Socialist Democratic Party Deepens Rift Within the Party in 2026 Primaries

Tiffany Smiley and Richard Fowler discuss the increasing presence of socialism in the Democratic Party, particularly focusing on the Colorado primary and candidates associated with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). They explore how these candidates influence party cohesion and whether their policies might be linked to a rise in crime in urban areas.

The DSA has recently turned its attention to Colorado.
In the Rocky Mountain states, several primaries are coming up, and they represent the latest front in the ongoing conflict between far-left ideologies and the center-left establishment over the Democratic Party’s trajectory.

“Today it’s the East Coast, next week it’s the West,” the DSA remarked on social media shortly after some significant wins in New York City congressional primaries.

This statement followed the election of Dariaza Avila Chevalier, a 32-year-old community organizer who supports DSA, who unseated incumbent Congressman Adriano Espaira, also the chair of the Hispanic Congressional Caucus. Additionally, state representative Claire Valdez, another democratic socialist, triumphed over an established candidate.

The victories of Chevalier and Valdez, backed strongly by New York Mayor Zoran Mamdani—a democratic socialist—have served to embolden the far left as they challenge the more moderate elements within the Democratic Party.

With their recent success, the DSA is looking to expand this approach nationally. The Democratic primary in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District is set to kick off soon. This district is heavily Democratic, linked to Denver, and was won by then-Vice President Kamala Harris by a remarkable 56 points in the 2024 election.

Representative Diana DeGette, who has been in Congress for three decades, is now facing two primary challengers including Melat Quiros, who is endorsed by the DSA. Quiros, a first-time candidate and former attorney, entered the race at a time when DeGette first took office—she was born just four months afterward.

Quiros lost his legal job in New York after publishing an essay that criticized Israel and is also supported by Justice Democrats, a political group known for backing candidates like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar, who have successfully ousted established incumbents in previous elections.

The underlying divide within the Democratic Party will additionally play out in the primary for the adjacent 8th Congressional District, located north of Denver along Interstate 25.

State Rep. Manny Lutinel is contending more leftward against former Rep. Shannon Byrd. The victor will face Republican Rep. Gabe Evans, who flipped his seat in the previous cycle. This contest is expected to be one of the many pivotal races that could determine whether Republicans maintain a slim House majority in the upcoming midterms.

Immigration is a significant topic in this district’s Democratic primary, where approximately 40% of the population is Latino. Lutinel has criticized Byrd for a previous vote against limiting cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE.

The DSA’s aim appears focused on expanding their New York state strategies nationwide following recent victories.

Another example of the divide within the party was highlighted in the Senate nomination race between incumbent John Hickenlooper, aged 74, and progressive Julie Gonzalez, 43. Hickenlooper, a former mayor of Denver and two-term governor, had previously enjoyed a significant advantage over Gonzalez but now feels that gap has narrowed.

The winner will face Republican state Sen. Mark Bazley, who is currently unopposed in the primary.

“People are frustrated,” noted Shannon Jackson, a progressive strategist, as she reflected on last week’s election outcomes. She pointed out that the messages from recent winners emphasize the need for Medicare for All, making life affordable, and advocating for a living wage—views that progressives have been promoting for years.

Meanwhile, the highly contested Democratic gubernatorial primary involves Sen. Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser.

Bennet and Weiser are considered the frontrunners to succeed outgoing Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, who made history as the first openly gay governor elected in the U.S.

Weiser has made moves to position himself to Bennet’s left on certain matters, particularly emphasizing his legal battles against Donald Trump, which have undoubtedly raised his profile within the party.

The winner will eventually face multiple Republican candidates, including State Rep. Scott Bottoms, State Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer, and Victor Marx, who is both a pastor and Marine Corps veteran.