Supporting Underperformers and Infuriating the DNC Could Be Pivotal for Democrats' Strategy
David Hogg's Quest for Young Leadership in Politics
David Hogg, the 25-year-old Parkland shooting survivor turned political activist, is making waves in the political landscape, focusing on electing progressive candidates in their 30's. Hogg rose to national prominence after the 2018 Parkland shooting and is now dedicated to finding and supporting young candidates who understand the struggles of modern America.
Hogg's 2026 primary initiative is aimed at electing progressive candidates in their 30's, a move that has garnered both support and criticism. While some applaud his efforts to bring fresh perspectives to the political arena, others, like Mike Nellis, a party strategist, are skeptical of Hogg's approach to electing inexperienced candidates.
The success of Hogg's initiative remains a mixed bag. Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old candidate backed by Hogg's group, Leaders We Deserve, won the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor. This victory was hailed by Hogg as an "Obama-like moment" for young voters disillusioned by the failures of the aging Democratic Party leadership.
However, not all candidates backed by Hogg's group have been successful. Irene Shin, a candidate backed by Leaders We Deserve, lost a special election to fill a Virginia congressional seat, earning only 14% of the vote. Averie Bishop, another candidate backed by Leaders We Deserve, lost a Texas House race, earning 46% of the vote. Deja Foxx, another candidate backed by Hogg, lost an Arizona special election by over 30 points.
Despite these losses, Hogg is hopeful that his initiative will contribute to Democrats' pipeline of potential candidates, even if they do not immediately win their first, second, third, or fourth race. Hogg attributes some losses to the timing of elections, such as the summer when college students aren't on campus, a key constituency for his candidates.
Leaders We Deserve endorsed 12 candidates across state and federal races during the 2024 election cycle, and 4 of them won. The group also made a significant contribution to a super PAC supporting Mamdani and other candidates, with a $300,000 donation, the largest single contribution to the super PAC.
Hogg's relationship with the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has been strained. He departed from his position as a vice chair of the DNC due to disagreements about spending funds. Hogg criticized the DNC for supporting Democratic incumbents' war chests, arguing that this goes against neutrality in Democratic primaries. He has also called for the DNC to not give any money to the DCCC or DSCC until after primaries are over to maintain neutrality.
To diminish backlash over his 2026 primary initiative, Hogg gave $100,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Despite these tensions, Hogg remains hopeful, encouraging a "tsunami of young people to run for office" inspired by wins like Mamdani's. Hogg faces an uphill battle in finding the right candidate for each district across the country, but his commitment to young leadership in politics remains steadfast.
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