A New Generation Pushes for Power Within the Democratic Party

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A New Generation Pushes for Power Within the Democratic Party

 

Calls for a generational shift within the Democratic Party are growing louder as the party braces for the 2026 midterms. With mounting dissatisfaction among younger voters and activists, new faces are emerging to challenge longtime incumbents, seeking not just to win elections but to redefine the party’s direction.

 

A major development came this week when the Leaders We Deserve PAC, led by Democratic National Committee Vice Chair David Hogg, announced a $20 million campaign to support primary challengers against established House Democrats in safely blue districts. The goal is to empower younger candidates who, according to Hogg, better represent the lived experiences and priorities of today’s electorate. “The Democratic Party says over and over again ‘we have to care about democracy, we have to care about democracy,’ and we do,” Hogg said in an interview with The Hill. “But the best way to do that is not just to say we need to care about democracy, it is to use democracy to actively help people improve their lives and show them how democracy is the best vehicle to do that.”

 

 

Progressive figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) continue to play a leading role in energizing the party’s base, drawing huge crowds and raking in record fundraising totals. Ocasio-Cortez has raised more than $9.5 million from 260,000 donors, with an average donation of $21. Sanders has reported $11.5 million in fundraising for the first quarter of the year. These numbers reflect strong grassroots momentum at a time when young voter approval of Trump is plunging and trust in the Democratic Party is waning. A March CNN poll revealed that only 30 percent of voters under 35 view the Democratic Party favorably.

 

Frustration with party leadership boiled over earlier this month when Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and other Democrats joined Republicans in supporting a GOP-drafted budget resolution. The move further fueled talk of a potential primary challenge from Ocasio-Cortez. “The leadership part is what you do around the procedural part to have a conversation with the public about who we are and who we want to be,” said Abdul El-Sayed, a Senate hopeful from Michigan. “There’s a lot more you can do when you embrace the leadership part of the job, and you’re seeing leaders do that, folks like Sen. Sanders and Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez.”

 

Several young progressive candidates have already stepped up. Saikat Chakrabarti, a former Sanders campaign staffer and Ocasio-Cortez's ex-chief of staff, is challenging former Speaker Nancy Pelosi. While acknowledging Pelosi’s legacy, Chakrabarti said it’s “a totally different America than the one she knew when she entered politics 45 years ago.” Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) is being challenged by his former press secretary Jake Rakov, who frames his campaign as a “generational, operational difference.” And in Illinois, 26-year-old influencer Kat Abughazaleh is running against Rep. Jan Schakowsky, emphasizing the disconnect between Congress and younger Americans. “The average age of Congress is 58. The average American is 38,” Abughazaleh told The Hill. “Most of Congress didn’t grow up with school shooter drills. They don’t worry about out-of-pocket medical costs. They don’t spend most of their paycheck on rent. They probably own their home, actually.”

 

She added, “We need to make room for people who do know what it’s like to live with the problems that Americans face every day,” noting that she herself lacks health insurance. She also criticized the Democratic response to the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, saying, “That should have been every Democrat’s first instinct. And yet many of them are still quibbling on what we should do.”

 

Democratic pollster Celinda Lake, whose clients include Ocasio-Cortez, sees a strong desire among the base for candidates who will “fight back.” Lake noted a decline in support from young voters between 2020 and 2024: President Biden secured 60 percent of the 18–29 age group in 2020, compared to just 54 percent for former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.

 

While the primary challenges target safe Democratic seats, there’s concern that internal contests could weaken the party’s broader electoral efforts. Hogg clarified on social media that his group “will NOT be supporting young people attempting to primary Frontline Democratic incumbents.”

Still, supporters of the generational shift argue that challenging the status quo is essential. “We should not be afraid of a primary,” said Waleed Shahid of Justice Democrats. “Primaries are how we decide what we as a party believe, and no matter what happens in them at the end of 2026, the Democratic Party is going to look and feel very different because of those primaries.”

 

Adpated by ASEAN Now from The Hill  2025-04-22

 

 

[JimHuaHin]

The Democrat Party needs major changes, and quickly.

 

Too many of the old generation are "owned" by US big business interests.

 

Time quick change, before Trump and his storm troopers destroy the USA.

[JonnyF]

What's wrong with Pelosi, Walz, Harris etc? 😆

 

On second thoughts, maybe it is time to "TURN THE PAGE". 

 

[spidermike007]

No question the Democratic party is in drastic need of reform, whether or not AOC is the answer is hotly debatable, but they do need to get rid of the dinosaurs.

 

Of course the same thing could be said of the Republicans, who have way too many dinosaurs that are spectacularly corrupt and morally bent, such as Trump and his entire team. 

 

 

[BritManToo]

19 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

No question the Democratic party is in drastic need of reform, whether or not AOC is the answer is hotly debatable, but they do need to get rid of the dinosaurs.

 

Of course the same thing could be said of the Republicans, who have way too many dinosaurs that are spectacularly corrupt and morally bent, such as Trump and his entire team. 

 

 

When you're on the winning team, there is little incentive to change anything.

Your side needs to change first by choosing better candidates.

If you choose another Hillary or Karmala ............ you lose!

 

I'd suggest a straight white Christian male that shows no interest in little girls or his female staff members.

[Paul Henry]

Dems don't cut off your nose to spite your face.Putting up younger candidates against senior encumbents will only divide the Dems vote (maybe allowing another party to win the seat).Yes go for change but be carefull.This needs to be worked out behind closed doors so the encumbant can keep face but step down.

[Yagoda]

Im all for AOC and Jasmine

[WDSmart]

I'm all for changes in the Democrat Party, including those that involve control by a "New Generation."

Of course, as usual, I will just have to wait to see how the Democrats stand on the issues, but, as in the past, as long as the Republicans are controlled by Trump, I always intend to vote for the Democrat candidate. 

[Wrwest]

3 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

The Democrat Party needs major changes, and quickly.

 

Too many of the old generation are "owned" by US big business interests.

 

Time quick change, before Trump and his storm troopers destroy the USA.

This 78 year old agrees and will vote to support.

[Wrwest]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

No question the Democratic party is in drastic need of reform, whether or not AOC is the answer is hotly debatable, but they do need to get rid of the dinosaurs.

 

Of course the same thing could be said of the Republicans, who have way too many dinosaurs that are spectacularly corrupt and morally bent, such as Trump and his entire team. 

 

 

Agreed, Mike. My take on the last election ... a clear rejection of both the Democrat and traditional Republicans. The only viable choice viewed by the working middle class? The only one giving voice to their justified frustration/anger ... trump. Very poor choice but viewed as the only choice to make a change ...

[black tabby12345]

A strong opposition party is essential for the balanced politics.

As any unchallenged power will always rot, and rots fast.

[Watawattana]

33 minutes ago, black tabby12345 said:

A strong opposition party is essential for the balanced politics.

As any unchallenged power will always rot, and rots fast.

Yeah, and also a judiciary that prosecutes without fear or favour.  Each and every time someone breaks the law, no matter who they are and what their job is.

[JonnyF]

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

No question the Democratic party is in drastic need of reform, whether or not AOC is the answer is hotly debatable, but they do need to get rid of the dinosaurs.

 

AOC is too far left IMO. 

 

They need someone just a smidge to the left of centre, not someone with radical opinions on pretty much every subject. It will alientate the centre ground/swing voters.

[Cryingdick]

The problem is the younger part of the party are actually the really insane ones.