Five Democratic congressional candidates announced the formation of the 'Blue Collar Brigade' on June 30, 2026, as part of a joint fundraising initiative aimed at reconnecting with working-class voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The candidates include Bob Brooks, Randy Villegas, Brian Poindexter, Sam Forstag, and Kaela Berg, who are focusing on a platform that emphasizes lowering costs, supporting organized labor, and addressing government corruption. The coalition aims to pool resources due to limited access to wealthy donor networks typically available to traditional candidates.
In a statement, Poindexter highlighted the challenges faced by candidates from labor backgrounds, noting the difficulty in fundraising compared to opponents with substantial financial backing. The initiative comes as the Democratic Party seeks to rebuild support among blue-collar voters following a decline in support during the 2024 elections. Currently, the Republican National Committee reports $116 million in cash on hand, while the Democratic National Committee has approximately $13.8 million and over $18 million in debt.
The Blue Collar Brigade's fundraising efforts are supported by several major unions, including the AFL-CIO and the Communications Workers of America. Honorary chairs for the initiative include Reps. Chris Deluzio, Nikki Budzinski, and Val Hoyle, who emphasize the importance of raising funds to support candidates from the labor movement. The coalition aims to reshape the Democratic Party's image and address criticisms of disconnect from working-class voters, advocating for a vision that prioritizes working families' issues.