Progressive Candidates Making Waves in 2020: A Closer Look at Key Races and Opportunities

Progressive Movement Gains Momentum in Down-Ballot Races

As Bernie Sanders officially ended his presidential campaign six weeks ago, many pundits wrote off the progressive movement as a lost cause. However, recent victories by progressive candidates in lesser-known races across the country tell a different story. While Sanders may not have secured the Democratic nomination, progressives have been making significant strides in key races that have largely flown under the radar.

In 2018, progressives scored victories in various types of races, from defeating party-backed incumbents to winning open seats in swing districts. These wins have set the stage for a new wave of progressive candidates in the 2020 primary calendar, with the potential to reshape the future of the Democratic Party.

One such candidate is Jamaal Bowman in New York, a former middle-school principal running against well-financed incumbent House Foreign Affairs Chairman Elliott Engel. Bowman’s focus on equity in education and housing has resonated with voters, especially in a district hard-hit by COVID-19. Similarly, Alex Morse, the young gay mayor of Holyoke, MA, is challenging House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal, known for his resistance to progressive legislation.

In open seats, candidates like Mondaire Jones in New York and Beth Doglio in Washington are championing progressive policies like universal child care and climate action. These candidates, endorsed by prominent figures like Elizabeth Warren, represent a new wave of progressive leadership that could push the Democratic Party towards more progressive legislation.

In swing districts, candidates like Kara Eastman in Nebraska and Candace Valenzuela in Texas are proving that progressive politics can win in traditionally conservative areas. With endorsements from Warren and other progressive groups, these candidates are poised to make history in their respective races.

To win these races, progressives need support from both grassroots and institutional left-leaning organizations. Funding, media coverage, and coalition-building are crucial for these candidates to compete against well-funded opponents and win over voters in their districts.

While the presidential primary may be over, the fight for progressive politics is far from finished. By focusing on down-ballot races and supporting diverse candidates in key districts, progressives have a real opportunity to shape the future of the Democratic Party and the progressive movement as a whole.