Progressive Democrats across the United States are embracing the wave of socialist candidates, particularly following the mayoral victory of Zohran Mamdani in New York City. This shift is now shaping key House races, where figures like Randy Villegas, Manny Rutinel, and Ammar Campa-Najjar are gaining traction on progressive platforms emphasizing affordability and working-class interests.
The far-left push within the Democratic Party, highlighted by mayoral victories by socialist candidates in New York City and Seattle, is poised to be a major factor in several key battleground House races. Multiple competitive House races in the country feature candidates testing whether progressive policies can appeal to voters beyond urban centers, including in California’s 22nd Congressional District, where Democrat Randy Villegas aims to unseat Republican Rep. David Valadao.
‘Bernie and I share the same goal: to make life more affordable for working families,’ Villegas stated after receiving an endorsement from Sen. Bernie Sanders, a self-proclaimed ‘democratic socialist.’ He also expressed collaboration with Sanders to advocate for communities in the Central Valley and across the nation.
In addition to being endorsed by Sanders, who also backed New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, Villegas has employed the Fight Agency advertising firm, among others, which is led by operatives who also helped Mamdani secure victory earlier this month. Fox News Digital reported that Fight Agency is also aiding in the defeat of two vulnerable House Republicans in Pennsylvania, Reps. Rob Bresnahan and Ryan Mackenzie.
Villegas, endorsed by the progressive Working Families Party that backed Mamdani, is currently running in a Democratic primary against California state Assemblywoman Jasmeet Bains, who was recruited by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and currently has less cash on hand than Villegas. ‘In the Central Valley, we couldn’t care less about political labels,’ Villegas said to Fox News Digital. ‘We care about being able to see a doctor without going bankrupt and being able to feed our families without needing a second job. We’re sick of politicians in both parties selling us out to billionaires and corporations. Any politician who isn’t fighting for working families like our lives depend on it needs to get out of the way.’
In Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, GOP Rep. Gabe Evans is facing a challenge from another progressive Democrat, Manny Rutinel, anticipated to be one of the tightest House races next November. Rutinel, also a Colorado state representative, has been associated with various far-left groups and politicians, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. According to Townhall, Rutinel, who has a large fundraising lead over his Democrat opponents, has been endorsed by progressive groups like CHC Bold PAC and Latino Victory Fund.
The race to unseat GOP Rep. Darrell Issa in California’s redrawn 48th Congressional District features Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar, who describes himself as a ‘working-class progressive’ and was endorsed by the Sanders-linked group Our Revolution. Campa-Najjar, who volunteered for Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign and is the front-runner in the Democratic primary, was also endorsed in 2020 by the Working Families Party and Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Courage to Change PAC.
GOP Rep. Tom Barrett is facing re-election in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, with William Lawrence, who co-founded the progressive Sunrise Movement, as one of the Democrats running to replace him. Lawrence’s policies have drawn comparisons to Mamdani, with Lansing City Pulse noting that his campaign is built on a community movement, a message of ‘real representation’ that takes ‘political control away from the establishment and puts it back in the hands of the people.’ It’s likened to how Zohran Mamdani won in New York City.
Peter Chatzky is running as a Democrat challenging GOP Rep. Mike Lawler in New York’s 17th Congressional District, and despite a crowded primary, he is seen as a formidable contender in a district rated ‘Lean Republican’ by Cook Political Report. Chatzky has publicly defended Mamdani’s agenda on social media and praised the young socialist for running an effective campaign, focusing on affordability, fairness, and opportunity in New York City. Chatzky, the only Democrat in the field who has called for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to step down, has expressed support for ‘universal healthcare.’
Like Mamdani, Chatzky has also faced criticism for his positions on Israel and defended Mamdani against allegations of antisemitism. In Nebraska, John Cavanaugh, a state senator, is running as a Democrat to replace retiring GOP Rep. Don Bacon in the 2nd Congressional District with the endorsement of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which he said he is ‘grateful’ for and plans to join them on the ‘front lines.’
As Democratic leadership in Washington, D.C. faces calls for new faces, Republicans across the country have argued that the socialist push in recent months is reshaping key House races and altering the landscape of the Democratic Party going forward. Mike Marinella, the national spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), told Fox News Digital that the rise of progressive candidates is a ‘full-blown battle for the soul of the Democrat Party’ and concluded that the ‘socialist stampede is winning.’
‘Democrats aren’t focused on helping working families, they’re too busy tearing each other apart,’ Marinella said. In a statement to Fox News Digital, DCCC spokesperson Viet Shelton emphasized the Democrats focusing on affordability. ‘Because of House Republicans, everything is too damn expensive and working families are struggling. Republican operatives in D.C. know they can’t win on the issues, so we’re seeing them melt down in real time,’ Shelton said. ‘Even President Trump is in the Oval Office desperately bear hugging the Mayor-elect. It’s embarrassing. While they waste their time, Democrats across the country are laser focused on lowering prices and fighting for everyday Americans, which is why we will re-take the majority.’