There is reason to hope that the Democrats might deliver this time
Summary
The article argues that Democrats made gains in the 2026 midterms by backing more candidates who campaigned on economic populism and working-class issues. It traces the growth of progressive electoral organizing from Occupy Wall Street and Bernie Sanders’s 2016 campaign to newer groups that recruit and support candidates.Key Facts
- The article says commentators viewed the 2026 midterm results as a rejection of President Donald Trump, not necessarily as increased support for Democrats.
- It argues that Democrats could face anti-incumbent anger in the next election cycle if they do not deliver on voters’ expectations.
- The article says more Democratic candidates ran on economic populist messages and presented themselves as advocates for working-class people.
- It contrasts the Tea Party’s electoral organizing, which began after the 2008 financial crisis, with the later growth of progressive electoral organizing.
- Occupy Wall Street began nearly three years after the Tea Party movement and focused attention on inequality and the power of Wall Street and large banks.
- Bernie Sanders’s 2016 presidential campaign brought some of Occupy Wall Street’s themes into electoral politics, according to the article.
- The article identifies Justice Democrats, the Working Families Party, the Democratic Socialists of America, and the Sunrise Movement among groups that recruit and support progressive candidates.
- It says the 2026 midterms showed increased capacity to run working-class candidates for Congress.
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