Democrats in closely contested Senate and House races are pushing back against Republican efforts to label their party as communist, a strategy they argue has intensified as progressive candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America have won key primary victories. The GOP’s midterm convention this month highlighted this framing, with lawmakers and allies increasingly tying left-wing policies to ideological extremes. With midterm elections looming, the debate over economic and social platforms has sharpened, as Democrats seek to distance themselves from the label while defending their policy priorities. The clash underscores how primary wins by progressive factions are reshaping the party’s messaging ahead of November.
Democrats in tight Senate and House contests are fighting back against efforts to brand their party as communists, an effort they say has taken on new urgency in a midterm cycle that has seen candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) dominate in high-profile primary races. At the Republican midterm convention this month,...
