Bernie Sanders has declared that the progressive wing of the Democratic Party is “winning all over” the United States, as an internal dispute over the party’s direction intensifies ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The Vermont senator said establishment Democrats were becoming increasingly concerned by victories achieved by progressive candidates, citing contests in New York City, New Jersey, Ohio and Colorado.
“You have an establishment, like Rahm Emanuel, who are dependent on billionaire campaign contributors and want to maintain the status quo,” Mr Sanders said. “Then you have a progressive movement which, by the way, what is getting these guys nervous is we are winning all over this country.”
He argued that voters were rejecting both the Democratic and Republican establishments because of frustrations over economic inequality and the influence of wealthy donors. “The American people are tired of a rigged economy, a corrupt campaign finance system. They want real change,” he said.
Mr Sanders has made similar claims in recent statements, pointing to progressive victories including Zohran Mamdani’s election as mayor of New York City and the success of congressional candidates in states including Arizona, New Jersey, Ohio and Colorado.
His comments came in response to criticism from Mr Emanuel, a former White House chief of staff and Chicago mayor, who warned that Democratic candidates needed to win elections that changed the balance of power rather than simply prevail in contests within already Democratic areas.
Mr Emanuel said victories in Democratic primaries or in heavily blue districts did not necessarily bring the party closer to passing policies such as a higher minimum wage or universal healthcare. He argued that Democrats should focus on turning Republican-held seats blue in order to gain the power to legislate.
The exchange reflects a continuing argument over whether Democrats should prioritise moderate candidates capable of winning swing seats or embrace a more explicitly progressive platform focused on healthcare, wages, housing and campaign-finance reform.
Mr Sanders has said progressive candidates are succeeding because they are addressing the economic pressures facing working families and offering concrete solutions, rather than relying solely on opposition to Donald Trump.
With the midterm elections approaching, he has urged Democrats not only to regain control of Congress but to elect candidates prepared to challenge billionaires, super PACs and what he describes as the party’s political establishment.
