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ELECTIONS

Progressive left and socialist candidates shaping the 2026 midterms

Portrait of Emily R. Condon Emily R. Condon
Sept. 16, 2026, 2:31 p.m. ET
Democrats saw a burst of momentum following the successful campaign of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani . From grassroots movements to national races, here are the progressive candidates running in 2026 midterms . Abdul El-Sayed is a former Detroit-based public health official who is Michigan's Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. He is a progressive, defeating the more moderate U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens in the primary, but El-Sayed has said he is not a democratic socialist.
Democrats saw a burst of momentum following the successful campaign of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. From grassroots movements to national races, here are the progressive candidates running in 2026 midterms.

Abdul El-Sayed is a former Detroit-based public health official who is Michigan's Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. He is a progressive, defeating the more moderate U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens in the primary, but El-Sayed has said he is not a democratic socialist.
Rebecca Cook, REUTERS
Democratic U.S. Senate nominee and Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon is a member of her local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Democratic U.S. Senate nominee and Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon is a member of her local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Unio, USA TODAY Network Via Reuters Co
Michigan 12th U.S. District Rep. Rashida Tlaib is one of two Democratic Socialists of America members in Congress, and she is running for reelection.
Michigan 12th U.S. District Rep. Rashida Tlaib is one of two Democratic Socialists of America members in Congress, and she is running for reelection.
Ryan Garza, USA TODAY Network Via Reuters Connect
Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton is the state's Democratic nominee for it's Senate race, but like El-Sayed, she is a progressive left candidate who does not identify as a democratic socialist.
Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton is the state's Democratic nominee for it's Senate race, but like El-Sayed, she is a progressive left candidate who does not identify as a democratic socialist.
Kara Hawley/Rockford Register St, USA TODAY Network Via Reuters Connect
Darializa Avila Chevalier, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. House or Representatives, is endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America's New York City chapter, of which she is a member.
Darializa Avila Chevalier, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. House or Representatives, is endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America's New York City chapter, of which she is a member.
Eduardo Munoz/Reuters
New York state Rep. Claire Valdez is the Democratic nominee for New York's 7th Congressional District. She is a a leader in the New York City Democratic Socialists of America, and they endorsed her.
New York state Rep. Claire Valdez is the Democratic nominee for New York's 7th Congressional District. She is a a leader in the New York City Democratic Socialists of America, and they endorsed her.
Eduardo Munoz, REUTERS
Wisconsin state Rep. Francesca Hong lost in the Democratic primary to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, the more moderate pick. Hong is a Democratic Socialists of America member.
Wisconsin state Rep. Francesca Hong lost in the Democratic primary to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, the more moderate pick. Hong is a Democratic Socialists of America member.
Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal, USA TODAY Network Via Reuters Co
In Colorado, democratic socialist Melat Kiros is the Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado's 1st Congressional District.
In Colorado, democratic socialist Melat Kiros is the Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado's 1st Congressional District.
Elizabeth Frantz, REUTERS
Democratic socialist Michigan state Rep. Donavan McKinney from Detroit is the Democratic nominee for Michigan's 13th Congressional District.
Democratic socialist Michigan state Rep. Donavan McKinney from Detroit is the Democratic nominee for Michigan's 13th Congressional District.
Ryan Garza, USA TODAY Network Via Reuters Connect
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