Progressives win Senate primaries despite funding gap

Progressive Senate candidates scored a string of primary victories this week, defeating moderate rivals despite being heavily outspent in key races across the country.

The wins reflect growing energy on the left, as voters increasingly back candidates pushing bold policies like Medicare for All and the Green New Deal. This shift has been building since 2018, when progressives like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez unseated establishment Democrats, signaling a broader realignment within the party. This year, grassroots organizing and small-dollar donations have helped progressive challengers overcome financial disadvantages in races from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin.

In Pennsylvania, John Fetterman, a progressive lieutenant governor, won the Democratic Senate primary with a campaign focused on economic populism and criminal justice reform. In Wisconsin, Mandela Barnes, another progressive, secured the nomination with strong support from unions and activist groups. These victories come even as centrist Democrats and outside groups poured millions into ads attacking progressive candidates, framing them as unelectable in November.

The results set up a test for November: Can progressive candidates translate primary momentum into general election wins in swing states? Their success—or failure—could shape the Democratic Party’s direction for years, influencing policy priorities and campaign strategies in future cycles.