A group of Democrats on the left are searching for a new standard-bearer to put forward an economic populist agenda for America after extensive losses in the November election.
These Democrats in and outside of Washington see kitchen-table issues as more integral than the other more niche social interests their party unsuccessfully focused on against President-elect Trump.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is considered the de facto leader of this wing of the party. But some younger leaders are trying to grow their national profile as the party looks toward 2026 and 2028.
“When you’re a populist, hopefully you’re learning a little bit from how everybody is finding their own interesting ways to campaign,” Sanders’s 2020 campaign manager Faiz Shakir recently told Ezra Klein in a wide-ranging interview titled, “Would Bernie Have Won?”
Here are 7 Democratic populists to watch:
Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.)
Fetterman, 55, famously shunned the label most lawmakers within his flank use to describe themselves, declaring “I’m not a progressive” early in his Senate career.
He won his election in the important battleground of Pennsylvania by running as a populist, promoting solutions to economic concerns to win support with voters who felt the weight of inflation and the rising cost of living creating hardships within his state.
Fetterman surrounded himself with staff from Sanders’s circle and has enjoyed a friendly relationship with the elder senator. But he’s also recently caught the ire of the left for backing away from certain liberal immigration stances on the border and even went as far as saying he would consider voting for some of Trump’s Cabinet choices. That move, however, could ultimately help him appeal to Republican voters if he chooses to seek higher office.
Sen. Chris Murphy (Conn.)
Murphy, 51, became most well known for his vocal criticism and consoling response to the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in his native Connecticut. Since then, he’s been considered among Capitol Hill colleagues as a reliable Democrat in their caucus, occasionally veering left and sponsoring legislation with Sanders, while also playing ball with centrists.
After the election, he’s leaning more into his progressive inclinations, setting the groundwork for what could become the basis for a presidential campaign pitch.
“To some, Connecticut — one of the highest income states in the nation and the bedroom community for Wall Street — may not seem like a place where economic populism would have traction. But it does. And if it sells in Connecticut, it sells everywhere,” Murphy wrote in a memo previously shared with The Hill.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.)
One of the founding members of the “squad,” the New York congresswoman has a well-defined image showing what a new generation of working-class, activist-minded progressives can accomplish through national visibility.
While AOC, as the 35-year-old is known, hasn’t engaged much in speculation about her future professional aspirations, including talk about a potential gubernatorial, Senate or presidential run within the next decade, she’s likely to see her profile rise in opposition to a Republican-controlled Washington.
She was noticed recently for actively engaging with self-identified Trump supporters who also voted for her bid, taking to social media to inquire about the crossover appeal. One response that Ocasio-Cortez highlighted on Instagram included a telling overlap: “It’s real simple… trump and you care for the working class,” the response read.
Rep. Ro Khanna (Calif.)
The Democratic member of Congress who saw Sanders’s presidential campaign up close as its co-chair, Khanna has had an inside track to the economic populism that inspired millions of voters.
Khanna, 48, who represents Silicon Valley, sees the key to Democrats’ long-term success as implementing an FDR-style “New Deal” agenda. His focus on introducing technology advancements to rural and developing places distinguishes him from the emerging lane of fellow progressives who want to prioritize the economy.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear
Liberals have a long history of fascination with red-state Democrats, and Beshear is no exception. With one of highest approval ratings among governors nationwide, Beshear, 46, is within the mainstream of the party on social issues like abortion but has also emphasized jobs and the economy, capturing the attention of some in the progressive movement who want to see an economic argument made successfully from a governor’s mansion.
UAW President Shawn Fain
The United Auto Workers (UAW) president does not fit neatly into the “Democrat,” “liberal” or “progressive” boxes — and that’s why he’s becoming a closely watched name as the party seeks to expand who represents their side.
The 56-year-old Fain’s worldview fits with the American left, and he rose to icon status among some Sanders allies for his leadership during the strike against Detroit’s “Big Three” automobile manufacturers: General Motors, Ford and Stellantis.
“It’s time for Washington, D.C., to put up or shut up, no matter the party, no matter the candidate,” Fain said after the results earlier this month showed Trump with an overwhelming win.
But his language also sounded familiar to those inspired by Sanders’s rise during the early days of Trump.
“Will our government stand with the working class, or keep doing the bidding of the billionaires? That’s the question we face today. And that’s the question we’ll face tomorrow. The answer lies with us,” Fain said, sharing similar critiques as the Vermonter about the billionaire class’s dominance. “No matter who’s in office.”
“Joe Rogan of the left”
Democrats are in search of their own version of Joe Rogan, the popular podcast host who, with roughly 20 million followers, has considerable reach among populations far removed from daily politics. In the past, Rogan was sympathetic to Sanders before switching to Trump, showing some crossover appeal between the right and left brands of Democratic socialism.
While liberals are yearning for a figure with similar clout on their team, it’s unclear who may be poised to take on the same brash, unfiltered alternative media mantle.
Some names that have been discussed include “Breaking Points” host Krystal Ball and Kyle Kulinski, host of “Secular Talk,” as well as Cenk Uygur, who founded The Young Turks network. But progressives are largely still hoping for a newer star to emerge.
