Resistance Democrats Lose 3 Primaries as Voters Prioritize Affordability
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Aug 20
Resistance Democrats Lose 3 Primaries as Voters Prioritize Affordability
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Aug 20
Summary
Three prominent anti-Trump Democrats fell short in primaries as voters increasingly rewarded candidates focused on affordability rather than resistance credentials.
Florida nominee David Jolly, a former Republican who left the GOP in 2018, said he rarely talks about Trump and instead plans to tie Republican Byron Donalds to Trump’s economy.
In Maryland’s 5th District, former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn finished third and said Jan. 6 name recognition made him competitive but did not overcome voters’ pocketbook concerns.
The pattern extended beyond Maryland: former Rep. Dan Goldman lost to Brad Lander in New York, and billionaire Tom Steyer lost to Xavier Becerra in California.
Even candidates with strong anti-Trump records, including Elaine Luria and Becerra, are now pairing that message with economic appeals, underscoring a broader Democratic primary shift.