Key facts
- Democrats face internal divisions that could jeopardize their attempt to win control of Congress in the November elections.
- In Maine, Governor Janet Mills has not endorsed the Democratic Senate nominee, Troy Jackson.
- In Texas, US Representative Jasmine Crockett has not campaigned with state Representative James Talarico, the Democratic Senate nominee.
- In Michigan, some prominent Democratic figures have not endorsed Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed.
- In New York, democratic socialists Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez criticized congressional Democrats for condemning socialism.
- In Florida, the extent of party support for Democratic Senate nominee Angie Nixon is being questioned.
Democrats are facing internal divisions that threaten their efforts to regain control of Congress in the upcoming November elections. Lingering disputes from primary contests are causing influential party figures in several competitive states to withhold endorsements or decline campaigning with nominees.
In Maine, Democratic Senate nominee Troy Jackson is running without the endorsement of Governor Janet Mills, who was also a Senate candidate. The Maine Democratic Party stated that Democrats are united and focused on winning.
In Texas, US Representative Jasmine Crockett has not campaigned with state Representative James Talarico, the Democratic Senate nominee, despite Talarico's overtures. Crockett stated she trusts Talarico's plan and that it did not necessarily include campaigning with his opponent.
In Michigan, some Democrats have expressed discomfort with Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed's associations and rhetoric, leading some prominent party figures to withhold endorsements. While US Representative Haley Stevens has offered her support, it is unclear if she will campaign with El-Sayed, and other party figures have not endorsed him.
US Representative Summer Lee, a progressive Democrat, warned that failure to unify and win at least one chamber of Congress will make future work harder.
Divisions have also surfaced on Capitol Hill, where moderate Democrats joined Republicans in condemning socialism, drawing criticism from New York democratic socialists Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez.
In Florida, questions have been raised about the extent of party support for Democratic Senate nominee Angie Nixon, a democratic socialist. While former primary opponent Alex Vindman has donated to support Nixon and the state party, some local party officials suggest there is not unequivocal support from the state party chair.