Mar 31, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Dems target more MAGA-country town halls

Stephen Neukam

This is Mark Kelly — Sen. Mark Kelly. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Images

Senate Democrats who blitzed Republican districts with town halls earlier this month are encouraging their colleagues to follow a similar game plan.

"I think every Democrat in the country should be doing town halls, especially going out to communities where our party hasn't had a lot of support," Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) tells Axios.

Why it matters: The events give Democrats an opportunity to pummel congressional Republicans for their budget reconciliation plans, which likely include cuts to Medicaid.

"People are freaked out," Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) tells Axios.
Kelly said at events in GOP districts this month he met a man with multiple sclerosis who was worried about potential work requirement changes to Medicaid, which pays for the screenings that track the severity of his disease.

The big picture: Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), who just recently hosted town halls in GOP districts, said the strategy is what helped him win in a purple state last year.

"I was willing to go to red parts of the state, show respect and have open conversations," Gallego said.

Add Axios on Google

Dems target more MAGA-country town halls

What to read next