Some of the most prominent figures in the Democratic Party have labeled themselves as progressives, but others, for various reasons, have put distance between them and the label recently.
Several Democrats have left the Congressional Progressive Caucus, with some leaving due to a rift over the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. One of the most high-profile departures came when Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) confirmed he was no longer in the caucus and shied away from calling himself a progressive when speaking with NBC News this month.
“I consider myself an Arizona member of Congress who works across the aisle with everybody,” Gallego told the outlet when asked if he still considers himself a progressive.
“I work for Arizonans,” he added. “And sometimes that makes me cross a lot of political spectrums.”
Gallego, who is running against Republican Kari Lake in the race for an Arizona senate seat, claimed he let his membership to the caucus lapse because members “increased their dues tremendously,” adding that he works for his constituents. Arizona has traditionally leaned Republican but has recently given Democrats hope with the return of a strict abortion ban from 1864. The Senate race is expected to be one of the tightest races in November.
He was widely seen as the “progressive” challenger to Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), who holds the seat and was a Democrat until December 2022. Now that Sinema has announced she is not seeking reelection and his only opponent in November will be a Republican, he has shied from the label.
A wave of progressive Democrats were elected in the House in 2018, labeled the “Squad.” The group was led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
Heading into an election where Democrats are trying to replicate the 2018 election, in which they took back control of the House, several Squad members are being challenged in their primaries by nonprogressive Democrats. Much of the opposition they face comes from their anti-Israel stances on the war. Unlike in 2018, when Democrats were expected to win an overwhelming majority in the House, this year, control of the chamber appears to be a toss-up.
Another Democrat who has shed the progressive label is Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), who told NBC News in December 2023 that he is “not a progressive.” He has strayed further from progressive Democrats, especially regarding immigration and Israel, than he was expected to when he was elected in 2022.
In the presidential race, President Joe Biden’s record, which progressive Democrats said has been better than they anticipated in 2020, will be a litmus test on the policies that many on the far Left champion, most notably actions related to climate change.
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Biden’s stance on the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas has upset many progressive Democrats, with some vowing to not vote in November unless Biden changes his stance. Biden has been largely supportive of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but has vocalized some frustrations, including harsh stances on hostage negotiations and aid delivery to Gaza.
While several candidates and politicians shy away from winning over progressives and focus on moderates, Biden may have to focus on guaranteeing their votes in his matchup against former President Donald Trump.
