This is really great news for Democrats. If the pattern can be repeated, we might have a chance to make a difference in these midterms.

https://www.axios.com/2026/03/18/the-squad-left-suffers-complete-wipeout-in-illinois
#2026Midterms #election2026 #democrats

The "Squad" left suffers complete wipeout in Illinois

Even the progressive primary candidates seen as most viable lost their races.

Axios

@rob

Yep the Democrats didn’t need the left in 2024.

I’m sure all of the Democrats who want the party to move farther to the right will show up in November.

Great news. What could possibly go wrong.

@troy_frizzell
First of all, the people that won these primaries are hardly right-wing.

I think the worst thing about the left today is their lack of faith in winning elections. Kind of reminds me of a certain person occupying the white house right now. There's no reason to persuade others - the facts are obvious to everyone. Right? RIGHT?

Replies like this remind me that Democrats have a lot of peril in November.

@rob

I must not have expressed myself well. I certainly didn't want to imply anyone who won is right wing. It was sarcasm, there are no Democrats on the right.

I'm saying that there are more votes to be had by the Democrats on the left than there are on the right.

The primaries are the primaries. In the general election, the Democrats are going to need the votes that went to those losing candidates. Democrats pivoted to the center in 2024 and lost. All they have to do is, not do that.

@troy_frizzell
I think you expressed yourself well, and I am expressing general anxiety and not anger directed at you.

The issue is this: the average American voter is not as left as the Democrats that you hope to win office. And I take your point that left-leaning voters want to have everything they want without compromise and will "stay at home" when their candidates lose primaries. Even worse, some far-left candidates get through, tarnishing the already terrible Democrat brand.

@rob

Wow man.

Have you considered attacking the fascists as hard as you are attacking your allies? Or are you saying the left has no place in the Democratic party so we're not your allies?

@troy_frizzell
I’m saying the left has given up on winning elections.

You said yourself that the Democrats won’t show up and vote if the candidates aren’t left enough.

@rob

OK, cool.

We agree that the Democratic Party needs the left to win.

We agree that the way to get the left to vote is to agree to some of their policies.

So, agree to some that aren't "far left." Whatever that means.