The Democratic Party’s civil war just shifted to battleground territory.
After Democratic Socialists of America-backed challengers toppled longtime Democratic incumbents in New York City and Denver, the far-left movement is now targeting Missouri and Michigan primaries on August 4.
Former Rep. Cori Bush, who lost her St. Louis seat in 2024, posted on social media hours after socialist candidate Melat Kiros ousted 15-term Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado’s June primary: “On August 4th, St. Louis will do the same.”
“Only socialism can solve decades of capitalist mismanagement in the US. Our newly elected leaders will fight for the working class — not for crumbs.” — Democratic Socialists of America celebrating primary victories
The DSA, Justice Democrats, and Working Families Party have now backed 39 candidates — 20 challengers and 19 incumbents — heading into the 2026 midterms. Three major upset victories in deep-blue districts have emboldened progressives who see a national opening to reshape the Democratic Party from within.
The question: will the message on Medicare-for-all, the Green New Deal, higher taxes on the wealthy, and abolishing ICE resonate in November when Republicans are on the ballot?
The Missouri and Michigan Battlegrounds
Bush is running to reclaim her seat in Missouri’s St. Louis-anchored 1st Congressional District. She lost the seat in 2024 after serving one term.
In Michigan — which also holds its primary August 4 — the DSA is training firepower on multiple races in a state that will help determine control of the House.
One week later, Wisconsin holds its August 11 primary. DSA-backed state Rep. Francesca Hong is rising in a crowded field to succeed retiring Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
“It’s a great day to be a democratic socialist,” Hong posted on X after the New York City victories. “Wisconsin is next!”
The New York Shockwaves
Three far-left candidates heavily supported by socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani pulled off stunning upsets in the June primary.
Darializa Avila Chevalier, a DSA member also backed by Justice Democrats, ousted incumbent Democratic Rep. Adriano Espaillat, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, in New York’s 13th District.
The community organizer — who created controversy with past comments and anti-Israel rhetoric — is now the overwhelming favorite in the Democrat-dominated district covering northern Manhattan and the Bronx.
Brad Lander, the former New York City comptroller supported by Mamdani and the Working Families Party, ousted incumbent Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman in the 10th District. Lander is the clear favorite in the deep-blue district covering lower Manhattan and northwestern Brooklyn.
Claire Valdez, a state lawmaker endorsed by the DSA, won the primary to succeed retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez in a district spanning parts of Brooklyn and Queens. Valdez topped Velázquez-backed Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
The Denver Upset That Started It All
Melat Kiros, a 29-year-old attorney and first-time candidate backed by the DSA, Justice Democrats, and Working Families Party, toppled 15-term Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado’s June primary.
DeGette had represented Denver’s 1st Congressional District for 30 years. Kiros is now on a glide path to Washington in the Democrat-dominated district.
During the primary, Kiros faced scrutiny over past comments suggesting American foreign policy made the 9/11 terror attacks “inevitable.”
The Squad Expands
Among the 19 far-left incumbents seeking re-election, the most visible is Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who burst onto the national stage eight years ago by ousting then-House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley.
The four-term progressive from New York City — best known by her acronym AOC — is the most visible member of the Squad. She is backed by the DSA, Justice Democrats, and Working Families Party.
Ocasio-Cortez is eyeing a potential 2028 White House bid or a possible challenge to longtime Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer.
Other Squad members seeking re-election include Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan — all backed by Justice Democrats and frequently targeted by President Trump.
The California Intra-Party Fights
Several far-left challengers are taking on Democratic incumbents in California’s nonpartisan primary system, where the top two finishers advance regardless of party.
Mai Vang, a Sacramento city councilor backed by Working Families Party and Justice Democrats, slightly edged Democratic Rep. Doris Matsui in the June primary. The two will face off again in November for the solidly blue seat.
Angela Gonzales-Torres, backed by Justice Democrats and Working Families Party, advanced to the general election and is now facing incumbent Democratic Rep. Jimmy Gomez in the Los Angeles-anchored 34th District.
Connie Chan, a San Francisco Board of Supervisors member endorsed by Working Families Party, is running to succeed retiring former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She’ll face state Sen. Scott Wiener in November in the heavily blue district.
The Swing-District Gambles
Not all far-left candidates are running in safe blue seats. Several Working Families Party-backed candidates are challenging Republicans in swing districts that will determine House control.
Bob Brooks, a retired firefighter handpicked by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, won the May primary in Pennsylvania’s 7th District. He’s challenging incumbent GOP Rep. Ryan Mackenzie in a race among two or three dozen that will decide the House majority.
Randy Villegas, a school board trustee backed by Working Families Party, came in second to Republican Rep. David Valadao in California’s June primary and advanced to the general election in the crucial swing district.
The Controversial Picks
Some far-left nominees carry baggage heading into November.
Adam Hamawy, a plastic surgeon and former U.S. Army combat surgeon backed by Justice Democrats, won the New Jersey primary for the 12th District. Hamawy grabbed national attention in 2024 as part of a volunteer medical team in Gaza unable to leave after Israel closed border crossings during its war with Hamas.
During the primary campaign, Hamawy’s past ties to a convicted terrorist who was convicted of seditious conspiracy linked to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing resurfaced, according to Fox News reporting.
Rep. LaMonica McIver, a Working Families Party-backed lawmaker representing northern New Jersey, drew national attention last year when she was among Democrats attempting a congressional oversight visit to an ICE facility in Newark. McIver was later indicted by a grand jury for “forcibly impeding and interfering with federal officers” during the visit. She has disputed the charges as political.
The November Test
The real verdict comes in November when these far-left candidates face Republican opposition and discover whether their message resonates beyond deep-blue primaries.
President Trump and Vice President JD Vance have already issued sharp warnings about the socialist surge within the Democratic Party.
Chief congressional correspondent Chad Pergram reported the Kiros victory in Denver marked the 27th progressive primary victory this cycle — a number that could grow significantly with Missouri, Michigan, and Wisconsin primaries still ahead.
