Democratic Party progressives face midterm challenges in US

Progressive elements within the US Democratic Party are gaining momentum, as evidenced by the election of Zohran Mamdani as Mayor of New York. This shift follows previous presidential campaigns by Senator Bernie Sanders, which faced questions regarding electability.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll from August indicates a significant ideological shift among Democratic voters. The percentage of Democrats identifying as “liberal” rose to 71% from 55% in 2012, while those identifying as “conservative” dropped from 33% to 16%.

More than 70% of progressive Democrats believe it is essential for party candidates to support universal public healthcare and increased taxes on corporations and billionaires. Current progressive platforms focus on military spending cuts, expanded state-funded programs, and improved access to housing.