Latest news with #Democrat-backed
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Democrats stuck in political ‘wilderness.' Will they pivot to the center in 2026?
The Democratic Party suffered significant blows in 2024 with President Donald Trump's reelection and the narrow loss of both chambers of Congress. Now, months into the president's second nonconsecutive term, Democratic leadership is left to analyze how the party should move forward. "I do think, right now, the party … is sort of in the wilderness," said Flavio Hickel Jr., an associate professor of political science at Washington College. Recent election results aren't providing much clarity. In April, Democrat-backed Judge Susan Crawford beat Trump's pick to fill a seat on the Wisconsin state Supreme Court by 10 points - despite tech billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk dumping millions of dollars into the race. But last week, incumbent Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, a progressive Democrat in a city that leans blue, lost his primary election bid, leaving some to wonder if the national party will take a more centrist foothold as it turns its eyes to the 2026 midterm elections. "You're going to see that kind of conflict as the party figures out what it wants to do" and "how it can reconfigure," Hickel said. There was clear infighting among Democrats in 2024, as President Joe Biden waited nearly a month before the Democratic National Convention to announce his withdrawal from the race, giving Vice President Kamala Harris little time to campaign against a formidable Republican candidate like Trump. The party found itself split between voters who thought Biden was too old and not nearly progressive enough, and those who stood by the incumbent out of party loyalty or otherwise. Analysts say that battle is likely to continue in the 2026 midterm elections. "There's obviously going to be a fight in the party between progressives and moderates and, as is normal, both are going to claim that the other side had too much influence," said Todd Eberly, a professor of political science at St. Mary's College of Maryland. "Loss really does bring out divisions among the party as they try to figure out the best path forward for them." But political scientists are also noticing a generational shift among the Democratic Party. Roger Hartley, the dean of the University of Baltimore's College of Public Affairs, said a "changing of the guard" is slowly occurring as party mainstays like Biden and U.S. Reps. Steny Hoyer and Nancy Pelosi prepare to move on. That shift was visible in Maryland in 2024, as U.S. Reps. John Sarbanes and Dutch Ruppersburger and U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin declined to seek reelection, paving the way for a younger, more diverse state congressional delegation. "Some of this, I think, is generational, and it's somewhat natural," Hartley said. But, will we see Democrats move to the center, "or are they going to act upon this backlash and make the argument that they just didn't have the right candidates in place?" Regardless, Hartley said that parties tend to reevaluate their values and message after major losses. Like the Republican Party under former President Barack Obama, Hartley said Democrats are struggling to identify a path forward and determining if their values that are under attack, like DEI and immigration, are "worth fighting to the mat for." If they are, he said, they'll run those candidates - likely some with little national name recognition, like governors or current members of Congress. "Democrats probably want fresh and or exciting faces, and that's what they're looking for, and they're looking at their bench and they're trying to find those fresh, exciting faces who can appeal to their voters," Hartley said. Turning point As midterm campaigns begin to ramp up, the Maryland Democratic Party is focused on giving voters a seat at the table and will support candidates who are "willing to fight like hell versus" those interested in maintaining the status quo, said Maryland Democratic Party spokesman Joe Francaviglia. "The Maryland Democratic Party is constantly trying to make sure we bring more voters into the fold and hear as many voices as possible," Francaviglia said. "We never want to be caught by surprise, and so we see election results from across the country and try to understand what are voters saying while trying to put forward our vision for what can make Maryland and our party as strong as possible." Maryland's Democratic Party is also at a critical turning point, as Chair Ken Ulman prepares to step down. Hickel said that this could provide an opportunity for the state party to undergo a tactical shift as it gears up for the 2026 midterm elections. Maryland has a Democratic supermajority and outward unity among its top elected officials. Political infighting among progressive and conservative members of the Democratic Party in a small blue state like Maryland could splinter integrity, making it easier to oust incumbents or flip some seats red. In 2026, every seat in Maryland's 188-member General Assembly will be up for election, and Gov. Wes Moore and Attorney General Anthony Brown, both Democrats, will campaign for their respective second terms in office. Each of the state's U.S. House representatives will also be up for reelection. U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, a Trump ally and the sole Republican member of the Maryland congressional delegation, could also face a significant Democratic challenger. In spite of problems seen among the national party and an incoming state party chair, Maryland Congressman Johnny Olszewski, who won his seat in November, said that there is much "more that unites Democrats, especially in this moment," than divides, and the Trump administration is crystalizing just how stark of a difference there is between Democrats and Republicans." "We know that actions, including legislation we just considered last night" to line the pockets of the ultra-wealthy, eliminate health care coverage for millions of Americans, and end food programs for hungry children "is a reminder of precisely that," Olszewski said in an interview Friday afternoon. "I think were having really important conversations within our party about what our priorities should be." But, with only a little over a year until the midterm elections, will Democrats be able to unify themselves enough to take back Congress? Eberly says, "Absolutely … just because that's what we do." "We elect a unifying government in the general election" and flip Congress in the midterms, he said. "Republicans, right now, in Congress have a very narrow majority" and Trump has an approval rating in the low 40s. "That's a recipe for the party out of power to pick up somewhere around 30 seats." ---------- Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Democrats stuck in political ‘wilderness.' Will they pivot to the center in 2026?
The Democratic Party suffered significant blows in 2024 with President Donald Trump's reelection and the narrow loss of both chambers of Congress. Now, months into the president's second nonconsecutive term, Democratic leadership is left to analyze how the party should move forward. 'I do think, right now, the party … is sort of in the wilderness,' said Flavio Hickel Jr., an associate professor of political science at Washington College. Recent election results aren't providing much clarity. In April, Democrat-backed Judge Susan Crawford beat Trump's pick to fill a seat on the Wisconsin state Supreme Court by 10 points — despite tech billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk dumping millions of dollars into the race. But last week, incumbent Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, a progressive Democrat in a city that leans blue, lost his primary election bid, leaving some to wonder if the national party will take a more centrist foothold as it turns its eyes to the 2026 midterm elections. 'You're going to see that kind of conflict as the party figures out what it wants to do' and 'how it can reconfigure,' Hickel said. There was clear infighting among Democrats in 2024, as President Joe Biden waited nearly a month before the Democratic National Convention to announce his withdrawal from the race, giving Vice President Kamala Harris little time to campaign against a formidable Republican candidate like Trump. The party found itself split between voters who thought Biden was too old and not nearly progressive enough, and those who stood by the incumbent out of party loyalty or otherwise. Analysts say that battle is likely to continue in the 2026 midterm elections. 'There's obviously going to be a fight in the party between progressives and moderates and, as is normal, both are going to claim that the other side had too much influence,' said Todd Eberly, a professor of political science at St. Mary's College of Maryland. 'Loss really does bring out divisions among the party as they try to figure out the best path forward for them.' But political scientists are also noticing a generational shift among the Democratic Party. Roger Hartley, the dean of the University of Baltimore's College of Public Affairs, said a 'changing of the guard' is slowly occurring as party mainstays like Biden and U.S. Reps. Steny Hoyer and Nancy Pelosi prepare to move on. That shift was visible in Maryland in 2024, as U.S. Reps. John Sarbanes and Dutch Ruppersburger and U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin declined to seek reelection, paving the way for a younger, more diverse state congressional delegation. 'Some of this, I think, is generational, and it's somewhat natural,' Hartley said. But, will we see Democrats move to the center, 'or are they going to act upon this backlash and make the argument that they just didn't have the right candidates in place?' Regardless, Hartley said that parties tend to reevaluate their values and message after major losses. Like the Republican Party under former President Barack Obama, Hartley said Democrats are struggling to identify a path forward and determining if their values that are under attack, like DEI and immigration, are 'worth fighting to the mat for.' If they are, he said, they'll run those candidates — likely some with little national name recognition, like governors or current members of Congress. 'Democrats probably want fresh and or exciting faces, and that's what they're looking for, and they're looking at their bench and they're trying to find those fresh, exciting faces who can appeal to their voters,' Hartley said. As midterm campaigns begin to ramp up, the Maryland Democratic Party is focused on giving voters a seat at the table and will support candidates who are 'willing to fight like hell versus' those interested in maintaining the status quo, said Maryland Democratic Party spokesman Joe Francaviglia. 'The Maryland Democratic Party is constantly trying to make sure we bring more voters into the fold and hear as many voices as possible,' Francaviglia said. 'We never want to be caught by surprise, and so we see election results from across the country and try to understand what are voters saying while trying to put forward our vision for what can make Maryland and our party as strong as possible.' Maryland's Democratic Party is also at a critical turning point, as Chair Ken Ulman prepares to step down. Hickel said that this could provide an opportunity for the state party to undergo a tactical shift as it gears up for the 2026 midterm elections. Maryland has a Democratic supermajority and outward unity among its top elected officials. Political infighting among progressive and conservative members of the Democratic Party in a small blue state like Maryland could splinter integrity, making it easier to oust incumbents or flip some seats red. In 2026, every seat in Maryland's 188-member General Assembly will be up for election, and Gov. Wes Moore and Attorney General Anthony Brown, both Democrats, will campaign for their respective second terms in office. Each of the state's U.S. House representatives will also be up for reelection. U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, a Trump ally and the sole Republican member of the Maryland congressional delegation, could also face a significant Democratic challenger. In spite of problems seen among the national party and an incoming state party chair, Maryland Congressman Johnny Olszewski, who won his seat in November, said that there is much 'more that unites Democrats, especially in this moment,' than divides, and the Trump administration is crystalizing just how stark of a difference there is between Democrats and Republicans.' 'We know that actions, including legislation we just considered last night' to line the pockets of the ultra-wealthy, eliminate health care coverage for millions of Americans, and end food programs for hungry children 'is a reminder of precisely that,' Olszewski said in an interview Friday afternoon. 'I think were having really important conversations within our party about what our priorities should be.' But, with only a little over a year until the midterm elections, will Democrats be able to unify themselves enough to take back Congress? Eberly says, 'Absolutely … just because that's what we do.' 'We elect a unifying government in the general election' and flip Congress in the midterms, he said. 'Republicans, right now, in Congress have a very narrow majority' and Trump has an approval rating in the low 40s. 'That's a recipe for the party out of power to pick up somewhere around 30 seats.' ----------
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Conservatives look to hold onto majorities in two large school districts in Cumberland and York counties
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — Two of central Pennsylvania's largest school board districts — both serving all or part of increasingly 'purple' Cumberland County, and both of which currently have conservative majorities — feature hotly-contested races between slates of conservative and liberal candidates. In the West Shore School District, which straddles York and Cumberland counties (including more liberal areas of New Cumberland and more conservative areas of northern York), the board president — Kelly Brent, a conservative — faces opposition in her Region 2 seat (serving areas like Lower Allen Township in Cumberland County) from Teri Mickle, who is backed by most Democrats. Liberals in the district have criticized the board majority for stances it has taken on issues like who can use what bathroom and whether to accept advice from the conservative Independence Law Center. In West Shore's Region 3, on the other hand — serving areas like Fairview Township in York County — liberals hope Brian Guistwhite successfully defends his seat, while conservatives back his challenger, Sandra Gonzalez. In Cumberland Valley, Mike O'Brien — defeated by Janelle Stelson in a 2024 primary election to take on U.S. Rep. Scott Perry (R) — is among three Democrats or Democrat-backed candidates (along with Martin Carreras and Asheleigh Forsburg) vying for two seats representing Hampden Township against conservatives Sandeep K. Kakaria and Selena Ling. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now For the Cumberland Valley seat representing Middlesex and Monroe townships, the more liberal-leaning J. Dave Price and Emily Rosengrant face conservative-leaning Cathi George. And in Silver Spring township, where there's no Democratic ballot, the Democratic party endorsed Brian Allen against GOP-backed Sharisa Nailor and self-described conservative Christian Joan Herbert. As in all of Pennsylvania, polls are open until 8 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Elon Musk Says He Plans to Cut Back Political Spending
Elon Musk attends a cabinet meeting at the White House wearing MAGA (Make America Great Again) hats on April 30. Credit - Andrew Harnik - Getty Images Elon Musk, who spent more than $250 million dollars on Donald Trump's election campaign, has said he plans to reduce political spending, stating "I've done enough". "In terms of political spending, I'm going to do a lot less in the future," the Tesla and SpaceX CEO said when asked about potential involvement in the midterms, during an interview at the Qatar Economic Forum. When questioned whether this was due to "blowback", Musk responded: "Well, if I see a reason to do political spending in the future, I will do it. I do not currently see a reason." Musk, the world's richest man with a personal wealth around $423bn, was the President's largest donor for the 2024 election. Following the election, Musk was given a leading role in the administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a Trump administration initiative aimed at reducing federal spending and bureaucracy. Read more: Inside Elon Musk's War on Washington Since the election, the billionaire also put $13 million towards the Republican candidate Brad Schimel for Wisconsin Supreme Court, which was ultimately won by Democrat-backed Susan Crawford. Read more: 'He's at the Apex of Power Now': A Preview of Trump's Second Term Musk is expected to be reducing his involvement in DOGE, in order to focus on his businesses. In April, he announced that he would be significantly cutting back the time spent working with DOGE amid falls in profits and sales for his electric car company Tesla. Beyond the United States, Musk has also shown support for right-wing parties and candidates. In January, the billionaire endorsed the leader of the AfD party Alice Weidel during an audio livestream on X. 'Only AfD can save Germany, end of story, and people really need to get behind AfD, and otherwise things are going to get very, very much worse in Germany,' Musk said during the livestream. He has also voiced support for the right-wing Reform UK party in the United Kingdom, saying in an X post in December: 'Only Reform can save Britain.' Contact us at letters@
Sydney Morning Herald
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Sydney Morning Herald
Bruised and angry, Elon Musk says he will cut back on political spending
Washington: The world's richest man Elon Musk says he will cut back or completely stop his record-breaking political spending following a bruising start to 2025, in which he ploughed millions into a judicial election and shares in his car company Tesla sank. Musk has also been markedly less visible in Washington and in communications from President Donald Trump and his team. His tenure as a 'special government employee' leading the so-called Department of Government Efficiency is due to expire at the end of May. The Tesla and SpaceX founder spent more than $US250 million ($390 million) supporting Trump in last year's election. He sank another $20 million into supporting a Republican-backed judge for the Wisconsin Supreme Court this year, but the Democrat-backed candidate won. 'In terms of political spending, I'm going to do a lot less in the future,' Musk told the Qatar Economic Forum overnight in an awkward and often combative interview by video link from Austin, Texas. 'I think I've done enough. If I see a reason to do political spending in the future, I will do it. I don't currently see a reason.' Tesla lost hundreds of billions of dollars in value this year as sales crashed and activists targeted his cars and dealerships. Vehicles were hit with graffiti, set on fire and otherwise vandalised, while some Tesla owners sold their cars or affixed stickers denouncing Musk. Musk defended Tesla's performance, saying sales had turned around – although Europe's was still 'weak' – and noting the company's share price had recovered, and its market capitalisation was back above $US1 trillion. Asked about people putting bumper stickers on their Teslas declaring they bought it before 'Elon was crazy', Musk said: 'There are also people buying it because Elon's crazy, or however they may view it. Yes, we've lost some sales, perhaps, on the left, but we've gained them on the right.' Musk was visibly shaken when discussing the activists' campaign against him and his cars, saying they were 'evil' and on the wrong side of history.
