New Survey:  Overwhelming Majority of Progressives Back Primary Challenges to Status Quo Democrats

As Donald Trump and far-right forces escalate their attacks on working families, civil rights, and the rule of law, a new survey conducted by Our Revolution, the nation’s largest progressive political organizing group, reveals a deep crisis of confidence in the Democratic Party establishment, and overwhelming support for primary challenges to incumbents who are failing to meet the moment. Grassroots Democrats are demanding bold action, saying many current leaders have failed to inspire confidence, mobilize energy, or confront Trumpism with the urgency it demands.

Fielded from April 18–20, the poll surveyed more than 4,100 politically active progressive and Democratic-leaning voters. The results show deep frustration with Democratic Party leadership and growing momentum to transform the party from within—by electing bold, grassroots challengers who reject corporate PAC money and are ready to take the fight directly to Trump and his enablers.

“The voters we organize with are sounding the alarm: they want fighters, not placeholders,” said Joseph Geevarghese, Executive Director of Our Revolution. “If the party establishment continues to sleepwalk through this crisis, they’ll be replaced by a new generation of leaders who aren’t afraid to take on the fight of our lives.”

Key Findings:

• 92% support primarying establishment Democrats who lack grassroots energy or urgency
• 87% say the Democratic Party has lost its way—up from 76% just months ago
• 88% say the DSCC and DCCC should stop automatically protecting incumbents
• 96% support Our Revolution’s efforts to transform the party by electing progressives at every level
• 82% want the Democratic Party to stop accepting Big Money from billionaires and corporations
• 70% say they are not confident Democratic leaders will do what’s necessary to stop Trump
• 72% support abandoning a cautious, centrist approach in confronting Trump and the far right
  

The results come days after DNC Vice Chair David Hogg announced a $20 million effort to support younger progressive candidates, including primary challengers to incumbents, through his PAC, Leaders We Deserve. While the announcement sparked fierce backlash from party insiders, Our Revolution polling shows Hogg’s sentiment is shared by a large majority of engaged progressive voters.

Geevarghese added, “This is not about division—it’s about transformation. The time to protect the status quo has long passed. Our response to Trump’s assault on our democracy and billionaire takeout of our government is to make the party reflect the people it claims to serve.