Democrats Address Their Age Issue in Primary Campaigns
An increase in challenges to longtime Democratic incumbents indicates that some party members are growing discontented with the existing leadership.
TroibNews 
A new wave of Democratic candidates is seeking to turn the midterm elections into a referendum on age and complacency within their party.
Recently, Jake Rakov, a 37-year-old former staffer to California Rep. Brad Sherman, announced his challenge against the 70-year-old, 15-term incumbent, criticizing him for his inadequate response to the recent wildfires in the district. Progressive YouTuber Kat Abughazaleh, 26, is running against Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky, 80, asserting that the party urgently needs to "change the establishment." Meanwhile, Saikat Chakrabarti, the 39-year-old former chief of staff for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is taking on former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, stating, "we are living in a totally different America than the one she knew when she entered politics 45 years ago."
On Wednesday, George Hornedo, 34, who gained notoriety on TikTok for his remarks about a “party elder” discouraging him from launching a Democratic primary campaign in Indiana, declared his candidacy against eighth-term Democratic Rep. Andre Carson.
“It’s clear that Congressman Carson is just holding the office and not actually doing anything with it so I’m stepping up because our community needs someone who will actually fight, deliver and show up,” Hornedo stated in an interview. “This is not about one person. It’s about whether our government is working for the people who need it most, and right now, it’s not.”
These intra-party challenges are emerging from a younger generation of Democratic candidates frustrated with what they perceive as weak leadership that safeguards the status quo in Washington. Their campaigns are primarily focused on generational and stylistic disparities rather than ideological divides, reflecting a growing anger within the Democratic base, not just directed at President Donald Trump but also towards congressional leaders’ ineffective opposition. This situation is shaping the initial landscape of the midterm primary season, nearly one year after President Joe Biden, then 81 and dealing with health issues, was compelled to withdraw from his re-election campaign.
In addition to those already running, three Democratic strategists, granted anonymity to speak freely about private discussions, indicated that they anticipate additional serious primary challenges against long-term incumbents in states like Massachusetts, Maryland, and New York. They also noted several open congressional seats in Arizona and Texas, where millennial and Gen Z candidates have already stepped forward, following the deaths of sitting members.
“Democrats are hungry for leadership right now, and if their elected officials don't give it to them, they’re going to look elsewhere,” remarked Rebecca Katz, a veteran Democratic consultant. “I think we’ll see more primaries and more retirements in the coming months.”
These challengers are channeling significant frustration within the party's base. A CNN poll last month revealed a stark decline in the Democratic Party's image, with a majority of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters feeling that their leaders are leading them astray. This dissatisfaction was evident in town halls earlier this year, where voters expressed their grievances, with some even calling for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to step aside.
Hornedo, who faces long odds in his primary endeavor, went viral on social media when he shared how a “party elder” warned him, looking "dead in the eye" at a political gathering, that “You’re going to get hurt” if he runs against Carson.
“Why was that her response? Not asking about my vision, not asking about what I want to do for the district, or why I think I’d be a better representative, and instead warning me,” Hornedo said directly into the camera while walking around his Indianapolis neighborhood. “Because the reality is that the people in charge of the Democratic Party don’t just fight Republicans. They fight anybody who challenges them, and that’s why we keep losing ground.”
The generational shift extends beyond the House, driven largely by open seats rather than challenges to incumbents in the Senate. Last week, Rep. Chris Pappas, 44, and Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, 38, both launched Senate campaigns in primaries left open by retiring members in their 60s and 70s.
Candidates challenging incumbents in primaries face significant obstacles. Established House members typically possess greater name recognition in their districts and often have stronger fundraising networks. Historical data from World War II to 2018 indicates that 98 percent of House members seeking re-election won their party primaries, according to analysis from the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics.
In Indiana, Hornedo, a Democratic strategist who worked on Pete Buttigieg's 2020 presidential campaign, noted that his TikTok post resonated with many online because it reflects “a larger problem,” as voters realize that “the folks who got us into this mess are not the ones to get us out of it.” His video garnered approximately 120,000 views and nearly 20,000 likes.
Carson, now 50, has been serving since 2008. Hornedo has claimed Carson is unresponsive, pointing out that the Center for Effective Lawmaking recently ranked him as one of the least effective Democrats in Congress.
Hornedo predicts an influx of millennial and Gen Z Democrats joining the fray, stating that these races “are going to be about accountability inside the party, and not just opposition to the other side” because “too many Democrats in safe seats are failing the performance test.”
“To me, the biggest divide in the Democratic Party isn't left versus center, and it's not necessarily even young versus old, but it's not urgency versus inertia,” Hornedo elaborated. “While the old guard still thinks that the system can be managed, it’s my generation that knows that it needs to be rebuilt.”
In a statement made while Hornedo was contemplating his candidacy but prior to his announcement, Carson expressed, “I have always welcomed new voices to the conversation,” and highlighted his pride in his accomplishments in Indiana and Washington.
“With a strategy of legislation, litigation, and activism, we are taking on Donald Trump's extreme agenda,” he noted. “My office brings millions of dollars directly back to Indianapolis residents in lost or delayed benefits each year.”
Carson is not the only incumbent Democrat facing challenges in his district. Rakov criticized Sherman’s attentiveness toward the West San Fernando Valley during recent wildfires when he announced his campaign this month.
Rakov clarified that most of his concerns with Sherman weren't ideological, stating, “We’re both progressive Democrats, and I’m sure we’ll find daylight on a few things here and there, but I think this is much more about being a better member of Congress and actually doing what needs to be done in this moment in time.”
He acknowledged the other campaigns launched by Abughazaleh and Chakrabarti. When asked about comparisons to the 2010 tea party movement, Rakov remarked, “That'd be great. It'd be cool if we could have that big national moment from a political science perspective.”
However, he humorously added that Fox News would likely label it the “Latte Party,” referring to the party’s appeal among college-educated voters.
Sherman strongly refuted many of Rakov’s accusations, asserting that he is “fit as a fiddle” and has worked diligently to assist constituents affected by the fires. He characterized these primary challenges as distractions from efforts to help Democrats secure swing seats.
“The idea that the way to beat Republicans is to shoot the Democrats who have helped people in close districts — that’s not how we’re going to beat Republicans,” he said.
However, younger Democrats already serving in Congress are not quick to dismiss their more seasoned colleagues. Rep. Greg Casar, a millennial rising star, called Schakowsky in Illinois a “stand and fight Democrat,” expressing solidarity, stating, “she hasn't publicly stated her intentions on running, but if she decided to, I’d be with her, 100 percent.”
Schakowsky herself recognized that her time in Congress is not indefinite, stating, “I'm not going to run forever, that's for sure.” Nevertheless, she expressed confidence in her potential reelection, claiming, “A lot of young people are supporting me, and I support them. I encourage young people to get involved.”
Rep. Maxwell Frost, the first Gen Z member of Congress who won an open primary in 2022, also predicted a surge of young candidates in 2026, reflecting on his own experience: “I feel like it's allowed me to build really good relationships in the district.”
Max Fischer for TROIB News
Recently, Jake Rakov, a 37-year-old former staffer to California Rep. Brad Sherman, announced his challenge against the 70-year-old, 15-term incumbent, criticizing him for his inadequate response to the recent wildfires in the district. Progressive YouTuber Kat Abughazaleh, 26, is running against Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky, 80, asserting that the party urgently needs to "change the establishment." Meanwhile, Saikat Chakrabarti, the 39-year-old former chief of staff for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is taking on former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, stating, "we are living in a totally different America than the one she knew when she entered politics 45 years ago."
On Wednesday, George Hornedo, 34, who gained notoriety on TikTok for his remarks about a “party elder” discouraging him from launching a Democratic primary campaign in Indiana, declared his candidacy against eighth-term Democratic Rep. Andre Carson.
“It’s clear that Congressman Carson is just holding the office and not actually doing anything with it so I’m stepping up because our community needs someone who will actually fight, deliver and show up,” Hornedo stated in an interview. “This is not about one person. It’s about whether our government is working for the people who need it most, and right now, it’s not.”
These intra-party challenges are emerging from a younger generation of Democratic candidates frustrated with what they perceive as weak leadership that safeguards the status quo in Washington. Their campaigns are primarily focused on generational and stylistic disparities rather than ideological divides, reflecting a growing anger within the Democratic base, not just directed at President Donald Trump but also towards congressional leaders’ ineffective opposition. This situation is shaping the initial landscape of the midterm primary season, nearly one year after President Joe Biden, then 81 and dealing with health issues, was compelled to withdraw from his re-election campaign.
In addition to those already running, three Democratic strategists, granted anonymity to speak freely about private discussions, indicated that they anticipate additional serious primary challenges against long-term incumbents in states like Massachusetts, Maryland, and New York. They also noted several open congressional seats in Arizona and Texas, where millennial and Gen Z candidates have already stepped forward, following the deaths of sitting members.
“Democrats are hungry for leadership right now, and if their elected officials don't give it to them, they’re going to look elsewhere,” remarked Rebecca Katz, a veteran Democratic consultant. “I think we’ll see more primaries and more retirements in the coming months.”
These challengers are channeling significant frustration within the party's base. A CNN poll last month revealed a stark decline in the Democratic Party's image, with a majority of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters feeling that their leaders are leading them astray. This dissatisfaction was evident in town halls earlier this year, where voters expressed their grievances, with some even calling for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to step aside.
Hornedo, who faces long odds in his primary endeavor, went viral on social media when he shared how a “party elder” warned him, looking "dead in the eye" at a political gathering, that “You’re going to get hurt” if he runs against Carson.
“Why was that her response? Not asking about my vision, not asking about what I want to do for the district, or why I think I’d be a better representative, and instead warning me,” Hornedo said directly into the camera while walking around his Indianapolis neighborhood. “Because the reality is that the people in charge of the Democratic Party don’t just fight Republicans. They fight anybody who challenges them, and that’s why we keep losing ground.”
The generational shift extends beyond the House, driven largely by open seats rather than challenges to incumbents in the Senate. Last week, Rep. Chris Pappas, 44, and Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, 38, both launched Senate campaigns in primaries left open by retiring members in their 60s and 70s.
Candidates challenging incumbents in primaries face significant obstacles. Established House members typically possess greater name recognition in their districts and often have stronger fundraising networks. Historical data from World War II to 2018 indicates that 98 percent of House members seeking re-election won their party primaries, according to analysis from the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics.
In Indiana, Hornedo, a Democratic strategist who worked on Pete Buttigieg's 2020 presidential campaign, noted that his TikTok post resonated with many online because it reflects “a larger problem,” as voters realize that “the folks who got us into this mess are not the ones to get us out of it.” His video garnered approximately 120,000 views and nearly 20,000 likes.
Carson, now 50, has been serving since 2008. Hornedo has claimed Carson is unresponsive, pointing out that the Center for Effective Lawmaking recently ranked him as one of the least effective Democrats in Congress.
Hornedo predicts an influx of millennial and Gen Z Democrats joining the fray, stating that these races “are going to be about accountability inside the party, and not just opposition to the other side” because “too many Democrats in safe seats are failing the performance test.”
“To me, the biggest divide in the Democratic Party isn't left versus center, and it's not necessarily even young versus old, but it's not urgency versus inertia,” Hornedo elaborated. “While the old guard still thinks that the system can be managed, it’s my generation that knows that it needs to be rebuilt.”
In a statement made while Hornedo was contemplating his candidacy but prior to his announcement, Carson expressed, “I have always welcomed new voices to the conversation,” and highlighted his pride in his accomplishments in Indiana and Washington.
“With a strategy of legislation, litigation, and activism, we are taking on Donald Trump's extreme agenda,” he noted. “My office brings millions of dollars directly back to Indianapolis residents in lost or delayed benefits each year.”
Carson is not the only incumbent Democrat facing challenges in his district. Rakov criticized Sherman’s attentiveness toward the West San Fernando Valley during recent wildfires when he announced his campaign this month.
Rakov clarified that most of his concerns with Sherman weren't ideological, stating, “We’re both progressive Democrats, and I’m sure we’ll find daylight on a few things here and there, but I think this is much more about being a better member of Congress and actually doing what needs to be done in this moment in time.”
He acknowledged the other campaigns launched by Abughazaleh and Chakrabarti. When asked about comparisons to the 2010 tea party movement, Rakov remarked, “That'd be great. It'd be cool if we could have that big national moment from a political science perspective.”
However, he humorously added that Fox News would likely label it the “Latte Party,” referring to the party’s appeal among college-educated voters.
Sherman strongly refuted many of Rakov’s accusations, asserting that he is “fit as a fiddle” and has worked diligently to assist constituents affected by the fires. He characterized these primary challenges as distractions from efforts to help Democrats secure swing seats.
“The idea that the way to beat Republicans is to shoot the Democrats who have helped people in close districts — that’s not how we’re going to beat Republicans,” he said.
However, younger Democrats already serving in Congress are not quick to dismiss their more seasoned colleagues. Rep. Greg Casar, a millennial rising star, called Schakowsky in Illinois a “stand and fight Democrat,” expressing solidarity, stating, “she hasn't publicly stated her intentions on running, but if she decided to, I’d be with her, 100 percent.”
Schakowsky herself recognized that her time in Congress is not indefinite, stating, “I'm not going to run forever, that's for sure.” Nevertheless, she expressed confidence in her potential reelection, claiming, “A lot of young people are supporting me, and I support them. I encourage young people to get involved.”
Rep. Maxwell Frost, the first Gen Z member of Congress who won an open primary in 2022, also predicted a surge of young candidates in 2026, reflecting on his own experience: “I feel like it's allowed me to build really good relationships in the district.”
Max Fischer for TROIB News
