How progressive wins in Democratic primaries are shaping the midterms
Progressive momentum has been a prominent storyline as Democrats look to flip control of the House and Senate next year. But how far will it go?
August 19, 2026 / 1:41 PM EDT / CBS News
Washington — A series of victories by leftist congressional candidates — from New York to Colorado to Michigan, and now, Florida — have punctuated the Democratic primaries and defined the midterm campaigns so far, raising questions about the reach of their influence and viability of the progressive-left's movement as Democrats seek to take control of the House and Senate in November.
As Democrats look to capitalize on the president's low approval rating, an unpopular war with Iran and pervasive affordability issues this fall, they're also engaged in a pitched battle over different visions of the party. And although the progressive-left momentum has featured prominently in that storyline so far, the movement may be overstated, falling well short of widespread efforts like the Tea Party, which gripped Republican races in 2010.
David de la Fuente, deputy director for politics and research of Third Way, a centrist Democratic think tank, called the far-left's ability to defeat three incumbents this cycle an "impressive feat," but added that "in the big scheme of things, it's turning blue places even bluer."
"In the vast majority of districts that will determine who actually controls the speaker's gavel, these candidates are not running, and they're certainly not winning," he said.
It's a dynamic that may be by design. For one prominent leftist group, Justice Democrats, its focus is on deep-blue districts, not pouring resources into races where "the Democratic Party has an entire infrastructure to flip purple seats," a spokesperson said.