(January 13, 2026)

Another sticking point: some Frontliners were miffed that Martin tried to offer messaging advice, per sources in the room. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Mich.) — one of the top electoral overperformers in the country — spoke up and said she needed more resources from the DNC, not messaging guidance.

Overall, the feedback from the Frontliners was this: Helping out state parties won’t matter if Democrats fail to take back the House in 2026. Some members present also told us they felt as though they were being lectured on messaging by a party chair whose name has never been on the ballot.