MEMORANDUM Arrow

RE: Democrats' Streak of Overperformances and Victories in 2025 Continues After Huge Win in Iowa This Week

This week, Democrat Catelin Drey clinched a huge victory in the Iowa Senate District 1 race, breaking the Republican supermajority in the Iowa state Senate. Drey's win - in a traditionally red district that went for Donald Trump by 11 points in 2024 - marks the third major Democratic overperformance in Iowa in districts that Trump won by at least 10%. These results underscore a growing trend we've been seeing all year: no matter in blue, red, or purple communities, voters are pushing back against Republicans' agenda by supporting Democrats.

Let's be clear: this is not exclusive to Iowa. Across the country, voters - even those in the rubiest of red districts - are delivering a loud and clear rebuke of Trump and Republicans, who betrayed working families with their budget that lines the pockets of billionaires by ripping away families' health care. Voters are putting their faith in strong Democratic leaders who will tackle Republicans' extreme agenda head-on, fight for working families, and drive our nation forward. That's why in 2025 alone, Democrats have won or overperformed the top of the 2024 ticket in 39 out of 40 key special elections so far.

Take a look at the contrast: while Republicans face jeers and boos among plummeting approval ratings, Democrats are beating the odds, overperforming nationwide, and winning special elections back-to-back. With each victory and overperformance, Democrats' momentum grows stronger, allowing us to build back our power and answer voters' demand for change. Democrats will continue to organize and mobilize at the grassroots level to connect with voters, build lasting coalitions, and secure electoral victories until there's a strong Democratic leader in every community.

Below is a list of some of Democrats' major overperformances from this year:

Connecticut

• In Connecticut's House District 40 special election, Democrat Dan Gaiewski overperformed the top of the November ticket by 16 points.

Delaware

• In Delaware's Senate District 1 special election, Democrat Dan Cruce overperformed the top of the November ticket by 10 points.

Florida

• In Florida's 1st Congressional District, Democrat Gay Valimont overperformed by 23 points in a Trump +37 district, marking Democrats' best performance in the district this century and flipping Pensacola for the first time in decades.
• In Florida's 6th Congressional District, Democrat Josh Weil secured a massive 16-point overperformance in a Trump +30 district.

Iowa

• In Iowa's Senate District 35 special election, Democrat Mike Zimmer flipped a district Trump won by 21 points, overperforming the top of the November ticket by 25 points.
• In Iowa's House District 100 special election, Democrat Nannette Griffin overperformed the top of the November ticket by 24 points.

Maine

• In Maine's House District 24 special election, Democrat Sean Faircloth overperformed the top of the November ticket by 18 points.

Minnesota

• In Minnesota's Senate District 60 special election, DFL candidate Doron Clark won the election by a margin of 91-9, overperforming the top of the November ticket by 14 points.

Nebraska

• John Ewing Jr. clinched a victory in the Omaha Mayoral race, unseating the longest-serving Republican-aligned incumbent mayor in the country by an overwhelming majority.

Pennsylvania

• Dan Goughnour secured the Pennsylvania House majority for Democrats, winning in House District 35 by nearly 30 points, a 13-point overperformance.
• Democrat James Malone claimed an upset victory in an R+23 state Senate district in Lancaster County - a district that hasn't had a Democrat representing it since 1979, and a Democratic president hadn't won Lancaster County since Lyndon B. Johnson won it in 1964.

Rhode Island

• In Rhode Island's 4th Senate District, Democrat Stefano Famiglietti won a landslide victory, winning over 80% of the vote - a 56-point overperformance.

South Carolina

• In South Carolina's 30th House District, Democrat Keishan Scott cruised to victory, overperforming the top of the November ticket by 36 points and winning over 70% of the vote.

Wisconsin:

• Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford beat Elon Musk-backed Brad Schimel by double digits in a bellwether race that showed Wisconsin voters squarely rejecting the influence of Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and billionaire special interests.

Virginia

• In Virginia's 32nd state Senate district, Democrat Kannan Srinivasan overperformed the top of the November ticket and won his election by a 62-38 margin.
• In Virginia's 26th state House district, Democrat JJ Singh overperformed the top of the November ticket and won his election by a 62-38 margin.