WASHINGTON — Roses are red, violets are blue, I have five fingers, the middle one’s for you.
The official House Republican campaign arm is firing off backhanded Valentine’s notes to a dozen of its top Democratic targets in the 2026 midterm elections — needling them over various controversies.
“House Democrats are getting a little love note from reality,” National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) spokesman Mike Marinella told The Post.
“If Democrats insist on courting the far-left, they shouldn’t be surprised when voters break up with them in November.”
Here are some of the cheeky love notes shared with The Post.
Dave Min’s DUI
First up is Rep. Dave Min (D-Calif.), who clinched Katie Porter’s old seat in the 2024 elections. The NRCC dredged up his misdemeanor for driving under the influence in 2023, with his blood alcohol almost double the legal limit. The then-state senator served probation for the ordeal.
Min, a state senator at the time, apologized and fessed up to making an “irresponsible” decision.
Jared Moskowitz’s shoes
Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) is famous on Capitol Hill for his shoe game, having launched the congressional Sneaker’s Caucus early in his tenure as a congressman.
In 2023, he admitted to having roughly 150 pairs of sneakers, with a preference for Air Jordans. The legendary basketball player Michael Jordan had the same jersey number as Moskowitz’s district, 23.
“I do like sneakers but I don’t celebrate Valentines day anymore, and haven’t for 8 years since 17 people were killed at my high school — Marjory Stoneman Douglas in my hometown of parkland on Valentines Day,” Moskowitz told The Post in response.
“The NRCC would know that if they knew the district. But they don’t,” he added. “We elect people on the ground who live in our communities, understand what people are going through, and that see family members at Publix who buried a family member because government failed them on Valentine’s Day.”
Darren Soto’s band
The NRCC poked at Rep. Darren Soto’s (D-Fla.) habit of mixing rock and politics. Soto previously had an indie folk-rock band, Orange Creek Riders, and continues to write and perform the occasional song.
This includes his “UnitySong” and the “Treasure Island” song he performed with several other members of Congress in 2024. Now he’s part of the Astromax band with Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-Fla.)
Kristen McDonald Rivet mulling a Senate run
Weeks after getting sworn into the House back in January of last year, rumors began to fly that Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Mich.) was eyeing a run for Senate, giving Sen. Gary Peters’ (D-Mich.) forthcoming retirement.
She has not jumped into the crowded Democratic primary race for that seat.
Nellie Pou’s crime policies
One of the NRCC’s biggest knocks on Rep. Nellie Pou (D-NJ) has been her votes on several crime-related bills, including the Laken Riley Act and the Officer Safety Act.
Pou has countered that she was merely opposing “extreme” bills.
Josh Harder’s offshore accounts
Rep. Josh Harder took some slings and arrows over his stakes in two funds based in the Cayman Islands, a tax haven, which became a flashpoint issue in the 2024 race.
He previously posted on social media, calling for stronger tax enforcement policies to ensure the wealthy pay their fair share.
“The richest Americans dodge $160 billion in taxes each year. It’s time they pay their fair share (and cut middle class taxes while we’re at it!),” he wrote in 2019.
Rebecca Cooke and Bernie Sanders
One of the Dems who isn’t a member of Congress to get a Valentine is Rebecca Cooke, who is trying to unseat Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.). She took flak for her stumping with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), something she’s embraced.
