DSA co-chair: 'Establishment Democrats should be worried about the voters'

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) dismissed warnings from former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel that the so-called “Bernie Bros”, progressive Democratic supporters, could jeopardize the party’s prospects in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. During an appearance on Face the Nation with host Margaret Brennan, Sanders emphasized that the rising influence of progressive candidates reflects a broad demand for change among voters, rather than a threat to the Democratic Party’s viability. “We have a strong division within the Democratic Party,” Sanders said. “You have an establishment like Rahm Emanuel, who are dependent on billionaire campaign contributions to want to maintain the status quo. Then you have a progressive movement which, by the way, what is getting these guys there is that we are winning all over this country.” Emanuel’s op-ed, published in the Wall Street Journal, argued that the surge of Democratic Socialist of America (DSA)-aligned candidates could undermine the party’s ability to win seats in November. He warned that the focus on cultural issues such as defunding the police, border control, and prison reform might alienate large segments of the electorate, particularly independents and disaffected Republicans. “This is not about ideology, it’s about policy,” Emanuel wrote. “It was socialists who led the charge to defund the police, open the borders, abolish prisons, release violent criminals onto the streets and degrade the flag. We know those are electoral losers.” Sanders countered that voters are increasingly frustrated with the status quo and are seeking tangible solutions to systemic problems. “The American people are tired of a rigged economy, a corrupt campaign finance system, they want real change,” he said. “They don’t want a Rahm Emanuel and the establishment maintaining the status quo.” The senator highlighted the success of progressive candidates in recent primaries, noting that they have won key races in New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. These victories, he argued, demonstrate that voters are gravitating toward candidates who prioritize economic justice and social equity. Meanwhile, Megan Romer, a co-chair of the DSA, expressed similar concerns during an appearance on Fox News Sunday. She asserted that establishment Democrats should be concerned about the preferences of ordinary voters, emphasizing that progressive candidates are resonating more effectively with constituents. “Establishment Democrats should be worried about the voters and about what the voters think and about what the constituency thinks,” Romer said. “Right now they have not been delivering, and our candidates are and have been, and it’s resonating with voters.” Romer also criticized former Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison, who had called for candidates who reject the Democratic Party to avoid using its resources and infrastructure. Romer argued that the current system inherently disadvantages third-party candidates, making it difficult for them to gain ballot access. “These are the very same arguments that have been used against us for years,” Romer said. “We run on the Democratic ballot line where it makes sense. We run independently sometimes where that is a viable possibility, but it’s a ballot line. What matters is what the voters think.” Political analysts have noted that the rise of progressive candidates reflects a broader shift in voter priorities. Doug Sosnik, a veteran political strategist and former advisor to President Bill Clinton, suggested that the success of DSA-backed candidates validates the appeal of economic populist policies. “People not only want change, but they also want their elected officials to focus on the middle class and break up a system that currently favors the rich and powerful,” Sosnik said. “That has been a consistent pattern throughout the primaries so far.” As the 2026 midterms approach, the battle between establishment Democrats and progressive forces continues to intensify. With millions of dollars being spent by outside groups to support traditional candidates, the question remains whether the momentum behind progressive movements can translate into actual electoral gains.