, a journalist and a Grammy Award-winning musician.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s announcement on the latest “Red to Blue” candidates, obtained by NOTUS, marks the first expansion of the program since its initial round of selections in February. This new list signals Democrats’ growing confidence that they see a blue wave on the November horizon.

“As the American people reject House Republicans’ disastrous, cost-spiking agenda, House Democrats have the momentum to take back the majority,” DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene said in a statement Monday. “These candidates will win because they are authentic, independent-minded leaders who are rooted in their communities, demonstrating they have what it takes to win and fight to make life more affordable for hardworking families.”

The candidates include: Marlene Galán-Woods in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, Jasmeet Bains in California’s 22nd District, Jessica Killin in Colorado’s 5th District, Joe Baldacci in Maine’s 2nd District, Bob Harvie in Pennsylvania’s 1st District, Bob Brooks in Pennsylvania’s 7th District, Bobby Pulido in Texas’ 15th District and Johnny Garcia in Texas’ 35th District.

The Texas additions are particularly notable because Republicans in the state started a domino effect of redistricting that sparked new maps in several states.

Pulido is a Grammy Award-winning Tejano artist, while Garcia is running in a district that has seen competitive races in recent cycles.

The political environment is fueling increasing optimism among Democrats that they have enough races to pick up the four seats they need to take back the House in November. Not only are President Donald Trump’s approval ratings at an all-time low, the redistricting war has also reshaped the map of midterm races in several states.

Republican-led states including Texas, Missouri and North Carolina redrew maps to benefit the GOP and were met with Democratic-led states like California and Virginia countering with their own maps. The razor-thin House majority and competitive races across the country could open the door to flipping the House majority.