The high-stakes fight between the left-wing and the center-left establishment for the future of the is moving to a much larger stage.
After victories by far-left and socialist candidates in dark blue congressional districts in New York City and Colorado the past couple of weeks drew plenty of national attention, the spotlight now shifts to Midwestern battlegrounds.
Hours after (DSA) backed challenger and first-time candidate Melat Kiros toppled 15-term Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette in last week’s primary in Denver’s deep blue 1st Congressional District, former Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri predicted on social media: “On August 4th, St. Louis will do the same.”
A trio of far-left congressional candidates’ victories heavily supported by socialist New York City Mayor have emboldened progressives as they try to turn their upsets into a far-left national pressure campaign against the Democratic Party.
“Only socialism can solve decades of capitalist mismanagement in the US. Our newly elected leaders will fight for the working class â not for crumbs,” the DSA proclaimed in a social media post celebrating the string of primary election victories.
DSA-backed Bush is running to win back her seat in the Missouri’s St. Louis-anchored 1st Congressional District. The far left is also training its firepower on  which holds its primary on the same day as Missouri on Aug. 4.
One week later, on Aug. 11, Wisconsin will hold its primary elections. That’s where DSA-backed state Rep. Francesca Hong is on the rise among a crowded field of candidates in the race to succeed retiring Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
“Its a great day to be a democratic socialist,” Hong posted on X last month after the progressive victories in New York City, in which two Democratic congressional incumbents lost renomination. “Wisconsin is next!”
It’s undeniable that progressives are gaining momentum and attention, but the real test will come in November when they face-off with Republicans and find out if their message on Medicare for all, the Green New Deal, higher taxes on the rich and abolishing ICE will resonate when the stakes are higher.
Ahead of upcoming primaries, Fox News Digital takes a look at the 19 Democratic incumbents and 20 candidates who have won nomination so far this year who are backed by either the DSA or two other far-left groups, Justice Democrats (JD) and the Working Families Party (WFP).
Charles Booker – Kentucky Senate
WFP-backed Charles Booker is making his third bid for the Senate in red-leaning Kentucky.
A former state representative, Booker lost in the 2020 Senate primary but won the nomination two years later before losing by over 23 points to Republican Sen. Rand Paul.
This time around, Booker defeated Amy McGrath, the 2020 Senate nominee, in Kentucky’s May primary and is the underdog in the general election against GOP Rep. Andy Barr.
The winner will succeed former Republican Senate Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, who is in the throes of a health scare and retiring this year after four decades in the chamber.
Bob Brooks – Pennsylvania 7th Congressional District
Brooks, a retired firefighter and president of the Pennsylvania Fire Fighters Association, was handpicked by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro to run for Congress.
The WFP-backed Brooks won the May Democratic primary in a swing district in northeast Pennsylvania, and is challenging incumbent GOP Rep. Ryan Mackenzie in a midterm race that’s among two or three dozen that will determine if Republicans hold their razor-thin House majority.
Connie Chan – California 11 Congressional District
Chan, born in Hong Kong and endorsed by the WFP, serves on the San Francisco Board of Sup
