Progressives gaining ground in 2026 races

May 22, 2026

Progressive populist candidates opposed to funding Israel are winning major races, which is bad news for establishment Democrats and pro-Israel donors.

  • Chris Rabb won big in a Philadelphia race against two establishment candidates, taking 45% of the vote.
  • Graham Platner is now leading Susan Collins in Maine by seven points, the first Democratic lead there in decades.
  • James Talarico is rising in the Texas Senate race, with Trump now polling negative in the state.
  • All three candidates are running on cutting off US weapons and money to Israel over the war in Gaza.
  • Pro-Israel donors spent $16 million defeating Republican Tom Massie in Kentucky, who had also criticized Israel.

Outlook: Establishment Democrats and mainstream media will keep attacking these candidates, but the populist left appears strong enough to keep winning.

← Latest · Archive