Democrats at a Crossroads: Left-Wing Populism or the Center Path?

Ever since Trump took office, the Democrats have struggled to find their direction: take a turn to the left or stay closer to the center? The members’ trip through Arizona and California revealed just how challenging it is for the party to redefine itself.

Written by Claudia Kade

When a political party moves into opposition, its trajectory often follows a familiar script—on both sides of the Atlantic. Losing the reins of government usually ushers in a period of turmoil: once the unifying force of power is gone, buried conflicts over the party’s direction resurface, and new or once peripheral figures see their moment to step into the spotlight and vie for leadership.

“In opposition, a party’s image becomes blurrier, and discipline starts to erode,” a prominent and influential U.S. Democrat told us during our trip through Arizona and California, just days before the regional elections in New York City, Virginia, and New Jersey. And indeed, the Democrats — if one can still speak of the Democrats — are no closer, even after their clear victories, to knowing which current offers the most promising path for the party at the national level.

Should they ride the wave of enthusiasm that swept 34-year-old socialist Zohran Mamdani into the New York City mayor’s office? His vision of confronting President Donald Trump’s right-wing populism with an equally outspoken left-wing populism has stirred resistance both in business circles and among the party’s more conservative members.

Or should the party take a more centrist path, as exemplified by the newly elected governors of Virginia and New Jersey, Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill? Both advocate classic Democratic policies, with few initiatives on so-called “woke” issues. Their focus is instead on the middle class and small- to medium-sized businesses.

And when will arguably the most prominent active Democrat, California Governor Gavin Newsom, step beyond his combative, Trump-focused rhetoric and shift toward a more serious, policy-driven approach? Or will it be the time for the cautious Andy Beshear, governor of traditionally Republican Kentucky, who subtly tries to engage conservative voters in rural regions?

Saving what can still be saved

A year after Trump’s victory, one thing is clear: recent polling cannot be seen as a sign that the Democrats are on a winning streak. New York City, New Jersey, and Virginia are traditionally Democratic territories, and historically, the first elections after a presidential race tend to favor the opposition. The Democrats are therefore fighting not only against Trump but also against their own reputation for being overly moralistic and ideologically driven. The party’s future strategy must focus on reclaiming Trump voters rather than simply consoling its existing base.

The starting point is difficult: the Democrats are, in a way, functioning as a “niche party,” by necessity. They aim to exert influence wherever President Trump — for the moment — leaves room. Democratic mayors seek allies among Republican counterparts who also want to challenge Trump’s trade policies. With pragmatic determination, they work to attract foreign companies to their cities, ensuring part of the “America First” benefits for their citizens and preventing wide swaths of the population in their areas from falling into poverty and neglect. Across the board, Democrats are trying to salvage what they can from public healthcare. Like foreign leaders, they feel held hostage by Trump — and so far, they have had little to oppose him.

And then there are those who still seem to ignore the idea of a fresh start, most notably Kamala Harris. She is quick to answer questions about a possible 2028 presidential run and has not dismissed the idea of running again. “I’m not done yet,” she declared, without a hint of embarrassment. Someone should probably tell her otherwise.

About the author: Claudia Kade is Head of the Politics Department at the daily newspaper Die Welt.