'Full-blown battle' brewing in Dem party as Mamdani-style candidates rise in key races

Several of the most competitive House races in the country feature candidates putting to the test whether progressive policies can appeal to voters outside deep blue urban centers, including in California's 22nd Congressional District, where Democrat Randy Villegas is running to unseat Republican Rep. David Valadao. 

"Bernie and I share the same goal: to make life more affordable for working families," Villegas said in a statement after being endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a self-described "democratic socialist."

"He has dedicated his life to putting power in the hands of ordinary Americans instead of the ultra-rich, and I'm excited to work together to fight for our communities here in the Central Valley and across the country."

In addition to being endorsed by Sanders, who endorsed New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, Villegas has employed the Fight Agency advertising firm, among others, which is led by operatives who also helped Mamdani cruise to victory earlier this month.

"Here in the Central Valley, we couldn't care less about political labels," Villegas said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "We care about being able to see a doctor without going bankrupt and being able to feed our families without needing a second job. We're sick of politicians in both parties selling us out to billionaires and corporations. Any politician who isn't fighting for working families like our lives depends on it needs to get out of the way."

In Colorado's 8th Congressional District, GOP Rep. Gabe Evans is being challenged by another progressive Democrat, Manny Rutinel, in what is expected to be one of the tightest House races next November.

Rutinel has been endorsed by progressive groups like CHC Bold PAC and Latino Victory Fund.

The race to unseat GOP Rep. Darrell Issa in California's redrawn 48th Congressional District features Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar, who describes himself as a "working-class progressive" and was endorsed by the Sanders-linked group Our Revolution. 

GOP Rep. Tom Barrett is up for re-election in Michigan's 7th Congressional District, and one of the Democrats running to replace him is William Lawrence, who co-founded the progressive Sunrise Movement.

Peter Chatzky is running as a Democrat challenging GOP Rep. Mike Lawler in New York's 17th Congressional District, and although he is running in a crowded primary, he has the ability to self-fund and is viewed as a formidable contender in a district ranked by Cook Political Report as "Lean Republican."

Chatzky, the only Democrat in the field who has called for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to step down, has expressed support for "universal healthcare."

In Nebraska, John Cavanaugh, a state senator, is running as a Democrat to replace retiring GOP Rep. Don Bacon in the 2nd Congressional District with the endorsement of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which he said he is "grateful" for and that he plans to join them on the "front lines."

As Democratic leadership in Washington, D.C. begins to face calls for new faces, Republicans across the country have made the argument that the socialist push in recent months is reshaping key House races and changing the landscape of the way the Democratic Party operates going forward. 

Mike Marinella, national spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), told Fox News Digital the rise of progressive candidates is a "full-blown battle for the soul of the Democrat Party" and concluded that the "socialist stampede is winning."

"Democrats aren't focused on helping working families, they're too busy tearing each other apart." 

In a statement to Fox News Digital, DCCC spokesperson Viet Shelton touted the Democrats across the country who are focusing on affordability. 

"Because of House Republicans, everything is too damn expensive and working families are struggling. Republican operatives in D.C. know they can't win on the issues, so we're seeing them melt down in real time," Shelton said.

"Even President Trump is in the Oval Office desperately bear hugging the Mayor-elect. It's embarrassing. While they waste their time, Democrats across the country are laser focused on lowering prices and fighting for everyday Americans, which is why we will re-take the majority."