Here’s what to know about the divide splitting Democrats across the United States.
Democrats are split on the future of their party as a swell of candidates linked to democratic socialist policies have seen a series of primary victories in blue seats and a handful of key swing races.
A split between two core factions of Democrats—progressives, left-wing populists, and democratic socialists on one side; and centrists, moderates, and establishmentarians on the other—has simmered just beneath the surface of Democratic Party politics since 2016.
Now, Democratic candidates with ties to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), proponents of democratic-socialist policies, and progressives who have eschewed the label have begun to rack up wins in key races.
In one of the most recent high-profile cases, epidemiologist Abdul El-Sayed—who ran as a progressive outsider rather than a democratic socialist—defeated Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) for the Democratic Senate nomination.
More recently, Florida Democrats nominated Democratic Socialist Angie Nixon for the Democratic nomination in November’s special election to finish out the term of the Senate seat vacated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Nixon, who earlier this year declared she had joined the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) party but downplayed that association during the campaign, will face Sen. Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), who was appointed to fill Rubio’s seat, in the general election.
For Democratic voters and decision-makers, the rise of the faction has prompted a moment of reflection and debate on how to move forward.
In Wisconsin, Democratic voters made clear that they’re not necessarily decided in favor of the insurgent faction, selecting establishment-backed Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley for the nomination over state Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist.
Here’s what to know about the divide splitting Democrats across the country.
By Joseph Lord and Jacob Burg
