House Speaker Mike Johnson is warning that the Democratic Party is moving further to the left after several candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) secured major victories in New York’s congressional primary elections.
Speaking at a Wednesday news conference, the Louisiana Republican said the election results should serve as a wake-up call for voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
“This is a very serious time,” Johnson said. “Every American needs to wake up and understand the threat.”
Johnson argued that the latest primary victories reflect the growing influence of the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.
“The Marxists have nominated some of the most radical candidates to ever run for Congress,” he said. “The insurgent left is on the rise.”
His remarks came after Brad Lander, Darializa Avila Chevalier, and Claire Valdez—all candidates supported by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America—won key Democratic primary races.
Because each candidate is running in heavily Democratic districts, political analysts expect them to enter the general election as strong favorites.
The candidates have campaigned on several progressive policies, including support for a wealth tax, eliminating Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and taking a tougher stance against Israel’s government.
Avila Chevalier has received additional attention over previously deleted social media posts that reportedly expressed support for open borders, criticized deportation policies, and questioned Israel’s legitimacy.
She has also voiced support for prison reform efforts. During an interview with The New York Editorial Board, she declined to directly answer whether someone convicted of a serious violent crime should automatically receive a prison sentence.
Older social media posts criticizing former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris have also resurfaced during the campaign, drawing renewed scrutiny.
One of the night’s biggest surprises was Avila Chevalier’s victory over longtime Congressman Adriano Espaillat, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the first formerly undocumented immigrant elected to Congress.
Johnson also pointed to the defeat of Rep. Dan Goldman, a Democratic congressman known for his strong support of Israel. Goldman lost to Brad Lander, another Jewish candidate who has pledged to advocate for Palestinian causes in Congress.
Johnson argued that today’s Democratic Party bears little resemblance to the one Americans knew in previous generations, saying the latest primary results highlight how much it has changed.
The Speaker said Republicans plan to make those ideological differences a central issue during the upcoming midterm elections.
“We’ve been saying for months this is a contrast election,” Johnson said. “It’s a choice between common sense and policies many Americans believe move the country in the wrong direction.”
Johnson also highlighted California congressional candidate Mai Vang, who is challenging longtime Democratic Rep. Doris Matsui. Vang faced criticism after videos circulated showing her declining to face the American flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance during a Sacramento City Council meeting.
Johnson said he believes more candidates aligned with Mamdani’s political vision are appearing nationwide. He cautioned that the movement should not be dismissed and described the moment as a battle to preserve the Republic.
Johnson’s warning follows growing attention surrounding the Democratic Socialists of America’s expanding political influence in several major cities.
Earlier this month, political commentator Hasan Piker told supporters at a Brooklyn rally that victories by DSA-backed candidates could help advance the broader socialist movement in the United States.
“For the longest time, I thought we were so far away from socialism,” Piker said. “We still may be, but we have more opportunity today than we’ve had in a long time.”
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, Republicans are expected to continue highlighting the rise of progressive candidates as evidence that Democrats are shifting further left. Democrats, meanwhile, argue that the new generation of candidates reflects changing voter priorities on issues including the economy, immigration, healthcare, and government reform.
With control of Congress at stake, ideological differences between the two parties are expected to remain a defining issue throughout the campaign season.