The high-stakes battle for the ideological future of the Democratic Party moves to Florida next week, before heading to New England early next month, as the 2026 primary season wraps up.After impactful left-wing victories this month by Michigan's Abdul El-Sayed and Minnesota Lt.Gov.
Peggy Flanagan in crucial Democratic Senate primaries, and a searing setback for the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), with the downing of DSA member Francesca Hong in Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial primary, the next faceoff in the party's civil war comes Tuesday in Florida.That's where DSA endorsed Oliver Larkin is challenging more moderate Democratic Rep.Jared Moskowitz in a key congressional swing district that's among roughly two dozen House seats that will determine if Republicans hold onto their razor-thin majority in the midterm elections.DEMOCRATIC GROUP LAUNCHES $15 MILLION WAR ON DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS: 'MORTAL DANGER'Oliver Larkin, a DSA-backed Democratic candidate for Congress in Florida’s 25th district, speaks during a town hall, on May 4, 2026 in Coral Springs, Florida.
(Joe Raedle/Getty Images)Two weeks later, the party's divisions return to a statewide stage, as longtime progressive leader Sen.Ed Markey of Massachusetts is facing a serious primary challenge from more moderate Democratic Rep.
Seth Moulton.A left-versus-center battle is brewing a week later in neighboring New Hampshire, in the party's Senate primary for a crucial battleground seat Democrats must hold in the midterm elections in order to win back the chamber's majority from the GOP.Progressives scored their biggest victory to date a week ago, when El-Sayed narrowly edged moderate Rep.Haley Stevens to capture the party's Senate nomination in the Great Lakes battleground, in the race to succeed retiring Democratic Sen.
Gary Peters.DEMOCRATIC GROUP LAUNCHES $15 MILLION WAR ON DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS: 'MORTAL DANGER'Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed speaks to supporters at an election-nig...