With the outcome of Tuesday’s primary elections, progressive democratic candidates have accumulated a large number of wins against centrists in the Democratic Party. While much of the public discussion has been focused on Republicans using the wins to paint the Party as extremist and captured by the far-left and the ways ‘corporate democrats’ are working against the progressive wing of the party, there’s a much more important story that is being overlooked.
The growing number of wins by progressive democrats shows us how locally embedded people power can win against big donors and instrumental politics. Their power does not come from super PACs; it comes from their connections. They are all working to mobilize energy and support within their communities.
In the most recent episode of the Apocalyptic Optimist Podcast, I speak with Dominique Browning from Mom’s Clean Air Force about how her group has mobilized caregivers across the country to fight local battles against polluters including data centers, even as the federal government has turned away from climate action. For anyone looking for some inspiration, I suggest you check it out here (or wherever you Pod).
Dana R Fisher 