Following the victories of three democratic socialists in the Democratic congressional primary on June 23 in deep blue New York City, the fourth such win came this week on Tuesday in a Denver district.
“I’m excited to see so many candidates running unapologetically on bold, people-first agendas in cities across the country,” India Walton told the Institute for Public Accuracy today.
Walton is a longtime community activist and democratic socialist who won the Democratic primary election for mayor of Buffalo in 2021 against a 16-year incumbent. As described by USA Today, the mayor then won re-election that November after he “campaigned as a write-in candidate, with backing from business groups, Republicans and police.”
But since last year, a wave of victories for democratic socialists in mayoral elections and congressional primaries has shocked the Democratic Party establishment.
“From New York to Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, these victories remind us that when everyday people organize, they can overcome enormous political and financial barriers,” Walton said. “I know firsthand how difficult it is to challenge entrenched political machines. These campaigns show that voters are hungry for leaders who will take on inequality, fight for working families, and put communities ahead of corporations. This can no longer be considered a fluke – these victories represent a growing movement demanding a more just, democratic future.”
Yesterday, The Guardian published an article by Norman Solomon analyzing the political shift: “Progressive Primary Victories Have Corporate Democrats Panicking.” Solomon is IPA’s executive director.
INDIA WALTON, [email protected]
Walton is currently the senior strategist for RootsAction.