Democrats and democratic socialists should unite for election victories 

Democrats seeking majority control of the House and Senate in midterm elections should avoid fighting with each other and unify around winners of primaries across the ideological spectrum — whether they label themselves centrists, liberals, progressives or democratic socialists.

To block President Trump’s destructive policies and make life in our country more affordable, Democrats need to win a majority in at least one congressional chamber in November. A growing civil war dividing Democrats makes general election victories less likely.

Democrats in different factions have spent months battling each other in primaries. But most voters aren’t focused on the labels candidates attach to themselves. Millions of voters are focused on finding candidates who will aggressively oppose Trump, solve the affordability crisis and keep America out of wars.

Three candidates who identify as democratic socialists recently won primaries for House seats representing parts of New York City, defeating Democratic Reps. Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat. In addition, Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) lost her primary to a democratic socialist.

Democratic socialist Janeese Lewis George recently won the Democratic primary for mayor in Washington, which is tantamount to an election victory in the overwhelmingly Democratic city. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, both democratic socialists, were elected in 2025. 

Democratic socialists have proven adept at political messaging. They have made appealing campaign promises, delivered passionate speeches and clever soundbites, and skillfully utilized ads and social media. Other Democrats should learn from them.

However, the politics of campaigning are very different from the task of........

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