A new generation of progressive Democrats have emerged during President Donald Trump’s second-term with candidates from New York City to San Francisco seizing on the party’s shift.
New York Democrats embraced socialism when they elected Zohran Mamdani to lead the nation’s largest city, but the verdict is still out on whether New York City’s shift to the left is an outlier or the beginning of a broader political realignment.
From California’s redistricting success to gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey, Democrats dominated the most closely watched contests of 2025 – results that could be considered a referendum on President Donald Trump’s sweeping, second-term agenda.
As Mamdani rises to political fame, a slate of fellow progressives are vying to ensure that his victory signals the beginning of a new era in progressive politics.Aftyn Behn
Aftyn Behn, a former healthcare community organizer and current Democrat state representative, recently secured the Democratic nomination to represent Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District.
The Dickson County Democratic Party described Behn as „our very own AOC of TN“, referring to „Squad“ member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., according to The Tennessee Star.
On her campaign website, Behn describes herself as a „pissed-off social worker“ who was inspired to run for the House of Representatives after Congress passed Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act earlier this year.
Behn is running in Tennessee’s special election on Dec. 2 to replace Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., who retired from Congress earlier this year.Kat Abughazaleh
Kat Abughazaleh, 26, is the progressive Gen Z candidate running for Illinois‘ 9th Congressional District next year.
She was indicted on federal charges in October after protesters allegedly attacked an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle outside a Chicago suburb facility in September.
Viral videos of Abughazaleh obstructing the ICE vehicle and being shoved the ground by an agent outside the Broadview ICE facility on Sept. 19 became flash points in the divisive debate over Trump’s deportation rollout.
Abughazaleh is a former journalist and activist who frequents protests outside the ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois.
She has accused Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem of perpetrating „crimes against humanity.“
Abughazaleh garnered national attention earlier this year for questioning why it’s controversial that illegal immigrants should have access to taxpayer-funded healthcare.
