An increasing number of Democratic incumbents are encountering significant challenges from younger progressives, revealing generational and ideological divides within the party.
At least three seasoned members, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif), are currently facing major opposition from younger rivals, and this trend is expected to intensify. This development coincides with growing rumors that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) may consider running against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
The emerging challenges highlight frustrations with Democratic leadership following the party’s defeat last year, indicating a potentially turbulent campaign season ahead of the mid-term elections.
“That’s a pattern seen nationwide,” remarked Jake Lakoff, a former staffer on Capitol Hill who has recently initiated a major campaign against his former boss, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif), regarding his challenge to Pelosi. “When it comes to the new administration, the elected officials are not aligned with the electorate’s desires.”
Having represented California for nearly 40 years, Pelosi now faces threats from tech billionaire Saikat Chakrabarti, a veteran of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) 2016 campaign and former Chief of Staff for Ocasio-Cortez.
“I admire Nancy Pelosi’s achievements over her career, yet we inhabit a vastly different America than the one she entered 45 years ago,” Chakrabarti, 39, stated during the launch for the 11th Congressional District.
Pelosi, now 85, has reportedly submitted documents but has not formally disclosed her intentions regarding a 21st term in 2026. Last year, she was re-elected in her solidly Democratic district with over 60 points against Republican challengers after stepping down from House leadership at the beginning of the cycle.
Last year, Pelosi actively worked to prevent Ocasio-Cortez from leading the Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
“If you’re 50 or younger, or even slightly above, it feels absurd to be categorized as ‘young’ in the Democratic Party,” noted Zach Exley, a former advisor to Sanders and campaign manager for Chakrabarti.
“The Democrats largely continue to operate under 19th-century political seniority, which no longer effectively serves them.”
In California’s 32nd Congressional District, Lakoff, 37, claims that his challenge to Sherman reveals “generational and operational differences” between him and his former boss.
Lakoff previously worked as a communications assistant under Sherman in 2017 before joining Tom Steyer’s presidential campaign in 2020.
Sherman, 70, who is running for his 16th term, told Hill in a phone conversation that he hardly recalls Rakov’s brief tenure in his office and hasn’t encountered him in the district’s political landscape.
“Is it the usual narrative being pushed by those seeking to unseat someone? Or is this a shift from what was said a decade or two ago?” Sherman questioned regarding the messaging from the new generation.
“I’m not someone who claims, ‘Sherman is being challenged by young progressives’,” he clarified, emphasizing that Rakov has acknowledged they share similar progressive values.
A member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), Sherman is also facing at least one other contender, Christopher Ahuja, who was unsuccessful in the previous cycle’s partisan primary. Sherman secured over 30 points in the general election.
“Yes, I possess some seniority and expertise,” Sherman remarked.
In Illinois, social media influencers with upwards of 230,000 TikTok followers are vying to replace Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D) of Prairie’s 9th Congressional District.
“Half of Congress comprises billionaires and those born before the moon landing, which contributes to our current turmoil. Our leaders are disconnected,” declared a statement on her campaign website.
I’m 26 years old and a former video producer for Media Matters for America, a progressive nonprofit news organization that was sued by tech mogul Elon Musk. Abughazaleh didn’t specifically mention Schakowsky in her campaign launch video, but made it evident that the district requires a generational shift.
Schakowsky, 80, was elected in 1998, just a year before her challenger was born. She will serve as Vice-Chair of the CPC and recently secured her 14th term in November, winning by approximately 37 points against her GOP opponents. She has not yet announced her re-election plans.
“I have always encouraged greater participation in the democratic process and welcome new faces to get involved as I confront the Trump administration,” Schakowsky added in a statement issued to Hill. “I will soon finalize my plans.”
“My goal is to mentor and motivate the next generation of leaders, and I look forward to continuing my role regardless of the outcome,” the Illinois representative stated.
There’s rising frustration over Congress’s lack of youthful representation, where the median age of House members stands at 57.5 years. The progressive undercurrent has amplified among Capitol Hill Democrats as they contend with the Republican trifecta in Washington.
Democratic support has plummeted to record lows according to polling by both CNN and NBC News last month. Following a cohort of 10 Senate Democrats who assisted Republicans in passing government funding measures, a coalition of progressive young voters criticized Schumer.
Pelosi, Sherman, and Schakowsky are all situated in secure blue districts, alleviating concerns about whether difficult primaries ahead of the general election could disadvantage candidates and impede Democrats’ efforts to bolster their ranks in Congress.
However, “Democrats would be wise to invest millions instead of competing against one another in opposition to Republicans,” asserts Stephen Maviglio, a seasoned Democratic strategist in California, insisting that new progressives “should focus on making a meaningful impact.”
“Particularly when their voting records remain largely unchanged. Being young doesn’t necessarily enhance that,” Maviglio pointed out.
In the meantime, the number of young progressives entering the political arena is expected to rise.
Punchbowl News reported that Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.) might face a significant challenger in 34-year-old strategist George Hornedo, who is running for the position. Carson has served Indiana’s 7th Congressional District for nine terms, and Hornedo aims for “a new leadership that listens, advocates, and understands the issues.”
Speculation continues regarding whether Ocasio-Cortez, who is touring the country alongside the progressive icon Sanders, might attempt to transition from her House seat to challenge Schumer.
Polling among progressive organizations shows; Politico first reported on Friday that Ocasio-Cortez has emerged as a favorite in an informal primary, enjoying support from 55% of potential Democratic voters compared to Schumer’s 36%, who has held his seat since 1999.
In a recent interview, Jessica Siles, the senior communications director for Voters of Tomorrow, one of the progressive youth organizations that issued a letter to Schumer, stated: “This democratic leadership doesn’t have to solely consist of entirely new candidates.”
Siles pointed to Ocasio-Cortez, 35, Sanders, one of the oldest senators, and Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), the youngest House member.
“Young people should let younger candidates take the stage and allow new and diverse leaders to emerge. But let’s also uplift and support the reliable leaders we have as they navigate this moment,” she concluded.
