Progressive candidates in Illinois faced significant defeats in the Democratic primaries. Some, supported by figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other members of “The Squad,” did not perform well. Contrastingly, moderates such as Mayor Daniel Biss and former Congresswoman Melissa Bean triumphed in House races 09, 08, and 02.
State Senator Aisha Wahab, a progressive, outpaced Melissa Hernandez, a more centrist candidate, in a special election for the seat formerly held by Rep. Eric Swalwell. Wahab’s campaign received endorsements from prominent figures like California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis. Hernandez, on the other hand, depended on substantial financial backing from super PACs and endorsements from local officials.
Despite earlier victories in states such as New York and Colorado, progressives have not matched expectations in recent Democratic primaries, notably in Michigan’s Senate race and Wisconsin’s gubernatorial contest. Heading into the election, Wahab was heavily favored, securing 42.8% of the vote compared to Hernandez’s 16.8%.
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Both Wahab and Hernandez, as Democrats, finished in the top two spots in California’s “jungle primary,” which sends the leading two candidates to the general election regardless of party affiliation. This result effectively excluded Republicans from the race in a district that favored Harris in the 2024 presidential election. This special election, however, only decides who will complete the final months of Swalwell’s term. A rematch is set for November, determining who will serve a full two-year term under California’s newly redrawn district boundaries.
Some Democrats argue that progressive candidates’ recent struggles indicate a halt in the socialist trend within the party. Others disagree, pointing to the enduring support for socialist policies among younger voters.
Hernandez questioned Wahab’s ethics during the campaign, suggesting she had previous misconduct in Sacramento. Additionally, Wahab’s financial strategies, such as moving $60,000 through her state campaign into county funds supporting her congressional run, came under scrutiny. Wahab countered, accusing Hernandez of benefiting from pro-Israel contributions, an issue that remains contentious within the party.
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