Democratic National Committee/Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

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🤫 DNC chair tries to quiet autopsy uproar

Illustration: Lindsey Bailey / Axios

🤐 NEW ORLEANS — Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin is quietly trying to quash criticism over his decision to hide the party's "autopsy" of what went wrong in the 2024 election, Axios has learned. Why it matters: Nearly four months after DNC officials announced they planned to keep the autopsy private because they wanted to focus on winning the 2026 midterms, they're still trying to contain the fallout from inside and outside the party. A DNC member told us Martin called him directly after he expressed support for releasing the still-secret report. Martin also has internally discussed releasing a short summary of the report's findings but has been unclear on the timing, according to two sources familiar with the conversations. It's unclear whether such a summary would differ from the limited takeaways the DNC released in December, which included recommendations to modernize the party's infrastructure and engage with new media. 😡 Zoom in: At the DNC's meeting here last week, a few people stood and yelled at Martin, calling on him to make the full report public. Outside the hotel where the DNC gathered, a progressive group placed a mobile billboard that read, "RELEASE THE AUTOPSY." Vinod Thomas, a DNC member from North Carolina, said Martin reached out to him shortly before last week's meeting and explained why he's keeping the report under wraps. Thomas previously had expressed concern to other DNC members about the autopsy. "I have a lot of respect for Ken," Thomas said. But "I have to respectfully disagree with him on this issue." "Transparency is a key thing that we as Democrats fight for," he added. "A lot of the Democrats back in North Carolina who put me on the DNC told me they want this thing released." Some other DNC members told us at last week's meeting that they believe Martin made the wrong call in keeping the report private and have likewise fielded complaints about it from Democrats. ✨ The other side: Asked for comment, a DNC spokesperson pointed to Martin's previous remarks about why he withheld the report, in which he said his "North Star" was winning elections. Some insiders agree with DNC leaders that the autopsy shouldn't be released because doing so could lead to unnecessary party infighting. "It was time for Democrats to move forward and focus on taking back power," longtime Democratic strategist and DNC member Maria Cardona said. Read more. — Holly Otterbein

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🥊 The fight's on for Dems' 2028 convention

Illustration: Lindsey Bailey / Axios

🚀 Democratic Party officials are launching their in-person vetting of potential 2028 convention sites this week, with trips to the finalist cities — Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver and Philadelphia. Why it matters: The Democratic National Convention is a crucial time for the party to reach a large national audience to make its case for retaking the White House in 2028. Teams representing the contending cities already are knifing one another to try to land the event, which can bring prestige and an economic boost from tens of thousands of visitors. The intrigue: Each city has a team and allies trying to land the convention by promoting their city — and trying to undermine the others. 🗣️ Already, whisper campaigns are pointing out the potential flaws of each finalist: Atlanta doesn't have enough union hotels, Chicago hosted the convention in 2024, Boston signals "liberal elite," Denver isn't in a swing state — and Philadelphia, the 2016 host, is a reminder of the year Hillary Clinton lost the election. Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin and Alex Hornbrook, the executive director of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, are overseeing the selection process. Between the lines: Politicking, money, messaging and logistical capacity will decide which city lands the convention. There's also Democratic nostalgia — and trauma — for some cities that can affect the final choice. 🥇 Many Democrats fondly remember the 2008 convention in Denver that ultimately led to Barack Obama's victory. 🤕 Others have terrible memories associated with the 2016 convention in Philadelphia. Just before that convention, WikiLeaks posted thousands of internal DNC emails showing party officials favored Clinton over Bernie Sanders. 15 weeks later, Trump was elected president. Read more. — Alex Thompson

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🥊 The fight's on for Dems' 2028 convention

Illustration: Lindsey Bailey / Axios

🚀 Democratic Party officials are launching their in-person vetting of potential 2028 convention sites this week, with trips to the finalist cities — Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver and Philadelphia. Why it matters: The Democratic National Convention is a crucial time for the party to reach a large national audience to make its case for retaking the White House in 2028. Teams representing the contending cities already are knifing one another to try to land the event, which can bring prestige and an economic boost from tens of thousands of visitors. The intrigue: Each city has a team and allies trying to land the convention by promoting their city — and trying to undermine the others. 🗣️ Already, whisper campaigns are pointing out the potential flaws of each finalist: Atlanta doesn't have enough union hotels, Chicago hosted the convention in 2024, Boston signals "liberal elite," Denver isn't in a swing state — and Philadelphia, the 2016 host, is a reminder of the year Hillary Clinton lost the election. Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin and Alex Hornbrook, the executive director of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, are overseeing the selection process. Between the lines: Politicking, money, messaging and logistical capacity will decide which city lands the convention. There's also Democratic nostalgia — and trauma — for some cities that can affect the final choice. 🥇 Many Democrats fondly remember the 2008 convention in Denver that ultimately led to Barack Obama's victory. 🤕 Others have terrible memories associated with the 2016 convention in Philadelphia. Just before that convention, WikiLeaks posted thousands of internal DNC emails showing party officials favored Clinton over Bernie Sanders. 15 weeks later, Trump was elected president. Read more. — Alex Thompson

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🤯 Dems turn on Dems

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' members went at it today after their official campaign arm endorsed several swing-district candidates who are still facing opposition in their primaries. Why it matters: The blowup is dredging up an intense, long-standing debate over whether Democratic leadership is acting undemocratically to boost the candidates it views as more electable. "Voters, not the DCCC, should pick Democratic nominees," leaders of the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC said in a statement we first reported. Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.), chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' BOLD PAC, fumed about several Latino candidates being passed over for endorsements. "Latino voters and candidates ... are not a small factor in the fight for the House majority; they are central to it," she said. Driving the news: The DCCC announced eight new endorsements as part of its "Red to Blue" program, which provides resources and fundraising support to Democratic candidates running to unseat Republican incumbents. "Candidates earn a spot in the program by surpassing aggressive goals for grassroots engagement, local support, campaign organization, and fundraising," the DCCC said in its press release announcing the picks. Five of the eight face opposition in their Democratic primaries. What we're hearing: "I think the DCCC owes House Democrats an explanation, and I would not be surprised if a number of members decide to put their DCCC giving on hold," one House Dem said. "Some of these decisions ... are very perplexing," The other side: A source familiar with the DCCC's thinking disputed the notion that the members would have been caught off guard by the endorsements, telling us the committee notified many lawmakers in advance and explained the reasoning behind them. The source also stressed that the DCCC has gotten involved in competitive primaries in the past. "It's imperative that Democrats must take back the House," said DCCC spokesperson Viet Shelton. Flashback: DCCC chair Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), asked by us last fall about endorsing in contested primaries, said: "We have, in a small number of cases, gotten involved." But in "most of these cases, the voters are going to have the decision on who the primary candidate is going to be." — Andrew Solender

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Facing intense internal pressure, DNC releases postelection autopsy that criticizes Kamala Harris

NEW YORK (AP) — Kamala Harris “wrote off rural America” during the 2024 presidential campaign and failed to attack Donald Trump with sufficient “negative firepower,” according to a long-awaited post-election autopsy released Thursday by the Democratic National Committee.

https://apnews.com/article/democratic-national-committee-autopsy-2024-ken-martin-a4f67256b4c56ba076aece23c22728ad?

🗳️ Dems release '24 autopsy

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios The Democratic National Committee released what it says is the full, unredacted draft of a long-withheld autopsy of the 2024 presidential election, Axios' Alex Thompson and Holly Otterbein report. The release of the 192-page "DNC After Action Report" follows months of pressure on party chair Ken Martin. The report calls for "renewed focus on the voters of Middle America and the South." 🫏 Among its other assertions: Democrats have suffered from "unfortunate reductions in support and training for our state parties, consequential shifts in voter registration, a loss of partisan organizing capacity, and a persistent inability or unwillingness to listen to all voters." "When an ecosystem invests so heavily in paid media, in fundraising, and events; or in paid voter 'contact' through phones and texting, what gets left behind for the next campaign other than lists to rent or sell?" the report says. "Building to win requires new thinking, and building to last requires thinking about more than the next election. It requires finding the best way to connect with the right voters in the right places." 🤷 The analysis contains errors, and the "Conclusion" section is blank — signs that part of the reason the autopsy wasn't released sooner is that it was poorly done. Martin selected Paul Rivera, a veteran Democratic strategist close to the chair, to write the report. Rivera had not worked on a presidential campaign in more than two decades, and was conducting the autopsy part-time. 📝 Each page is topped with a red "Disclaimer": "This document reflects the views of the author, not the DNC. The DNC was not provided with the underlying sourcing, interviews, or supporting data for many of the assertions ... and therefore cannot independently verify the claims presented." Read the report ...

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DCCC's last-minute intervention

A Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ad attacking Texas congressional candidate Maureen Galindo. Source: DCCC

The DCCC is going up on the air with ads attacking Democratic congressional candidate Maureen Galindo ahead of Tuesday's runoff in Texas, Axios has learned. Why it matters: Galindo has been widely disavowed by Democrats over antisemitic remarks. She most recently said she wants to convert an ICE facility in her district into a "prison for American Zionists." Galindo finished first in the Democratic primary in Texas' 35th House District in March. She is now in a runoff with Johnny Garcia, a local sheriff's deputy backed by the DCCC. Driving the news: The DCCC is launching a $35,000 ad buy against Galindo ahead of the Tuesday runoff, a spokesperson told Axios. The ad takes aim at Galindo's "conspiracies" and "hateful words," honing in on alleged GOP spending to support her and labeling her "MAGA Maureen." Garcia "will fight Trump, not help him," the ad says. Galindo did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this story. — Andrew Solender

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💰 The DCCC's 3 interventions

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Stock: Getty Images

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is employing an unusual tactic to blunt what it says is Republican meddling in its primaries: It has teamed up with the candidates it sees as the "strongest" in key battleground districts, launching joint ad buys to squeeze out its Democratic primary opponents. Why it matters: This practice has infuriated parts of the party, particularly the progressive wing. "If DCCC were a good judge of electability, then we wouldn't be in the mess we're in," said Ravi Mangla, a spokesperson for the progressive Working Families Party, in a statement to Axios. DCCC spokesperson Viet Shelton said in a statement that "the stakes are incredibly high for the midterms," and it is "critical that Democrats have the strongest candidates possible in November to take back the House." Driving the news: The DCCC roiled certain corners of the party this month by endorsing a slate of "Red to Blue" candidates in key battleground House districts that still had credible primary opponents: Jasmeet Bains, a California state Assembly member who is fighting with progressive political science professor Randy Villegas — who has led in fundraising and is neck-and-neck with Bains in polls — to take on Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.). Bob Brooks, the president of the Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association, who dispatched three relatively well-funded opponents in his primary and will face off with Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pa.). Marlene Galán-Woods, a former TV news anchor in an Arizona primary field of five other candidates, including former state Rep. Amish Shah, who defeated Galán-Woods in the 2024 primary for the same seat. Joe Baldacci, a Maine state senator whose primary opponents for retiring Rep. Jared Golden's (D-Maine) seat include state Auditor Matthew Dunlap and former House staffer Jordan Wood. Johnny Garcia, a Texas sheriff's deputy in a runoff with therapist Maureen Galindo, who finished first in the March primary but has been widely disavowed by Democrats for antisemitic comments. Zoom in: The DCCC has now spent money in three of these primaries, launching joint ad buys with Bains, Brooks and Garcia, according to ad tracking firm AdImpact. Between the lines: What these races have in common is that Democrats are accusing Republicans of meddling in each one. An obscure new group called Lead Left PAC spent over $1.2 million on ads attacking Brooks and supporting one of his opponents, Lamont McClure, and has put another $900,000 into ads supporting Galindo. The PAC's website says it "stands against MAGA extremists who will infect our country with Donald Trump's agenda" but reportedly had a link to GOP fundraising platform WinRed in its metadata. — Andrew Solender

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5 Southern Democratic chairs say South Carolina should lead off 2028 presidential primary calendar

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Democratic leaders in a handful of southern states are lobbying for South Carolina to reprise its role as the party’s first-in-the-nation state to cast primary ballots in 2028, arguing that the state best represents the initial playing field for presidential candidates to build the coalitions needed to win.

https://apnews.com/article/democrats-primary-calendar-south-carolina-b23f5c4d624a238155c490eafffbef3b?

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⚔️ Dems' civil war heats up

Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios

🥊 Democrats fighting over their strategy and leadership for 2028 are locked in on savaging — or saving — the one man with a title and power: DNC chair Ken Martin. Why it matters: Martin is facing a growing crisis of confidence over the Democratic National Committee's bungled autopsy of the 2024 election and its financial struggles. This is the biggest, earliest test of the party's top brass heading into '28. 📆 So far, Martin has staved off a revolt among DNC members at a time when they're setting the calendar for the 2028 presidential primary — a key factor in determining the party's next nominee. In fact, as some members of Congress and Democratic strategists are calling for Martin to resign, key DNC members are rallying to his defense. 🔬 Zoom in: The DNC's powerful rules and bylaws committee met at a D.C. hotel this week to hear the pitches of a dozen states that want to go early in the upcoming primary. 🤫 The delicacy of Martin's position was apparent: He skipped the panel's public meeting, though he did quietly visit the hotel for some private conversations. 🗂️ Since Martin released — and disavowed — an incomplete autopsy of the 2024 election this month, some Democratic operatives have argued that he lacks the credibility to manage key parts of the upcoming Democratic presidential contest. The DNC sets the primary calendar and debate process, and builds up the party's infrastructure for the eventual nominee to inherit. "If people can't trust the DNC, what is going to happen is they're going to think the process is rigged against their candidate," said influential "Pod Save America" co-host Dan Pfeiffer on a podcast. "The way that Ken Martin has handled this, he has made it very hard for people to trust the DNC." 🤝 DNC members gathering this week struck a very different tone: They told Axios they're sticking with Martin. "There is huge support, huge support, at this committee and the party as a whole for Ken Martin," said Stuart Appelbaum, a member of the rules and bylaws committee. Ray Buckley, leader of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, slammed Martin's critics on social media: "What some of the folks that are online might not understand is that the chair works for the DNC members, and the DNC membership to this day still overwhelmingly supports Ken." Even a DNC member who had publicly pushed Martin to release the autopsy earlier, Vinod Thomas, said he still backs him. "Ken is a reform-minded, progressive leader. If he is forced out, he is likely to be replaced by someone who is far more aligned with insiders, consultants and donor networks," he told us in an email. Between the lines: It's not surprising that DNC members, including those involved in state parties, are coming to Martin's defense. Martin previously led the Association of State Democratic Committees, and since becoming DNC chair, he's boosted funding for state parties. Reality check: Some Democrats think Martin isn't out of the woods yet. If the party's congressional leaders signal they want him out — or the financial picture for the DNC significantly worsens — they believe he could be pressured to leave. Removing Martin would require at least "a majority vote" of the DNC's 400-some members, according to the party's bylaws. Read more. — Holly Otterbein, Alex Thompson

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🚨 Jewish Dems sound alarm

Illustration: Sarah Grillo / Axios. Stock: Getty Images

👀 A growing number of Jewish Democrats tell us they feel shunned — like unwelcome strangers in their own party. Why it matters: They warn that the constant and escalating hostilities over Israel's actions in Gaza have at times veered into hostility toward Jewish Americans that could hurt Democrats in 2028. 🗳️ A large majority of Jewish Americans vote Democratic. Any shifts among Jewish voters who feel alienated from the party could impact the 2028 election — particularly in swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Georgia, which have large Jewish populations. "For many Jewish Democrats, the Democratic Party is just the latest institution that welcomed us and is turning hostile," Howard Wolfson, a longtime Democratic strategist who worked for Hillary Clinton and Mike Bloomberg, told Axios. 🇮🇱 State of play: The party's internal tension over Israel is rising at a time when Jewish Democratic leaders such as Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin are potential contenders for president in 2028. 📉 Support for Israel's government — for decades a matter of bipartisan agreement in the U.S. — has fallen sharply among Democrats, polls show. As voters' opinions on Israel have shifted, some in the party's left wing have become more accepting of associating with people who've made conspiratorial or controversial comments about Jews and Israelis. Several incidents in the past year have increased the alarm among Jewish Democrats. Among them: Graham Platner, the likely Democratic nominee for a Maine Senate seat and a fierce critic of Israel, sporting a Nazi-linked tattoo. (He said he didn't know what it meant and later covered it up, but a former girlfriend says he knew the image's history.) A social media account for Philadelphia Democratic congressional nominee Chris Rabb, who was endorsed by New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), previously reposting that the Bondi Beach massacre of Jews was likely a false-flag attack by "Zionists." His team blamed the December post on a former staffer and said he condemns antisemitism. A Democratic House candidate in Texas, Maureen Galindo, calling for a "prison for American Zionists." She didn't win a primary runoff election but still got 36% of the vote despite being denounced by both parties. What they're saying: "There are Jewish Democrats in key states who might be hard-pressed to support the nominee if the nominee is decidedly hostile to Israel — and it's a big problem for the party," Wolfson said. "Jews are starting to feel scared again," said Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), who's Jewish. He said Jewish voters are beginning to leave the Democratic Party but that it's not yet a "mass exodus." Moskowitz added that party leaders are "not taking it seriously. Words are irrelevant; condemnation statements are irrelevant." Pritzker told Politico that "antisemitism has often been connected to people's views about Israel. That is: If you don't like what Israel and, in particular, [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu are doing, now it's OK to have slurs that you're spewing about Jews. It's not. It's never OK." Jewish staffers in some Democratic campaigns and offices say they've increasingly felt a chill from colleagues. One former Biden White House official told Axios: "No Jews in the Biden administration agreed with what Netanyahu was doing, but we all felt like we were having to answer for it by the party and our colleagues." The other side: Many believe the worries about Jewish Democrats fleeing the party are overblown, noting that there has been a rise in hostility toward Jewish people and Zionists on the right. "I think the Democratic Party has an Israel issue, but I think the Republicans have a Jewish issue," Emanuel told Axios. Others say Democrats' internal fight over Israel could be a good thing. Ned Price, a former spokesperson for the Biden State Department, said a debate within the party is "necessary, legitimate, and long overdue," while the rise of antisemitism "must be condemned unequivocally." Read more. — Alex Thompson, Holly Otterbein

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👀 Maine Dems' Electoral College plot

Illustration: Sarah Grillo / Axios

🥊 Democrats in mostly blue Maine are threatening to retaliate if Republican-led Nebraska changes how it awards Electoral College votes for the 2028 presidential election. 🫵 Why it matters: It's the latest example of tit-for-tat election politics that have come to define the Trump era, and that could help determine who wins the race for the White House. 🔭 Zoom in: Several Democrats running to be Maine's next governor have signaled they'd support modifying state law to adopt a "winner take all" electoral vote system in the presidential race if Nebraska did the same. 🗳️ Unlike other states, Maine and Nebraska dole out their Electoral College votes partly based on the winner of each congressional district. That's led to GOP presidential contenders picking up one of Maine's four Electoral College votes in the 2020 and 2024 elections, and Democrats similarly winning one of Nebraska's five Electoral College votes in those years. Speculation that Nebraska could move to a winner-take-all system has fueled chatter about a response by Maine. 🔥 "We must fight fire with fire," Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, posted last week on X. "If Nebraska changes their Electoral College system to a winner-take-all, Maine must be prepared to act in response to protect the presidency and our democracy." Zoom out: Nebraska Republicans — under pressure from Gov. Jim Pillen — debated changing state law last year to allocate their Electoral College votes on a winner-take-all basis, but those efforts fell flat. Some Democrats, however, remain concerned that Nebraska's legislature could pass such a bill. That possibility was a major issue in a congressional primary last month. ❌ The potential changes in Maine and Nebraska would nullify each other if both were enacted. But just the possibility of even a small tweak in each party's Electoral College calculus has led to game-planning similar to what happened during President Trump's mid-decade redistricting push. Hannah Pingree, another Democrat running for Maine governor, told us she'd support changing the state's Electoral College system to winner-take-all if Nebraska did — and that it's worth considering even if Nebraska didn't. "In this time of Donald Trump, I think it's really important to think about common-sense changes in our laws," she said. Nirav Shah, a third Democrat vying for Maine governor, backs changing the state's current approach toward allocating Electoral College votes if Nebraska did so, he told Axios. A fourth contender for Maine governor, Troy Jackson, a progressive backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), said on social media that he's "very open to looking at changes" in the state's Electoral College policy. Reality check: Jane Kleeb, chair of Nebraska's Democratic Party, told us that fears of a change in her state are overblown. "The Nebraska Republican Party does not have the votes to change the current fair-split electoral vote system," she said in a text. Read more. — Holly Otterbein ps:Personally the Electoral College should be eliminated!!!!!

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🛑 Dems threaten DCCC boycott

Infuriated House Democrats are threatening to stop paying their dues to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee unless it quits getting involved in primaries.

😬 Why it matters: The House Democratic campaign arm took a black eye today when progressive Randy Villegas declared victory over the DCCC's pick in California's 22nd District, Jasmeet Bains. The AP has not yet called the race.

• "There are extreme examples" in which it has made sense for the DCCC to get involved in primaries, Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) told us. He cited Maureen Galindo, a Democratic House candidate in Texas who made antisemitic remarks and ultimately lost in the primary.
• But in races like California's 22nd, the Congressional Progressive Caucus chair said, "the DCCC should save its resources for the general election."

💰 What happened: The DCCC added Bains, a moderate State Assembly member, to its "Red to Blue" list and spent $135,000 to try to boost her candidacy.

• But Villegas, who was backed by the Progressive and Hispanic caucuses, appears to have prevailed and will take on Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.).

✋ "It makes me take a pause, definitely, when I'm considering paying my dues that they're being used against candidates that I'm supporting," Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) told us.

• "I'm supposed to give you $175,000 of very difficult-to-raise money," another House Democrat fumed, "and then the money we give to show we're a good team player ... you turn around and spend in primaries?"
• Said a third lawmaker: "That money definitely could be used for something else."

— Andrew Solender

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💪 The DCCC's strongest soldiers

Data: DCCC member dues report obtained by Axios; Chart: Andrew Solender/Axios Yesterday, we told you about how some House Democrats are threatening to withhold their dues to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee unless it stops meddling in primaries. Now we want to tell you what those dues are, exactly, and who is paying them. Why it matters: This isn't the DCCC's only source of income, but it is a significant one. And it has a problem with its members coughing up. More than half of House Democrats had paid less than 50% of their expected dues as of the beginning of April, with an average payment rate of 47%, according to a member dues report obtained by Axios. Nearly 30 members who aren't in battleground districts have paid 0% of their expected dues. The report was first reported by Puck News. Between the lines: DCCC dues are what House Democrats in safe districts are expected to fork over to their party's campaign arm each cycle to help swing-district members and candidates get elected. The thinking essentially goes: If you want legislative power, you'll give your money to the campaigns that will give you the majority and, subsequently, committee gavels. Ambitious members seeking coveted committee spots, leadership roles or simply to garner favor with their colleagues often strive to meet or exceed their set target. Those already in leadership roles are expected to pay more than the average rank-and-file members. Those who haven't paid any dues include: Members who have faced tough primary challenges this year: Reps. Al Green (D-Texas), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) and Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.). Several retiring members, such as Reps. Jerry Nadler and Nydia Velázquez, both of New York, and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton of D.C. Some other big names are Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.). — Andrew Solender

[Asia Joe]

On 6/9/2026 at 7:47 AM, phkrause said:

🗳️ A large majority of Jewish Americans vote Democratic. Any shifts among Jewish voters who feel alienated from the party could impact the 2028 election — particularly in swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Georgia, which have large Jewish populations.

All the Jewish people I knew in Michigan were big Democrats. They contributed heavy. 

 

It will be interesting to see what happens 

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New Dem rebellion

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Stock: Getty Images

Democratic leaders are increasingly alarmed that they're facing their own brewing version of the GOP's Tea Party rebellion 17 years ago, Axios' Alex Thompson and Holly Otterbein write. Why it matters: The wave of primary victories by democratic socialists and party outsiders has shocked establishment Democrats. But the rage has been building in the party for a decade. It's not just progressives vs. moderates. It's also insiders vs. outsiders, with many Democratic voters angry at their own party. Some Dems now believe a Trump-esque figure could take over the party in 2028 as an outlet for grassroots rage. Dan Pfeiffer, a former top aide to President Obama and now "Pod Save America" co-host, writes: "It is very clear that the groups of the left — Justice Democrats, Democratic Socialists of America, Our Revolution — are out-organizing, out-fundraising, out-working, out-maneuvering the traditional party institutions." 🔎 Zoom in: Democrats' growing distrust of party leaders — and embrace of left-wing outsiders and populists — is rooted in Donald Trump's 2016 victory over Hillary Clinton. Trump's 2024 victory radicalized some Dems who'd previously seen his first term as a fluke. 🗳️ State of play: Left-wingers, outsiders and Democratic Socialists of America members have racked up victories coast to coast during Trump's second term. Democratic socialists and progressives followed last year's election of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani by beating two incumbent House Democrats and winning an open seat's primary in the city last week. Democratic socialist Janeese Lewis George won D.C.'s Democratic primary for mayor, making her mayor-in-waiting. She energized young voters by promising to tackle affordability and take on Trump. 🔮 What's next: Democrats are watching several upcoming primaries to see how deeply the anti-establishment feelings run. These races include: Colorado's governor's race, plus a Denver-based House primary where a democratic socialist is challenging a longtime incumbent. Wisconsin's gubernatorial primary, where democratic socialist Francesca Hong could win. Michigan's Senate primary, where Abdul El-Sayed could beat the establishment's pick, Rep. Haley Stevens.