By The Daily Caller (Opinion) | Created at 2026-06-25 17:10:37 | Updated at 2026-06-25 20:15:44
3 hours ago
A centrist House Democrat, who was granted anonymity to offer “candid analysis” of Mamdani-backed candidates winning big Tuesday night, told Axios that Democrats need to stop being so scared of the new kingmaker and left-wing candidates.
“Appeasement doesn’t work,” the Democrat said of Tuesday’s results without a trace of irony. “You have to be tough. Nancy Pelosi brought a machine gun to a knife fight. You can’t win with these guys by playing patty cake.” (RELATED: Democratic Party Establishment Facing Reckoning After Far-Lefties Win Power)
Right, that’s why you wouldn’t go on the record.
Other centrist Democrats and establishment Democratic operatives are panicking, as well, with Politico on Thursday running the splashy headline: “Centrist Democrats are freaking out about progressives’ winning streak.”
Three candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America breezed through their Democratic primaries Tuesday night: New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, Darializa Avila Chevalier and New York State Rep. Claire Valdez. All are fiercely critical of Israel and the Democratic establishment.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 23: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYC Congressional candidate Claire Valdez embrace during a primary-night watch party at 99 Scott Studio on June 23, 2026 in the East Williamsburg neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough in New York City. Valdez won her race against Brooklyn borough President Antonio Reynoso in the 7th District to succeed retiring Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY). Valdez was one of three progressive candidates endorsed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, democratic leadership is trying to keep everyone calm.
“You’re seeing centrist energy in Virginia, Iowa, and New Jersey, progressive energy in New York City,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday. “We’re going to harness it all to win in November. Because all Democrats are united in the mission of taking back the Senate and defeating Trump.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is trying his best to project strength and unity, even though the two incumbents he backed, Reps. Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat, were swept away in the socialist surge Tuesday.
“I don’t think we’re on opposite pages. You can ask him whether he thinks we’re on opposite pages. He doesn’t believe we’re on opposite pages,” he said of Mamdani.
“A handful of primaries that go in one direction or the other in a given state or two aren’t going to reshape who we are as House Democrats,” he added.
Perhaps he knows, deep down, that this could sink any chance he has of becoming speaker if Democrats win in November.
