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More than a decade ago, in 2014, Eric Cantor, the leader of the House of Representatives of the Republican House, suffered one of the most shocking major defeats in modern political history. He lost to Dave Bratt and, on all accounts, lacking the realization of Kanter's name and fundraising genuine fundraising, but he had more rights on political ideology and grassroots support. The warning sign was there, but the establishment of Cantor and the Republican Party ignored them and convinced them that their power and money could win the waves of rebels. They were wrong.
Democrats must prepare for the same fate
A CNN poll conducted from March 6-9, 2025 showed that 52% of individuals added to the Democrats had led the party in the wrong direction, while a FOX News poll conducted from March 14-17, 2025 showed that Congressional Democrats disapproved by 66% and only 30% approved.
These figures show that incumbents should fear primary candidates in all democratic districts across the country. Disillusioned voters are tired of seeing their representatives appear to be out of touch and unable to meet at the moment. The signs are clear. The economic situation for American families is not improving. And voters watch Democrats sit sloppyly and do nothing to help their obsession.
Democrats win the Pennsylvania State Capitol in a special election
In fact, the NBC News vote, held from March 7-11, 2025, showed that almost two-thirds of Democrats wanted Congressional lawmakers to stick to their position rather than compromise with President Donald Trump. This fuels a wave of challengers, and Democrat incumbents will suffer the same fate as Cantor if there is no change.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer has been heavily criticized by fellow Democrats for his vote on the budget. File: Schumer leaves the Democratic Caucus Ranch at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on March 13, 2025. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
Founding Playbooks don't work
This is not just progressive and moderates, as mainstream stories want us to believe. It's about the growing disconnect between Democratic leadership and the voters they claim to represent.
Like Cantor, many democratic incumbents assume that their money, name recognition, and party infrastructure will save them. But voters are increasingly rejecting that logic.
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Democrats are in the minority in every sense of the word, but it can get worse if they don't start paying attention to the actual components. Trump has won the White House about 1.5%, with Republicans holding a three-seat majority in the Senate, with a small majority in the House. In a political situation where anger is simmering, those defenses are not retained, whether it is due to economic struggles or the continued failure to fulfill the important Democrats' promises.
Where does this leave Democrats?
If Democratic leaders don't adjust, they see their ranks become “canters” one by one. Some lose to the progressive challengers leading the party's left-wing base. Others are expelled by moderate Democrats who claim that incumbents are too extreme for their district, too old or have not been in contact with them. And in the swing district, weakened Democratic candidates were able to pass it all over to Republicans.
Democrats should not ignore history. If they do not recognize the similarities with Cantor's fall, history is trying to repeat itself at their expense, but those who suffer in the end are their constituents.
So, Democrats need to focus solely on the economy. As I traveled the country as a communications aide with President Joe Biden, I saw first-hand a family who struggled to pay for basic needs such as life-saving medicine and childcare.
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Cultural issues make good sound bits, but incumbents need to remember that economic issues are at the forefront of American minds now. Trump's trade war has had a real effect, causing pain and fear across the country. Democrats need to be the party that addresses these issues head-on, rather than causing all of this damage to begin with, head-on at the demands of Republican leader Trump.
Incumbents must focus on the costs of food and housing, and refuse to accept responsibility for the disastrous economy led by Trump. They should focus on policies that address the underlying concerns of the party, working class people, and act like they really care. Perhaps we can save ourselves from the fate of Eric Cantor.
