Sen. Mark Kelly warns far-left policies that dont make sense could cost Democrats seats

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said Thursday during an interview on “Next Question with Katie Couric” that far-left calls to abolish police, eliminate prisons and the border and defund the Pentagon were partly responsible for Democrats’ low approval ratings because voters associated those positions with the broader party.“There are folks out there that say things that just don’t make sense to the American people, like abolish the police or get rid of jails and prisons, get rid of the border, defund the Pentagon,” Kelly said. “Those things don’t make sense.”Couric asked Kelly whether the Democratic Party’s ideological divide could hurt its candidates during the midterm elections and its eventual 2028 presidential nominee.“It could cost us some seats,” Kelly said.“I think that’s very, very possible.”Kelly distanced himself from the party’s left flank, saying voters sometimes attributed its most progressive proposals to every Democratic candidate.“Some of them, I think, associate it with Democrats,” Kelly said.

“That’s not the Democratic Party I’m in.Those aren’t the policies I support.”Kelly’s remarks followed months of bleak polling for Democratic leaders.

A Fox News poll conducted in April found that 42% of registered voters viewed the Democratic Party favorably, while 58% viewed it unfavorably.Sixty-one percent said Democrats were focused on the “wrong” issues.A Quinnipiac University poll released in May found that 20% of registered voters approved of the job Democrats in Congress were doing, while 72% disapproved.

Even among Democratic voters, 41% approved and 50% disapproved.Kelly issued his warning after democratic socialist candidates scored several prominent primary victories. DSA-backed candidate Melat Kiros defeated longtime Rep.Diana DeGette, D-Colo., while DSA member Darializa Avila Chevalier ousted veteran Rep.

Adriano Espaillat, D-NY. DSA-endorsed New York state lawmaker Claire Valdez also won t...