Socialism vs capitalism: House Dems clash over what NY election results mean for party
Pramila Jayapal Socialism vs capitalism: House Dems clash over what NY election results mean for party
Rep. Pressley says voters should 'take heed' while Rep. Suozzi distances himself from the far-left movement
By
Hannah Brennan Fox News
Published
June 26, 2026 5:00am EDT close 
Video WATCH: House Dems split over what Mamdani's primary win means for party
Progressives told Americans to "take heed" of what New York's election results means for Democrats, while moderates reasserted their belief in capitalism over the recent trend of socialism. (Credit: Nicholas Ballasy for Fox News Digital)
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!House Democrats offered sharply different takes Wednesday after a surge in socialism proved victorious in the Democratic Party when three far-left candidates swept the floor in key races in New York’s primary elections.
The new wave of socialist candidates, who were backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, beat out moderate Democrats in Tuesday night’s race has fueled mixed reactions from lawmakers over whether these new ideals will be at the center of the entire Democratic Party.
"It’s sort of dismissed as a fluke or an outlier, but whenever more moderate Democrats win, people say that that's a blueprint for Democrats to continue winning," Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., said when asked about what the streak of progressive wins means for the Democratic party.
She continued, "So people should take heed."
Rep. Ayanna Pressley listens during a news conference near the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 25, 2025. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Other Democrats quickly distanced themselves from the progressive movement, or at least the socialist identity.
"I'm a capitalist, not a socialist," Rep. Thomas Suozzi, D-N.Y., told Fox News Digital. "And I believe in safety, not lawlessness. And I'm proud of America. I'm not ashamed of America."
Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., struck a similar note.
"Now for me, you know, I believe in capitalism, so I'm not a socialist," Meeks said. "So I don't know whether that's an issue or not."
The debate comes as New York City’s socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani appeared the winner in the primaries as he endorsed three candidates — Darializa Avila Chevalier, Brad Lander and Claire Valdez — who won their key races by promoting the same socialist agenda Mamdani has in their campaigns.
FAR-LEFT SURGE: MAMDANI-BACKED CANDIDATES OUST DEM ESTABLISHMENT INCUMBENTS
Congressional candidate Claire Valdez, Congressional candidate Brad Lander, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier raise their hands during a Get Out the Vote (GOTV) rally at King's Theater on June 18, 2026 in New York City. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) joined Mayor Zohran Mamdani ahead of next week's primary, and the start of early voting on Saturday, as the pair campaigned for Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier, who are challenging incumbents in Democratic primary contests. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Some Democrats attribute the trend of far-left progressive voting to only be popular in a place like New York.
"I think what happens in New York City is sort of just what happens in New York City," Rep. Joseph Morelle, D-N.Y. said. "I don't think it's necessarily an indication of anything outside New York city. Their politics is somewhat unique."
Progressive Democrat Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., agreed with Pressley that the election results in New York indicate a larger movement within their party.
"Fabulous energy, momentum, giant repudiation of special interests, including the impact of others," Jayapal said when asked how she feels about the election results.
She continued, "And real energy for us to continue to turn out young people and make sure that we're getting everyone voting and committed to a government that actually works for working people.
The divide shows a broader ongoing debate within the Democratic party over whether far-left ideology will take over as the blueprint for the party, and whether these progressive campaigns can be a legitimate roadmap to national success for the party.
NY DEM SAYS HE ‘DISAGREES’ WITH MAMDANI, MAKES COMPARISON TO TRUMP
Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., and Rep. Thomas Suozzi, D-N.Y., emerged on opposite sides of the debate over whether New York's progressive primary victories should shape the Democratic Party's future. (Mel Musto/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Suozzi used economic concerns as an example of needing to find some middle ground between extremes in both parties — calling for people to focus on solutions to better the lives of Americans rather than working to dismantle entire systems.
"They're saying ‘the whole system sucks, let's tear it down,’" Suozzi said. "I don't believe that's the right answer. I believe that we, those of us that disagree with the DSA and those of us who disagree with MAGA, have to do a better job of saying, ‘Yes, you have reasons to have economic insecurity. We understand that.’"
"We have to do a better job of understanding, saying that we understand what people are going through and proposing solutions that will make their lives better," he said.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Pressley argued Democrats should embrace the momentum she believes the New York results represent, saying voters want leaders willing to aggressively pursue their agenda.
"What the American people want to see right now and going forward is that we know how to be the fighters in the room and that when we have the power, we're not afraid to use it," Pressley said.
Hannah is a Production Assistant for the Politics team at Fox News Digital.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
