Democrats split as 2026 Senate primaries loom | JQJO

Back-to-back wins by a democratic socialist in New York and moderates in Virginia and New Jersey ignited a fight over the Democrats’ future. Centrists like Abigail Spanberger tout pragmatism; progressives like Zohran Mamdani urge boldness. The clash moves to 2026, with competitive Senate primaries in Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan and Minnesota. Bernie Sanders has endorsed in Michigan and Maine and drawn more than 300,000 to his tour. Flash points include Michigan’s three-way race, Maine’s contest shadowed by questions about Graham Platner, Minnesota’s Flanagan versus Craig, and Massachusetts, where Seth Moulton challenges Ed Markey as Ayanna Pressley weighs a run.