The Washington, D.C. circuit is in a frenzy. The establishment doesn’t know what to do.
And now a U.S. Senator is on the chopping block according to this eyebrow-raising report.
Democrats Seek New Leadership After 2024 Election Fumble
The Democratic Party is reeling from a devastating performance in the 2024 elections, and the fallout is hitting Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer hard. A recent poll from The Economist/YouGov, released on Wednesday, paints a grim picture for the New York Democrat, with only 23% of voters viewing him favorably compared to a staggering 51% who see him unfavorably. The numbers signal a growing discontent within the party, as Democrats scramble to redefine their leadership and strategy in the wake of their electoral losses.
Schumer’s troubles intensified after his controversial decision in March to support a Republican spending bill backed by President Donald Trump. The move drew sharp criticism from progressive Democrats, who saw it as a betrayal of the party’s values. The backlash was swift and vocal, with prominent figures like Maryland Representative Glenn Ivey and Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow publicly calling for Schumer to step down. Left-wing youth activist organizations have also joined the push, amplifying demands for new leadership.
The decline in Schumer’s popularity is stark when compared to earlier polls. In January, The Economist/YouGov found that 30% of voters held a favorable view of him, with 41% viewing him unfavorably. The drop in support over just a few months underscores the mounting pressure on Schumer as he navigates a fractured party.
Adding fuel to the fire, a Data for Progress poll released on April 4 showed that New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez would trounce Schumer by 19 points in a hypothetical 2028 Senate primary matchup. NBC News reported in March that Democrats, both privately and publicly, have been urging Ocasio-Cortez to challenge Schumer if he seeks reelection. The prospect of a high-profile primary battle looms large, signaling a potential shift toward younger, more progressive leadership.
The Democratic Party’s struggles extend beyond Schumer. A mid-March CNN poll conducted by SSRS revealed that the party’s favorability rating has plummeted to just 29%. In a February memo, DNC Chairman Ken Martin acknowledged a troubling perception among Americans that the GOP is the “party of the working class” while Democrats are seen as the “party of the elites.” This image problem, coupled with the party’s electoral setbacks, has sparked intense internal debates about its direction.
The Economist/YouGov poll, conducted between April 13 and 15 with 1,512 U.S. adult citizens, carries a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points. Its findings capture a pivotal moment for Democrats, as they grapple with low approval ratings and a restless base demanding change. For Schumer, the path forward is fraught with challenges. His leadership is under scrutiny, and the calls for a new face to guide the party are growing louder.
Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Leads Schumer In Hypothetical Primary Matchup
A new poll reveals that Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is surging ahead of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in a hypothetical 2028 New York primary matchup. The survey, conducted by the progressive firm Data for Progress and first shared with POLITICO, signals a growing appetite among Democrats for a bold, unapologetic voice—one that Ocasio-Cortez embodies as she leads the charge for the party’s younger, socialist-leaning future.
The poll shows Ocasio-Cortez commanding 55 percent of Democratic likely voters, either firmly supporting her or leaning in her favor, while Schumer trails with 36 percent. Nine percent remain undecided. Conducted in late March with 770 likely voters via text message and web panel, the survey carries a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. While polls this far from an election are rarely definitive, the numbers point to a clear message: Democrats are hungry for change, and Ocasio-Cortez is capturing their imagination.
“This poll really does show that Democrats are united in just wanting to stand up, wanting to fight, wanting to see someone taking a stand for them,” said Danielle Deiseroth, executive director of Data for Progress. Her organization’s decision to conduct and publicize the poll is no accident—it’s a deliberate push to challenge the Democratic establishment. Deiseroth pointed to her firm’s history of shaking up party dynamics, noting that in 2021, Data for Progress released polling showing then-Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s vulnerability to a primary challenge. Sinema later left the Democratic Party to become an independent and opted not to seek reelection.
The timing of Ocasio-Cortez’s lead is telling. Schumer’s support among the party’s base has weakened since his vote last month to advance a Republican funding bill that averted a government shutdown. While Schumer defended the move as a necessary compromise to prevent a shutdown that could have empowered President Donald Trump and his billionaire ally Elon Musk, many Democrats see it as a sign of timidity. Progressive groups and a handful of House members have called for Schumer to adopt a more confrontational stance against Trump or even step down as minority leader.
Ocasio-Cortez, by contrast, has become a symbol of a new socialist wave for Democrats. Her vocal advocacy for policies like Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, and wealth taxes are all based in socialist and communistic ideas that have long been extremely controversial and overwhelmingly rejected by the American voters.
The poll’s implications extend beyond New York. Data for Progress, known for its progressive activism, is using this survey to nudge Schumer toward a more aggressive posture against Trump. “This poll really does show that Democrats are united in just wanting to stand up, wanting to fight, wanting to see someone taking a stand for them,” Deiseroth reiterated, emphasizing the party’s desire for leaders who will challenge the status quo. The firm’s track record of targeting establishment figures like Sinema suggests this is part of a larger strategy to elevate insurgent voices within the party.
Schumer, a seasoned political operator, has so far maintained unity within his Senate Democratic Caucus, and his position as minority leader appears secure for now. He has argued that his vote for the GOP funding bill was a strategic choice, preventing a chaotic shutdown that could have strengthened Trump’s hand. Yet, the poll reveals a growing disconnect between Schumer’s calculated approach and the fiery passion of the Democratic base.
For Ocasio-Cortez, the survey is a testament to her influence. Whether or not she chooses to challenge Schumer in 2028, her ability to outpace a party titan in a head-to-head poll underscores her stature. She represents more than a single candidacy—she is the face of a movement that sees socialism not as a liability but as the way forward for Democrats.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
