WELCOME ANNOUNCES INITIAL WIN THE MIDDLE SLATE ENDORSEMENTS FOR 2026 ELECTION CYCLE
WelcomePAC, which works to elect centrist Democrats in conservative-leaning congressional districts, announced its first endorsements of the 2026 cycle: Rep. Adam Gray (CA-13), Rep. Jared Golden (ME-02), Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), and Rebecca Cooke, Democratic challenger in Wisconsin’s third congressional district.
These four Democrats, who over-performed Harris by an average of 6.7 points and had an average Split Ticket WAR of D+6.1 in 2024, have demonstrated they can win over swing and Republican voters in Trump-won districts. These are the types of candidates who can hold Frontline seats and flip red seats to help Democrats reclaim a majority in the House.
“We’re thrilled to announce our first batch of endorsements for the 2026 cycle, all of whom were featured at WelcomeFest in early June,” said Welcome co-founder Lauren Harper Pope. “These individuals provide the leadership, nuance, vision, and authenticity needed to win over the voters who determine elections. As this group proves, Democrats can win over Republican voters – even Trump voters – if they show up for people, meet voters where they are, and share a compelling vision for this country. We’re excited to see them inspire change in the Democratic Party for the 2026 cycle.”
Rep. Jared Golden said, “I represent one of the most politically diverse districts in the country. Mainers are an independent bunch, who care much less about party ID than we care about our heritage industries and way of life, the strength of our communities and our ability to provide for our families. The path back to the majority for Democrats runs through districts like mine, but only if we reject the tired ideological fights that the pundit class forces on us and show the people that their interests matter more than party politics. I’m glad to receive the support of WelcomePAC, which is not only open to this vision of place-based politics, but endorses it.”
Rep. Adam Gray said, “As our country is pulled apart by extreme partisan politicians, it’s important to remember that the majority of Americans fall somewhere in the middle of the political spectrum — and they deserve accountable representation that reflects that reality. I’m glad to receive support from WelcomePAC as I work to represent my constituents by advancing bipartisan, commonsense solutions to the problems our community faces.”
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez said, "I’m deeply honored to receive WelcomePAC’s endorsement for the 2026 cycle. Their commitment to expanding our Democratic tent by welcoming politically independent Americans speaks directly to what we’re building in Southwest Washington. In our district, voters reject extremes and want elected representatives who deliver practical solutions and respectful leadership. Working together with WelcomePAC, we’ll continue that mission by bridging divides, empowering economic self-determination, and trusting local communities."
Rebecca Cooke said, "Focusing on electoral wins is how we take back the House – Welcome is keenly aware that to do that, we've got to win the middle. I'm grateful to have their support as we fire extremist Derrick Van Orden and flip this seat from red to blue. We need more working class voices in Congress who will work with both parties to get things done."
In the 2024 election cycle, Welcome invested more than $12 million supporting a slate of 9 centrist Democrats running in districts Trump won in 2020. This slate, coined the “Win the Middle slate” , included over-performers like Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Rep. Mary Peltola, Rep. Jared Golden, Rebecca Cooke, Janelle Stelson, Whitney Fox, Will Rollins, and Adam Frisch.
ABOUT WELCOMEPAC:
WelcomePAC launched in November 2021 to build a “Justice Democrats for the Center" by recruiting and backing brand-differentiated Democratic challengers with the capacity to defeat extremist Republican incumbents and compete where Democrats are "Conceding Democracy" by not supporting credibly-funded challengers.
In the 2022 and 2024 election cycles combined, Welcome invested more than $14 million supporting a dozen of the Democratic Party’s most over-performing U.S. House challengers and incumbents. Informed by our perspective on the inefficiency of the Democratic marketplace and the ballooning value of each Congressional seat, Welcome has consistently identified districts with viability that rating agencies have written off as unwinnable for Democrats. In 2024, Welcome supported a slate of nine centrist Democrats, including the Blue Dog caucus co-chairs. All of Welcome’s slate over-performed Kamala Harris in Trump-won districts by an average of 6 points.
Welcome was coined “a centrist insurgency” in The New York Times and has been featured in publications like PBS, Slate, Semafor, Politico, The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, Slow Boring, and The Bulwark.
Welcome cultivates a centrist community and elevates Democratic Party leaders who improve the brand through its annual public gathering, WelcomeFest, and its Substack, WelcomeStack.