The Democratic Party is having a moment with influencers. Some run campaigns. Some headline rallies. Some just post in support of candidates.

But across the board, the line between digital celebrity and political leadership is blurring — and not always in good ways.

That disconnect became painfully clear in Arizona earlier this month. Deja Foxx, a 25-year-old with a massive online platform and national media résumé, lost her congressional primary by more than 40 points. Despite months of buzz and glowing coverage, she barely made a dent in her home district.

Her opponent, Adelita Grijalva, a longtime local elected official, won decisively despite a much less flashy campaign.

Foxx’s loss wasn’t about her age or ideology. It was about how, despite being an influencer, she brought little that distinguished her as a candidate. Her policy positions were nearly identical to Grijalva’s.

What she offered was branding, not substance —........

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