But privately, many see the surge in far-left challengers as an expensive headache that distracts from the party’s goal of seizing control of Congress next November. Rep. Suzan DelBene, who leads House Democrats’ campaign arm, acknowledged that protecting those incumbents “takes some resources.” But she made clear that her focus is on swing-seats needed to flip the House. The surge in far-left challengers has also exasperated Democrats like Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, who now has to run for reelection in one of the toughest districts for Democrats after Texas Republicans redrew the House map. A third Democrat, Rep. Brad Sherman in California, raised $322,000. That state’s “jungle primary” rules mean that the top-two finishers will make it to the general election ballot, regardless of party.)

Source: CNN December 21, 2025 18:31 UTC