Meet the far-left insurgents waging war on the Democratic establishment in 2026 midterms
DSA-backed candidates in Missouri, Michigan and Wisconsin are riding momentum from socialist wins in New York and Colorado
By Paul Steinhauser , Hannah Brennan Fox News
Published July 13, 2026 6:00am EDT
The high-stakes fight between the left-wing and the center-left establishment for the future of the Democratic Party is moving to a much larger stage.
After victories by far-left and socialist candidates in dark blue congressional districts in New York City and Colorado the past couple of weeks drew plenty of national attention, the spotlight now shifts to Midwestern battlegrounds.
Hours after Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) backed challenger and first-time candidate Melat Kiros toppled 15-term Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette in last week's primary in Denver's deep blue 1st Congressional District, former Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri predicted on social media: "On August 4th, St. Louis will do the same."
A trio of far-left congressional candidates' victories heavily supported by socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani have emboldened progressives as they try to turn their upsets into a far-left national pressure campaign against the Democratic Party.
"Only socialism can solve decades of capitalist mismanagement in the US. Our newly elected leaders will fight for the working class — not for crumbs," the DSA proclaimed in a social media post celebrating the string of primary election victories.
DSA-backed Bush is running to win back her seat in the Missouri's St. Louis-anchored 1st Congressional District. The far left is also training its firepower on Michigan, which holds its primary on the same day as Missouri on Aug. 4.
One week later, on Aug. 11, Wisconsin will hold its primary elections. That's where DSA-backed state Rep. Francesca Hong is on the rise among a crowded field of candidates in the race to succeed retiring Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
"It’s a great day to be a democratic socialist," Hong posted on X last month after the progressive victories in New York City, in which two Democratic congressional incumbents lost renomination. "Wisconsin is next!"
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