Last week's dramatic showdown over cutting U.S. aid to Israel offered a glimpse into just how profoundly progressive anger is reshaping Democratic politics. Why it matters: It's not just that the left is winning seats — they're ousting incumbents and instilling panic among House Democrats, who fear they may be next if they don't take a more hostile posture toward Israel. - "Our primary victories this cycle defeating AIPAC-backed candidates ... is forcing the Democratic caucus to finally heed the calls of their voters," said Usamah Andrabi, a spokesperson for Justice Democrats. - It's a reality the pro-Israel center sees as well. "This is no longer about substance," Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) tells Axios, "It's about the raw fear of…
Adrian Boafo, a state delegate, won a primary to succeed the retiring Representative Steny Hoyer with help from more than $11 million in spending from pro-Israel and cryptocurrency interests.
Rep. Steny Hoyer's announcement that he was retiring instantly launched a crowded race to replace him in southern Maryland’s deep-blue 5th Congressional District.
A pair of largely overlooked U.S. House races in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. are racing up the leaderboard of the most expensive congressional primaries in U.S. history. Why it matters: The massive volume of cash pervading these elections has some candidates raising the possibility that there is such a thing as too much spending for your favored candidate. - Voters "see the frequency of the ads, and now they're asking questions," said Wala Blegay, a Prince George's County Council member running in Maryland's 5th district. - Said former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, another candidate in that race: "It's tough to square, like, why is someone donating this much money?" Driving the news: Outside groups — most notably the…
AI companies, the cryptocurrency industry and pro-Israel groups are spending like never before to sink their least favorite members of Congress and congressional candidates. Why it matters: The volume cannot be ignored. It's the kind of spending that can kill careers and stop political movements in their tracks. - Pro-Israel groups spent nearly $8 million to oust GOP Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky's 4th District, helping to fuel the most expensive House primary in American history. - Crypto-aligned Protect Progress was by far the largest spender in Texas' 18th District, pouring nearly $5 million into unseating longtime Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) in favor of freshman Rep. Christian Menefee (D-Texas). By the numbers: Eight of the 12 top…
Progressives plan to exert more pressure in Democratic congressional primaries to get the left to coalesce behind one viable candidate rather than split the vote and create an opening for moderates, Axios has learned. Why it matters: This new strategy reflects how progressives are adapting after a bruising Illinois primary night in which they won just one of the four open House races they were targeting. - It was a disappointing result for the left after their shock win in a New Jersey special election last month to replace now-Gov. Mikie Sherrill. - "I think because we had these wins, the progressive movement is like, 'Okay, we're going to win everywhere,'" Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) told Axios. - The California Democrat, who endorsed…
Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) said Thursday he will seek another term in Congress, bucking a trend of generational change that has prompted other older House Democrats to retire. Why it matters: The 85-year-old is poised to be the third-oldest member of Congress if reelected, with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), 85, and former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), 86, both retiring. - Reps. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), 88, and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), 87 — the only two other members of Congress older than Clyburn — are both running for reelection. Between the lines: Nearly a dozen House Democrats in their 70s and 80s are retiring at the end of the 119th Congress . - But dozens of others have remained defiant , running for…
Congressional Democrats in their 70s and 80s who are seeking reelection are tired of hearing that they are incapable of doing their jobs due to age — and they're gearing up to push back. Why it matters: More than half a dozen House Democrats who are 70 or older are trailing at least one younger primary insurgent in fundraising, and those elections are fast approaching. - But to hear some veteran House Democrats tell it, this is nothing out of the ordinary. "There has never been an election where you have not had challenges to incumbents and a few incumbents losing," Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) told reporters Wednesday. - "I have no idea why this is the year to write this story, except that Joe Biden was old. I think voters will just…