House Democrats are planning town halls in Republican districts after the head of the GOP’s campaign arm revealed that Republicans are avoiding public town halls due to growing anger over Trump’s economic policies and Elon Musk’s controversial involvement in government.
“We’re filling a void,” Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) said, explaining that he is planning several town halls in Republican areas. “We’re filling a void that’s left open by our Republican colleagues who are too scared to show up to town halls in their own districts because they’re doing things that are not popular.”
Earlier in March, Rep. Richard Hudson (N.C.), the chair of the Republicans’ campaign arm, told GOP lawmakers to avoid in-person town halls in their districts. His advice came after several Republicans faced angry confrontations with constituents during town halls. These confrontations, which were captured on video, quickly spread online. Republicans claimed the incidents were caused by Democratic protesters.
Democrats see an opportunity to highlight this unrest. They have been holding town halls in their own districts all year, and next week, they plan a series of events focused on the GOP’s proposals to cut Medicaid spending.
By holding town halls in Republican-controlled areas, Democrats aim to reach voters in key districts they hope to win in the 2026 elections. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) is planning town halls in three GOP districts in California, currently held by Republican Reps. David Valadao, Young Kim, and Ken Calvert.
“It’s about listening to people. It’s not about where,” said Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) during a visit to Leesburg. “As much as we can show up and talk to people, and listen — give people an opportunity to share their stories — and allow that to inform the work that we do, then we will be successful.”
