More far-left politicians are standing up against older incumbent Democrats in their bid to pack the Democrat Party with radical leftist voices.
Radical liberals move forward
The Political Action Committee (PAC), namely Justice Democrats, which helped “The Squad” in winning their elections, is mobilizing to bring new far liberal candidates to Congress.
Being a progressive group of six House lawmakers, “The Squad” is led by Congresswoman AOC, who has often painted herself as a mouthpiece of the political faction.
Reportedly, the new slate of candidates backs far-left policy visions, including the Green New Deal and the universal healthcare regimes that have been blocked by moderate Democrats.
According to the website of Justice Democrats, America needs a diverse new generation and working-class lawmakers who can vote together and bring the country forward.
While the group praised AOC’s election and called it one of the biggest political upsets in American history, the PAC suggests that the top leadership of the Democrat Party is occupied by wealthier lawmakers who are predominately white males.
A new wave of far-left candidates out to oust old-guard Democrats https://t.co/U517ICZhBZ pic.twitter.com/13uL7lDuDg
— political world (@politicalxnews) January 21, 2022
For the 2022 midterm elections, Justice Democrats are preparing at least six far-left candidates to challenge moderate Democrats or contest elections on the open seats.
This comes at a time when Democrats were already struggling to retain their House majority; all odds are against them, with pundits claiming a significant net gain for Republicans.
Moderates can have an upper hand against liberals
Odessa Kelly, a gay, black activist of Nashville, Tennessee, is one of these candidates who is being prepared by the group to challenge an incumbent in the 2022 elections.
Kelly will challenge incumbent Rep. Jim Cooper, who has been representing his district since 2003.
While criticizing the incumbent and announcing her campaign, Kelly announced she wants to hear the voice of people who “look like her” and share perspectives like her.
In the same statement, Kelly mentioned she is a gay woman who is eyeing to assume a leadership role.
Other troubled incumbent Democrats who would find radical challengers include Danny Davis of Illinois, Carolyn Maloney of New York, and Henry Cuellar of Texas, who is one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress.
However, political science professor Costas Panagopoulos of Northeastern University stated while the influence of the liberal members is increasing in Democrats, moderates still have a better chance of winning the elections.
NEWS: @JCisnerosTX just got endorsed by @AOC. The momentum is growing in South Texas for progressive change.
Chip in a couple bucks or get involved to phonebank today:https://t.co/l7d3shfHw8 pic.twitter.com/d35yzUgL98
— Justice Democrats (@justicedems) January 20, 2022
He mentioned the overall record of progressive candidates in 2018 and 2020 is mixed, with some of them losing and others winning the elections.
So, according to him, even if liberals exercise their political clout, moderate Democrats have the power to clinch any election.
Measuring the efficacy of Justice Democrats campaigning, the data of the Brooklyn Institute established out of 65 non-incumbents backed by the PAC in the 2018 elections, 24 won their primaries, while only seven of them won their general elections.
