by David Shephard, ©2026
(Aug. 4, 2026) — Tonight will offer us a good bit of insight into the direction of the Democratic Party for 2026 and heading into 2028. Is the socialist rise broad and deep or is it simply confined to deep blue districts and states? Can establishment Democrats stop them? So far this year socialists have done very well; they have won primaries and even beaten some incumbents in New York and Colorado and Maine, but now the primary shows are playing in Michigan and Wisconsin, which are swing states. A socialist making it in New York (known as the Commie Corridor) is not a surprise, but if a socialist makes it in Michigan or Wisconsin, then they can make it anywhere. This has to concern mainstream Democrats.
There are two big races to watch on Tuesday. There is a Senate race in Michigan between the socialist-backed Abdul El-Sayed and the “moderate” Democrat Rep. Haley Stevens. The non-socialist Democrat establishment cleared the field for Stevens, and yet most of the polls indicate that not only is Sayed leading, but his lead appears to be growing. Abdul El-Sayed is associated with the Democratic Socialists of America, but he did say recently that he believes in ,. Such a false claim reminds me of Barack Obama’s claim in 2008 that he believed that marriage was an institution between a man and a woman. The LGBT community knew he was lying, so they backed him hard, and the DSA knows that El-Sayed is also lying about his support for capitalism. They know he is with them, so they are backing him, indeed, backing him very aggressively.
This race is the clearest contest between a socialist-backed candidate and an establishment- backed candidate in a non-crazy swing state that we have seen this cycle. A victory by El-Sayed will be the clearest sign yet that the Democratic Party is in the middle of a hostile takeover.
The second big race to watch is in Wisconsin, where it looks as if the DSA-backed candidate for governor, Francesca Hong, is likely to win the Democratic Party nomination. By profession Hong is a bartender, a failed business owner, a young person and a socialist, probably not the type of person who should run a state. In addition to being a socialist, she also wants to abolish the police, and she claims that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, known as ICE, is a “rogue” federal agency – whatever that means.
If she wins the nomination, which is likely, and then goes on to beat Republican Tom Tiffany, which I doubt, she will become the only socialist governor in America. Congratulations, Wisconsin!
I must say I find it odd that people would want to elect a socialist for governor. Such an act should be considered an act of economic suicide. I say that because states raise money largely through sales taxes, which rely on the state’s companies’ selling lots of goods and services, and through income taxes, which requires that their companies be prosperous. If they are not prosperous it will be hard for them to retain employees and impossible to hire new people. More workers translate into more taxpayers, which means more tax revenue for the state. A governor who is anti-capitalistic, which a socialist is, can only do harm to his or her state.
Every governor in the country tries to lure business and investment to their state. If Wisconsinites elect a socialist governor, they will be sending a message that they don’t want business. Wisconsin will be setting itself up for failure.
Democrats like the energy and enthusiasm that the socialists bring to the party, but socialism is bad policy and bad politics. According to a Washington Post/Ipsos poll, 55 percent of respondents wouldn’t even consider voting for a socialist. If Democrats accept the socialists, welcome them into the “big tent,” endorse and campaign for them, they will be linked to them not just for this cycle but for many cycles to come.
Establishment Democrats have shown no ability so far to push back against the socialists, and if the socialists win today in Michigan and Wisconsin, they will be emboldened to complete their takeover.
David Shephard is a native and very proud Virginian. Raised in Fairfax County, David graduated from George Mason University and majored in Government and Politics. He spent decades in politics, campaign consulting, raising money and lobbying. He is also a longtime conservative blogger writing for numerous blogs. He is also the host of “The Virginia Gentleman Podcast.”
David is the author of Elections Have Consequences, A Cautionary Tale, and his latest book, Norton’s Choice: An Inside Politics Exposé.