Dem
47
GOP
53
While winning everywhere last week was nice for the Democrats, it has created a new problem, or at least exacerbated an old problem. Progressives point to New York City and say: "A young progressive crushed it and beat a much more experienced candidate. We need to run more young progressives." Moderates point to Virginia and say: "We went from D-2 in 2021 to D+15 in 2025 with a moderate white woman. That also worked in New Jersey. We need to try that in more places."
Both of them are right, of course—at least about the results. Now what? The battle between progressives and moderates will be on full display in many Democratic U.S. Senate primaries next year, such as in Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Minnesota—and that is just the states starting with "M." In Maine, the battle is between a progressive oysterman, Graham Platner, and moderate Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME). Platner is the insurgent and the establishment is definitely with Mills. This race is not a pure test of progressive vs. moderate though, since Platner has a lot of baggage already, not the least of which is a Nazi tattoo on his chest. That could be a bridge too far for some progressive voters.
In Michigan, it is progressive firebrand state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D) vs. moderate Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI). Former Wayne County Health Director Abdul El-Sayed is more progressive than either, but not as well known. The establishment is with Stevens, but wouldn't be terribly unhappy with McMorrow, since she might excite young voters more than Stevens.
The Massachusetts race is an oddity, since the senior-citizen incumbent, Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), is the progressive and the upstart young challenger, Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), is the moderate. Here, the desire of many Democrats for young progressives is foiled. They can have either young or progressive, but not both.
In Minnesota, it is not as clear-cut. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (DFL-MN) is more progressive on policy issues than her Democratic opponent, Rep. Angie Craig (DFL-MN). In Congress, Craig tried to get things done and that meant compromising and working with Republicans. But Democrats are always very conscious of identity politics and here it is tougher. Both are women, so that cancels out. However Flanagan is a White Earth Nation Native American through her father, Marvin Manypenny. Her Ojibwe name is Gizhiiwewidamookwe. Her mother, Patricia Flanagan, is of Irish descent. Flanagan wouldn't be the first Native American in the Senate, as Ben Nighthorse Campbell (a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe) and Markwayne Mullin (a registered Cherokee Nation member) preceded her, but she would be the first Native American woman. On the other hand, Craig is a lesbian. She wouldn't be the first lesbian in the Senate though, as Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) broke that particular glass ceiling. Still, identity politics could play a role in the primary.
The outcome of these primaries could give a better feeling for which way Democratic voters want to go, especially if they all go in the same direction. If progressives sweep them all big time, then Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) might forego a Senate race she could probably win for a shot at the top job in her field. If moderates sweep them all, Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY) might suddenly be propelled to the front of the race. If it is a 2-2 split, then Democrats will continue to fight with each other. (V)