“Establishment Democrats”

Wisconsin Gubernatorial Race Divides Democrats

Ronald 3 Comments

The state of Wisconsin has no Senate race in 2026, but does have a gubernatorial race to succeed Democratic Governor Tony Evers, who chose not to run for reelection, after two terms, even though he was eligible under the state constitution to run again, had he chosen to do so.

The Republican nominee will be Congressman Tom Tiffany, but the Democrats are deeply divided between “Establishment” Democrats and “Democratic Socialists”.

Three Democrats are contending, with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley endorsed by Governor Evers.

Also running is former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, backed by California Senator Adam Schiff, and state assemblywoman Francesca Hong, who is backed by California Congressman Ro Khanna, and identifies with “Democratic Socialism”.

The thought is that Hong may have an edge in public opinion polls, but would have more trouble winning the race against Tom Tiffany, than either Crowley, or Barnes.

Were Hong to end up as the nominee, she would be the highest ranking “Democratic Socialist” on the ballot in the nation in November, other than Michigan Senate contender Abdul El Sayed if he defeats Haley Stevens in the primary on August 4, more prominent than the two women in New York City and the woman in Denver who have been nominated, and likely will sit in Congress.

Hong would be seen, if she won in the primary on August 11, as the most prominent “Democratic Socialist”, as would El Sayed, if either won, other than NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

But there is strong concern that not only could Michigan’s Senate race go to the Republicans, but also that the Wisconsin Governorship could go to the Republicans, if the opposition can convice voters that El Sayed and Hong are too extremist in their orientation.

Democratic Party Division In Michigan Could Affect Senate Race And Majority In The 120th Congress (2027-2029)

Ronald 26 Comments

In the first two weeks of August, the upper Midwest states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota will hold primaries for Governor and US Senate, along with House races and state legislative races.

The Democratic Party is facing splits, whereby “Democratic Socialists” are challenging establishment Democrats, which might lead to future problems against Republican opponents.

Today, the situation in Michigan will be discussed, followed by Wisconsin and Minnesota over the next two days.

In Michigan, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is running for Governor, while the likely Republican nominee is African American Congressman John James, who ran unsuccessfully for the Senate in 2018 and 2020, after graduating West Point and serving for eight years in the military.

More controversial is the battle for the Democratic Senate nomination between Congresswoman Haley Stevens and physician Abdul El Sayed, who was Health Director for Detroit and for Wayne County, and was a competitor in 2018 for the Michigan Gubernatorial race.

Abdul El Sayed is backed by Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Chris Van Hollen, and Elizabeth Warren, and is vehemently opposed by the pressure group AIPAC, since he is a major critic of Israel and its war in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank against Palestinians.

Stevens is supported by mainstream Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, among others.

The concern of many is that Abdul El Sayed, who would be the first Muslim Senator if he won the Senate race, would have major problems against Republican Congressman Mike Rogers in the election, when Democrats need to gain four seats in the Senate to win the majority of the chamber, and with Democratic Senator Gary Peters presently holding that seat.

The strong belief of many is that IF Michigan is lost to the Republicans, there is no way for Democrats to gain the four seats needed to be the majority in the US Senate in the 120th Congress (2027-2029).

“Fight Club” Democrats In Senate Resist Leadership Of Minority Leader Chuck Schumer

Ronald 11 Comments

A substantial group of leftward leaning Senate Democrats have resisted the leadership of Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and are in process of pushing for a more leftward trend by Democrats nationally, and have been labeled “Fight Club”.

This group, includes the following Senators:

Chris Van Hollen of Maryland
Tina Smith of Minnesota
Chris Murphy of Connecticut
Bernie Sanders of Vermont
Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts
Ed Markey of Massachusetts
Jeff Merkley of Oregon
Martin Heinrich of New Mexico

and some House Democrats are also promoting a more leftward trend, including:

Ro Khanna of California
Pramila Jayapal of Washington
Yassamin Ansari of Arizona
Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts

Already, this Senate group has “won” with the withdrawal from the Maine Senate race of Governor Janet Mills, leading to the clear nomination of “rabble-rouser” Oyster Farmer, Graham Platner, to oppose Republican Senator Susan Collins in the upcoming Midterm Elections of 2026.

Whether this strategy of challenging the “Establishment” Democrats will work is yet to be seen, but there is a battle going on for how the Democrats should approach the challenge of Donald Trump, with the hope that it would lead to Democratic control of the US Senate in the 120th Congress (2027-2029).

Among those states with competitive Democratic Senate primaries, besides what Maine was until yesterday, are the following which are favored over others:

Michigan–Abdul El-Sayed or Mallory McMorrow over Haley Stevens
Minnesota–Peggy Flanagan over Angie Craig

However, the “Fight Club” is not opposing:

North Carolina–Roy Cooper
Ohio–Sherrod Brown
Alaska–Mary Peltola
Georgia–Jon Ossoff

And already, Julia Stratton in Illinois and James Talarico in Texas are major positives in the “Fight Club” view.

The election returns in November will give the answer as to whether the leftward tilt was the smart way to go!

What An Inspiring, Emotional Night At The Democratic National Convention!

Ronald Leave a comment

It was hard not to be emotional about the speeches at the Democratic National Convention this evening.

There were so many good speeches, that it is hard to rank them, as they all hit home!

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro all did a magnificent job in their speeches!

Many of the above can be seen as potential future rivals for the Presidency in 2016 or beyond, with particular attention given to Booker, Castro, and O’Malley. There is a lot of “fresh blood” in the Democratic Party to follow Barack Obama, along with the “Establishment” figures, including Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden!

And First Lady Michelle Obama gave the best public speech ever delivered by a First Lady, including Hillary Clinton, and she made us all proud, that we are fortunate to have such a talented, brilliant First Lady available to help her husband when he needs advice, counsel, or just a friendly pat on the back or a hug, in difficult times!