Socialist Takeover of Democratic Party Accelerates After Primary Shockers

Clear Facts

• Democratic Socialist candidates swept multiple primaries in New York and Colorado, defeating establishment Democrats including 29-year incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette
• Winners openly use terms like “comrade” and advocate for abolishing ICE, Medicare for All, and ending U.S. support for Israel
• House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries refused to condemn controversial pro-communist tweets from Democratic nominee Darializa Avila Chevalier

The Democratic Party’s socialist wing is no longer operating on the fringe. After a series of stunning primary victories in New York and Colorado, candidates who openly embrace Marxist rhetoric and radical policies are poised to enter Congress this fall.

The language these candidates use should alarm every American who values free markets and individual liberty.

“You deserve to make sure that your international comrades are actually working with you and getting the benefits that you that you all deserve,” said Democratic New York House nominee Darializa Avila Chevalier at a union rally in New York City.

“Half of the people here are strangers to you all. But now you have comrades,” said Colorado Democratic Congressional nominee Melat Kiros, who defeated 29-year House veteran Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) Tuesday.

“I’ve got to give a shout out to my comrades,” said Missouri Democratic Congressional candidate Hartzell Gray on a podcast interview.

The term “comrade” carries specific historical weight—it was the standard form of address in the Soviet Union and remains common in communist nations. Its casual use by Democratic nominees signals how far left the party has shifted.

“You have the solidarity of the entire labor movement. And you have my solidarity, too,” said Democratic New York House nominee Claire Valdez.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) didn’t endorse either Avila Chevalier or Valdez. However, he did congratulate them. Jeffries naturally needs Avila Chevalier, Valdez, and Democratic New York House nominee Brad Lander to win. They probably will this fall. But when asked about progressives who prevailed in the New York primary—who he didn’t endorse—Jeffries delivered a nuanced answer.

“I will support every single Democratic incumbent in the New York Congressional delegation and beyond,” said Jeffries.

CNN resurfaced old tweets from Avila Chevalier. Some praised communism. Others called for more Marxist literature in libraries. When pressed about whether he should call out Avila Chevalier for some of her inflammatory social media postings, Jeffries dodged.

“Should she apologize or clarify some of these very inflammatory tweets that she sent?”

“That’s a question you’re going to have to ask her,” answered Jeffries.

“But as Leader, is that a problem?”

“I’ve spoken to this issue. I’ve expressed my position as it relates to many of the things that she has said in the past over Twitter. My statement speaks for itself,” answered Jeffries.

The 29-year-old Kiros’s victory over DeGette in Colorado demonstrated that the Democratic Socialist message didn’t just resonate in the urban canyons of lower Manhattan. It’s spreading to the Rocky Mountains too.

“What we are fighting for is Medicare for all. Universal child care. Abolishing ICE. And ending the genocide in Gaza,” said Kiros.

These platform planks represent core positions for the Democratic left—government-run healthcare, massive expansion of federal programs, open borders through elimination of immigration enforcement, and abandoning America’s closest Middle Eastern ally.

“They’re winning on platforms like Medicare for all. Universal health care. Universal childcare. Raising the minimum wage,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA). “These ideas, whether you call it socialism or not, they are very popular across the country.”

Progressive influencer Hasan Piker believes victories by these candidates in New York and Colorado are just the beginning.

“Progressive politics, left populism. It can work in every district in every state. That’s why I kept saying over and over again, it’s coming to a city near you,” said Piker.

But not everyone in the Democratic Party is on board with the socialist revolution. A small handful of moderates are speaking out.

“Will Democrats continue to defend crazypants?” asked Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA).

Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH) is another dissenter. He’s a moderate, pro-Israel Democrat in a battleground district that President Trump carried in 2024.

“My folks want really normal folks. Democrats, Republicans, just people who are going to get things done. And so they see this because this is what gets attention,” said Landsman. “I hope the party doesn’t go in that direction. Having a diversity of opinions is one thing. But some of what some of them think is beyond the pale. It’s just outrageous.”

Landsman wished Democratic leaders would speak out against controversial candidates and nominees.

“The fact that they won’t even call it out, I think is an underlying current within the Democrat Party that they’re scared of their own base,” said Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC).

Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) is retiring after 32 years in Congress. She’s not aligned with her likely successor, Claire Valdez. When asked about the controversy surrounding her prospective successor and whether it’s driving a wedge through the party, Velazquez tried to change the subject.

“Look, we are celebrating the outcome of this Supreme Court decision that reaffirm the fundamental principle of the Constitution that anyone born in this country is an American citizen,” answered Velazquez.

“But did you not see things eye to eye with your prospective successor here?”

Velazquez sighed.

“Look, she won and I wish her well. And I offered myself to sit down with her and discuss the transition. But this is how democracy works,” said Velazquez.

Other Democrats believe the party can operate under a “big tent” and still court voters across the spectrum.

“There’s room for conversations about where we go. But we’re not the party of one person or coalition and there’s going to be those discussions about where we move forward,” said Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL).

Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) asserted that wins by Democratic Socialists in New York City carried outsized weight. She also said that it was natural for the press to capitalize on possible divisions in the party.

“I think that you all try to stir it up. Stir up this language. Try to pit people against each other,” said Dingell.

When asked about controversial statements Avila Chevalier made over the years, Dingell deflected.

“I don’t have to agree with everything that she said. The Republicans are putting kerosene on the fire,” said Dingell.

“Didn’t she pour kerosene on it to start with?”

“Look, I wouldn’t have said some of the things that she said. But I don’t vote in New York. They do,” answered Dingell.

Republicans are adamantly opposed to socialism. But in a strategic twist, the Democratic lurch left might actually help the GOP beat the historic odds and hold the House. When the minority party controls the White House, they typically lose seats in midterm elections. This socialist surge could energize conservative and moderate voters.

“They’re a complete socialist party now,” said Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC). “They’ve got to either own it or disassociate themselves from it.”

The Democratic Party establishment faces a choice: embrace the socialist wing that’s winning primaries, or stand firm against radical candidates who praise communism and call for abolishing border enforcement. So far, party leaders like Jeffries have chosen silence over confrontation. That silence speaks volumes about who now controls the Democratic Party’s direction.

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