Progressive Candidates Challenge Democrats in Key 2026 Primaries

The fallout from a punishing 2024 election cycle for US Democrats is playing out in early congressional primaries, as candidates embracing unapologetically progressive platforms – including calls for abolishing ICE and a dramatic reset of US foreign policy – test the appetite for change. With the November midterm elections poised to determine control of the House and Senate, and thus the latter half of Donald Trump’s second term, these races are being closely watched as a barometer of the party’s direction.

Nida Allam, a 32-year-old Durham County Commissioner, and Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old journalist and researcher, are at the forefront of this challenge. Both are running campaigns centered on issues like abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), reassessing US policy in the wake of the war in Gaza, reversing recent rights rollbacks, and prioritizing worker-friendly policies. Their candidacies come as the US grapples with the aftermath of strikes on Iran and retaliatory actions in the region, prompting calls for greater congressional oversight of presidential power.

A Rematch in North Carolina’s 4th District

Allam’s primary, scheduled for March 3rd, pits her against Representative Valerie Foushee in North Carolina’s 4th congressional district, a tech and research hub encompassing Durham. This isn’t their first encounter. In 2022, Foushee defeated Allam in a crowded primary, benefiting from significant outside spending, including funds from a super PAC linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). The stakes are high as the November vote will decide which party controls Congress.

Allam, who in 2020 became the first Muslim woman elected to public office in North Carolina, is leaning into her identity and her commitment to progressive values. “My leadership has always been rooted in being unapologetically proud of who I am,” she stated, as reported by Al Jazeera. She frames her campaign as a necessary risk, arguing that the time for compromise is over. “If we don’t step into these moments of discomfort and take these risks, then I don’t know what world I’m going to be leaving behind for my children,” she said. Her parents immigrated to the US from India and Pakistan, and she became a naturalized citizen as a teenager. Her background informs her policy positions, particularly regarding immigration and civil rights.

Allam’s campaign has gained traction, but faces a well-funded opponent. Foushee has pledged to forego AIPAC funding this cycle, but still benefits from support from AI super PACs. The race has already become the most expensive in state history, with at least $4.2 million in outside money injected into the contest, according to NC Newsline.

Chicago’s 9th District: A Test of Democratic Resolve

Two weeks after Allam’s primary, Kat Abughazaleh will compete in a crowded field of 15 Democrats vying to replace retiring US Representative Jan Schakowsky in Illinois’ 9th congressional district. This district is known for its ethnic and political diversity, stretching across the northern Chicago suburbs. Abughazaleh is considered one of three frontrunners, alongside local mayor Daniel Biss and state senator Laura Fine.

Abughazaleh, a Palestinian American whose grandparents were survivors of the Nakba, has quickly gained attention for her direct and uncompromising style. “I believe part of the reason that our campaign has been so successful… is because a lot of people saw someone just speaking honestly and openly about the Democratic Party needing to, as I said then, grow a [expletive] spine,” she told Al Jazeera. She criticizes what she sees as a tendency within the party to prioritize political expediency over principle.

Abughazaleh’s campaign launch went viral, fueled by a willingness to challenge the status quo. She’s also running a “mutual aid centre” from her campaign office, aiming to directly connect with and support the community. Her candidacy gained further momentum following the upset primary victory of Analilia Mejia in New Jersey in early February, signaling a potential shift within the party.

The Echoes of 2024 and the Rise of the “Uncommitted” Movement

The enthusiasm surrounding Allam and Abughazaleh reflects a broader attempt by progressives to regain momentum after a challenging 2024 election cycle. While the “squad” – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib, Jamaal Bowman, Ilhan Omar, Cori Bush, and Summer Lee – expanded the left wing of the Democratic party in recent years, Bush and Bowman both lost their primary races in 2024, facing significant opposition funded by groups like AIPAC. AIPAC spent over $100 million across primary races that year.

The “uncommitted movement” during the 2024 Democratic presidential primary, where voters cast ballots to protest Washington’s support for Israel, further highlighted a disconnect between party leadership and a significant portion of the Democratic base. Polls consistently show majority Democratic opposition to unconditional support for Israel.

Usamah Andrabi, communications director for Justice Democrats, emphasized the need for a renewed focus on grassroots priorities. “We learned what we’ve always known, which is that the Democratic Party leadership… are deeply out of step with the grassroots and everyday people in this party,” he said. “They should be looking to what people are marching in the streets for, what millions of people across the country are demanding.”

Personal Stories Fueling Political Action

Both Allam and Abughazaleh bring deeply personal experiences to their campaigns. Allam’s political awakening was shaped by the 2015 killing of her friends Deah Barakat, Yusor Abu-Salha, and Razan Abu-Salha, which she believes was motivated by hate. She also points to the creation of ICE following the September 11th attacks and the subsequent targeting of Muslim and Arab American communities. She recently released an advertisement focusing on the bombing of a girls’ school in Iran, vowing to be a “pro-peace leader.”

Abughazaleh’s experiences include attending the 2024 Democratic National Convention amid protests over the party’s stance on Palestine and being indicted for participating in a demonstration outside an ICE detention center in Broadview, Illinois. She views the indictment as a politically motivated attack on her constitutional rights. She recalls experiencing anti-Arab sentiment as a child in post-9/11 Texas.

What Comes Next

Both campaigns are bracing for the final stretch, facing significant ad buys from outside groups. The outcomes of these primaries will not only provide a snapshot of Democratic voter sentiment but could also influence the party’s broader strategy heading into the crucial midterm elections. The results will be closely watched by party leadership as they navigate a complex political landscape and attempt to regain control of Congress.