Progressive Democrats Face 3 Swing-State Primary Tests as Moderates Warn of General-Election Risk
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 22
Progressive Democrats Face 3 Swing-State Primary Tests as Moderates Warn of General-Election Risk
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 22
Summary
Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota primaries in the coming weeks will test whether progressive Democrats can turn recent deep-blue primary wins into nominations in more competitive statewide races.
Progressives argue anger over inequality and the cost of living gives insurgent candidates an opening to win primaries and boost turnout in November while pushing the party back toward populism.
Michigan has become an early focal point: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez rallied for Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, framing the fight as a response to Democratic failures as well as Donald Trump’s return.
Moderate Democrats, including Third Way’s Matt Bennett, warn the party could lose otherwise winnable races if it nominates candidates seen as too far left in states that recently backed Trump.