Former Vice President Mike Pence on Monday cast this year's midterm elections as a decisive moment for the country, warning that Republicans have drifted from their core principles even as he accused Democrats of embracing radical policies.
In a radio interview on WABC's "Cats & Cosby," Pence said the November contests "couldn't be more important in the life of the nation," framing the vote as a stark choice between competing visions for America's future.
Pence, who served as Donald Trump's vice president, did not spare his own party from criticism. "I tell people, I also think, in some respects, I argue a little bit with some of the direction of the Republican Party," he said, citing "nationalizing businesses, price controls, some people dallying with isolationism." He added: "I tell people, in some respects, I think Republicans have lost their way, but Democrats have lost their minds."
The former vice president's remarks come as internal GOP battles intensify over economic policy and America's role abroad—a rift that has become more visible amid debates over trade, tariffs, and foreign entanglements. Pence's comments echo concerns raised by other establishment Republicans who fear a populist shift could alienate traditional conservative voters.
Pence also took aim at the Democratic Party's leftward trajectory, praising the current administration while contrasting it with the agenda of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which he said is "overtaking the Democratic Party." He recalled his time in the House of Representatives, noting that Bernie Sanders, now a prominent democratic socialist, "wasn't listed as a Democrat" when they served together.
His critique lands as progressive and democratic socialist candidates continue to notch victories in Democratic primaries nationwide. Figures like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have seen their influence grow, fueling tensions between the party's progressive wing and more centrist incumbents.
The intra-party struggle has spilled into high-profile races. In Michigan, progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed is challenging Rep. Haylee Stevens in a Democratic Senate primary, with some establishment Democrats pointing to polls suggesting El-Sayed would be a weaker general-election contender against former Rep. Mike Rogers. Left-wing streamer Hasan Piker, a vocal supporter of progressive candidates, has dismissed such concerns, arguing that progressives can win in November.
Pence's warning about Republican "isolationism" comes as a faction within the GOP pushes for a more restrained foreign policy, a stance that has created friction with traditional hawks. The former vice president's call for a return to conservative fundamentals is likely to resonate with party elders, but it remains unclear whether it will sway a base energized by Trump's America First agenda.
As the midterms approach, Pence's comments underscore the ideological crosscurrents shaping both parties. For Republicans, the challenge is balancing Trump's legacy with a broader conservative platform; for Democrats, it is managing the surge of progressive energy without alienating swing voters. The outcome, Pence suggested, will determine the nation's trajectory for years to come.
