Midterms 2026
There’s a New Democratic Machine. It’s Unabashedly Socialist.
While establishment Democrats argue socialists are confined to the coasts, DSA chapters have helped elevate more than 300 candidates nationwide.
Akela Lacy
Akela Lacy is a Senior Politics Reporter at The Intercept and co-host of The Intercept Briefing podcast. She was previously The Intercept’s inaugural Ady Barkan Reporting Fellow; prior to that, she was a Politics Fellow in the D.C. Bureau.
She has also worked at Politico, covering breaking news and immigration. She produced Politico’s flagship newsletter, Playbook, and co-authored the afternoon newsletter, Playbook PM. Prior to that, Lacy worked in international reporting at the Pulitzer Center. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a B.A. in sociology and Italian. She is based in New York.
She has also worked at Politico, covering breaking news and immigration. She produced Politico’s flagship newsletter, Playbook, and co-authored the afternoon newsletter, Playbook PM. Prior to that, Lacy worked in international reporting at the Pulitzer Center. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a B.A. in sociology and Italian. She is based in New York.
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Midterms 2026
Socialist Momentum Grows as Melat Kiros Wins in Denver
A democratic socialist who lost her job for speaking out about Gaza unseated a 29-year incumbent.
Midterms 2026
Socialists Are Surging. In Colorado, a 29-Year Incumbent Is Sweating.
Rep. Diana DeGette didn’t take a socialist challenger seriously. Now she’s scrambling to convince voters she’s still the progressive pick.
Midterms 2026
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Wades Into Tennessee Primary, Endorsing Justin J. Pearson
The congresswoman has a strong track record of backing winners this cycle — but she’s emerging from controversy after sitting out key races in her home state.
Midterms 2026
Socialists Are Setting the Agenda in New York City
Claire Valdez, Brad Lander, and Darializa Avila Chevalier won their primaries Tuesday night, sending a sign of strength for an NYC left led by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Midterms 2026
Rep. Adriano Espaillat Was Slow to Help Mahmoud Khalil. It Could Cost Him His Seat.
New York City democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier has pointed to the incumbent’s dragging response as a key reason why she’s running for Congress.
Police Chased the Wrong Man, Then Shot Him and Watched as He Bled Out
Sheriff’s deputies in Michigan fired 27 shots at John Jenuwine. “He was not the guy that they were supposed to be chasing,” said the victim’s father.
Midterms 2026
Bernie Sanders Backs Justin J. Pearson, House Candidate at the Heart of Tennessee Voting Rights Fight
Pearson challenged the last Tennessee Democrat in the House. Now he’s up against the threat of total GOP control.
Midterms 2026
Pennsylvania Results: Chris Rabb to Join the Squad in Congress as Bob Brooks Tries to Flip Key Seat
The electoral left won a marquee primary in Philadelphia, while the establishment and progressives united around a firefighters’ union chief in the Lehigh Valley.
Midterms 2026
Xavier Becerra Pushed to Inflate a Black Man’s IQ to Execute Him as California AG
Becerra, a front-runner for California governor, has a history of blocking police accountability measures and seeking to uphold the death penalty.