Progressives Slam DCCC for Backing Centrist Bains Over Sanders-Endorsed Challenger in California Race

Progressives criticized Democratic leaders after the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee backed a centrist over a far-left challenger in a battleground race that could affect House control.

The DCCC added California state Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains and seven other Democrats to its Red to Blue program this week. The program amounts to an endorsement that helps candidates defeat GOP incumbents in key primaries nationwide.

The DCCC chose to support Bains rather than progressive challenger Randy Villegas, a university professor backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. The decision in the competitive race prompted backlash from progressive lawmakers. They said the campaign arm should remain neutral in primaries.

"We disagree with the DCCC’s decision to attempt to tip the scales in this race," leaders of the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC said in a joint statement. The group has endorsed Villegas. "Voters, not the DCCC, should pick Democratic nominees."

The progressive group included Reps. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, Greg Casar of Texas, Lloyd Doggett of Texas, Maxwell Frost of Florida, Delia Ramirez of Illinois, Chuy Garcia of Illinois, and Jamie Raskin of Maryland.

"Deeply disappointed to see this last-minute intervention in a competitive Democratic primary," Rep. Adelita Grijalva of Arizona wrote on social media Monday. "It’s especially tone-deaf in a district that is overwhelmingly Latino, coming on the heels of last week’s decision gutting the VRA [Voting Rights Act]."

Villegas called the DCCC intervention "undemocratic" in a post on X. The political newcomer has support from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ campaign arm and the Working Families Party, along with other outside groups. Bains has backing from major labor groups, the Blue Dogs PAC, and the NewDem Action Fund.

Both candidates seek to unseat Rep. David Valadao of California, who has beaten Democratic challengers in the majority-Hispanic district.

The DCCC's support for candidates in other primaries also drew criticism. Its promotion of state legislator Joe Baldacci in Maine’s second congressional district prompted sharp words from rival Jordan Woods, a former Capitol Hill staffer running for the Republican-leaning seat.

"Once again, Washington, D.C., insiders are trying to tell Mainers who can represent them," Woods said in a statement.

The DCCC said the candidates in its program are best positioned to win in November and come from all parts of the party. "It’s imperative that Democrats must take back the House to hold Trump accountable and deliver on what truly matters to voters — lower costs and affordable healthcare," DCCC spokesman Viet Shelton told Fox News Digital.

National Republicans said messy Democratic primaries could hurt the party's effort to regain the House. "Their disastrous primaries have turned into a far-left free-for-all, and national Democrats stepping in will only deepen the chaos and alienate their far-left base," NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella said in a statement.

Progressives in the Senate also criticized Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and the Senate Democrats’ campaign arm for supporting centrists in key races. Schumer's effort to recruit Gov. Janet Mills of Maine for the 2026 Senate contest failed last week when the two-term governor dropped out after her campaign struggled with primary voters. Schumer gave a tepid endorsement of presumptive nominee Graham Platner, who has progressive backing.