The Democratic National Committee announced Monday it will forgo a midterm convention, citing strategic priorities as the party faces a significant fundraising gap. The decision was disclosed during a conference call with members, according to individuals on the call.

DNC Chair Ken Martin said members urged leadership to focus resources on state-level campaign operations rather than staging a national convention.

The move comes as the Republican National Committee holds roughly a $100 million cash advantage over Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The DNC’s financial position has tightened to the point that it secured a $15 million loan to support 2025 election efforts in Virginia and New Jersey, both of which Democrats ultimately won.

DNC Executive Director Roger Lau said Republicans were “baited” into holding their own midterm convention, arguing the event would politically tie GOP candidates to President Donald Trump.

“Republicans were baited into wasting time and money on a midterm convention that will sink their swing-seat candidates by tying them directly to Trump's wildly unpopular policies,” Lau said in a statement. He added that Democrats have instead “put resources where they're needed most and doubled down on the playbook” that helped flip seats in 2025 contests.

RNC spokeswoman Kiersten Pels pushed back, telling CBS News the DNC “can’t afford to hold a midterm convention, financially or politically.” She added that Democrats lack both the funds and the willingness to showcase what she called a “radical, failing agenda.”

Separately, Democrats unveiled five finalist cities to host the party’s 2028 presidential nominating convention: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, and Philadelphia. Each has previously hosted a Democratic presidential convention: Atlanta in 1988, Boston in 2004, Chicago in 2024, Denver in 2008, and Philadelphia in 2016.

Republicans have not yet announced the location of their midterm convention.