Democratic Candidates Criticize Their Party Ahead of 2026 Midterm Elections

<p>Democratic candidates are adopting a more negative tone toward their own party as they prepare for the 2026 midterm elections, moving away from promises of bipartisan collaboration to pledges to "take on corruption in both parties."</p><p><strong>Why it matters:</strong> This shift in messaging reflects significant voter dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party and the broader political establishment, according to recent polling.</p><hr /><ul><li>Sam Forstag, a House candidate in Montana, stated in an interview that "a whole lot of my coworkers got a sour look on their face" when he announced his candidacy as a Democrat.</li><li>Jake Johnson, a Democratic candidate in Minnesota, noted, "We have heard pretty loud and clear, whether it's at our town halls or on parade routes, that ... there's just a growing frustration with both political parties."</li></ul><div>Data: AdImpact; Note: Party totals include independents running as the de facto nominee; Chart: Andrew Solender/Axios</div><p><strong>By the numbers: </strong>An Axios analysis of over 350 political advertisements in federal and statewide elections since 2018 indicates a significant increase in Democratic ads that mention the Democratic Party or both parties in a negative context.</p><ul><li>The analysis focused on ads run between August 24 and September 22 of each election year that included phrases like "my own party," "both parties," and "party leaders."</li><li>Candidates typically aim to attract swing voters by presenting themselves as bipartisan problem solvers, highlighting past collaborations or pledging to work across party lines if elected.</li><li>This year, however, Democrats have increasingly embraced populist, anti-establishment rhetoric, with ads criticizing a dysfunctional political system and referencing instances where they opposed their own party.</li></ul><p><strong>Shannon Taylor, a Virginia Democrat, stated in one ad,</strong> "I didn't care that he was a Democrat or the pressure that I got to make it go away," referring to the prosecution of former state Senator Joe Morrissey.</p><ul><li>Randy Villegas, a Democratic candidate in California, asserted in one of his ads: "Washington is broken because corrupt politicians in both parties care more about their donors and their party bosses than us."</li><li>Blake Gendebien, a Democrat in upstate New York, promised, "I'll stand up to anyone, Democrat or Republican, who isn't focused on what's right for them." </li></ul><p><strong>Even the House Democratic campaign arm</strong> is participating, running a coordinated ad with Michigan Democrat Christina Hines, who recounts her experience cleaning up serious crimes, stating, "I didn't care if they were Republican or Democrat," and adding that "right now, D.C. is the biggest mess of all."</p><ul><li>Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) said in an ad, "Washington's not just broken, it's deeply corrupt, and both parties need to shape up."</li></ul><p><strong>Between the lines: </strong>Axios identified 47 ads run by Democrats or independents running as the de facto Democratic nominee in the past 30 days that featured negative messaging, an increase from 19 in 2024, 15 in 2020, and 14 in 2018.</p><ul><li>Positive messaging about collaboration between the two parties has decreased significantly, dropping from 45 ads in 2024 to 18 this year.</li><li>This contrasts with the more optimistic tone of Republican messaging, as noted by Democratic operative Eric Koch, who stated, "Republicans defending a broken status quo should be very nervous."</li></ul><p><strong>What they're saying: </strong>Forstag remarked that he sees a disconnect between the federal representatives and the experiences of constituents, noting that basic necessities are increasingly difficult to afford.</p><ul><li>Johnson highlighted a significant fraud scandal in Minnesota that has eroded trust in the state's Democratic-led government.</li></ul><p><strong>Hines expressed,</strong> "Everybody that I talk to ... hates both parties, hates Democrats, hates Republicans."</p><ul><li>Justin Pearson of Tennessee observed that voters see many similarities between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, emphasizing that Democrats must hold themselves to a higher standard.</li></ul><p><strong>Yes, but: </strong>Some Democrats advocate for a more optimistic cross-party message.</p><ul><li>Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) is running an ad highlighting his success in fostering collaboration on Social Security benefits for public pensioners.</li><li>Landsman stated, "I really do believe that the opposite of this deeply unpopular status quo is people working together to get things done."</li></ul>