Abdul El-Sayed. James Talarico. Peggy Flanagan. Troy Jackson. Chris Pappas.
These are not your parents Democrats. They arent even the 2016 or 2020 Democrats.
They arent even Kamala Harris Democrats.
MEET THE FAR-LEFT INSURGENTS WAGING WAR ON THE DEMOCRATIC ESTABLISHMENT IN 2026 MIDTERMS
Across five battleground Senate races, Democrats have nominated “outliers”âhard-left radicals whose appeals to voters have sent their would-be constituents headed toward the GOPs alternatives in each state where the races are being waged.
In Michigan, radical Abdul El-Sayed beat Rep. Haley Stevensâan old-school, big-government liberalâby 1 percentage point in a race that pollsters often had him up by double digits, and his smallest projected margin had been seven points. Voters were turning on him even then as they learned more about his radical views.
SCANDALS, SOCIALISTS AND TRUMP ROIL PRIMARIES, SEND INCUMBENTS PACKING AT NEAR-RECORD PACE
El-Sayed eked out a win in the primary, but mainstream Republican Mike Rogers, who served 14 years in the House of Representatives, including a term as chair of the House Intelligence Committee, quickly established himself as a normal, pro-American Michigander with a love of football, Mackinac Island and Ford trucksâall of which El-Sayed had disparaged. Meanwhile, El-Sayed tried without effect to delete radical Hasan Piker from his bio, even though everyone in Michigan had seen Piker carry El-Sayed over the primarys finish line and campaign with the self-proclaimed America-hater on the last day of the primary campaign. “Advantage Rogers,” especially as early absentee voting begins in Michigan next week.
In Texas, Democrat James Talarico insists on driving off independents and moderates from his Senate campaign with wacky statements and positions that just keep coming. This week, a friendly questioner caught Talarico exiting a campaign event stage and asked, “Who is your favorite drag queen?”
SHOCK POLL: TALARICO TIES PAXTON IN TEXAS SENATE RACE, THREATENING GOP STRONGHOLD
Talarico didnt miss a beat or take a breath: “Oh, my gosh. Probably Alyssa Edwards.”
Talaricos Texas opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, will no doubt be using that clip in ads blanketing the Lone Star State soon. There just are not that many Texans who can quickly name their favorite drag queen as they would a restaurant, a pizza topping or a Dallas Cowboys player.
In Maine, Sen. Susan Collins is always an electoral powerhouse, and never more so than this year as the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committeeâprobably the most coveted seat in the entire Senate for a senator who wants to make sure his or her states critical priorities are funded.
