After far-left and socialist-aligned candidates scored ballot-box victories over establishment-backed contenders in congressional primaries in New York City and Colorado the past two weeks, the left is taking aim at the Midwest with a coordinated national push.
Hours after DSA-backed challenger Melat Kiros toppled 15-term Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette in Tuesday's primary in Denver's deep blue 1st Congressional District, former Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri pledged on social media: "On August 4th, St. Louis will do the same."
Bush is running to win back her seat in Missouri's St. Louis-anchored 1st Congressional District after losing renomination two years ago to St. Louis County prosecuting attorney Wesley Bell, who was backed by millions in outside money including pro-Israel groups opposed to Bush's position on the war in Gaza.
What the Right Is Saying
The Republican National Committee pointed to the DSA's coordinated national strategy as evidence of Democratic Party infighting that could benefit GOP candidates in general elections.
National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson Thomas Jipping wrote in a statement: "Every dollar these socialist candidates spend defeating fellow Democrats is a dollar not spent against Republicans. These primaries reveal a party at war with itself."
GOP strategists noted that several of the districts where DSA-backed candidates are running—including Colorado's 8th Congressional District—flipped Republican in recent cycles, arguing that far-left nominees could struggle in competitive November matchups.
What the Left Is Saying
The DSA celebrated Kiros' victory as part of a broader national movement, writing on social media: "Only socialism can solve decades of capitalist mismanagement in the US. Our newly elected leaders will fight for the working class — not for crumbs."
In Michigan, where progressives are targeting the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, Abdul El-Sayed received an endorsement Thursday from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.
"AOC has changed the trajectory of American politics and inspired a generation to believe that government really can work for working people," El-Sayed wrote on social media. "Together, we're proving that even in the face of unprecedented outside spending, a movement powered by the people can win."
In Wisconsin, where primaries will be held Aug. 11, DSA-aligned state Rep. Francesca Hong posted on X: "It's a great day to be a democratic socialist... Wisconsin is next!" following the progressive victories in New York City.
Progressive streamer Hasan Piker, who attended Kiros' primary night event in Denver, told Fox News: "I think progressive politics, left populism, a politics that centers the needs of the working class, can work in every district, in every state."
What the Numbers Show
Kiros' victory over DeGette marked another high-profile incumbent defeat for progressive challengers backed by Justice Democrats and DSA. The groups have now successfully supported candidates who unseated Democratic incumbents in New York and Colorado within a one-week span.
In Missouri's 1st Congressional District, Bush lost renomination to Bell by roughly 15 percentage points in the 2024 primary despite raising over $2 million. Outside groups spent an estimated $8-10 million opposing Bush's campaign, according to Federal Election Commission records.
El-Sayed is among three major candidates competing for Michigan's open Senate seat, a race where incumbent Democratic Sen. Gary Peters is not seeking reelection. The state's August 5 primary will determine the nominee in a seat both parties view as competitive.
Wisconsin's gubernatorial race features Hong competing against multiple Democratic candidates to succeed retiring Gov. Tony Evers. Primary polls show a crowded field with no clear front-runner heading into the Aug. 11 contest.
The Bottom Line
The string of progressive primary victories has emboldened DSA and Justice Democrats to attempt replicating their New York City playbook across multiple states simultaneously, something party strategists on both sides are watching closely.
What happens next: Missouri votes Aug. 4, Michigan votes Aug. 5, Wisconsin votes Aug. 11, and Florida votes later in the month. The outcomes will test whether the progressive surge represents a durable realignment within Democratic primaries or a series of localized upsets unlikely to repeat elsewhere.
Republican groups are already compiling opposition research on likely DSA-backed nominees they expect to face in November general elections.