Primary Elections Reveal Subtle Changes for both the GOP and DNC

There were a few notable primary elections held yesterday in Kentucky, New York, and Virginia. Congressional Elections in these states reveal victories for GOP candidates not favored or endorsed by President Trump. This could be further signaling that the party is gradually shifting from their previous unwavering support of Trump to a more centered approach. For the DNC elections reveal more liberal candidates shaking things up. Similarly, to the women’s wave in the house in 2018, 2020 could be the year for BIPOC and more liberal candidates. 

Most upsetting for the DNC establishment would be the results of New York 16th Congressional District, in which longtime incumbent Elliot Engle is currently projected to lose to newcomer Jamaal Bowman. Although Bowman hasn’t claimed victory yet, he is sitting at a cool 60.9% of the votes, compared to Engel’s 35.6%., which could mean the end of Engel’s 31-year reign. Bowman is a young black man who has used his voice to promise congressional action which would not only hold President Trump accountable, but which would continue to fight against corporate interests and for the poor and working class of the country. 

Although Charles Booker of Kentucky is currently projected to lose the DNC primary to veteran Amy McGrath, the results are fairly narrow and could become increasingly so as mail in ballots are still being calculated. At the moment, McGrath leads with 44%, but Booker is close behind at 37.6%. Nonetheless, these results are staggering as just a month ago McGrath was projected to win by wide margins. This changed in the wake of the deadly shooting of Breonna Taylor of Louisville, KY, and the rise of Black Lives Matter protests across the nation. Booker – a young African American man – has proudly shared that he hails from Louisville’s poorest zip code and has quickly become a voice for reform in the area using the momentum of the movement to bring him to national prominence. After Booker gained support of one of the state’s most popular talk radio hosts, sportscaster Matt Jones, the race began to look more uncertain for McGrath; Booker’s campaign gained even more attention after gaining the support of high-profile politicians like Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Whether, Booker wins or not, the tenacity he has shown and support he has garnered shows that the Democratic Party is truly a space for unknowns to make a name for themselves among career politicians. Whoever wins the primary seat is up against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, which will undoubtedly be a tough spot to synch, especially considering Kentucky leans red.