The Senate Democrats’ campaign arm is planning a two-day getaway at a five-star resort in the heart of California’s wine country in early October — at the same time the country may be in the midst of a government shutdown — according to an invitation obtained by Politico’s “Playbook.”
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) is hosting its Napa Retreat from Oct. 13-14 at Hotel Yountville in Napa County, Politico reported Saturday. Democratic New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who has chaired the DSCC since January, circulated an invitation to the event which lists her, Democratic Maryland Sen. Angela Alsobrooks and other unidentified “[m]embers of the Democratic Caucus” as attendees, according to the outlet.
Democratic Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens — who is running in a hotly-contested 2026 primary for Michigan’s open Senate seat — is also expected to make an appearance at the Napa retreat, Politico reported, citing an anonymous Democrat who was briefed on the gathering. The DSCC has yet to publicly endorse a candidate in the highly competitive race between Stevens, Democratic Michigan Sen. Mallory McMorrow, and former public health official Abdul El-Sayed.
The event will potentially coincide with a government shutdown, which multiple Democratic senators in recent months have threatened to back in opposition to President Donald Trump. A shutdown will occur if Congress does not pass an agreement to fund the government by the end of Sept. 30.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) has circulated an invitation obtained by Playbook for a “Napa Retreat” for the DSCC on Oct. 13 and 14. Should the government shut down next week, the retreat could fall on what might be day 12 of a shutdown. @playbookdc
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) September 27, 2025
The majority of the retreat is slated to take place at the hotel, with the noted exceptions of an Oct. 13 wine tour and dinner at the certified organic Staglin Family Vineyards, according to the circulated invitation.
Hotel Yountville’s website describes the luxury resort and spa as a “vineyard estate-inspired retreat” which “extends a Tuscan-European vibe.”
“Sleep deeply always, in our luxurious accommodations. Soak in one of our oversized sunken tubs and find warmth by your private fieldstone fireplace,” the hotel’s website states. “Savor a meal at Heritage Oak Café, immerse yourself in our pool, or find repose at our distinguished spa. Hotel Yountville offers more than a Wine Country trip—it’s the luxury escape you didn’t know you needed…until now.”
The Daily Caller News Foundation asked the DSCC to name the retreat’s objective, cost, and other requirements for attendance. The DCNF also asked the Senate Democrats’ campaign arm if the gathering would still proceed as planned in the event of a shutdown and whether the retreat was created with foreknowledge it may coincide with it. Furthermore, the DCNF asked the DSCC if either of Stevens’s primary opponents or any other 2026 Senate candidates were invited to attend the retreat.
The DSCC did not respond to any of the DCNF’s questions.
“Not only is Haley Stevens threatening to freeze paychecks for tens of thousands of Michiganders in order to give illegal aliens taxpayer-funded healthcare — she’s running off to wine and dine in California while they pay the price,” Alyssa Brouillet, campaign spokesperson for Trump-endorsed Republican Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers, said in a statement to the DCNF. “This is a complete slap in the face to working Michigan families.”
Stevens on Sept. 2 falsely claimed on X her campaign was endorsed by Berrien County Commissioner Chokwe Pitchford. Pitchford ended up endorsing Stevens’s primary opponent, Sen. McMorrow, less than a week later.
McMorrow is a prominent critic of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and was one of the first 2026 Democratic Senate candidates to publicly call for him to step down as leader of the upper chamber’s Democratic Caucus. El-Sayed, meanwhile, is a left-wing candidate endorsed by Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Spokespersons for Gillibrand, Alsobrooks, and Stevens did not respond to requests for comment from the DCNF.
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