Following the 2024 election, Republicans took a firm grasp of Washington, and President Trump’s second term agenda has made Democrats realize they are obscuring not only power, but what the party represents.
A new wave of candidates has emerged. Not from outside the political system, but from the democratic establishment itself.
At least four former Democratic Congress staff are running against longtime members of their party, according to the Roll Call.
These challengers say they were motivated by the Democratic leader’s lack of direction, ineffective communication, and frustration over Trump’s failure to respond to political momentum.
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Jake Lakoff, former assistant communications director for Rep. Brad Sherman, runs to unlock his former boss in California’s 32nd District. (Photo courtesy of the Rakov Campaign)
Each of these candidates brings a unique perspective, but they all share a common theme. The belief is that Democrats no longer have the ability to meet in the moment.
Saikat Chakrabarti, a 32-year-old former Chief of Staff Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, takes over former chairman Nancy Pelosi, one of the most iconic figures in the Democratic Party. Pelosi, who has yet to confirm whether she is seeking a 20th term, is facing a call for an increase in generational change within her solid blue district.
Chakrabarti told Rollcall that he was disillusioned with what he saw in the Democratic leadership. “The main thing that has taught me in Washington that I have been told is that the current Democrats and their leaders are completely unprepared for what’s going on,” he said.
Instead of taking on Trump strategically, he said Democrat leaders are more interested in bureaucratic details than national messaging.
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Saikat Chakrabarti, Chief of Staff of Dn.Y., Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, will be attending a press conference at the Capitol Visitor Center in response to negative comments by President Trump instructed them on Monday, July 15, 2019.
“The party believes their main job is to raise funds all day and not to solve the real issues of voters,” he added.
Jake Lakoff, 33-year-old former assistant director of communications for Rep. Brad Sherman, is currently running against the former boss in California’s San Fernando Valley. Sherman, who has served in Congress since 1997, is one of the more senior Democrats currently facing internal challenges.
Rakov said he decided to run after witnessing what he described as an outdated and ineffective approach to politics. “Trump wins again, I watched [Sherman] Use the exact same story points that I helped draft him in 2017. He was still doing the same outdated things, Rakov said.
On his part, Sherman rejects the challenge and suggests that Rakov lacks connection with the community, saying, “No one actually involved in the civic issues in my district is against me.”
Jason Friedman, a former intern with Senator Dick Durbin, runs for Congress in Illinois and is challenging Rep. Danny Davis in the 2026 Democratic primary. (Photo provided by photo)
In Illinois, 51-year-old Jason Friedman, who once interns with Senator Dick Durbin, runs in place of Danny K. Davis, the 83-year-old, one of the oldest members of the family.
Davis has yet to announce whether he will run for 16 terms.
Friedman refused to be interviewed, but he issued a statement warning from Trump and Elon Musk about the threats to democracy and economic stability. His decision to do so emphasizes increasing restlessness, even in safe blue districts like Davis, where young candidates are eager to offer new directions.
While most of the former staff are challenging Democrats, Jordan Wood assumes Republicans who established Sen. Susan Collins in Maine.
Wood, former chief of staff for former MP Katie Porter, has been in a tough race in the purple state where Collins has consistently won re-election.
Wood’s message reflects that of his fellow challengers: frustration over political stagnation and a desire to bring about new leadership. “I’m tired of waiting for politicians from the same facility to resolve these issues,” Wood told Rollcall.
These challengers reflect the wider generational disparities within the Democrats. Roll Call reports that Friedman, 51, is all under 40, except for Friedman, younger than the median age of 57.
Their targets vary, but their criticism is consistent. Longtime Democrats have not communicated effectively, have not organized nationwide, and have not provided solutions that resonate with frustrated voters.
Both Chakrabarti and Rakov criticised the democratic strategy of focusing solely on local races, while building a cohesive, national message. “We need a national message, and that’s how we can beat the far right,” Chakrabarti said.
“Democrat leaders like Pelosi don’t even try because they don’t believe it’s possible to dramatically improve American lives.”
Republicans continue to refine and build momentum under President Trump’s leadership, but Democrats face credibility within their ranks.
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These former insiders are more than just flashes of bread from the early campaign cycle of 2026. They are indications of political parties who are deeply unsure of how they will respond to conservative policy interests, economic concerns, and rejuvenating Republican bases.
Jasmine is a writer for Fox News Digital and is a New Orleans-based military spouse. Stories can be sent to jasmine.baehr@fox.com
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