Democrats ought to be in a strong position to reclaim the House in November, given the advantages the party out of the White House usually holds in the midterms. But as Democrats’ socialist wing gains power in primaries across the country, is it complicating the party’s pitch to the American people?
The party’s left-wing is definitely on a roll. In June, three candidates associated with the democratic socialist movement won U.S. House primaries in New York City.
Notably the candidates all carried Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s endorsement and defeated candidates endorsed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.
The likely election of these nominees—who are highly critical of Israel and comfortable with interventionist economic policy—in November marks a big shift within the House Democratic Caucus.
The Left Rising in Swing Districts?
But the shift to the left is not just occurring in safe Democratic seats—it’s happening in the marginal seats Democrats need to win the House in November.
In Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, for example, Matt Dunlap, who is endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has won his party’s nomination, defeating the more moderate Joe Baldacci.
The district is a major pick-up opportunity for Republicans as Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, among the most moderate of all House Democrats, is retiring. President Donald Trump received a majority of the votes in the district in 2024.
Additionally, Republicans have a candidate with strong name recognition in former Maine Gov. Paul LePage. Thus, the race will pit a member of the Democratic Party’s populist wing against an experienced Republican.
Similar dynamics could be at play in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, where Republican Rep. Gabe Evans is seeking reelection after defeating a Democrat incumbent by fewer than 3,000 votes in 2024.
On Tuesday, Democrat voters have a choice between state Rep. Manny Rutinel and former state Rep. Shannon Bird.
Rutinel has attacked Bird from the Left by calling attention to her vote against a state bill that would restrict state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Bird has called these attacks a “mischaracterization” of her record, saying she objected to the bill for other reasons. Rutinel has outraised Bird significantly.
He has also attempted to adjust the district’s moderate nature in debates, distancing himself from past statements calling animal agriculture “a horrific, exploitative industry.” Agriculture is a large part of the district’s economy.
The Democratic Vision
Amid this apparent shift to the left, however, Jeffries appears well positioned to maintain his power within the House.
Jeffries has locked down critical support for the January election of the Speaker of the House for the 120th Congress.
On Saturday, he congratulated all four of the new Democrat nominees, referring to them as “our newest members of the NYC congressional delegation,” although the election is not until November.
Brad Lander, a Mandani-endorsed candidate who defeated Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., for his party’s nomination in New York’s 10th Congressional District, in turn announced his support for Jeffries.
“Looking forward to electing you Speaker in January, and working together for a country everyone can afford, and where we crush far-right extremism (at home & abroad),” he replied to Jeffries. Lander targeted Goldman’s strong support of the state of Israel throughout his campaign.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., who is in the Big Apple’s politics, has also given Jeffries her blessing to lead a potential Democrat majority in January, citing his guarantee that he will provide “public housing financing for New York City.”
If Jeffries does secure the Speaker’s gavel in January 2027, he will be starting a tough job, as he will have to work with a powerful socialist insurgency in his party.
On Tuesday, Democrats in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District will decide whether to re-nominate Rep. Diana DeGette, who has held the Denver seat since 1997.
Melat Kiros, a Democratic Socialists of America member, is challenging DeGette. Kiros recently described her platform to controversial streamer Hasan Piker as “Medicare for all, housing first, universal childcare, abolishing ICE, and more than anything … publicly financed elections.”
On Monday, Jeffries distanced himself from the matchup, arguing it is primarily Colorado’s business.
“It’s a close race, and we’ll see what happens. Ultimately, it’ll be in the hands of the people of Denver,” said Jeffries, who added, “DeGette has had an extraordinary career.”
