October 28, 2024
Winning Back the House
Path to a Democratic Majority in the U.S. House Goes Through STEM
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) – Democrats in Congress have a monumental opportunity to reclaim the majority in the United States House of Representatives this November by picking up just four Republican seats. That path to a Democratic majority goes through Democratic STEM candidates—two engineers, two science teachers, a space technologist, and a physician—backed by 314 Action Fund in the closest battleground races across the country.
“Scientists are problem solvers who know how to work across the aisle to get things done. They’re result-oriented leaders who will put politics aside in order to put the interests of everyday Americans first,” said Josh Morrow, Executive Director of 314 Action Fund. “We are investing significant resources to win all six races, take back the majority, and send a record number of STEM members to the U.S. House.”
These six critical districts—AZ-01, CA-27, IA-01, NE-02, NY-22, and OR-05—represent the best pick-up opportunities for Democrats this cycle. MAGA extremists currently hold each seat, but five were carried by President Biden in 2020, and polling shows STEM Democratic challengers with clear paths to victory.
NY-22 (Lean-D): John Mannion (science teacher) vs. Brandon Williams
NE-02 (Toss-Up /Lean-D): Tony Vargas (science teacher) vs. Don Bacon
CA-27 (Toss-Up/Lean-D): George Whitesides (space technologist) vs. Mike Garcia
OR-05 (Toss-Up): Janelle Bynum (engineer) vs. Lori Chavez-DeRemer
AZ-01 (Toss-Up): Doctor Amish Shah (ER doctor) vs. David Schweikert
IA-01 (Toss-Up): Christina Bohannan (engineer) vs. Mariannette Miller-Meeks
“Our investments in these crucial battleground districts is a demonstration of our commitment to not only winning back the House, but also making sure we elect leaders who are willing to follow the facts to fight climate change, protect a woman’s right to choose, and push back against an anti-science agenda that is eroding trust in our most prized institutions,” continued Morrow.
“With 314 Action’s hard work and generosity, Democrats will retake the majority and we will have done it with brilliant Democratic scientists,” said Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairwoman Suzan DelBene. “It is critically important to have data-driven scientists in committee hearings and crafting legislation, especially as we stand up to false attacks from science deniers and conspiracy theorists.”
NY-22: John Mannion
NY State Senator, Science Teacher
(Biden +11)
Race Rating: “Lean Democrat” Cook Political Report
Most Recent Public Polling: Mannion +7 (50-43)
“Republicans privately believe they are likely to lose at least two incumbents in the blue states: Rep. Brandon Williams in Syracuse…” – CNN
NE-02 Tony Vargas
Nebraska State Senator, Science Teacher
(Biden +6)
Race Rating: “Toss-Up” Cook Political Report
Recently moved to “Lean Dem” by Inside Elections
Most Recent Public Polling: Vargas +3 (49-46)
“Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Nebraska’s lone competitive congressional district “could very well determine” if his party flips the House.”– POLITICO
AZ-01: Amish Shah
Former Arizona State Representative,
Emergency Room Physician
(Biden + 1.5)
Race Rating: “Toss-Up” Cook Political Report
Most Recent Public Polling: Shah +1 (48-47)
“This is close to a must-win if Democrats want to retake the House in 2024.” – Cook Political Report
OR-05: Janelle Bynum
Oregon State Representative, Electrical
Engineer
(Biden + 8)
Race Rating: “Toss-Up” Cook Political Report
Most Recent Public Polling: Bynum +2 (47-45)
“The race for the fifth district is one of a handful of races in America that could decide who controls the U.S. House of Representatives.” – Oregon Public Broadcasting
CA-27: George Whitesides
Former NASA Chief of Staff; Former CEO of Virgin Galactic
(Biden + 12)
Race Rating: “Toss-Up” Cook Political Report
Most Recent Public Polling: Whitesides +2 (48-46)
“Republicans privately believe they are likely to lose at least two incumbents in the blue states…Many are also worried about Rep. Mike Garcia of southern California.” – CNN
IA-01: Christina Bohannan
Former Iowa State Representative; Engineer
(Trump +1)
Race Rating: “Toss Up” by Cook Political Report
Most Recent Public Polling: Bohannan +3 (49-46)
Iowa’s 1st Congressional District race flipped from “lean Republican” to “toss up”…Miller-Meeks, who previously served in the Iowa Senate, ran for the U.S. House three times before winning in 2020 by a margin of just six votes.” – Axios
Since the organization’s founding in 2016, 314 Action Fund has raised and spent over $60 million to help elect scientists to the U.S. Senate and House, in addition to Governor and state legislatures across the country.
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