The Democrats' victory in the midterms was so deep and broad that every faction of the party is taking credit for it. Many expected the story of Tuesday night to be a left-leaning takeover, but the outcome proved to be larger and more complex.
Chuck Schumer, the party's veteran leader in the Senate, must now navigate these factions and convince them to work toward a common goal. Almost immediately, he will have to fend off calls from the newly bolstered progressive wing, which wants him replaced by a left-winger with more energy. Schumer is calling for unity, urging the party to focus on the common goals that won the midterms: chaos, cash and corruption.
Progressives on the Rise
James Talarico of Texas, a part-time seminary student serving in the state legislature, is claimed by the progressive arm of the party but has potential beyond that. He has been vocal in his support for the trans community and once declared God to be 'non-binary', a statement he has since acknowledged was glib. Despite a campaign of attack ads against him, Talarico's victory was enormous, winning on early votes alone. His win in Texas has led some to consider him for a vice-presidential spot on a 2028 ticket.
Abdul El-Sayed, Michigan's new Democratic senator, has become an overnight superstar. He is a compelling public speaker, offering thoughtful answers on difficult topics like faith, poverty and healthcare. However, he has had moments where his instincts were off, such as when he added "Hurt people hurt people" to a statement denouncing a Hezbollah-inspired attack on a Michigan synagogue, drawing widespread anger. He has since apologised and acknowledged it was the wrong thing to say.
Troy Jackson of Maine, a late replacement for oysterman Graham Platner, had just 101 days to organise his campaign. Platner, the 'dirtbag Democrat' nominee, crashed out of the race after allegations about his conduct, which he denied. Jackson, an old school populist lefty, ran on 'medicare for all' and intends to push for it regardless of party leadership. He managed to unseat Republican Susan Collins, who had been in office since 1997.
Moderates Who Flipped Red States
Dr Annie Andrews, a paediatrician in South Carolina, did what many thought couldn't be done. Few expected a Democrat to win, especially with Darline Graham, sister of late-Republican senator Lindsey Graham, in the running. To win, she separated herself from some progressive positions, drawing criticism for an ad in which she described trans women as "biological men" and insisted she had never performed gender surgery for minors.
Josh Turek of Iowa, a four-time Paralympian and twice gold medallist with the US men's wheelchair basketball team, describes himself as a "common sense" moderate and a "prairie populist". He is progressive on healthcare and abortion but moderate on border security and anti-corruption.
Rev. Adam Hamilton of Kansas, pastor at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, ran on "building bridges" between left and right, calling himself a "liberal conservative and a conservative liberal". While opposing trans women in women's sports, he says: "I don't think we should take a small group of people and bully them - we've turned them into a campaign issue because it polls well." On older people in Congress, he says: "I think having the same folks in power for decades on end is part of the reason we're stuck in a lot of the same old political fights." His folksy approach made him the first Democratic Senator from Kansas in 94 years.
