Maryland Governor Wes Moore offered a nuanced take on the recent wave of Democratic Socialist victories in House primaries, arguing Friday that the trend reflects a deeper hunger within the party for champions of economic justice rather than simply anti-Trump warriors.
“I actually don’t think people are looking for someone who can fight against the president,” Moore told The Hill’s Judy Kurtz and Hillary Howard. “I think people are looking for someone who will fight for them, who is going to advocate for the fact that we have people who are working twice as hard for no real resources.”
Moore’s comments come as multiple candidates affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America have unseated incumbent House Democrats in states like New York and Colorado, fueling debate about the party’s direction. Some pundits, including ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, have warned that embracing democratic socialism could spell disaster for Democrats in November. Smith told CNN that the party must unite under one umbrella to defeat Trump and his successors.
But Moore downplayed ideological divisions, insisting the primary driver is voters’ economic anxiety. “I don’t think that this is about an ideology. I don’t think this is even about a political party,” he said. “I think this is just simply saying, ‘Who is going to fight for me?’ And I think those are the ones, those disruptors, those people who are willing to disrupt the status quo … those folks are going to be the ones who I think are going to capture people’s attention.”
Recent polling suggests a significant slice of the electorate is open to democratic socialist candidates, with a survey finding 29% of U.S. voters willing to support them. Wealthier, more educated voters have been especially receptive, according to the data.
When pressed about potential 2028 presidential contenders—including himself—Moore pivoted sharply to the immediate threat. “I think the only people that are interesting for ’28 are ones who are taking ’26 seriously. We’re under assault right now,” he said, citing federal job cuts under the Trump administration that have put over 180,000 people at risk of losing health coverage and children losing food assistance. “This is not fair and this is not right. So truthfully, I think anyone who is talking about 2028 in 2026, for me, is disqualifiable in 2028.”
Moore’s emphasis on midterm battles reflects a broader concern among Democrats that internal squabbling could undermine their chances against a GOP that is itself fractured, as infighting has paralyzed the House Republican agenda. Meanwhile, Trump has branded Democrats as “Communists,” a line he’s used to energize his base as socialist candidates gain ground.
The governor’s remarks suggest that for many Democrats, the path forward lies not in ideological purity tests but in a relentless focus on economic fairness—a message that resonates even as the party’s left wing grows bolder.
